ATL for previous iteration of the Garmin Edge 5xx series bike computers (latest model is the 540)
Specs:
20 hours of battery life, extendable
2.6" color display for clear navigation
Performance metrics like VO2 max, FTP
MTB dynamics and Grit/Flow ratings
Varia radar compatibility for safety
GPLama review of Garmin Edge
DC Rainmaker review of Edge 530
Because it's in your pocket when you ride?
Ever heard of quad lock ⁉️
drains your phone battery
Strap a powerbank onto your bike.
makes your bike heavier
BECAUSE you couldn't justify a $300 price tag!
The next version will have a SIM card so you can make calls and get Real-Time data :-)
(while your phone is in your pocket)
Battery life, exposure to sun that'll end up killing your phone from all the extra heat, exposure to the elements, risk of bigger financial loss if you crash and damage your phone, more trouble to sync up extra sensors like heart rate monitor, cadence, power meters, etc.
If you're an avid cyclist, you'll appreciate the specialised device. If you're just a filthy casual, a phone is a good solution.
I didn't think my answer was inflammatory - I said I think the phone is a fine solution, but when you're riding a lot, it's nicer to have something that just does the one thing.
Just to make this clear…. you're riding on a road and not in the woods or forest.
Sorry - why exactly can't I go riding in the woods or forest? Why am I riding on a road? People do go bike-packing.
In my case, I don't want to have my phone getting blasted by the Australian sun for 8 hours whilst it's using GPS. I don't want to make sure my phone is fully charged before a ride, whether for commuting or for fun. It's not about the amount of maps. I'm not using it to navigate, I'm using it to record.
I have a Garmin eTrex and it's for finding the road in case you end up in the scrub. I'm not quite sure what this is for.
@shaybisc: Etrex is an outdated model for dirt biking.
This is for cycling. It's for speed tracking, training data tracking and optional dirt maps.
What if one was filthy full time? asking for a friend
Garmin it is!
I would consider myself an avid cyclist who does multi day tours and bikepacking, and can see the use case for the garmin in some situations as you describe.
My needs however are purely for navigation. I use an old used phone as a dedicated bike computer, and it does everything I need and more. I like the fact that the screen is larger, I can run multiple apps on it at the same time (including my main mapping app ridewithgps), easily zoom in and out, change route on the fly etc etc. If it dies I will just get another one
The main disadvantages are battery life (I have a small powerbank connected to it) and water resistance
So no case anymore ? Get bent !
You definitely know nothing about cycling if you're asking this question
I have 2 bikes…
97 to go !!!
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but just because you have bikes doesn't make you knowlegable on the topic.
If true, then I assume you know all about how a baseband processor works becasue you own a mobile phone?
but just because you have bikes doesn't make you knowlegable on the topic.
likewise, just because someone does not have a bike, doesn't mean they are not knowlegable on the topic.
@WowBargain: Water is not wet.
Wet is the state of an object that has been in contact with a wetting agent.
Jokes aside, i grabbed a cheap Nokia XR20 some time ago on clearece from.JB for less then this, grabbed a Quadlock from Aliexpress and its WAY better then any Gtamin bike computer. I run.a cheap 365 Sim in it but you don't have to and have Google Pay for coffee or breakfast stops.etc..
I use.it on my MTB and ride Derby all the time and haven't had an issue.
Destroys phone camera autofocus
Destroys phone camera optical image stabilization
If you crash, destroys phone
I don't think he cares about the camera.
Pretty sure you can crash and destroy a bike computer too.
Pretty sure you can crash and destroy a bike computer too.
Never been a problem for me. I'd still rather lose a bike computer than a phone.
ANT+ sensors are lower power than Bluetooth.
What's the maon difference between this and the 540?
Apart from maps, does this tell you anything else?
Here is a good write up of the 540, compared to the 530/(and 830, 840, etc),
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/04/garmin-cycling-review.ht…
TLDR, scroll down to the dot point list on that linked page for the full list, or i'll quickly summarise the main points as being,
Longer battery life (26h, up from 20h), upgrade to dual band gps (more accurate gps data, but uses more battery), upgrade to usb-c connection (which some prefer nowadays), and ClimbPro Free-Ride mode, which automatically triggers ClimbPro without a route (which can be a positive or negative depending on your preference).
For anyone afraid of getting lost with only '26 hours of maps available', you can get a Garmin Charge Power Pack, which can attach below the computer, on a out front mount, and it can extend the battery life about an extra 24 hours. That's 26 + 24 = 50 hours worth of battery. ;)
Anyway… this amount of battery life is great for anyone that dislikes charging their bike computer every few days. It means you can possibly get a month of riding (approx 1000k) out of a single charge (with battery pack), without having to charge it.
What's confusing is that there is now a version of the 530 with USB-C. If all you want this for is rear-radar, and we could be sure this had the newer port, that would make a nice deal.
Seems like they made the change on the down low. Would definitely purchase in person to check and make sure if it is an option.
Just bought this in store. Not sure if all the stock is the same but pleasantly surprised mine is the usb-c version.
Bought n+1, thanks!
This is the way.
I own this model, using it daily since 2019. No issues so far and the battery is still lasting at least 10 hours per charge.
Model listed show 2023, called local store and confirmed usb-c (don’t assume all stores) ; $20 off sign up coupon applied also = $229
Is the sign up coupon a generic code, or unique?
I can’t figure out for the life of me how to get this code, no where to sign up to newsletter
If you open the website, then moved to close it, the popup appears for $20 off appears. But, this only occurs on the first visit, as a cookie is updated when this happens.
So, this means it won't happen again, unless you use a different browser (that you haven't visited the site with), or you delete your local cache for your browser (or at least the 99bikes part of it).
