I suppose that boils down to "is a touch screen worth 100 quid?". Being used to a smartphone it's maybe hard to think of going back to non-touchscreen but is the 830 screen good enough? Is using the 530 too much of a pain? Anything else to consider?
I'm happy with my 830. Though the 1030 is also on offer if you want a bigger screen.
I've got the 830 and if you ride in the rain the touch screen becomes unusable, especially if you forget to lock it when it starts doing random things like trying to change the data fields on the display. For road use the Di2 shifter integration (with extra wireless module) helps with the wet usability issues.
I'm very happy with my 530. Trying to use previous Garmins in the rain is pretty much why I went for the 530 over the 830.
Navigating menus is a bit more annoying, but I don't tend to poke about with it too much whilst I'm actually riding.
The only time it would be useful, I think, is navigating maps. The cycling through zoom, move, move the otherway is just clunky.
So it's a no from me.
There is speculation that 540/840 might be due out soon just based on the time it's been since the x30 came out.
There is speculation that 540/840 might be due out soon just based on the time it’s been since the x30 came out.
Does that mean buy now, or will the 530 be reduced once the 540 is out? Decisions!!
In my experience...
The smaller units are better with buttons, whilst the larger units are better as touchscreens.
Much of this comes down to browsing the map: the smaller units aren't great for this; the larger ones much better.
Edge 530 and 1040 here btw. Use the 530 all the time; use the 1040 when needing the map or longer battery life.
530 is better because of the aforementioned problem with the touchscreen when it rains.
It really isn't such a big issue navigating the menus with the buttons, unless you are Generation Z and have grown up only with touchscreens.
Edge 530 and 1040 here btw.
Same here, use the 1040 Solar on road and gravel, as the big screen is ideal for my old eyes! The 530 is used on the MTBs.
If you want to use maps any amount, 830, the absence of the a touchscreen when trying to use maps constantly makes me wish I’d bought an 830. I mean, it's the same controls the first Garmin I had some time in the 00s had, and it was terrible then. That said, not having one, I’ve no idea about the problems described above, but my 510 was absolutely fine in all weathers.
I’ve got a 530 - it has nice screens when being used as a bike computer that you can reconfigure and move through easily with the buttons. It’s also got for turn by turn instructions with a map to follow.
Where it’s annoying is trying to use the Trailforks integration or move round a map with the buttons - that doesn’t work well at all. I think they’d be better having a little joypad at the bottom of the screen for scrolling about - would be way better than buttons and by the sounds of it better than touchscreen in the wet.
810 and a 520 (smaller for TTs but have started using it more for general riding). I miss the touch screen more than I thought on the smaller 520 unit. The buttons on the top rather than the front is also a big thing too for utility. The size of the text, less so as I just modify the displays. The OS for sensors on the 520 is nicer (no bike profile needed).
Cycling through displays by swiping the screen is worth £100. My 810 is fine in the rain so maybe that’s a more recent issue.
Thanks all, but now I'm confused - I think I'll wait till after Santa-time and see what my budget looks like then!
Cycling through displays by swiping the screen is worth £100. My 810 is fine in the rain so maybe that’s a more recent issue.
My 800 was flakey in the rain, but my Edge Explore was fine. Haven't ridden with the 830 in the wet yet.
830 here, no issues at all with riding in the rain.
I'm not sure it's £100 better having a touchscreen but that's a bit subjective, I don't use the maps on it but would imagine it would be far easier if my Fenix is anything to go by.
When I upgraded from my 820 (so frustrated with slow route processing) I went for the 530 and am perfectly happy without the touchscreen. The mapping is still great for following prepared routes, which is what I use it for. If I need to stop and look at the map I'll just get my phone out of my pocket, the screen is too small to be useful for map scrolling regardless of the touchscreen.
I’ve been looking at the 530 myself too. I missed a good deal on one around Black Friday but I hadn’t fully made my mind up. Plus I then start spending more with additional mounts etc.
Although last week my current unit, Lezyne Super Pro, deleted a 60km gravel ride rather than saving it! Which now makes my mind up for me!!
If I need to stop and look at the map I’ll just get my phone out of my pocket, the screen is too small to be useful for map scrolling regardless of the touchscreen.
Yeah I can imagine myself doing that as well. Pendulum currently at 530 ....
If you don't care about Strava Live segments or Garmin's training load/recovery stats then the Explore 2 could be a good option for £225.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/07/garmin-edge-explore-2-in-depth-review.html
Just get a 1040 and have done with it.
If you know any students or NHS workers (blue light card) Garmin's direct discount pricing is very keen
I'm an NHS worker.
1040 is about £420
Another 90 for solar.
I'll chuck in the Edge Explore/Explore 2 as an option. Loses some of the training features and power meter stuff, but as a unit it's great. Works out pretty cheap too. Does all the stuff you need.
Is there anything new and interesting announced sub £200, that's expected to be released between now and April?
I think I read Garmin might be bringing out a 540.
Lezyne must surely be bringing out something to replace their Mega XL soon, which was released around '19 iirc.
If they release a 540 won't it likely be £300+ at initial release?
I've the 820 and the only time i've been pleased with the touch screen after 4 years was changing a data/metric field while riding.
The few times I've needed to move around the map view, my fingers have been too dirty/sweaty to operate the touch screen.
I'll be changing to a 530/540 as/when it dies.
I’ll chuck in the Edge Explore/Explore 2 as an option. Loses some of the training features and power meter stuff, but as a unit it’s great. Works out pretty cheap too. Does all the stuff you need.
The Edge Explore has poor battery life, the battery meter is a work of fiction, battery save mode often causes it to crash, and it doesn't cope with navigating long audax routes unless they're split into sections.
The 830 is a much, much better computer.
Small screen sounds like a valid point for scrolling/panning around maps, it would be much easier to whip your phone out since you're likely to be stopping anyway.
@iainc - are the fonts/text sizes any bigger on the 1040 vs 830? I've read they all use the same size text - I was also hoping that a bigger screen would help my ageing eyes!!
I loved my 810 and love the 830 I have now. The 820 inbetween was ruuubish. I tried to diy replace the shonky charger port and smashed the screen 🤣
The 830 screen works fine in rain and with most of my gloves. I didn’t think I could lose the muscle memory of swiping and tapping now so didn’t want to be disappointed with a 530.
