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Prime day (yes, much shifting of pointless tat), includes Edge 530 at £160 plus good prices on other units including Fenix 6’s etc.
https://amzn.eu/d/i9ht2L f">Amazon linky
Yep. Instinct Solar is £149 which is a pretty good price. I just picked up a renewed one for similar money which to be fair is immaculate but would of prefered the 2 yr guarentee you get with new.
That's a very good price, I just bought one. You need to sign up to Amazon Prime to get the deal, but you can cancel after it's been despatched.
have been dithering about a fenix 6 solar on sportspursuit for few weeks at 450 - prime day has non-solar for 305 - is the sportspursuit one with the extra? will I miss any functionality?
Edit or 6X for 340, damn PSA posts
That's a lot more expensive than not buying something I don't need.
Still, though.
Most reviews and real world experience say the solar Fenix 6 isn't worth the extra over the Pro as the battery life isn't significantly improved and the glass is weaker/easier to scratch.
I was dithering but in the end went for an instinct solar as battery life was most important over features I probably wouldn't use. Instinct has much bigger solar panel and with black/white display it lasts for ever (and you can see it in bright sunlight)
I bought a Solar Pro 6 from SP a few months back. I was after the non-Solr but they's run out. However, the recharging thing does work on long days outside and saves me worrying about battery life. I often use it to broadcast my to an Edge 530. I can ride all day and not lose any charge.
I've been thinking of an edge 530 to record rides, put routes on to follow but have been put off cos I also want to record runs, swims, paddles and any other outdoor stuff I do.
That fenix 6x pro looks like it might be just the ticket, is it suitable as a stand alone navigation aid?
Scotroutes- what is the benefit of linking to an edge?
Cheers @winston just can't get on with looks of instimct for some reason. Went for nin-solar Pro in end, early birthday treat to replace aging fenix 3
@sweepy for HR monitoring. Saves wearing a chest strap. OTOH the Edge has a bigger screen, is more visible (both important for navigating) and has a few more bike-specific fields and functions. I do sometimes ride with just the watch though.
That's a good price for a 530, suspect a 540 is just around the corner!
Saving up for a 1040 Solar though, but I think it might be a bit big for MTB and a bit of a scrote magnet for commuting.
So I've ordered 130 plus to get the MTB dynamics stuff and a smaller screen when I know where I'm going...
That is a very good deal. I'm still living with my trusty old Edge 500 - it's still fine but the buttons on the side are beginning to give up. Must resist. Or should I...?
Thanks Scotroutes, so just to clarify before a rushed impulse purchase- I will be able to put gxp routes from strava etc on the watch then follow them?
Here's one for coffeetrackworld:
Had one of these arrive today to replace a broken Baritza encore. Massive upgrade.
Was reminded of it elsewhere and just got a 530 to replace the exact same thing I lost somewhere on a ride on Sunday.
Foolishly didn’t tether it to the bike and the past history etc didn’t find it.
Was just about to order one from Decathlon at £200 as well.
Fenix 6 are half price. I'd love one but I do maybe 2 triathlons a year so... not worth it 🙂
That 530 is decent value, if it was touchscreen I'd probably be tempted
My 12+ year old Oregon and 7+ year old edge touring are all touchscreen so it would be a backwards step for me. My main purpose for them is browsing the map or following a GPX
I’m sorely tempted by the Garmin 530 but am questioning if I need it. I do have a fenix 6s pro and I love the watch. In answer to sweepy I have downloaded maps from the Garmin connect app onto the watch and tested it when I was riding a mtb route in plockton. It was easy to follow and the watch beeps at you when a turning is coming up and tells you if you are off course. I was impressed and I know a lot of running friends use them for plotting running routes and they swear by them.
That is a very good deal. I’m still living with my trusty old Edge 500 – it’s still fine but the buttons on the side are beginning to give up. Must resist. Or should I…?
It'll be a massive upgrade from the 500. Like stepping into the future. The 500 was a good, dependable computer in its day, but things have moved on.
£99 for the edge 130 plus. Great device.
My 945 appears to have just died (the HRM and accelerometer aren't working). It's 3 years old, I use it for running, swimming, cycling and as a golf GPS so the Fenix 6 Pro seems an ideal replacement. The refurb unit @ £260 looks ideal. Anyone bought an Amazon refurb?
@tallpaul - Seen the refurb, but thought why not go extra £40 go for new. My current fenix 3 is a refurb replacement direct from garmin for out of warranty issue and has been faultless.
Just done a tech support chat with Garmin and they've offered me a refurb 945 for £130 in exchange for my broken one. Is the Fenix 6 Pro bringing anything else to the party??