Benefits for a casual rider over a standard Cateye type bike computer?
Maps is an obvious one, and ability to view show route/data post-ride. Assuming you don't care for vital stats/accessories like heart monitors - any other benefits?
Only matters if you’re training. Stuff like climbpro for showing elevation and connection to sensors such as HR, cadence and speed is what the Garmin and Wahoo does over a cheapie. For a low buck computer, bryton is acceptable but nowhere near as easy to use of stable.
I had the 530 for a few yrs. I would actually say I am not really making use of the maps much if at all, most of the time I am on a stats screen. The maps doesn't really work that well in terms of navigation - a lot of times it gets confused about whether I was on/off course, and seems to lag a little bit. Keep in mind the maps on the 530 is for plotting a route the night before on the computer and loading it on to follow, as it is almost impossible to search for a live destination and route like your phone's Google Maps on the go.
Having said that its a great unit, and it connects to the Vario radar taillight. But now looking at the comment below the cheap ones can also pair with radar and Strava so it does 90% of the job sans Maps.
Not many compelling features, but here's a few not yet mentioned:
If you have multiple bikes, it's easy to move the device between bikes.
If you pair with your phone, you can:
* get notification of incoming calls and texts
* enable LiveTrack can share your location with other people
* Incident Detection can send a text with your location to an emergency contact if thinks it detects a crash.
i grabbed a cheap Nokia XR20 some time ago on clearance from JB for less then this, grabbed a Quadlock from Aliexpress and its WAY better then any Garmin bike computer IMO. I run.a cheap 365 Sim in it but you don't have to and have Google Pay for coffee or breakfast stops.etc..
I use it on my MTB and ride Derby all the time and haven't had an issue.
interesting. what data fields does it display for you?
does it have specific climbing screens which switch to and show you the profile of the climb you are on, with your distance left to climb and position on the climb?
can sync with power meters, heart rate monitors?
Lookup GEOID CC600 on aliexpress, actually very good value imo, even pairs with radar, uploads to Strava
I've got a CycPLUS m2… maybe time for upgrade
I have this on my bike and its a great little gps that does everything - this price is sensational. the 540 (newer version) isnt that much better
Call me old skool, but physical buttons would be really beneficial on these things.
No, I agree with you. Mainly for wet weather riding, or if you have gloves.
they have physical buttons. The 530 doesn't have a touch screen. The 1030 started the touch screen trend on bike computers.
Hmmm? I had a Magellan cyclo505 with touch screen back in 2015. It was quite popular back then
The 530 is still an excellent device for many cyclists. It can do a lot and records the necessary data. Can't see me retiring mine any time soon. Have had it for 3 years.
These have a glued in, unreplaceable battery unfortunately. Anyone know if there are any decent units without a glued in battery?
Edit: spelling
Good price for a basic bike computer. I've been using my Wahoo Elemnt Bolt for years now.
I use it to record longer rides (not commutes).
This would be a good alternative.
It annoys me that Garmin don’t innovate they are still running a screen a moto razr had 20 years ago on this 530 as they have most of the market share in Australia and other countries so no reason for them to.
I know people will say for battery life, but it’s really not a modern arm cpu can drive a modern screen for more than 20 hours without 3G/4G, Bluetooth and wifi on (try leaving your screen on and airplane mode on your iPhone if you don’t believe me open google maps and allow it to satellite locate you it will last days) and as others have said you can get a cheap android phone and quad lock for half the price of this with a better gps, screen and a 365 day sim.
Then still have google pay to buy a coffee and a phone if you need it at the destination instead of taking two devices example.
Garmin should be making better products for the money in 2025 and because they don’t I refuse to support them I’ve also had multiple Fenix watches break and hate their charge system with pogo pins that always get jammed or stop working, they should use a capacitive magnet like apple or Huawei oh wait they do on their $2000+ watch hmmm.
I personally use my fitness watch a hwauwei gt5 pro so I can focus on the road and still can buy a coffee too.
Great for Uber Eats
I like it, but I am a filthy casual on a fixie, so I’m not going to improve with these training stats.
In fact I still use my Etrex H circa 2010, that shows top speed, distance travelled etc.
I even have an USB adapter for the serial connector! Yes serial connector.
I love the Etrex. Bullet proof
Why not just use a phone with a mount?
Great deal despite being a model that's been around for a while. I picked mine up from Alexandria. It is USB C version which is a nice bonus. Not so bothered about which cable I need to use to charge it, but at least I know it's recent stock.
Picked one up today, had USB-C. I suspect almost all would have it these days as 99bikes has relatively new stock.
Thanks for posting OP, good feature upgrades coming from my BSC300.
Sooo.. Instead of them having a regular flat price for all products, there's this bs normies price and "members price" that they leverage to trick the public into exchanging personal information for a cheaper price on products. Do people not question why these "member" programs are all free? If everyone is a free member, the price is not special at all. They profit by selling your data, while you become a member so you can get the ~privilege~ of members pricing. No thanks.
If you don't need navigation, just numbers, a Cycplus GPS unit for third to quarter the price:
Very tempting at 249. The usb-c + another 20 off seals the deal for me. Don't absolutely need another one of these, but my 3 year old 530 is getting a little beat up (cracked screen + broken mounting tabs)
I pulled the trigger at $229 with the signup coupon. Thanks OP.
Thanks OP. Ordered online with $20discount code. Hopefully USB C like everyone says but not too fussed. Took me 2 days to commit and all the local ones are sold out so have to ride a bit further to get one. More exercise I guess!
Snagged a usb-c one for $229, thanks OP!
jv on 23/05/2025 - 15:15 Comment score below threshold.
