Cycle computers
Discussion
I've got a Garmin Edge Explore 820 which I've had for a few years, but I'm not a big fan. It seems slow to do things sometimes and freezes occasionally even on the most recent firmware when going from power save mode to displaying the screen again.
What should i buy to replace it? The Garmin model numbers really confuse me.
Is the 530 an upgrade? As far as i can tell it doesn't have touch screen, but that's not necessarily a bad thing as mine is really slow.
The 830 is £100 more but seems to only have touch screen as an extra.
Or should I switch I switch to Wahoo? There's only two choices, they both seem to have nav but the cheaper one is black and white only.
Is that it?
What should i buy to replace it? The Garmin model numbers really confuse me.
Is the 530 an upgrade? As far as i can tell it doesn't have touch screen, but that's not necessarily a bad thing as mine is really slow.
The 830 is £100 more but seems to only have touch screen as an extra.
Or should I switch I switch to Wahoo? There's only two choices, they both seem to have nav but the cheaper one is black and white only.
Is that it?
alistair1234 said:
I've got a Garmin Edge Explore 820 which I've had for a few years, but I'm not a big fan. It seems slow to do things sometimes and freezes occasionally even on the most recent firmware when going from power save mode to displaying the screen again.
What should i buy to replace it? The Garmin model numbers really confuse me.
Is the 530 an upgrade? As far as i can tell it doesn't have touch screen, but that's not necessarily a bad thing as mine is really slow.
The 830 is £100 more but seems to only have touch screen as an extra.
Or should I switch I switch to Wahoo? There's only two choices, they both seem to have nav but the cheaper one is black and white only.
Is that it?
Check out "DC Rainmakers" website. He writes great in depth reviews for everything related to cycle technology including loads on cycle computers. What should i buy to replace it? The Garmin model numbers really confuse me.
Is the 530 an upgrade? As far as i can tell it doesn't have touch screen, but that's not necessarily a bad thing as mine is really slow.
The 830 is £100 more but seems to only have touch screen as an extra.
Or should I switch I switch to Wahoo? There's only two choices, they both seem to have nav but the cheaper one is black and white only.
Is that it?
I use Wahoo so I'm not an expert on Garmin however I believe the "Explore" range aren't aimed at performance cyclists and the functionality is designed to appeal to more casual cycle tourers. The non explore range computers are therefore targeted at a different market
You are correct in that the main difference between those two Garmin's is the touch screen - for most people the sweet spot in the Garmin range is probably the 530
I bought the 530 as it seemed to be the sweet spot between cost and capability. I use it on my mountain bikes and road bike. I bought the MTB package as it came with a rubber case and a handle bar remote. The remote is convenient as the case buttons are awkward/lack tactile feedback.
+1 for the Garmin 530.
I have a road bike and previously had a Garmin 520. It's been a quantum leap to the 530. Backgrounds on the maps and the ability to be able to get you back to the route, without having to back to EXACTLY the spot where you went off route.
The battery life is pretty good as well. I've completed several 100 mile rides and there's been plenty of battery left.
I have a road bike and previously had a Garmin 520. It's been a quantum leap to the 530. Backgrounds on the maps and the ability to be able to get you back to the route, without having to back to EXACTLY the spot where you went off route.
The battery life is pretty good as well. I've completed several 100 mile rides and there's been plenty of battery left.
If you are considering a Wahoo the closest equivalent to the 530 is probably the Elemnt Roam which typically retails for around £50 more.
The main difference between the two brands is the way that they are designed to work. On Wahoo units setup and settings are generally done through a smartphone that connects to the device via Bluetooth (you don't need to keep it paired once done). On Garmin most things need to be done on the unit itself
For me the way the Wahoo system works is far better and that's why I went with that (albeit I have a cheaper model - the Bolt)
I think the 530 is better value than the Roam and has more features though so overall it's easier to recommend the Garmin of the two
If you don't need advanced navigation features or a colour screen then the Bolt is still a great computer and cheaper than the other two
As above, loads of detail on all of these on DC Rainmaker
The main difference between the two brands is the way that they are designed to work. On Wahoo units setup and settings are generally done through a smartphone that connects to the device via Bluetooth (you don't need to keep it paired once done). On Garmin most things need to be done on the unit itself
For me the way the Wahoo system works is far better and that's why I went with that (albeit I have a cheaper model - the Bolt)
I think the 530 is better value than the Roam and has more features though so overall it's easier to recommend the Garmin of the two
If you don't need advanced navigation features or a colour screen then the Bolt is still a great computer and cheaper than the other two
As above, loads of detail on all of these on DC Rainmaker
I changed out my Elemnt Bolt for a 530 recently and am very happy with the decision. the 530 feels like a significant upgrade in terms of the mapping, integration with Strava segments - and the Climb Pro feature is excellent.
