Garmin upgrades its cycling-specific GPS line in 2008 with the introduction of new Edge 605 and Edge 705 models. The Edge 605, reviewed here, features a color screen with moving map display, an accurate, high-sensitivity satellite signal receiver, and wireless installation and operation. The Edge 605 is positioned near the top of the Garmin cycling line, with the black & white screen Edge 305 and Edge 205 below it, and the Edge 705 above it.

Overall, the Edge 605 is a well-thought-out, well-designed, well-built and feature-rich cycling GPS that is a pleasure to use. If you're used to running wires around your fork and frame to mount a conventional cycling computer, you'll welcome the totally wire-free GPS cycle computer. Also, there's no need for pesky wheel calibration routines, because you're getting your position data from satellites, not your wheels on the road. This feature also makes it easy to switch the unit between bikes without sacrificing accuracy or recalibrating.

Design

When I reviewed the Garmin Edge 305 last year, I liked its features, but noted its simple, black and white map screen was of very limited use for navigation. Garmin fixed that, and added some nice new touches with the new Edge 605 and Edge 705 models.

The Edge 605 has a generous, 1.4" x 1.7" display (2.2" diagonal) that provides ample room for the moving map display, and the multiple mode displays you can customize.

You control the Edge 605 with a mode button (cycles through displays), a menu button, lap and start/stop buttons, a rubberized thumb stick, and a pair of zoom buttons. That sounds like a lot of controls, but they are quite intuitive in the way they interact with the screen, and I mastered them with just a little practice and browsing of the quick reference guide. All of the buttons were easy to locate and use during a ride, even with a lightly gloved hand. I especially like the way you can flick the thumb stick to automatically activate the backlight (brightness is adjustable and visible in full sunlight when maxed) and switch between customized displays.
Maps Galore

The Garmin Edge 605's full specs and feature set are listed on page two of this review, but I'll hit the highlights here. The color moving-map display is a "wow" feature that will have your riding buddies looking over your shoulder and asking for demos. Garmin's full accessory map set is available on micro SD card to be popped into this unit, so you can take your pick of City Navigator North America, with terrific detail of even small back roads across the U.S. and Canada; City Navigator Europe; or maps specific to the Alps, New Zealand, and more. These maps include "points of interest" also, such as restaurants, campgrounds, emergency services and more. The North America version, for example, includes six million (that's right, "million") points of interest. Amazing what they can put on a chip.

A GPS cycling computer captures a lot of data, including tracking your route in detail, your speed at all points along the ride, your average and maximum speeds, and your elevation. You can use the Edge 605 to create a detailed training log without writing a thing. It comes with software that lets you log and chart your workouts, or you can get even better data display and data/route sharing capability from the online MotionBased training log and analysis service.

Fun and Useful GPS Stuff

The addition of GPS to a cycle computer gives you a range of powerful features not found in conventional units. Here are some examples:
-Set a waypoint (your home, for example, or any starting point) and use the GPS map and bearings to find your way back, complete with distance remaining readout. Simply choose menu, where-to, back to start.
-Save any ride in your history file and re-ride it later by calling it up from the history file. If you call up a stored ride, the Edge will even calculate a route from your current position and show you how to get to the start of the stored ride.
-Navigate to an address or point of interest (nearest restaurant, for example).
-Save any location as a favorite (trailhead? coffee shop?) and select it to navigate back to it at any time.

Customize the Display

You can set custom data fields to display, or even have multiple custom settings (bike 1, bike 2)... kind of like pushing the automatic seat and mirror adjust button in a Lexus. You can place up to eight separate data fields in the big display (yes, they are all easily visible) including elapsed time, current speed, trip distance, time of day, calories burned, heading, accuracy (in feet), and elevation. Or, you can take it down to two fields, such as elapsed time and current speed, and the numerals get larger to take up the screen.

I especially like keeping the "bearing" display (tells you which direction you're going, i.e. north or northeast, etc.) up as one of the readouts when riding in unfamiliar territory.

Installation
The Garmin Edge 605 comes with very sturdy and simple nylon mounting brackets that let you mount the unit on the bike's stem or handlebar. Just select your location, snug down the included zip ties, and you are ready to clip in the 605 and go. It literally took about 30 seconds. Garmin uses very sturdy composite nylons for the Edge 605 body and the mounting brackets, so they promise to hold up to even hard mountain bike use. Built-in rubberized backing prevents the mount from slipping.

Edge 705 Comparison

What are the differences between the Edge 605 and the Edge 705?
The 605 comes in one version, as reviewed here. The 705 comes in three versions, per below:
-Edge 705 with wireless heart rate feature and wireless heart rate transmitter chest strap: $542 suggested retail.
-Edge 705 with heart rate and cadence sensor: $596 suggested retail.
-Edge 705 with heart rate, cadence and micro SD card with Street Maps USA: $709 suggested retail.
If having a heart rate monitor is important to you, hold out for the Edge 705. You can automatically log and chart your heart rate data, too.

The Edge 705 also has a barometric altimeter (more accurate than relying on GPS data alone), and can receive, display, and log data transmitted wirelessly from third-party power meters, so you can track and log power output.

Conclusion 

Pros:
Sharp color moving map display.
Numerous GPS features to help you find your way.
Keep a detailed training log without writing a thing.
Wireless.

Cons:
Does not include heart rate monitor (move up to the Edge 705 for that).
No barometric altimeter (barometric is more accurate than GPS alone).
Need optional, $140 map of North America on SD card to get detailed roads and points of interest.