Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Garmin Edge 305HR GPS Navigator and Bicycle Computer with Heart Rate Monitor

Garmin Edge 305HR GPS Navigator and Bicycle Computer with Heart Rate Monitor

Garmin Edge 305HR GPS Navigator and Bicycle Computer with Heart Rate Monitor



Take your ride to the next level with the Edge 305 - Garmin's GPS-enabled, personal trainer and cycle computer. From competitive road racing to mountain biking, the cyclist-friendly, lightweight Edge will help you achieve your personal best. With the easy-to-use Edge 305 on your bike, you'll always know where you're going and how far you've gone.For advanced cyclists, the Edge 305 comes packaged with either a heart rate monitor or wireless speed/pedaling cadence sensor to provide valuable feedback. Heart rate and speed cadence are also sold separately as accessories so you can incorporate both features into your training. In addition, the Edge 305 incorporates a barometric altimeter for extremely accurate elevation and vertical profile data. Recreational cyclists looking for the perfect touring companion andfitness partner will love the Edge 305.The Edge 305 with heart rate lets you see whether you are training too hard or not enough. The heart rate monitor uses a robust wireless technology that eliminates cross-talk and interference and sends heart rate data to the Edge via a soft, comfortable chest strap. This data is stored with each track point for post-workout analysis.With its waterproof, sleek design, the Edge is the perfect companion on any bike, and attaches to either the stem or handlebars. Its rugged case frames an easy-to-read, large, backlit display that can show up to eight different data fields along with altitude and a map view.

Customer Review: Great, but I'm on my 5th unit...

Clearly a great tool for cycling, and I love it - when it works. But I've now had to return mine for the 5th time, due to the unit shutting itself off mid-ride. Very annoying, and dealing with Garmin customer service is super slow (usually 30-45 minutes on hold before you can find a human)

Love it, just wish it were reliable.

Customer Review: Wonderful Tool for Cyclists

I have found the Gramin Edge 305 to be an outstanding tool for cyclists. It was SO easy to install and modify the data I wanted to observe. Being a senior cyclist (over 60) I was just amazed at the amount of data this unit collects and calulated. I remember when just having a simple mechanical bike speed indicator was a BIG deal. Now I can download all the data I ever wanted to observe about every ride. Now my only problem is my wife is tired of looking at my ride analysis after every ride.

Garmin Edge 305HR GPS Navigator and Bicycle Computer with Heart Rate Monitor


My Perfect Campsite

Its the time of year to beat the heat and head for higher elevation. For many people that means loading up the RV, grabbing the boat and finding a campground by the lake. My idea for the perfect getaway means loading the truck with our camping gear and our two Labrador Retrievers and getting as far away from the pavement as we can get. While these two styles are quite different, they are both perfect. Lets take a look at what makes a campsite perfect for meand perhaps for you.

Its the time of year to beat the heat and head for higher elevation. For many people that means loading up the RV, grabbing the boat and finding a campground by the lake. My idea for the perfect getaway means loading the truck with our camping gear and our two Labrador Retrievers and getting as far away from the pavement as we can get. While these two styles are quite different, they are both perfect. Lets take a look at what makes a campsite perfect for meand perhaps for you.

To start with, there are two general types of campsites, the first being established campsites. These campgrounds exist for all sorts of campers and their camping equipment ranging from large motor homes to small designated patches of grass for bicyclists. Finding this type of campsite is fairly easy to do. On the internet, one can find hundreds of informational websites with campground information for virtually any area on the planet. Favorite campgrounds are typically found in national, state and county park systems and are available for a nominal daily fee. They are usually found near natural features such as lakes, rivers and scenic areas. Campgrounds often cater to specific types of campers, for instance some campgrounds are kid and pet friendly while others are not. There are many advantages to established campgrounds such as running water, electricity, activities and other modern conveniences. With minimal research, you should be able to find the perfect campground for you or your group.

A second general type of campsite is referred to as a primitive campsite. As the name implies, you wont find any of todays modern conveniences at a primitive site and to those who prefer this type of camping, thats the whole point. Primitive camping is my favorite way to camp. Some primitive campers carry everything on their backs and set up camp when they are done hiking for the day. I like to drive right up to my primitive camp site so that I can take along a few of my favorite things. In either case here are few things I consider when looking for the perfect primitive site. Number one is shelter. Shelter from the wind, rain, sun, noise and other campers are important to me. I also want a spot that is elevated, level, durable and clean. I dont care much for insects and I enjoy a nice fire in the evenings.

