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Hey folks,
So it appears i have misplaced or rather lost my Garmin 830 bike computer. Last known location was a car park in Peaselake about 3 weeks ago. I went away on holiday and only realised on my return as i was prepping stuff for my commute to work that is has gone.
After the disappointment settled i started looking for a replacement. Initial thoughts was to just get the same again, but the cost is putting me off a little. And whilst i very much liked my 830, i only really used it to log rides, keep an eye on my heart rate and it was nice to see what gear i was in (AXS linked to it).
This made me look at the 530, which appears to do pretty much the same, but without the touch screen, which actually suits me fine, as mud, rain and my fat fingers would often change the data screen against my will.
I browsed the newer models to, but for my amateur level riding, i dont feel like spending extra would give me any added benefit. But what i did notice was that they seem to insinuate that the new 540 is the same as the new 840, just without a touch screen. Does that ring true with the 830 and the 530? Basically the same computer, just without touch screen?
So ultimately, what i am asking, is if i liked my 830, should i get a 530 and live without a touch screen? Or am i much better off paying a chunk more for the latest and greatest tech....?
few, that felt like hard work, didnt it?!
Any advice or suggestions welcome (I'd rather stick with Garmin by the way).
With your needs and the current pricing I'd say 530 will be more than capable. I'm very happy with mine and use it for a lot more - navigation, indoor training, power as well as MTB and Trailforks.
From what I remember the touch screen was not a draw, as you say, but from what I'm reading it's better on the 840.
I believe the main difference between the 830 and 530 is the touch screen. I’ve got a 530 and it’s ok - I normally use it with a heart rate strap or forerunner to get heart rate information in there.
For pre-planned road routes I like the 530 for directions - that bit works really well. Off road I’m less convinced but the 830 would probably be much the same.
Using Trailforks on the 530 is very clunky with the buttons (as is looking round any kind of map) - a touchscreen would make life a lot easier. I’d be inclined to say a little joypad would work well but maybe that’s hard to waterproof.
If you don't want too many advanced features, the edge explore might do what you want.
I've a 530, don't really use it for navigation and it's fine. If I was buying now I'd try and stretch to a 540 if only because it will get software updates for longer. There are deals to be had (e.g. STW Members get 'up to' 40% off, though I can't get into it for some reason to check what the exact deal is). Also a screen protector isn't a bad plan #AskMeHowIKnow
Edit: having had a look at the Blue Light discount (which I assume is the same as the STW one) you can get a 530 for £160 or an 830 for £240 - so even with the cost of a year of STW it's still cheaper than a 540
530 is the sweet-spot for me. Had an 8xx series in the past & just don't want/need the extra features. Yeah 540 would be nice but not worth the extra at the moment IMO considering how cheap the 530 can be had!
Agreed, no matter how good it is, an incremental update with a USB C charging port isn't worth double
If all you really use it for is to log rides, then maybe have a look at a watch?
I got my instinct pretty much because it's the easiest way to log rides, and has enough data to keep me happy, added bonus it's nearly impossible to lose.
Just took delivery of the 530 yesterday - using the STW discount offer I got it for £161, which seemed like a good price for it.
I've no desire or need for touchscreen and from previous experience, it doesn't work with my hands when they are gloved or wet, so the 8 series was of no interest. The 10 series seems to be the 8 series but with a slightly bigger screen.
I'll be using it for tracking my bike rides, having a back-up route on there in case my nose goes funny and I need help getting home and I'll also be using it for training so it will be connected to a number of sensors.
For the price and my usage, the 530 ticked all the required boxes for me.
thanks for all the feedback.
I am definitely edging towards the 530. Looks like it will do all i need, plus a bit more if ever needed.
Make sure you buy it through the STW discount route as it is £161 rather than £230...
If you do go down that route, log out of the Garmin website before you go to the discount site so that the discount gets picked up.
Top tip! thanks 🙂
If you really only want it for a couple of metrics, the edge 130 might also work. It’s still got MTB dynamics and a few whizz-bangs but much smaller package.
If all you really use it for is to log rides, then maybe have a look at a watch?
This.
Long time 810 user and since I got a Garmin Fenix 6 watch I've not used it once.
I will use it if I'm somewhere I don't know and need to see a map (my 810 has OS 1:50000 installed), but that's rare now and mostly I'll be away on Enduro-type trails, so use Trailforks.
If you don't use navigation and only want to record rides and monitor HR why not just use a watch? Declutter the bars, do away with the need for a chest strap, it's much harder to loose a device strapped to your wrist, battery life is generally better (IMO/IME) and they can be used for other sports too of course. Garmin have a lot of options for watches.
