You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I'm more than happy with my humble Explore 2, but I know that quite a few folk here have been waiting for the 550s & 850s. They appear to be here 👍
Not cheap, still using a 530 and not really seeing any obvious reason to upgrade yet. I still have a decent battery life which will be probably be the reason to change.
link not working for me.
£380 for the 550.
Longer battery life - 36 hours vs 26 on the last gen.
interestingly include the DH/Enduro profiles that are on the Edge MTB (£340).
I've been waiting for these, mostly to see if the 840 comes down in price!
I'm happy enough with my Explore 2, it does everything I need except talk to my Di2 / AXS equipped bikes so I've been vaguely considering an upgrade for that reason.
Still don't need the power stuff or DH / enduro profiles. It'd be nice if manufacturers were able to offer a slightly more customised unit / user experience such as buying "the unit" and then deciding what software you want on it. As it is, so much electronic kit comes with masses of capability that very few people actually need or want.
I'll have a more detailed look later but initial impressions are that it's not a big enough step up from the x40 series to interest me at this time. Of course, Garmin do add functions during the life of their hardware so it's also worth keeping an eye on whatever comes along.
Longer battery life - 36 hours vs 26 on the last gen.
The DC Rainmaker video says it's actually gone down significantly cos it's now like a mobile phone display - much brighter but also much faster draining the battery. The time that Garmin have quoted is full battery save mode. DCR reckons about 12-15 hours in normal use, 30 on battery save.
Hmmm... I mean, that takes it back to early GPS days, I remember doing a few all-day rides where I had to really plan battery recharges. The last big ride I did a few weeks ago was 13.5hrs total time (12hrs riding time) and my Explore 2 still had 40% left in spite of being in full nav mode and on the map screen most of the time.
The time that Garmin have quoted is full battery save mode. DCR reckons about 12-15 hours in normal use, 30 on battery save.
interesting, I thought they’d learned their lesson about bullshitting over battery life, my 540 has been about on the money for endurance, and explore 2 users seem to report similar improvements.
Newer prettier screens are great, but stretching the leccy trumps it for me. It
Sorry I've no idea what happened to the link, it was working when I tested it.
https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/p/1630737/
https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/p/1630197/
I'd be interested in knowing the differences between the 550 and Edge MTB, features look very similar, the MTB is smaller but with a better battery life as it doesn't have the uprated bright display. The 850 adds touchscreen and Garmin Pay. What else?
My wife has the MTB and loves it, the off-road maps are very good and it gives route advice for tracks, bridleways, junctions, climb profile etc just riding along even if you are not following a gpx track. If the 550 does the same off-road then it's a case of picking the size and kind of display you want.
interesting, I thought they’d learned their lesson about bullshitting over battery life
DC Rainmaker review in both text and video:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/09/garmin-edge-850-in-depth-review-brilliance.html
Yeah already watched it last night.
I think this is just Garmin being Garmin. If you have to run a device in power saving mode to achieve the headline figures then it is absolutely bullshitting your customers.
interesting observation from Shane Miller was the accessible screws in the back of the units, indicating Garmin compliance with right to repair(?)
Functionally the Edge Explore 2 does almost everything I need - the only improvement I'd really like is to be able to edit the ride types as I can then default certain bikes to certain rides. I don't ride "indoors" for instance
If money were no object then I'd like one of those units that talks to the motor on an e-Bike and supplies the right power for the hills based on the planned route, but that might well involve a new bike as well with a compatible motor 😀
Longer battery life - 36 hours vs 26 on the last gen.
The DC Rainmaker video says it's actually gone down significantly cos it's now like a mobile phone display - much brighter but also much faster draining the battery. The time that Garmin have quoted is full battery save mode. DCR reckons about 12-15 hours in normal use, 30 on battery save.
Hmmm... I mean, that takes it back to early GPS days, I remember doing a few all-day rides where I had to really plan battery recharges. The last big ride I did a few weeks ago was 13.5hrs total time (12hrs riding time) and my Explore 2 still had 40% left in spite of being in full nav mode and on the map screen most of the time.
sheeeeeeeet! Garmin always manage to disappoint somehow. I can't believe they don't start with battery life, with all functionality enabled, as a baseline requirement. It's' not an everyday requirement, but being able to handle a dawn till dusk ride on the longest day feels like the thing. I might never do it, but it means I'd never have to worry about battery.
The poor battery life does seem to be a big problem. Garmin appear to have ditched the solar options falling back on their very expensive power packs.
If you have an ebike it looks like you can still run them off of the ebike battery using the power mounts, but as with all things Garmin the price of these is ridiculous.
I can't believe they don't start with battery life, with all functionality enabled, as a baseline requirement.
