Garmin launches Edge with touchscreen

Garmin unveils an innovation: the Edge 800 is the first "thoroughbred" GPS bike computer with a touchscreen. In addition to the sporty, elegant carbon design, the new top model for cyclists impresses above all with its new, intuitive and clear menu navigation and a color touchscreen display that is easy to read in all lighting conditions.

Garmin's latest product weighs just 95 grams. Completely without external sensors or cables, it offers far more than the functions of standard bike computers. In addition to all data determined via GPS, such as distance and speed values, an integrated barometric altimeter also makes it possible to determine exact altitude data.

The new display of the GPS bike computer impresses with its good readability, even in difficult lighting conditions. In addition to displaying all performance data on freely configurable data fields, the Edge 800 is also capable of displaying maps (both vector and raster maps and custom maps) as well as routing on suitable vector maps. The Edge 800 is also operated via the touchscreen display. Just three useful direct access buttons (Start/Stop, Lap/Reset and On/Off) complete the new and remarkably simple operating concept.

The new Edge 800 is expected to be available from the beginning of November in five different versions:

Black and white (recommended retail price: CHF 599.-)
Black-blue + textile heart rate belt + speed/cadence sensor (RRP: CHF 699.-)
Black-blue + textile heart rate belt + speed/cadence sensor + Topo Switzerland Map (RRP: CHF 999.-) - Ideal for mountain bikers
Black-blue + textile heart rate belt + speed/cadence sensor + "City Navigator Europe" map on SD card (RRP: CHF 799.-) - Ideal for road cyclists
Black-blue + textile heart rate belt + speed/cadence sensor + "City Navigator Europe" map on SD card + Topo Switzerland map (RRP: CHF 1,099.-) - Ideal for cyclists who own an MTB and a road bike

Technical data

Supports both vector and raster maps (incl. custom maps)
PC connection via fast USB port
Evaluation with Garmin Training Center (offline), Basecamp (offline), http://connect.garmin.com (online) and other online training portals
Barometric altimeter and electronic compass
Memory for up to 2,000 laps
Memory expandable with microSD memory cards (up to 8 GB)
ANT+ compatible (high interference immunity and low power consumption)
Wireless data transfer from device to device
Wirelessly expandable with power measurement systems (e.g. from SRM, CycleOps, Quarq)
FirstBeatTM technology: accurate calorie consumption calculation taking into account heart rate variability
HotfixTM technology: very fast location determination
Battery life (permanently installed): up to 15 hours depending on use
Weight: 95 grams
Device dimensions: 5.1 x 10.9 x 2.5 cm
Display resolution (2.6 inch): 176 x 220 pixels