I'd go with that, got refurb from them 2018 and still going well. I'm only upgrading as birthday treat amd having some odd bp and heart rate issues so want keep an eye. Likely won't use most of functionality but bugger it. If happy with what current one did before died I'd say stick with it
@sweepy I mostly use Komoot now for route planning. If you link Komoot and Garmin Connect then any routes you create in the former sync to Garmin as Courses and then to your watch. It's almost seamless.
@benp1 As the owner of an 830 I'd personally recommend the 530.
The 830 is a useless unusable ornament in the rain.
Thanks🙂 £385 later and there's a Garmin and a posh tequila on the way- life is good🙂
I have a renewed Edge Explore and Venu watch from amazon. They come in proper Garmin renewed boxes and are literally as new with all the paperwork and cables, etc.
Tempted by the Edge 530 and have a Fenix 6 already. I'm interested in it mainly for navigation on the road. Can they pair together such that you use the edge for navigation and the watch does the heart rate stuff? I saw somewhere that the extended display thing wouldn't do navigation but that seems a bit odd.
If you are navigating with the Edge then one of the screens you scroll through shows HR. You should also be able to add an HR field to the Nav screen if you want.
The Fenix will broadcast the HR to the Edge.
Alternatively you could use them completely independently, but why would you?
Ah ha. Thanks.
That would be ideal I think. I mainly just want what I have already plus a good screen on the bars for better nav and perhaps a fairly basic data screen with average speed and the like on it. Sounds ideal for that?
Yeah - you can do all that. Following a Course, any navigation instructions will pop up even if you have one of the other data screens showing.
I use the edge 530 for navigation and my forerunner for recording the activity. THe edge runs it as an activity too, I just don't save it at the end.
I looked up all the connectivity options etc and that just seemed best. I'll probably chop the 530 in for an Edge Explore to get the bigger screen at some point.
Thanks for posting this PSA. I ordered a 530 this morning as a birthday present to myself. Could never have justified full price, looking forward to trying it out.
Ooof, tempting wonder what I'd get for my edge explore on ebay?
Edit:
I’ll probably chop the 530 in for an Edge Explore to get the bigger screen at some point.
Don't do it! Explore has half the battery life...
OP Thanks for the PSA.
Also
It’ll be a massive upgrade from the 500. Like stepping into the future. The 500 was a good, dependable computer in its day, but things have moved on.
I clicked on buy now. The rubber around the buttons on the 500 is perished / cracked and the button press not reliable it was time and this is a good deal. I toyed with the idea of the £99 130+ as this seems the more simmilar successor to the 500 but half the battery life of the 530...?
It's all this new fangled stuff like links to apps and the phone. What happened to just plugging it in to the computer and uploading to Strava?!!?
I use the edge 530 for navigation and my forerunner for recording the activity. THe edge runs it as an activity too, I just don’t save it at the end.
If you make sure "Physio True-Up" is enabled on both devices then just record on your Edge, and the stats will be automatically copied over to your Forerunner at the end and you don't have to flatten your watch battery and faff around with two recordings going at once.
Does anyone know what the cheapest Garmin watch is that has maps?
I normally use an Apple Watch but I can't find a useful way of using any mapping when I'm running.
It’s all this new fangled stuff like links to apps and the phone. What happened to just plugging it in to the computer and uploading to Strava?!!?
Well, you can still do that if you want, but why would you want to (assuming you have a smart phone)? Finish ride, press Stop. Ride syncs to Connect, which syncs to Strava. Normally happens in less than a minute.
No problem. I've only used it for hiking, but was quite impressed. The maps aren't the most detailed but they seem to suit the small watch screen quite well.
I've got a 530 that I use on the bike and have recently inherited my wife's trusty old fenix 5s as she upgraded to the 7 for a long (40 hour) event that is coming up. So, I'm interested in all these discussions about linking the two. My rides (recorded on the 530) seem to show up in my history on the watch anyway.
If I broadcast the HR from the watch I guess I could then see it on the 530. Not sure it's worth the faff, but I'll give it a go.
I could just use the 530 for navigation and then record using the watch (to get the HR data on Strava) but again I'm not really sure I care that much about HR data post ride. It's all good fun though.
I could just use the 530 for navigation and then record using the watch (to get the HR data on Strava) but again I’m not really sure I care that much about HR data post ride. It’s all good fun though.
Why not just record everything on the 530 and upload from there to Strava?
Interested in comments about physio true up. I have a 520 plus and vivoactive 3. Both are physio trueup enabled. I thought I had to broadcast hr from watch to 520 but this is a bit of a pita as touchscreen often pauses transmit and don’t seem to be able to lock it while transmitting.