Of course If it has to be on the bars and you only want basic functions, why not pop for an Edge 130?
In the best STW tradition of not answering the question, I'd say go out and buy a Wahoo Roam v1, on offer in a lot of places around £180 with offer codes on top.
The UI is much, much nicer; the bluetooth actually connects to the app on my phone everytime (witchcraft), it's easier to follow routes and more reliable to get them on there and battery life is good. There's nothing I prefer on my old 520.
In response to a watch.... I have a Garmin Forerunner 45, which i use for running. Looks like it can be used for cycling too.
Maybe i will give it a go, but i do prefer the idea of a screen i can easily see on my top tube. Having said i only use it to log rides, the more thought i put into it, the more i realise i have used it to navigate a few times, plus enjoy seeing what my load, recovery etc is after a ride. But i suspect a watch would do the same.
Haven't made a purchase yet, so defo some further thought is required!
Edge 130 battery life is shocking IME
Personally I wouldn't want to try and navigate by watch (mine has no maps though), but for most other stuff it's fine.
You can set HR zone alarms if you're trying to keep to a specific intensity, and as nice as it is to have metrics to glance down at on the Bars/TT I found I didn't really miss that as much as I thought I would, I can still glance at my wrist of course.
Navigation though I do still want a bar mounted display with an actual map of some sort, showing my up-coming route, at which point the only real question has to be how far/long do you want to go? And thus what is your battery requirement? If the 830 was adequate, the 530 should be sufficient too, the 540/840 promise more run time of course but do you absolutely need it?
Ultimately just how vital is navigation to you? it's going to cost you an extra couple of hundred quid if you have to have it, especially from Garmin...
But I'd definitely try going for a ride or two with the FR45 just to see how you like it...
In that case I'll add
I love my 530 but only ever use it on the road bike, out front. Here it excels for easy read metrics
For everything else I use my watch. MTB, hike, run, swim.
Computer... watch.... there is only one way to solve this.... FIGHT!!!!
(assuming anyone remembers Harry Hill?!)
Nav is defo once in a blue moon... at most. I guess its sometimes more used if i am a bit lost and want to see where i have been to try and get back to that spot.
I will defo give my watch a go.
If i did go down that route, what would be the Garmin to go for? A quick google suggests a Instinct 2 is good for MTB.
just reordered a 530, touch on my old 820 was a PIA so I'm actually looking forward to my sweat not changing the screen when I'm climbing on a hot day 🙂
I tried really hard to make the man maths work for a 540 but it just wasnt happening.
If all you really use it for is to log rides, then maybe have a look at a watch?
I’ve both a 520 and a Fenix 5 plus and barring occasional use of the 520 if I’m going somewhere unfamiliar, and now I’m using Komoot on my Fenix, not even that so much. I’m more or less totally on the watch now
stop the discussion... 530 ordered.
I am not a fan of wearing a watch at the best of times, so decided against it.
Thanks for all the input, opinions, feedback and help 🙂
I've got an instinct 1, which is basically the same except for lacking Garmin pay and a few metrics and cost £60 on ebay.
It's USP is battery life and ruggedness. It's doing the bare minimum, but it's doing it for 24h even with the GPS running (or 28 days or something ludicrous like that just as a watch).
The equivalent priced forerunner gets a color screen, maps, actual apps, etc. But sacrifices battery life. If you've already got a forerunner you'd probably find the instinct a bit of a downgrade. I'd 2nd the suggestion of just using it and seeing if you actually miss the bar mounted computer.
I'm actually considering a 1040, but that's purely for the navigation and because at some point I'll want to get a power meter for the road bike at least. But £310 over the 530 is a lot of £££ for a bigger screen.
If i did go down that route, what would be the Garmin to go for? A quick google suggests a Instinct 2 is good for MTB
There's a few fans of the Instinct/Instinct 2 on STW, me included, it's not a "bells and whistles" type watch with a Monochrome, non-touch screen display but it's pitched as Garmin's tough outdoor watch with a good battery life.
Have a look on DC rainmaker for reviews, the Fenix is very much the gold standard for multi-sport watches but obviously pricier, the Instinct is a relative bargain with some obvious compromises that might suit you.
Edit:
stop the discussion… 530 ordered.
Well done, decision making rather than weeks of swithering and "research" is always better... Enjoy!
Always handy on a Garmin, just in case you lose it.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/08/display-number-garmin.html