GPS Kids | Peg’s Posts: Touchscreen Edge 800–get your hands on it

The Eurobike show opened today in Friedrichshafen, Germany, drawing 40,000 visitors and 1,600 journalists. This is where the trends on two wheels are set on a worldwide stage. And we couldn’t be more proud to be there showcasing Edge 800 — the first touchscreen gps kids watch-enabled bike computer. Our booth will have an ongoing stream of gear-loving press and cyclists who want to be among the first to get their hands on this fine device. Once they start to play, they’ll discover there’s a lot more to the Edge 800 than good looks. Providing navigation and performance monitoring, it’s ideal for the “I wanna get lost but still find my way back” mountain bikers, the touring/commuting/recreational crowd and the performance cyclists, including the pros from Team Garmin. Congrats to Team Garmin’s Tyler Farrar for winning the sprint finish at the Vuelta a España today!

Last Friday, I had a chance to take the 800 out for its maiden voyage. This was a lunchtime ride with four cycling coworkers who’ve been collectively logging lots of miles from Garmin HQ. Needless to say, I didn’t have a chance to touch, tap and admire the Edge during this ride. I have to work my tail off to not get dropped by this group, but that’s exactly the way I like to roll. Our group included Owen, our lead-out man who rides for a local cycling team. Matt, who’s strong as an ox and I believe could pull me up the Tourmalet in a headwind. Scott, who holds a steady line ideal to draft off and probably has more bike miles logged than the rest of us put together and squared. And then there’s Ryan, who, in the span of about a month, ran his first half marathon, got hitched, biked across Iowa, signed up for his first marathon and committed to his first MS150 ride. Ryan was also Edge 800-equipped for this ride. Here’s a peek at our short-but-sweet ride in Garmin Connect.

From a Garmin insider who’s accustomed to our engineers pulling out all the stops, I have to say, our fitness team really outdid themselves on this one. The display is beautiful and crisp, the touchscreen very responsive. And knowing our design engineers have put this unit through the testing rigors, I’ll have no worries getting caught in the rain or subjecting it to the elements. Can’t wait to take it on a 70-mile ride this coming Monday. What better way to celebrate Labor Day than a long ride? Stay tuned for more Edge 800 news. And if you’re lucky enough to be at Eurobike this week, be sure to stop by our booth, A5-201. Or see us at  Interbike, Sept. 22-24, booth 2631.

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