I’ve been using this unit in anger for about 2 months now. It’s awesome, and it’s not mature yet. Buy this now and consider yourself a beta tester.

One really big stumbling block when it comes to learning to use this unit is the lack of documentation. The doc that comes with it only shows you the intuitive stuff, the things you could figure out in short order on your own. It doesn’t tell you anything about memory management, how to use it as a mapping GPS, how to dmanage the SD card, what the track point limitations are…the user is left to figure this out by trial, error, and internet forums.

Despite those drawbacks I love it so far. Painful at times, but it can be used for multi-day epic navigation + performance data collection (HR, speed, cadence, power when coupled with a PT, CincQ or SRM). I used it in TransUtah (OK I’m pretty familiar with the route but there was 60 miles I hadn’t yet seen) and it worked flawlessly. The trick to use it for navigation: convert GPX tracks to garmin course .crs files using garmins Training Center software, and upload the track using GTC also. I was able to follow a ~4500 point course file which is actually easier than using a series of 500 point tracks. The unit will also let you know if you get off course which could be handy if your track file has good resolution.

Gotchas: The unit I got didn’t ship with the latest firmware. You’ll want the latest as they are working out bugs with each new firmware. It uses an internal battery with about 15 hours runtime. I use a battery extender by Gomadic, works well but it’s another set of batteries to have taped to the stem. I’m still not sure if I can upload basemaps to the SD card – it’s using internal memory right now.

A big plus: the latest word I got from Garmin was that the workout files (performance + GPS data) are limited in size only by the amount of internal memory available. That’s got to be close to a month or more (as a WAG).

Bottom line: it can do what you want but not likely in a way you are accustomed to. If you are into gizmo integration/simplification this could be your holy grail. I realize I’m probably one of maybe 3 folks on this forum that get excited about that last sentence…

I really like using the 705 as well. Do not upload maps to the SD card if you have the City Streets maps or whatnot, they will be overwritten. I have uploaded the complete Garmin topo map set of the Western US with room to spare on a spare 2GB SD card. The footprint when strapped to the stem is nice as well.

I think the interface is somewhat similar to other Garmin products and reasonably easy to navigate.

The Gomadic extender works well also. I’ve tried a solar recharger with mixed results.

I recommend it.

I’ve been using the 705 for about 6 months and it has taken care of most of my needs.

However, I noticed that if I set the maximum profile heart rate too low, I will get goofy readings when I push myself to that maximum value. When I reach my preset maximum HR value the display will show the real-time (?) maximum reading and then drop about 50bpm from the actual HR.

Has anyone else experienced this type of behavior?

As a follow up to my above post, I called Garmin and they believe the problem is that the heart rate strap isn’t contacting my chest when I’m working up against my maximum heart rate. They suggested wearing the strap backwords with the sensor across the back instead of my chest to make better contact.

Hmmm… We’ll see. BTW, the problem repeated three times during the same ride as I was climbing hills. I have some trouble believing the problem is a contact issue as the HR display was still displaying a heart rate, just not an accurate one.

Late follow up to above entries…
I called Garmin and they suggested a system reset for the 705.

The system reset corrected the problem.

Been using them for hiking (bike + walking), they use perfectly. Love them 😉

Great potential, but just not there yet. There is a lot to like about it, but there are too many problems with the firmware, every iteration. Now I upgraded to 3.3, which was supposed to solve several issues, but either didn’t or created worse problems. For example, using a powertap, it was supposed to correctly calculate distance, but as it turns out, if you follow instructions, your speed and distance will be pretty far off (in my case, by 1/3 too low, so that makes it useless when you try to follow a cue sheet). Also, the unit is not very water resistant, it can’t deal with riding in rain. My screen is still fogged up 3 days after riding in the rain on Saturday. I need to send it back to Garmin.

Love it. Used it for San Juan Huts in CO and Trans GA. Battery life can be tricky..here is what I have found. Best to run fully charged unit with external battery. Duracell external works well but I really like the combo of it and the GOMADIC works awesome. Yes batteries are heavy but the GOMADIC produces the longest run time. Stats below:
Garmin Battery Beta:
1: Fully charge Garmin runs 15 hours
2: Duracell external mini USB fully charged will run a dead Garmin 1.5 hours while charging and will
-boost Garmin dead battery 1/3 or 6 hours

**combination of fully charged Garmin (15hrs) then re-charged by Duracell (1.5 hrs)
then tops off Garmin 1/3 or (6hrs)
total run time = 22.5 hours

3: Fully charged Garmin and Duracell
use Duracell initially as trickle charge to full Garmin
Duracell runs Garmin for (9 hrs) and leaves Garmin fully charged
Garmin runs for 15.5 hours
total run time = 24.5 hours

4: Dead Garmin being run by Gomadic w/ 4 new Duracell run time 17 hours still running and has charged
the Garmin to 100%….total run time 30 plus hours