This. I had (still have though it's dead) and Edge 130 and the battery life was *shocking*. Edge 530 I have now much, much better.
Also don't think the extra features of the 850 over the 550 would persuade me?
I can't believe they don't start with battery life, with all functionality enabled, as a baseline requirement.
Coming in 2yrs time, the Edge 860 with a genuine 30hr battery life...
/cynical
Garmin do add functions during the life of their hardware so it's also worth keeping an eye on whatever comes along.
Yes and no, the 1040 is apparently getting the "MTB" update, which is nice.
OTOH my older Epix GEN2 watch gets the rain radar (I think it always did?) but the Edge 1040 doesn't?
The inconsistency is really annoying.
I'd actually consider paying for connect+ if it came bundled with a year of updates or something.
I'd be interested in knowing the differences between the 550 and Edge MTB, features look very similar, the MTB is smaller but with a better battery life as it doesn't have the uprated bright display.
That is a good point, as cynical as I was about the Edge MTB, it now actually looks better is a couple of ways.
I can't say I'm super concerned about the MTB specific features TBH, but if they're rolling them out to the 1040 there's perhaps a chance they'll trickle down to the 840/540 too? the timing gates thing still looks like a bit of a gimmick (IMO) with some annoying limitations, but it would be fun to play with for an afternoon I'm sure.
I’m looking to upgrade from an ancient 510 with a resistive screen so I have no idea how good the modern screens are. As a rule though I prefer physical buttons (I almost never use the touch screen on my Epix watch). Is the touchscreen 850 worth the extra £90 over the 550?
Does this mean an Edge Explore 3 will be out soon? Again the c.6hr battery life is the main issue with my Explore MK1.
Does this mean an Edge Explore 3 will be out soon?
Probably - it'll be due a refresh in the next year or so. The one thing I want from mine is the ability to talk to Di2 / AXS, other than that it's a really good bit of kit, way better than the old Explore 1.
To some extent you don’t really miss what you never had. A GPS that records your ride, any sensor, has a navigation function and useful battery life is all I really want.
My 540 is really a better GPS than I need, I certainly don’t use all the features it has. I might be back on the market for an X60 in a few years.
But at the same time, having the battery replaced in my 3 generations out of date Instinct recently has made me more conscious that these devices can have much longer lives and if it’s a solid device, replacing that one life limiting component every few years is a far cheaper, less wasteful option than buying a new unit every couple of years.
I have to say I’d take lower battery life for a better display. My 840 is disappointing after an Epix and Karoo 2.
Double post
I’ll wait for the Edge 150. Prefer the B&W and small form factor. They’ve upgraded the OS so it now controls more varia RTL properly too. I’d like a solid guaranteed 12h life with radar, HR and power connected. These things shorten the battery life considerably.
Is the touchscreen 850 worth the extra £90 over the 550?
I think so. I went from an Edge 530 to a Edge 840 Solar and use the screen for both swiping between data screens and for scrolling maps.
I'm not convinced the Solar was worth the extra though and I'm not surprised they're not offering it on the X50 devices. At best I reckon to get 1/6th of the time back (e.g. 1 hour of extended charge for 6 hours of exposure in good, strong, summer sunlight), usually 1/8th and often significantly less, with almost zero in winter. Given how energy hungry the new, brighter screens are then it would be worth even less than that.
I’ll wait for the Edge 150
they never bothered with an edge 140, it does feel like they’re happy to neglect the cheaper/simpler end of the market. I loved my edge 25 (still have it).
But Garmin do seem unconcerned about the budget end of the market.
odd because it’s an obvious way to coax people into their products, but they don’t seem to bother uplifting the 1xx device half as often…
Is the touchscreen 850 worth the extra £90 over the 550?
You also get double the memory, the 550 appears to have 32Gb whilst the 850 is saying 64Gb
I can't say I'm super concerned about the MTB specific features TBH, but if they're rolling them out to the 1040 there's perhaps a chance they'll trickle down to the 840/540 too? the timing gates thing still looks like a bit of a gimmick (IMO) with some annoying limitations, but it would be fun to play with for an afternoon I'm sure.
These are the only bits I want on my 6 month old 840.
Think I'd happily play with the timing gates on a solo ride.
And the DH/Enduro ride profiles would be helpful too.
I’ll wait for the Edge 150
they never bothered with an
edge 140, it does feel like they’re happy to neglect the cheaper/simpler end of the market. I loved my edge 25 (still have it).
But Garmin do seem unconcerned about the budget end of the market.
odd because it’s an obvious way to coax people into their products, but they don’t seem to bother uplifting the 1xx device half as often…
The 130 was a brilliant device and we still have one in regular use (has had a diy battery replacement but that was a one time thing given how I glued it back together).
