I am getting ready to purchase my first Garmin 705 navigation computer. Can anyone tell me what is the purpose of purchasing the maps for the system? Do I need them living in southern California? What is the advantage and does it worth the extra $$.

Also does anybody have their Garmin on a FSA Plasma handlebar and mounted on a Plasma Control Center? Any fitting issues? Please send pictures?

Thank you in advance for your opinions,

Oscar Pena

 The base map that Garmin installs on the machine needs to be supplemented with a detailed map for the areas you are going to ride in. I'm in the UK and use one of Garmin's City Navigator series. These have details of all the national roads. I'd guess you'd want the same thing for your particular country.

As regards mounting, I can't help with specific FSA info but personally I wouldn't mount it further forward than the stem, simply because it makes it easy to read. If you have a decent amount of info on the screen the text can get a bit small, and you'll want it as close to you as possible to make sure you can read it quickly and not have to stare at it to pick things out. We all know what that could lead to......

 You'll enjoy the 705. Use with Garmin Connect it's a great bit of kit.

mate, to be honest, if you are riding in the area you know well, save your money, i've never actually used the screen to work out where i am or where i'm going in the 14months i've used mine. But would be handy if you are riding in areas you don't know and have downloaded some routes. ie on holidays or something.

I would just buy the base computer... It is better to buy maps on DVD rather than SD card, as they are upgradeable and can be used on computer, whereas SD is strictly for the Edge (or other Garmin device) and not upgradeable. If you aren't going to be doing any navigation and you know the roads, maps are pointless. personally, I think the speed/cadence sensor is useless, unless you really need or want cadence. The GPS speed that the device obtains is as accurate as a speed sensor and it saves money and weight. If you want to monitor HR, of course, you will need a compatible ANT+ strap.

 If you already know where you are going and don't require the use of the mapping facility, why would you buy the 705 in the first place? I'd have thought there are much cheaper non-mapping computers around that can provide you with pretty much the same level of data.

I use the 705 constantly just to seek out new routes - pick somewhere new a certain distance away and let the Garmin guide me there and back without having to stop and consult a map. The 'courses' feature is a great way to compare your performance, and fighting against the 'virtual partner' on tried and tested routes is a great incentive to go faster when you are out on your own.

The mapping features are what you are paying a lot of money for.

further to what gadgetman said, if you are not going to use the map or navigation features EVER, I would strongly consider buying the newer Garmin Edge 500. It is smaller, has all of the other features and is compatible with Power from ANT+sport devices.

The maps are extremely useful.  I would get the City Navigator Maps.

I recently purchased the Garmin 705 and also City Navigator DVD to update the maps. I bought the DVD because I travel a lot and have used the maps so far on the Bicycle Tour of Colorado, a cycling holiday on the Cabot Trail and a conference in Austin, Texas. While I have lived in Ottawa for three years now, I am also not that familiar with many of the roads around here other than my usual rides. So I use the maps a lot. But if you know where you're riding and unlikely to travel, then the upgraded maps may not be the important. I mount my Garmin on my stem (on all my bikes).

You have to buy the detailed maps. The base maps that come with the unit are worthless. It would be pointless and stupid not to buy the detailed maps. As was previously suggested, buy the DVD over the SD card. The DVD allows more functions/features than the SD card. Also, I use my 705 when I travel to other cities, not for biking, but for driving around. You can locate places, restraurants, map out directions, etc, etc. It is a great unit.

Thanks for the info guys,

I think what I'm going to do is to buy the unit (705 that is) since I am planning to use the navigation system and test it out how well does it works in my area without the maps. Then if I need the maps, I'll just get them in a CD rather than a SD card. I am guessing that I would download the maps on my computer and then load them on the Garmin device right? Where do I get the maps in a CD? Same bike stores?

Thank you very much for the info,

Oscar Pena
Cervelo R3
Sram Red
Zipp 404
Garmin 705 Coming soon...

Get the 705 with maps.  If you don't needs maps or ANT+ then go for a lower model

Testing it is pointless. If you want navigation, you have to have the detail maps, period. The base version only shows like major highways which presumably you won't be riding your bike on..........   You want the City Navigator NT 2009 DVD. Be careful, don't buy the DVD that is the 2009 Update. This is only an update for people who alreaady have older detail maps. You need this:  http://www.tigergps.com/garmincnntna.html?productid=garmincnntna&channelid=FROOG

 

 

Thank you for your advise Got2ride, $89.99 is a price that won't set me back. I appreciate it.

Oscar Pena
Cervelo R3
Sram Red
Zipp 404
Garmin 705 with City map! Coming soon...

thom_y:

further to what gadgetman said, if you are not going to use the map or navigation features EVER, I would strongly consider buying the newer Garmin Edge 500. It is smaller, has all of the other features and is compatible with Power from ANT+sport devices.

That's what I would do.  I rarely use maps and the 305/705 is almost the size of by blackberry :)  The 500 is a nice size as well.