WAHOO BOLT/ROAM or GARMIN 530/540

erictriedit · May 11, 2023

I am looking for a relatively inexpensive option for trail navigating without having to take out my phone all the time to reference where I am. I would like to be able to use trailforks or MTB protect on the GPS, assuming the base maps probably don't have as much detail as either of those.

I am interested in the Garmin 530 or 540 or the Wahoo Bolt V2 or the Elemnt Roam V2. I would love to hear recommendations and experience with the units or why to avoid specific model.

Thanks!

FIF · May 11, 2023

This is just my experience. I have/had Garmin 530, 830, & 1030; as well as Wahoo Bolt and Roam, both V1. In the trees, Wahoo seems to have less GPS drift and better accuracy than the 530 & 830, but not the 1030. Garmin 530 & 830 seemed buggy, but my 1030 has been flawless. Garmin's also seem to be a little picky and not work with some bluetooth devices (ex. Scoshe heart rate monitor). Wahoo's just seem to always work, but they do get frequent updates. Garmin does have more bells and whistles like flow, grit, jumps, crash notification, and show other Garmin riders if your connected to them via the app. I have not used any of them with Trailforks or MTB project, so I really can't comment there. Not sure if any of this helps, but good luck!

erictriedit · May 11, 2023

That does help, I appreciate it. I considered the 1030 but thought it was a bit expensive.

32x20 · May 12, 2023

Have a Bolt V2. The maps it comes with have about any trail I've been on, but I've really never used it to make turn decisions unless I've got a route loaded. It's always worked well, and it's nice formatting data screens with your phone. They just updated it to have the Wahoo version of 'climbpro' so that's no longer uniquely garmin. The only bug I've found is that about three times I've had it return zero altitude change for rides that had a bunch, but that's been few and far between.

I've eyed the new 540/840 for battery life (fewer charges) and having bike profiles. My drop bar bike has a powermeter, but not the MTBs so it'd be nice to not have that field blank for trail rides. I haven't cared enough to drop the coin for just that feature, though.

austin_bike · May 13, 2023

erictriedit said:
That does help, I appreciate it. I considered the 1030 but thought it was a bit expensive.

Yeah, I passed on that as well. It's like putting a laptop on your handlebars from a cost perspective.

I got an 840 and am very happy with it.

Tinshield · May 14, 2023

I’m the only one in my group with a Wahoo (Bolt V2). Many many times I’ve had routes loaded the same as my friends Garmins. They’re both somewhat bad under the trees. I think the Wahoos are easier to live with and the apps and configuration are very user friendly. Wahoos are not touch screen, if that bothers you get a Garmin. Scrolling a map on my Wahoo can be a little annoying but not a big deal. The UI on the Wahoo is easy to live with.

yzedf · May 15, 2023

I’ve got a 530, bought it for the routing and Trailforks. Works well for gravel/road but can be tough in the woods when there are several trail intersections in a small area (default zoom isn’t ideal). Decent battery life. Easy to update wirelessly, but it’s not often enough and can be buggy af at times.

erictriedit · May 15, 2023

I actually ended up buying the Wahoo. Took it for a ride today and I really like it. After considering all things, it just seemed like it was more bang for the buck.

Stahr_Nut · May 15, 2023

Tinshield said:
I’m the only one in my group with a Wahoo (Bolt V2). Many many times I’ve had routes loaded the same as my friends Garmins. They’re both somewhat bad under the trees. I think the Wahoos are easier to live with and the apps and configuration are very user friendly. Wahoos are not touch screen, if that bothers you get a Garmin. Scrolling a map on my Wahoo can be a little annoying but not a big deal. The UI on the Wahoo is easy to live with.

How do you scroll a map on your Wahoo? I have a Roam and not being able to scroll a map is one of my biggest beefs with it. I had myself convinced it isn't possible but perhaps it is operator error on my part.

Tinshield · May 15, 2023

Stahr_Nut said:
How do you scroll a map on your Wahoo? I have a Roam and not being able to scroll a map is one of my biggest beefs with it. I had myself convinced it isn't possible but perhaps it is operator error on my part.

Certainly possible on the Bolt V2 but don’t think the Roam V1 can. I have a Roam I use on my road bike and don’t tend to need the panning on the road.

erictriedit · Jun 2, 2023

Update to the thread. I returned the Wahoo and got a Garmin 840. There were some issues with trailforks that I didn’t like and MTB project isn’t working (although they’re supposedly working on it). The wahoo was decent but I’m happy with the switch. I like some of the features of the 840 a lot.

WAHOO BOLT/ROAM or GARMIN 530/540

erictriedit

FIF

erictriedit

32x20

austin_bike

Tinshield

yzedf

erictriedit

Stahr_Nut

Tinshield

erictriedit

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