There’s a market for people who want to Strava their rides and have a gps bike computer (with e bike battery info for our Rises) but no use for navigation or training. Super clear display. Smaller so doesn’t get knocked. But it needed a much better battery life.
£250 rrp (vs 340 on the mtb) I suspect that the older models discounted pick up too much of the low end to make it worthwhile
I’ll wait for the Edge 150
they never bothered with an edge 140, it does feel like they’re happy to neglect the cheaper/simpler end of the market. I loved my edge 25 (still have it).
But Garmin do seem unconcerned about the budget end of the market.
odd because it’s an obvious way to coax people into their products, but they don’t seem to bother uplifting the 1xx device half as often…
Way back I used an Etrex 3.0 (eventually upgrading to an Oregon). It was a really nice, affordable multi-purpose GPS, had handlebar mounts and was handy for walks too.
You seem to pay a bit of a premium for cycle specific kit but if you're not needing the training specific stuff or the Varia bobbins the Etrex range is still going.
Interestingly the header picture for Garmin's Outdoor Recreation Handhelds range shows what looks like a bikepacking camp so they seem to be acknowledging the cycling link.
The 130 was a brilliant device and we still have one in regular use (has had a diy battery replacement but that was a one time thing given how I glued it back together).
There’s a market for people who want to Strava their rides and have a gps bike computer (with e bike battery info for our Rises) but no use for navigation or training. Super clear display. Smaller so doesn’t get knocked. But it needed a much better battery life.
Edge 25 used screws and a gasket, so no need for glue, and the coin cell in it is a doddle to replace. It was superseded by the 130 which essentially did the same things and wasn't much better/worse on battery.
But yeah, a roughly matchbox sized bar mount device without mapping and some basic metrics on a B&W screen is probably all that a lot of people would ever need. I now have an instinct for that which lasts longer and is always on my wrist so no need to even remember it Thinking about it that is probably why they haven't touched the Edge 1xx line for a while, lots of people at the "Casual" / "Beginner" end of the market opt for a watch now (of which Garmin make a Cajillion different models) instead of a bar-mounted device.
I should pass on/flog the Edge 25, but I just can't bring myself to get rid of it, such a handy backup to have.
But yeah, a roughly matchbox sized bar mount device without mapping and some basic metrics on a B&W screen is probably all that a lot of people would ever need. I now have an instinct for that which lasts longer and is always on my wrist so no need to even remember it
i was going to post the same - for simple use, all the features can be found on a watch, with such small form factors that they are often full time wear rather than activity only.
that makes that more “valuable “ to many people as they see it getting more use.
I use to strap a watch to my bars for trail of bread crumb navigation. It worked really well. You can buy a big chunk of rubber or foam to make this easier. So a bw instinct in the bars would be fine
I might use my Epix on the bars. But you can’t make the display stay so that’sa no no sadly
DCR pointing out that the 850/550 have user-replaceable batteries which can only be a good thing (also didn't know the 530 had a mid-life switch to USB-C, as mine is micro-USB) Garmin's Edge 550 & Edge 850 Have User Servicable Battery: Hands-On!
Is the touchscreen 850 worth the extra £90 over the 550?
Probably yes because the OS is designed around it.
If I was Garmin though I would have either made it a joystick.
But yeah, a roughly matchbox sized bar mount device without mapping and some basic metrics on a B&W screen is probably all that a lot of people would ever need. I now have an instinct for that which lasts longer and is always on my wrist so no need to even remember it Thinking about it that is probably why they haven't touched the Edge 1xx line for a while, lots of people at the "Casual" / "Beginner" end of the market opt for a watch now (of which Garmin make a Cajillion different models) instead of a bar-mounted device.
I read the first sentence and thought "what you want is an instinct" 😂
Mine still lives in the bottom of a drawer waiting to be attached to a dog collar or something.
Is the touchscreen 850 worth the extra £90 over the 550?
If you have electronic shifting, you can configure the buttons on the levers to swipe through the screens.
But yes, the touchscreen is well worth it, I'd not buy one with buttons (other than the basic start/stop button).
How reliable/useable are Garmin's touchscreens when it's very rainy, and/or very cold, or when using gloves? (Do you need "touchscreen" compliant gloves?)
I've got an Edge 530 (buttons only) and a relatively new Edge Explore 2 (touchscreen). So far, I've not been unlucky enough to be caught out in heavy rain or severe cold when using the Explore 2* so I'm a little nervous of how well it will cope.....
* Once I did drip a lot of sweat onto the Explore 2 screen and it took a few swipes but eventually the screen did change....
I've a 530 and it works very well for my use. I'm not convinced the touchscreen is as flawless, especially in minging weather and thick gloves. It will also be drawing more power, which I also don't like the idea of.
However, plenty people find a touchscreen bike.computer to be excellent.