Will hr from the watch show up in strava on activities recorded on the 520 if no hr strap used and not broadcast from the watch? Or does it only go into garmin connect after the fact so to speak? Suppose I could try it to find out…
It’s all this new fangled stuff like links to apps and the phone. What happened to just plugging it in to the computer and uploading to Strava?!!?
I got my £60 Garmin Instinct last month to avoid doing this!
Having the watch just means commutes, hikes, trail center rides, etc. All the stuff I never actually "use" the computer during for get recorded with minimum faff. 2 button presses to start it, 2 to stop, and by the time I've got my phone out it's already on strava.
More features would be nice, but the battery lasts a month which TBH seemed like more of an issue. And the breadcrumb mapping is useable enough to minimize getting phone/paper maps out to an acceptable level.
Will hr from the watch show up in strava on activities recorded on the 520 if no hr strap used and not broadcast from the watch?
Neither Connect nor Strava will combine the data from two devices.
Why not just record everything on the 530 and upload from there to Strava?
That's what I was doing before I inherited the fenix so probably is what I'll end up going back to. That wouldn't give me HR data in Strava though unless I broadcast the HR from the watch and got the 530 to record it. Not sure how much of a faff that is as I haven't tried it yet.
Recording the activity on the watch and using the 530 just for navigation (and climpro) sounds like the simplest way to record an activity with HR data.
But really either device is fine and I wouldn't have bought one if I had the other. I suspect I'll end up using the 530 to record bike rides and the watch for hikes. The fact that all the activities appear in the history on the watch is a nice touch.
FWIW, the HR Broadcast option in my Fenix 6 takes about 8 button presses. I created a Shortcut for it so it's down to 2.
Presumably you have to press some buttons on the 530 to get it to record the HR or does it just automatically pair once it has been done once?
You pair it once as a Sensor. Then it'll automatically find it again as soon as you are broadcasting.
Honestly, I'm such a sucker for Garmin.
530 purchased to replace both my 520 and Explore and pair with my new Instinct solar. I loved the 520 but wanted proper mapping so bought the Explore. However I missed the performance metrics, segments and longer battery life so the Explore got used about 10 times and I went back to the 520.
Hopefully the 530 will cover all the bases!
Stealth ad: 520 and Explore heading for the classifieds......
You pair it once as a Sensor. Then it’ll automatically find it again as soon as you are broadcasting.
And even then it doesn't record it to Connect or Strava? That seems a bit odd. Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?
@luket - once you pair the devices, the Edge records the data and uploads it all (including HR) to Connect and Strava. The watch is just acting as an external sensor.
It's possible that I just didn't explain it very well. Sorry.
And even then it doesn’t record it to Connect or Strava? That seems a bit odd. Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?
That doesn't sound right. Have you got an HR readout on your display? Check it has paired correctly? On my 500 if my HRM was on and paired the HR got recorded.
My misunderstanding. It sounds like exactly the gizmo I'm after. Ordered....
Whoops, clicked buy on a 530.
5x£32 as well so it's not like a big old silly splurge...
I'll see if I miss the explore's bigger screen an relatively simple UI and then probably offload it.
TBH I'm looking forward to having more battery life from the 530.
I've asked this in the Edge Explore v2 thread but there's more activity in here, so...
Can anyone tell me how practical it would be to lend to someone else and link temporarily to their Garmin account? Is it a case of reset and re-link to other phone and all the previous settings, routes etc will be there and then same when I switch back to mine or will it be a massive ball ache to set back up each time?
You just unpair it from your account and wipe/factory reset the unit don't you?that's what I did last time I sold a Garmin, I think they can only be registered to one account at a time. So once a new user registers it it won't talk to the old account, right?
The Explore has guest mode. Not sure what that involves but I think it means you can lend it to someone without doing the above. Im sure a quick bit of googlefu will give the specifics.
Oh yeah, I've never bothered to use guest mode. Worth a try
You just unpair it from your account and wipe/factory reset the unit don’t you?
that’s what I’m hoping? It would only be for occasional trips that my wife heads off on without me, not a daily regular thing.
I’m just trying to buy one, I’ll give it a test out.
Got my 130 today. Dinky little unit. Fine for recording commutes etc.
I ordered the 6x pro yesterday, today the filthy rotters dropped the price by another £33 🙁
My 530 just landed. About to open the box. Neeeeewwwww toooooyyyysssss!
My 530 arrived yesterday. One quick ride and I remembered why I don’t like the Garmin head units*, so it’s going back and I’ll stick with my Wahoo Bolt and look for a V2 when the price drops a bit.
