After John and Nick’s success with and impressive reviews of the Edge 800 in a previous blog from Eurobike we were pleased to hear of an upcoming delivery of these new computers.

I’m continually surprised when I see a Garmin unit mounted on a stem at just how small, neat and compact they are. Yet the screen seems to be massive and include all of the data you’d want/need.

The images which we all see of the units on the net really don’t do them justice – an Edge 500 easily fits onto a 110mm stem with room to spare. The Edge 800 is longer but by no means ‘too big’ for most cockpits.

The new Edge 800 is larger and features a touch screen which can even be used with gloves (though my fat fingers might come a cropper at some point). Able to stand up to the elements, yet sensitive enough to respond to the tap of your gloved hand. You can switch training pages or pan and zoom the map with just a tap. The bright, sunlight-readable colour display is easy to view in all lighting conditions. Just don’t let its good looks fool you – the Edge 800 is waterproof to IPX7 standards and can withstand hard knocks and scrapes it might endure in mountain biking environments. Updated firmware makes for intuitive navigating of the various menus and the appropriately sized buttons are easy to hit even while rolling along at speed or with sweaty and/or dirty fingers.

Key Features:

GPS – probably why you’re going to buy the Edge 800! It has a built-in basemap that shows major roads and cities, plus it’s compatible with the range of microSD cards to add your choice of maps. It tracks a variety of data from your ride and lets you customise up to three training pages so you can see as much or as little ride information as you want. The barometric altimeter provides extra-precise climb and descent data and records temperature changes.

Once home and you’ve logged the miles it’s time to review, replay and share your ride. Just upload your data to Garmin Connect, their website for free data analysis and sharing. You can upload from your PC or Mac using the included USB cable. Here you can see the route you’ve ridden on a map, view a summary of your ride, create goals, share rides and data with others and much more. BaseCamp software lets you create routes on your computer and then transfer in incredible detail with 2D, 3D and elevation views.

HR and Cadence

Combine what we think is the most advanced and complete GPS unit available at the minute with a HR strap and speed/cadence sensor for the ultimate training partner.

Available as a package (the Road Performance Package) with the exclusive white/black head unit for £449.99 (RRP) you will finish rides with more useful data than you could imagine.

Apart from a bit of extra fitting (the regular Edge 800 stem mount fits without tools) there is only the disadvantage of getting dressed to the nines, realising you’ve forgotten the HR strap and having to start over again.

The speed/cadence sensor works off the back wheel and sits on your chainstay, should satellite signal be lost this makes up for it and is the best way for interruption free training data. You’ll also need one if you use your bike on the turbo trainer.

Packages available (preliminary)

• Edge 800 GPS computer with cadence, HRM and microSD card (regional specific) – £449.99 RRP
• Edge 800 GPS computer with cadence and HRM – £399.99 RRP
• Edge 800 GPS computer – £349.99 RRP

Technical Specification:

• Operating temperature: -20°C to +60°C.
• Re-chargeable Li-Ion battery with up to 15 hours life.
• Screen resolution: 160 x 240 pixels.
• Actual size: 5.1 x 9.3 x 2.5cm.

Garmin Computers:

With Garmin’s range being topped by the Edge 800 we’re doubting that any other rivals are going to come along within the next 6/8 months.

We can’t wait to get our hands on one, and we’ll sure let you know how it performs over a long-term test.

To register your interest with us as PBK click here and once we get our delivery you’ll be the first to hear.