So where is my perfect campsite? I wont tell you exactly, but its at 7,600 feet elevation just 10 miles from the south entrance to the Grand Canyon and is only 3 miles from the pavement. It sits in the Kaibab National Forest amidst countless Ponderosa Pines, has very few insects and cannot be seen from the dirt road which is only 200 feet away. The area has an abundance of elk, deer, firewood and natural running water. From a nearby hill I have a great view of the Grand Canyon. Ive camped here many times and I dont think anyone else has used this spot in the past ten years. Now thats perfect!

Perhaps your perfect campsite has a swimming pool, electricity, a convenience store, a club house and sewage hookups. Thats awesome. Camping takes on different looks for different folks and the key to getting the most out of your outdoor times is knowing what you like and going after it. Do a little research before heading out and be sure to go take along someone you care about. Youll be guaranteed to have a great time. Use this information and youll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!


About the Author: Chuck Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online specialty store with the Best Gear Out There and dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts to Get It Right The First Time with timely educational information. Please visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com to find great gear and to receive the Fact & Tip e-newsletter, "FreshAir. (800) 316-9055.

Source: www.isnare.comWhat To Know When Buying A GPSChuck Fitzgerald

Why are GPS units showing up everywhere? You might find one in your rental car, on your wristwatch or even built into your wireless phone. Anti-theft systems use one, heavy construction equipment might use one and having one on your boat now seems to be a requirement. Anytime we want to know our exact location on the face of the Earth, the GPS becomes indispensable. Like many other technologies, feature rich GPS units are now affordable for the average person. So how do you know which one to purchase? Lets look at few things to consider prior to buying your next GPS unit, but first, what is a GPS unit?

A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit has the primary function of calculating its own location on land or water by using satellite signals. Once the GPS unit knows its own location, it can help the user determine direction and distance to other known locations. For instance, a GPS on a boat can tell the captain how far it is to the shoreline or how far it is to a favorite fishing spot. For the outdoor sportsman a GPS can help with finding your campsite, your vehicle or your next geocache. Popular outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, trail running, backpacking, rock climbing, canyoneering and canoeing are all made more enjoyable and safer when you take along your GPS.

When buying a GPS system the first thing to consider is how you intend to use it. If you plan on using it while on foot, youll want a GPS that is lightweight, compact, weather resistant and that is equipped with features important to foot travel. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) is one such feature. WAAS greatly increases the accuracy of your GPS, in most cases to within 10 feet. Accuracy within a few meters is important for the outdoor enthusiast but not nearly as important for navigating through town in your rental car. Next, be sure your GPS has at least 12 channels of reception too. Since your GPS will only work when it receives signals from satellites orbiting the Earth, less than 12 receiving channels will not get the job done in wooded areas or in steep terrain. If you plan on using your GPS to navigate while driving in your car, its weight is not nearly as important as its ability to display street maps. The GPS mounted to the dash of your truck probably doesnt need to be weatherproof, but the one on your boat better be.

Here are the features and products I recommend. For the outdoor athlete or sportsman, be sure your GPS has these features: topographical mapping, back tracking, a computer interface, weatherproofing, 12 receiver channels and WAAS. I recommend portable GPS units in the Garmin eTrex Series and the Magellan Meridian Series. For driving applications, be sure your GPS has these features: street mapping, large display, a computer interface and external antenna compatibility. I recommend automotive GPS units in the Garmin StreetPilot Series and the Magellan RoadMate Series. For boating and other marine applications, be sure your GPS has these features: marine mapping, color screen, active sonar, back tracking, a computer interface and weatherproofing. I recommend marine GPS Units in the Garmin GPSMAP Series.

Prices for GPS units vary a great deal and in general, you get what you pay for. While some units cost around $100 and offer relatively few features, others may cost as much as $1000 or even more and are loaded with dozens of features. Here is a good rule of thumb for determining how much money to spend on your next GPS. You should expect to pay between $200 and $300 to get a decent GPS Unit. I own a Garmin eTrex Vista. I believe it is the best GPS available for under $300.

If you dont have a GPS or yours is more than five years old, nows the time to get one. Adding a new GPS to your inventory of backcountry toys will take your outdoor adventures to a new level of enjoyment. Use this information and youll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!


About the Author: Chuck Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online specialty store with the Best Gear Out There and dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts to Get It Right The First Time with timely educational information. Please visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com to find great gear and to receive the Fact & Tip e-newsletter, "FreshAir. (800) 316-9055.

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