*fiddly to change screens vs big buttons on the top of the unit, can’t “zoom in” to the metrics display to get my preferred “watts & HR” only displayed when doing a hard effort. Actual data text is small rather than the Wahoo where the data text it big and chunky. Etc.
Mmm. I spent an hour setting mine up last night.
I like the profiles. Having used my 500 for 10 years I know what displays I want. General road riding cadence, temp, time, HR, temperature. Got that setup.
For TTs I just want a big speed and HR display, and set my lap timer to be 1 mile.
MTB I don't use cadence.
I like the auto sync. I've changed my default Strava setting to be private so it can auto upload then I can decide if I want to rename it add some some photos before making it public or delete...
Anyone recommend any apps / widgets on the Connect IQ app?
Initial impressions are impressed. But I've yet to go for a ride with it...
@whatgoesup
can’t “zoom in” to the metrics display to get my preferred “watts & HR” only displayed when doing a hard effort
I'm pretty sure you could add an extra data screen with just those fields - one button press to get those displayed nice and big. Not sure how that works on the Wahoo or if it does something better / move clever.
Yep. Just create a new data screen with those two fields
You can add a separate data screen with just those two fields in, but it's a poor version of what the wahoo does for three reasons:
1 - You now have an extra screen to cycle through. With the Wahoo the "focus" screen and the "full data" screen are the same - just zoom in and out as needed. I prefer to have only two screens - 1 is map, 1 is data to avoid cycling.
2 - Cycling through screens on the Garmin is much harder as the buttons are small things on the side not large buttons on the top.
3 - On the Garmin with two screens the data field text doesn't get much bigger - it's just in a larger space. One the Wahoo the text expands to fill the space available, i.e. both number are (relatively) mahoosive and easy to read.
Note - both units are good, nothing against he 530, I have just got used to and now prefer the way the Wahoo works.
I ordered one of the instinct solars at Christmas that got cancelled by Garmin...
Just ordered one here, and got a "it's been delayed" email... Reckon this one will get canned too?
Note – both units are good, nothing against he 530, I have just got used to and now prefer the way the Wahoo works.
Yeh fair comment. I've had my 500 for 10 years been faultless. I looked at Wahoo about a year ago when I was considering what next. The one thing that put me off... At the time you couldn't program a workout. You could sync training Training Peaks IIRC but not like the Garmin where you can program a workout, say x minutes at this cadence or HR etc, then x minutes at this cadence or HR. I'm a luddite with a dumb turbo and just follow the BC training indoor workouts in the winter....
Just ordered one here, and got a “it’s been delayed” email… Reckon this one will get canned too?
You'd hope Amazon are just a bit busy after Prime Day 🤞
My 530 said delayed then it turned up a couple of hours ago anyway……
Mines still not arrived. Amazon site says "it might be lost"
Looks like I'm destined never to have this watch.
I got one as mentioned up the thread. First one turned up with left ‘up and down’ buttons slightly crunchy feeling and not quite right.
This was a known fault in the very early units and wasn’t present on my old one or the wife’s.
Spoke to Amazon who replaced it free. Replacement received yesterday and this one was in a box covered in a fine sandy grit type substance, although the unit inside was ok.
Both of them had the screen protector thing on slightly askew, which makes me wonder just where Amazon got these devices!
Still, it works well, looks ok and was cheaper than most want s/h on eBay, so with full warranty it can’t be bad.
I got one as mentioned up the thread. First one turned up with left ‘up and down’ buttons slightly crunchy feeling and not quite right.
I also ordered a 530 which arrived Thursday, and I knew something wasn't quite right with it. I was suspicious from the off - because even though the unit looked brand new, the retail box wasn't sealed. Anyway, this one has crunchy up/down buttons too, and they also don't register every press - sometimes it takes two or more presses for those buttons to register.
Now in a chat with Amazon to try to resolve, as I needed it for a 3 day ride next week.
My box wasn't sealed either, the screen protector is on the wonk and the buttons feel super spongy...ffs looks like someone is taking the p!ss?
Now I think about it, neither of the boxes I received had any sort of sticker on them sealing the opening.
I bet they are either refurbed units or maybe even the original duff ones.
I’ll have a look at serial numbers of mine and the wife’s as she’s had hers 8 months now.
Wonder if Garmin would comment if I find my new one has a significantly older serial number and also mention others.
Wasn't there a batch of 530s used for an expedition/event and then returned for refurb/resale? If you bought it as a new device then it should be clean and sealed. If you bought it knowing it was a refurb then I guess it's all a bit more subjective.