This week cycling in unfamiliar territory may have just gotten a little easily thanks to the newly released Garmin Edge 800, a feature-packed touchscreen GPS device that builds on the industry-leading Edge 500 and Edge 705 models. In additional to tracking statistics for riders, the Edge 800 adds an intuitive touchscreen interface, allowing users to pull up the Garmin BaseCamp route planning, and get access to its BirdsEye Satellite Imagery. The BaseCamp functionality allows users to plan and even preview routes, including elevation changes along the way, and this information can be sent to Edge 800, Edge 705 and Edge 605 devices – meaning you’ll never have to pass out a ride map ever again.
The Edge 800 is truly a biking computer that will appeal to cyclists of all levels, from the casual riders looking for a new route on their weekly group ride, to those who like to go cycle touring and explore distant roads and trails far from home to those looking to wear yellow on the podium.
The Edge 800 packs in more features and includes a larger 2.6-inch display, and yet it is actually smaller and sleeker than the previous Edge 705 model. But what really stands the Garmin line of cycling computers apart from the competition is the fact that these utilize information from GPS satellites, so as with past models the Edge 800 will require no calibration, and it can thus be switched between bikes easily and more importantly quickly.
It utilizes a GPS receiver that works with HotFix, to quickly acquire and maintain satellite reception. From this unit, riders can get information on current temperature readings, as well as speed, distance, time, GPS position, elevation, calories burned, climb and descent. The device further works with ANT+ technology and is compatible with third-party power meters as well as Garmin heart rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors.
Garmin also worked as a title sponsor for the Pro Tour cyclists of Team Garmin-Transitions for the third year, and this included getting the sport’s top athletes to lend a hand in helping develop these products. The result is something that we agree should appeal to those doing serious racing as well as casual riders looking to get in some exercise after a long workweek.
“At Garmin-Transitions, we’re going to be on the cutting edge of technology, in everything we do,” said Team Garmin sprinting sensation Tyler Farrar. “Edge 800 can track all of our performance data, and it also keeps things interesting on training rides because we can use it anywhere in the world to plan and follow new routes — on and off road — and always find our way back to the start.”
The Garmin Edge 800 is available now directly from Garmin – $449.99 MSRP.