Garmin Device

[Silato]

Hi all,
What garmin sat navs devices do recommend. I'm using the 25 at the moment but want a more detailed map for routes.
Also what quality and detail are the garmin maps and do they come pre loaded or do you need to pay extra?

 

[Astom22]

Garmin 530 is nice, I would start there, add touchscreen with the 830 for $99 more. I can create maps on my computer and import them onto my 530.

It comes preloaded with all maps and trailforks trails too. First time you boot it up, you'll update it with your computer, then it's all gravy from there.

 

[Gary]

I'm selling a pretty much brand new 530 in the classifieds.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Garmin 530 is nice, I would start there, add touchscreen with the 830 for $99 more. I can create maps on my computer and import them onto my 530.

It comes preloaded with all maps and trailforks trails too. First time you boot it up, you'll update it with your computer, then it's all gravy from there.

Which do you have? I was interested in the 530 for its Trailforks integration, but a lot of people seem to make light of it.

 

[Astom22]

Which do you have? I was interested in the 530 for its Trailforks integration, but a lot of people seem to make light of it.

I have the Garmin Edge 530 and have enjoyed the integration of Trailforks so far. I you highlight trails or portions of trails on Strava, you can compete with yourself live on the device, which is fun.

 

[Evolution Stu]

520+ does all the above too. Tidy on the bars and does the job well. ?

 

[Hamina]

I just upgraded my 6 years old Garmin GPSMAP 64 to GPSMAP 66ST for my new bike. I can comment later here how it's been working. I use the device also for other things so the new bike just finalized my decision.

I have Trek Rail 5 with Bosch Purion. With Specialized Turbolevo I would have ended up to 530/830/1030 with levo specific apps, but with Bosch you get bike data only with Kiox + eBikeconnect app or more expensive COBI / Mobilehub.

So with Garmin I can now track my:
route, speed, velocity, ascend/descend, heart rate, temperature and some other minor things. I make route planning with Garmin Basecamp software. I can also build readymade routes by editing my tracks afterwards and ride them another time. For well known local tracks it's kind of no use, but for exploring new tracks in new environment it will be valuable I think.

I'm a bit skeptical that Bosch would open the bluetooth/ant+ interface for Garmin devices so that was also the reason I did not upgrade the Purion to Kiox yet.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

So with Garmin I can now track my:
route, speed, velocity, ascend/descend, heart rate, temperature and some other minor things]

Brings to mind the old "Six Million Dollar Man" so I watched as a kid. "Steve Austin. A man barely alive. We can make him better. Better, stronger, faster..." Queue music...

 

[Hamina]

Yes exactly! It's all about information I should have mentioned (as a disclaimer) that for me analyzing information afterwards is almost as interesting as riding my bike.

 

[Wheelie_King]

Garburn Pass?

 

[unclezz]

I'm a bit skeptical that Bosch would open the bluetooth/ant+ interface for Garmin devices so that was also the reason I did not upgrade the Purion to Kiox yet.

I am skeptical as well on this point, I contacted Bosch a few days ago but no answer so far. BTW same goes basically for all other motors around, besides the good integration with Specialized (and, just learnt, Giant).

It's pity, because Garmin devices (as well as other cyclocomputers) add some value and because it gices the opportunity to re-use old equipment on new bikes.

 

[Astom22]

I am skeptical as well on this point, I contacted Bosch a few days ago but no answer so far. BTW same goes basically for all other motors around, besides the good integration with Specialized.

It's pity, because Garmin devices (as well as other cyclocomputers) add some value and because it gices the opportunity to re-use old equipment on new bikes.

My 530 is synched up with my Shimano in my YT Decoy. It tracks the battery, cadence, etc for me.

 

[unclezz]

My 530 is synched up with my Shimano in my YT Decoy. It tracks the battery, cadence, etc for me.

You're right, forgot about Shimano.
Unfortunately I fear current Shimano motors are close to EOL. SO very interested to see what will come in future.

 

[Astom22]

You're right, forgot about Shimano.
Unfortunately I fear current Shimano motors are close to EOL. SO very interested to see what will come in future.

Hopefully they will continue to support the e8000 for a while longer.

 

[LAWHITEY]

Hopefully they will continue to support the e8000 for a while longer.

Yeah hope so too seeing as I only got one this week

 

[p3eps]

I upgraded from an 820 to an 830 last week, mainly for the better Trailforks integration.
For my last 2 rides, I’ve made my own route on Trailforks. You can simply drag the mouse about and hold shift - and select the roads / trails you want to use.
As we’re locked down, I’m doing routes from my house. I made a 50km one at the weekend, and saved it to Trailforks.