The only downside so far is that there appears to be a long standing issue whereby updating the 530 software with a Mac causes odd things to happen - luckily I have a Windows laptop as well.
The only downside so far is that there appears to be a long standing issue whereby updating the 530 software with a Mac causes odd things to happen - luckily I have a Windows laptop as well.
Edited by smn159 on Friday 19th June 16:04
Blatter said:
+1 for the Garmin 530.
I have a road bike and previously had a Garmin 520. It's been a quantum leap to the 530. Backgrounds on the maps and the ability to be able to get you back to the route, without having to back to EXACTLY the spot where you went off route.
The battery life is pretty good as well. I've completed several 100 mile rides and there's been plenty of battery left.
That’s been the biggest frustration for me, constantly having messages popping up to go back to where i left the route when I’m already back on it is so annoying I have a road bike and previously had a Garmin 520. It's been a quantum leap to the 530. Backgrounds on the maps and the ability to be able to get you back to the route, without having to back to EXACTLY the spot where you went off route.
The battery life is pretty good as well. I've completed several 100 mile rides and there's been plenty of battery left.
smn159 said:
I changed out my Elemnt Bolt for a 530 recently and am very happy with the decision. the 530 feels like a significant upgrade in terms of the mapping, integration with Strava segments - and the Climb Pro feature is excellent.
The only downside so far is that there appears to be a long standing issue whereby updating the 530 software with a Mac causes odd things to happen - luckily I have a Windows laptop as well.
Oh ffs, Mac only hereThe only downside so far is that there appears to be a long standing issue whereby updating the 530 software with a Mac causes odd things to happen - luckily I have a Windows laptop as well.
Edited by smn159 on Friday 19th June 16:04
alistair1234 said:
Oh ffs, Mac only here
Yes it's a complete pain in the arse. I have a Garmin watch as well and the connection with the Mac is hit and miss at best - sometimes it connects straight away, other times it takes ages. I lost all of the routes from my 530 when I updated it using the Mac.
flight147z said:
Wahoo computers update automatically over WiFi so wouldn't be an issue on those
So does my Garmin 530. Why are people updating them through computers?I got rid of my Garmin 1000 as the touch screen was crap, bit of a pain setting it up without a touch screen but once that’s done I prefer it.
Only problem me and a mate had with the 530 is that for some reason battery save is enabled when it comes so you think it’s crashed, ok once disabled.
Mazinbrum said:
So does my Garmin 530. Why are people updating them through computers?
I got rid of my Garmin 1000 as the touch screen was crap, bit of a pain setting it up without a touch screen but once that’s done I prefer it.
Only problem me and a mate had with the 530 is that for some reason battery save is enabled when it comes so you think it’s crashed, ok once disabled.
Do you have to use a computer for anything with a Garmin then? I would assume not. I've never plugged my Wahoo into a computer and I don't see why you would really need to on a Garmin either unless it was required for updatesI got rid of my Garmin 1000 as the touch screen was crap, bit of a pain setting it up without a touch screen but once that’s done I prefer it.
Only problem me and a mate had with the 530 is that for some reason battery save is enabled when it comes so you think it’s crashed, ok once disabled.
My Garmin watch does need to be connected to a computer to be updated as far as I can tell
smn159 said:
Yes it's a complete pain in the arse. I have a Garmin watch as well and the connection with the Mac is hit and miss at best - sometimes it connects straight away, other times it takes ages.
I lost all of the routes from my 530 when I updated it using the Mac.
Routes and settings are stored on Garmin Conect, so I can't see how you could lose themI lost all of the routes from my 530 when I updated it using the Mac.
I've had Garmin for years - Edge 810, 820 and new 830, forerunner 305, 920, 935 and now 945 - I also only have Macs and have never had a problem at all with that side of things - I also can't remember the last time I connected any of them to a computer - they all update over wifi or your phone connection.
Back to the OP's original question - the screen on the 820 was (is) horrible - the direct upgrade is to get an 830 which has a way better interface / touchscreen. The 530 is basically the same but with buttons - not a touchscreen.
Back to the OP's original question - the screen on the 820 was (is) horrible - the direct upgrade is to get an 830 which has a way better interface / touchscreen. The 530 is basically the same but with buttons - not a touchscreen.
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