Device over hui, software Pooh!

With the Edge 605 Garmin did a great job. The cycling computer is small, light, the display is easy to read and super in the sunshine without Hintergrundbelechtung.
The integrated GPS chip set including antenna is the hammer. The satellite search takes just seconds and the receiver is even in the city and in the forest always more than adequate. On the bike itself makes a longer saddle arcade with over the unit flexed upper body to the recipient no problems.
The term of the (unfortunately fixed) installed batteries is very good. Without backlight 15-18h are no problem.
2 brackets are included and a third is about 10 EUR very favorable.

Enough praise. The bad part is the included software. The preloaded map is a joke and totally useless for cycling. A software for convenient pre-planning of routes is NOT included. The issue raised in other reviews MapSource from Garmin, which this is possible is not here!

Only the software for subsequent analysis of the training load (Training Center) is not bad. Allerings I think that everyone who buys such a bike computer, the opportunity will be missed to plan trips in advance at home.

This sales strategy is not new, and completely legitimate. It sells the customer the device and in the end he must money for MapSource and once again money to spend on useful maps. Garmin has the here but a bit exaggerated. Since not even test versions of "good" software are included (what a yes often moves into purchasing the full version), makes the customer of course return mail in search of (legal!) Alternatives on the net. And lo and behold, you will find:

To plan bike routes (and create the necessary for the device GPX files) quite comfortably and completely free on many websites (bikemap.net example). In addition, you get free maps from the OpenStreetMap project. Via the OSM project page one even as far as clicking that you can download a ready detailed topographical bike map Germany for Garmin devices, you only need to copy to the memory card.
This card represents the nearly 200 EUR expensive variant of Garmin in the meissten regions in every way and is superior to it in routing even often.

Finally I can say:
Thank Garmin! Had at least trial versions of MapSource and a useful map by lying, I would certainly have again spent EUR 300 for the full versions. So I have learned as a complete novice but a lot about OSM and route planning and partly found superior free versions of all my missing software .... and saved a lot of money.

Conclusion:
In a new city side road routes easily plan at home to avoid pesky federal roads with the bike? Past gefahrn Ride your bike in the large wooded area again coolest Trail? In known to visit, this wheel and from the net ne recommended route in totally unknown area nachfahrn? In vacations not the card from the draw bag at every crossways?
>> This is your UNIT !!