My Garmin can download it, then route me round it. Seems to work well, unless you go over the same trail twice... where the map looks a bit confusing, but the directions are correct. It also shows the trails and locks onto them - which the 820 didn’t do.

Looking forward to trying it on more trail orientated areas when I’m allowed to stick my bike on the car... but so far I’m pretty pleased with it.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Yes exactly! It's all about information I should have mentioned (as a disclaimer) that for me analyzing information afterwards is almost as interesting as riding my bike.

Well, then, if you ride Shimano you must get the new ST Ride app! It is a number-guy's wet dream! Maybe an exaggeration, but it's pretty cool! Keeps stats and does mapping, too!

 

[Astom22]

Well, then, if you ride Shimano you must get the new ST Ride app! It is a number-guy's wet dream! Maybe an exaggeration, but it's pretty cool! Keeps stats and does mapping, too!

Will have to check it out.

 

[Evolution Stu]

Garburn Pass?

Some spot that mate! Well done!

Finally cleaned the whole run a few days before lockdown. Probably never to be achieved again as one bit damn near had me over the bars so my balls will shrink back again there.... lol.

 

[Wheelie_King]

Some spot that mate! Well done!

Finally cleaned the whole run a few days before lockdown. Probably never to be achieved again as one bit damn near had me over the bars so my balls will shrink back again there.... lol.

Some places are etched into your mind for good or bad reasons - I think Garburn has etched itself for both good and bad!!

Cleaned it which way, up or down? It's a beast both ways!

 

[Evolution Stu]

Some places are etched into your mind for good or bad reasons - I think Garburn has etched itself for both good and bad!!

Cleaned it which way, up or down? It's a beast both ways!

Down, I have yet to ride up it!

 

[Wheelie_King]

Down, I have yet to ride up it!

I’ve been up it loads on normal MTB over the years, never cleaned it but rode most of it. Tried once since having eMTB. Still learning about the assist etc but reckon on a good day it’s doable!

 

[raine]

Hi all,
What garmin sat navs devices do recommend. I'm using the 25 at the moment but want a more detailed map for routes.
Also what quality and detail are the garmin maps and do they come pre loaded or do you need to pay extra?

After using an Element Bolt for awhile (and coming from a Lezyne GPS computer before that) when I got my eMTB I wanted something small but feature packed. I went with a Garmin Edge 530 initially because I wanted mapping and more options to display metrics from my Shimano E8000 setup. The 530 has a ton of features that take a bit of time to learn, but well worth it. I started with Trailforks (free downloadable app for the 530) and it worked excellent for finding new trails as well as guiding me through town.

However, I wasn't that comfortable with 4 button control of the Edge 530. While I was getting used to my 530, I had a chance to use it side by side with my friend's Garmin Edge 830 (the only difference being a touch screen and on-board route creation) and you know what? I returned the 530 right away and ordered an Edge 830 in its place!

The 830's touch screen made such a HUGE difference in the way I could interact with and use the Garmin before, during, and after riding. Navigation is solid, maps are detailed enough to see where I am at a glance, and the almost infinite display configuration let me see what metrics i wanted to and only what I wanted to. Strava is integrated, Trailforks is available as an add-on (free), and it works with my Wahoo HR monitor and sensors flawlessly. There's also neat little features (if you want to use them or not) like a feature that shows any upcoming climb and is grade, or another feature to remind you to take a drink, etc.

Connectability with my iPhone and my Shimano eMTB was a must, and the Edge 830 connected to both flawlessly. Also, I always ride with gloves and I was worried about touch screen response - but I have had zero problems using the 830 touch screen with MTB gloves on (I use regular MTB gloves, no "smartphone friendly" stuff). There's so much the Edge 830 can do, I would definitely recommend looking into the Edge 830 for anyone who wants a premium nav/bike computer/better emtb display.

 

[Hamina]

I just upgraded my 6 years old Garmin GPSMAP 64 to GPSMAP 66ST for my new bike. I can comment later here how it's been working. I use the device also for other things so the new bike just finalized my decision.

Garmin GPSMAP 66ST seems to be very exact as tracker and it seems to be good compromise as bicycle and adventure device. Mounting to the handlebar will need a bit fixing as zip ties are not enough to keep it in place when riding in rough terrain. For bicycle only use it might be a bit overkill to many compared to x30 series.

With Garmin GPSMAP 66ST (4.2 firmware) + Garmin HRM Dual heart rate strap combination the device doesn't calculate calories correctly and it seems to a software problem that Garmin will fix in "near future". Without heart rate strap the calorie counter works but I think it doesn't understand that I'm riding electric assisted bike.

When I had just bought my Trek Rail 5 I was totally sure that I will buy immediately the Bosch Kiox to track my rides but just now I don't see any reason to do it.