Matt Page: Garmin Edge 705 MTB Review
Following on from Dan’s excellent review of the Garmin Edge 705, the unit has been passed to me to test out and see how it fares as a training tool. Dan has covered all the features of the unit, which I used it myself to familiarise myself with the unit. I will attempt to go into greater detail with the training side of the tool.
One of the more useful features for me as someone who trains is the ability to program an interval/workout session, follow it through and evaluate the performance afterwards. Free to download and bundled with the Edge 705 is Garmin’s own software called ‘Training Centre’ which allows users to do all these features.
Planning a session:
To plan a session, called a ‘Workout’ in Training centre, go to ‘Edit’ then ‘New Workout’, which will bring up the following screen:
Please Click Images to View.
Planning a workout is fairly straight forward, although I managed to get it wrong the first time I tried! Once your used to the layout and buttons it is simple.
Training centre allows you to plan each step and set up a parameter (called a Target) for each step, such as limiting HR, cadence or speed. You can also tell it when the step will end, which can based on distance, time, HR, calories burned or simply when you press the ‘Lap’ button on the unit. It is also possible to repeat a sequence of steps, which saves time when planning and something I have used frequently.
For example I planned a simple pyramid type interval session. First step was to set up a 5 minute interval in HR zone 1, a basic warm up.
By pressing the ‘+’ button you can add a new step, for this simple example I simply increased the Heart rate Zone, from Z1 to Z4 then back to Z1, keeping time to 5 minutes for each steps, with a 1 minute step in Heart Rate Zone 4.
Pressing the ‘++’ button allows the user to create a looped step. Training centre allows you to build up a long sequence of steps and build a complicated interval session, which would normally be impossible to remember whilst riding. However as the Edge gives you an audible beep (which is loud enough to be heard whilst descending at 30mph, with a winter skull cap on – great!) and describes to next step to follow on screen even the most complicated interval session is easy to follow when riding. Another good feature is the ability to give each step a custom name, which will appear on the Edge’s screen whilst riding. One way I use this is during single-leg drills, giving each step a name corresponding to the leg(s) being used.
Once your happy with your planned workout, you simply drag the session from the selection on the left of the program onto the date you want to complete the workout. Finally connect your Edge to the computer and transfer the workout to the unit. ‘File’ then ‘Send to Device’.
Completing a workout:
Now you can complete the workout by navigating the menu on the Edge. In the main menu: ‘Training’ > ‘Workouts’ > ‘Advanced’ > ‘Today’s’
Choose the workout then you simply click the ‘Start/stop’ button and the workout will begin. As you complete each step you will hear a sequence of beeps, counting down from 5 sec and a double beep when the next step starts along with directions on the screen giving details of the next step. If you stray outside of the planned session, such as pushing your HR too high you will hear an alarm along with a message, for this example it would be ‘HR too high’. After every step has been completed, the workout is finished you get a fanfare – excellent!
Analysing a workout:
Once you have had your fun and are safely back indoors you can connect the Edge back up to your computer and receive the data captures to analyse the workout. To retrieve the data, go to ‘File’ > ‘Import’ > ‘History’ and select the date of the workout from the device. For the purpose of this review I did a simple pyramid type workout, which I programmed earlier (NB. This is not a session I use in my normal training).
The data from my workout can be seen really simply in the graph that Training Centre outputs. You have the option to show up to 4 different lines of data from the following selection: Pace, Speed, Elevation, HR (bpm), HR (% max) and Grade. If you have the optional cadence sensor, or have a compatible Power Meter I believe they would also be available. Although you have the option to show lots of data, I prefer to keep it to 2 lines, usually HR (bpm) and elevation as it makes it much easier to follow.
The heart rate zones can either be shown in the background or not, in the example above they can be seen. You can also smooth out the data, so its a little less spikey, zoom in on specific areas of the workout, perhaps to see why you went outside of a parameter. You can also change the bottom axis between Time and Distance.
The box above the graph you have the choice to show either a ‘Map’ of the route, using Garmin’s own mapping software (which I find a little inaccurate and vague. I prefer to use Google Earth – see below), ‘Totals’ of the data taken, such as how long you spent in each HR zone to see if you hit the targets, max HR on the ride, total climbing, total time, total distance and more from a huge choice, which can be customised. The final option is ‘Notes’ where you can add your own text, perhaps commenting on the weather, traffic, etc.
Another neat feature of ‘Training Centre’ is the ability to output to Google Earth straight from the program, without having to convert the data format. It’s here that you get to see how amazingly accurate the GPS receiver in the Edge is. Your route can be seen through a series of waypoints. Within the Edge unit you can either choose Smart Recording, which creates a waypoint as and when the data changes, or Every Second, which records a waypoint every second. If you zoom right in on your route, it is so accurate you can even see what side of the road your riding on – hopefully the left if your within the UK! You can waste ages looking at your route, and I often do, like trying to find out how fast Ben and I were going before we slipped on some black ice and hit the deck. 18mph! Ouch.
Garmin’s Edge, combined with Training Centre also has many other features, such as the ability to compare workouts and also to create and edit courses, which you can then navigate or race yourself against. You can share your routes with other people, race your mates best time on any type of course – road or off-road. Use it to pace yourself in a Time Trial and try and get that PB.
To summarise:
The Edge 705 and Garmin’s Training Centre provide a brilliant tool for training, allowing athletes to plan, execute and analyse their training all in one, neat and easy to use package. I’ve certainly enjoyed using the Edge and I feel it would be a great benefit to me, so much so that I wonder why I never thought of getting one before.