Back at the ATL if you missed the deal last time!
Don't forget to stack with $20 welcome offer to reduce price to $229 (reload page with incognito mode if not prompted)
Garmin Edge 530 GPS Bike Computer
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
depends how waterproof your phone is .
Most phones these days can survive the rain while most of the time I wouldn't ride through the rain anyway.
The reason for this I think is to avoid the phone with GPS on under direct sunlight for extended period. But it also get lots of cooling air. Not too sure.
tempting, i have old 200 series, use for commuting so helps me keep across speed and if im running late to get to work, the idea of my phone strapped to my bike and potentially ending up on the ground isn’t appealing, reminds me of people that walk with phone in their hands, bump into people and drop their phones. garmin batteries are cheap enough if you ever want to replace, though mine has been going for many years. if i go last a 99 bikes today i can see an impulse buy coming on.
Good question. My use case is I already have an Apple Watch and iPhone. I’d be interested to know can I integrate this with my Apple Watch as the measurement device for heart rate or do I need a Garmin device?
There’s no direct integration between the Apple Watch and Garmin Edge, but you can do it via a third-party app (for example, HeartCast). However, most of these apps require you to have your phone with you, since the data goes from the Apple Watch to your iPhone and then to the Garmin Edge. I think there’s a Garmin app that lets you skip the phone, but the main issue is that these apps (or at least the ones I’ve tried) aren’t 100% reliable. The last thing you want on the bike is to be fiddling around with bluetooth connectivity issues.
A chest strap HRM is just a better solution. It’s simpler, more accurate, and you can get a basic one for under $50. It’s just far superior to the Apple Watch’s heart rate monitoring. And yes, I’ve gone down the path you’re thinking of, and it wasn’t a good experience. I still wear my watch for swimming though.
ATL! Do you even Ozbargain?
Most people’s phones are worth $1,000. I don’t like the idea of risking damage to my phone if I fall or it bounces out of the phone holder. (Some features require it to be paired to your phone, but you can put it in your pocket/saddle bag)
Battery on your phone wouldn’t last as long.
It has a few more stats if you’re into that. Pairs to sensors easier (heart rate, cadence, power meter). BT is limited compared ANT.
It comes with maps/navigation. That’s probably a paid feature on Strava.
For the occasional cyclist, the phone is probably more than enough. Props to you if you can hold out on something that may not be necessary.
Yeah I do agree actually.
Some phones run hot whilst using gps or navigation along w the 4G connection etc.
Can cause battery health to decline quicker if using frequently.
'Most people’s phones are worth $1,000' speak for yourself! Do YOU even Ozbargain?
Bargain doesn’t mean cheap 😁
$1000-2000 phones are posted on here daily lol
BT isn't really limited compared to ANT+.
In fact, most newer sensors won't even support ANT+.
Yeah I badly worded my complaint when unable to pair a BT sensor because it was already paired with something else 🤬. ANT+ can connect to more devices.
Which sensors don’t support ANT+? Everything I’ve seen has both.
If/ when you crash a bike computer will bounce
You can save your battery for emergencies
It well last a hell of a lot longer than your phone
It will be more customisable than your phone
Try looking at the phone while in direct sunlight without cranking the brightness up.
Also why would anyone want to ruin their phone letting it sit in the sun for 2-3 hours straight?
Switched to this after my phone persistently over heated (Pixel 8 in Quad Lock case). Found it was a tradeoff for ease of use vs damage risk for the phone. The Garmin has taken a few highspeed tumbles on the MTB and held up ok with the addition of an Amazon silicone case.
The Garmin takes a little while to get used to but is fit for purpose as ride logging , syncs well quickly with Strava and has a good display in bright and low light rides.
It's best feature is heart rate display which syncs with Garmin watches that can 'broadcast heartrate'. Good for keeping you honest if headed out to train. Another thing I enjoy is uploading a Strava Route to the device and using the Nav function (long distance MTB trails).
Definitely has some downsides: I've found the GPS takes a long time to lock if in cloud cover, it defaults to 'manual start' when logging a ride and there's no clear way to start or stop the ride (change to auto log each time).
The device is feature rich, probably too much so for a weekend warrior who goes out once a week for a couple of hours in an area they know well. If your travelling/touring, looking to explore new trails or routes without distractions from a phone, or training heart rate zones this device is worth it.
I'd buy it again at $250 but for its durability on mountain biking only. I wouldn't buy it if I was just commuting or doing weekend road rides. Expect a significantly less user friendly experience than apps on their phone, borderline frustrating.
This or wait for the Garmin edge MTB that was just released? This is tempting but the split timing on the new one looks pretty good.
wonder if heart rate on my vivoactive watch can pair with this and display ?
Absolutely should. Should be smooth as both in same ecosystem.
you would have to check if your watch had HR broadcast. if so, yes
Yes, I’ve broadcast heartrate from my old Vivoactive 3 and current 5 to my Edge 520
Has anyone used a 530/830/1030 and tried to make a deviation from a set course? I used to own the 530, I don't recall ever being able to reset the directions (it would repeat instructions to do a u-turn to get back to the exact spot where the deviation was made). Now on a 1040 which has had its own dramas, but not that type.
Any reason to go back to using a dedicated one instead of my phone?