If you have electronic shifting, you can configure the buttons on the levers to swipe through the screens.
There's also the Garmin Remote. That offers the same type of swipe/start/stop options, costs about half the price delta of the 550 and 850 and can be used on as many bikes as you have.
Frustratingly they seemed to have stopped selling the screw mount for the remote, so you have to rely on rubber band ones.
How reliable/useable are Garmin's touchscreens when it's very rainy, and/or very cold, or when using gloves? (Do you need "touchscreen" compliant gloves?)
I've got a 530, and a 1040 Solar. Had a 820 (... and a 800, and a 25, and a 500, and a 705).
I much prefer the buttons on the 530. The 1040's touchscreen is a big improvement over the 820, but still struggles in the rain (820 was completely unusable in the rain, 1040 is usable, but frustrating).
I haven't tried the 1040 with big winter gloves, but if anything it's too sensitive - if I get the sleeve of a shakedry jacket anywhere vaguely near it, it registers it as a touch.
All that said, the 1040 isn't *too* hard to live with. Touchscreen is great for quickly navigating the UI for the most part, and it's nice to be able to have a keyboard. I do kinda wish it had buttons too though.
I much prefer the buttons on the 530. The 1040's touchscreen is a big improvement over the 820, but still struggles in the rain
I've had some issues with my Edge Explore 2 in heavy rain, but it has the ability to lock the screen, presumably to counter this (I assume it's a standard feature across the Edge range).
If you need to switch screens etc. whilst the screen's locked, presumably the Edge remote that Scotroutes has highlighted will do this. It effectively allows you to add buttons to a device if you want them.
I've had some issues with my Edge Explore 2 in heavy rain, but it has the ability to lock the screen, presumably to counter this (I assume it's a standard feature across the Edge range).
The 1040 does have a lock screen feature... but, it's a bit sub-optimal. Some touches still go through, it mostly allows swipes between data screens (not sure if that's intentional), and if it thinks it's a touch that it shouldn't allow them it flashes up a message obscuring the screen that it's locked, which hangs around for way too long.
and if it thinks it's a touch that it shouldn't allow them it flashes up a message obscuring the screen that it's locked, which hangs around for way too long.
Yeah, my Edge Explore 2 does similar - when I'm riding and swiping, it often thinks I want to go to the home screen and locks the screen with a transparent "screen saver". I've missed junctions a couple of time when this has happened. Really annoying!
The new 550 has a reduced battery life. A good battery life is my main reason for buying a garmin. They have done the same with the new Forunner too. I don't need to make phone calls when on a watch on run or ride. I will look elsewhere when I need a new bike computer or running watch.
I really don't get the screen visibility thing that DC Rainmaker is on about. I've used basically all the Garmins, in all the conditions, and I've never struggled to see the screen.
The new 550 has a reduced battery life. A good battery life is my main reason for buying a garmin. They have done the same with the new Forunner too. I don't need to make phone calls when on a watch on run or ride. I will look elsewhere when I need a new bike computer or running watch.
In Fairness they do sell devices with better battery life, including the 540/840 that these have just superseded (and will shortly be on discount in the run up to christmouse)...
Power hungry, bright displays are currently the thing, probably because everyone is trying to keep up with Apple (whose watches have terrible battery life)
they do sell devices with better battery life, including the 540/840 that these have just superseded
Given that the 1040.is still for sale a year after the 1050 was launched, I wonder how long the 540/840 will remain in the lineup?
I really don't get the screen visibility thing that DC Rainmaker is on about. I've used basically all the Garmins, in all the conditions, and I've never struggled to see the screen.
From certain angles in sunlight, they can be impossible to read. Whether or not the new screen changes that I don't know.
I don't need to make phone calls when on a watch on run or ride.
Same. All the phone call / messages / social media alerts / Garmin Pay stuff can sod off.
All the phone call / messages / social media alerts / Garmin Pay stuff can sod off.
Actually I don’t mind the message alert stuff. The idea that I’d use my bike computer to pay for stuff when I’ve got my phone is a bit… odd thoigh.
From certain angles in sunlight, they can be impossible to read. Whether or not the new screen changes that I don't know.
Hm. I've never had a problem. Definitely have ridden at all hours of the day in every direction. Mostly on road bikes though, I wonder if being a bit less upright makes a difference.
Actually I don’t mind the message alert stuff. The idea that I’d use my bike computer to pay for stuff when I’ve got my phone is a bit… odd thoigh.
Yeah. I find notifications useful - I'm sometimes on a bike for multiple days, and having some kind of contact with the outside world can actually make things better. Actual useful for trying to sort out accommodation on the go. I really don't get why I'd want Garmin Pay on a head unit though, despite it being one of my favourite features of a Fenix.