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Solid Product
After buying and using the Edge 605 and reading some of the negative reviews I can't help wondering if we are using the same unit. I can only surmise that some of these people didn't spent enough time researching before buying and learning how to use the device.

1. It is true that detailed route maps (City Navigator) will cost you an extra $85-$100. This has always been true of Garmin GPSr (except the auto units) mainly because many customers don't want (hikers, hunters) these or already have the maps on DVD (like me) that are being used with other Garmin GPSr. Garmin also has different types of mapsets: City, Topo, Marine, etc. So the customer has the option of choosing which maps they want. Turn by turn instruction has worked fine for me although I don't have the unit calculate the route for me (as one reviewer did for New York City!), I use a free website such as Bike Route Toaster to create and then upload the route to my Edge.

2. Backlight - This is a non issue for me. Outside, where the unit is meant to be used I can see the display perfectly without the backlight on. In fact the display washes out when I use the backlight outdoors. Indoors it is defiantly required. Having the backlight on while riding also drains the battery at a faster rate so I don't want it to automatically come on.

3. Mouunt Slipping - this can be an issue if you don't use the supplied rubber sleeve when installing mount. I did and have had no problems.

4. Manual - could be better but I am familiar with Garmin units and how they work. There was a manual on CD in the box that explained all the features.

In closing I like the unit and does everything I thought it would. The custom screens are a nice feature as is getting rid of magnets and sensors on the fork of my bike. I would suggest checking for updates to firmware before using the GPSr.

Is this a lot to pay for a bike computer, yes. Is this a lot to pay for a turn by turn GPSr with a SiRF-111 chip, no. In the end I justified the cost because I am going to be using it on three different bikes so for the cost of three bike computers I got one.

No total ascent
I am a mountain biker and wanted the new Edge 605 mainly to give me net ascent totals. For all I paid for it, I was so shocked it does not have this feature. None of Garmin's marketing was specific enough for me to know this. I had to go through the manual in detail before I realized it. What a disappointment!

Not worth it's value
I agree with all the reviewers.

1. You have to buy City Navigator for 100 bucks! Why isn't it included?
2. The backlight problem is irritating
3. It does lead you off to busier roads sometimes when there are better roads available. (even if you set the unit to avoid using highways)
4. Over and above, if you have to quickly enter a cue sheet or way points on the unit, god help you. You'll stay behind entering info while the rest of the group would have finished the first half of the ride and are on their way back.

And all said and done, it is still useful (if you get City Navigator) and you plan ahead carefully and you do your homework. You can download and upload routes even though it is not so straight forward.
It also needs a little getting used to.

Bottom line: If you have the money....and don't care that it adds only so much value for 500 bucks....buy it.
Otherwise you'll end up with buyer's remorse - for sure.

Good But With Some Problems
I think that the previous reviews for the 605 are a bit harsh. Let me get right to the negatives of the product as I see it.

1. The route algoritm allows you to select an option where it diverts you around major highways and roads. While this works 90% of the time, every so often it will direct me right onto a major highway or traffic circle when there are better routes available.

2. Backlighting settings not being saved is a pain as the other reviewer mentioned

3. The straps that the 605 comes with to attach to your bike aren't strong enough. After a few rides my 605 tends to move around to much requiring constant re-adjustment, especially on bumpy roads. I plan on adding some velcro to the back which should solve the problem

4. The free Training Center software that you can use with the 605 is pretty much a waste. Outside of storing your rides and keeping a history of ride statistics, it's not worth the download.

5. The detailed street maps do not come standard with the unit. For $399 I was expecting them to and don't think Garmin made this point clear on their site.

Outside of the above, I really don't think that I could not recommend the 605. Its not perfect but it really does make riding easier when you don't have to mentally keep track of where you are or worry about getting lost.

Not Ready for Primetime
I agree with the first reviewer, I bought this anticipating it at least had some maps and streets on it, it has pretty much nothing, it is worthless until you buy a sd card with the preloaded maps, to top it off the descriptions of what you can expect when you buy an sd card whether it be a topo map of an area or city navigator is pretty vague, I also thought I would be able to upload routes and follow them, no, nope, not happening until someone hacks into this thing, if I had it to do over again I wouldn't buy this, I bought a Quest (garmin) a few years ago for a couple hundred more dollars and a bike mount and used that with much more success, I would still be using it if it still worked, (kept falling off windshield of car until the antenna broke off)
another better option would be a nuvi with a bike mount, 199.00 + bike mount, anyway I wouldnt reccomend this item. but I will say this, having a gps on my bike has been a life saver where I ride, dirtroads, min maint roads, sometimes far from home, I have been able to ride without fear of getting lost and not getting home or wondering how far from home I am as well as being able to tell my wife exactly where I need rescued at. I do reccomend GPS for your bike if you are going to be in this situation, I love it, but I would go with the Quest with the bike mount.