[NoCanSurf]

I'm using a Garmin Edge Explorer 2, pretty much solely for navigation. I keep my iPhone in my hydration pack, closing enough to grab to take a photo, but hopefully safe for the ride. My Garmin was under $300 (Still a lot of money) and my iPhone is way too much. If I lost the Garmin, it would suck, but if I lost my iPhone is would be bad... I've been think I could leave the Edge at home, and just trusting my buddies who have already committed the trails to memory. Which maybe means I don't need the Garmin at all, and should just leave the iPhone in hydration back for picture taking.

Phone apps are completely dumbed down and any metric you want to see is behind a paywall.

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, but Garmin can monitor the miles on everything from your bikes to your shoes.

I use the AppleWatch to record my rides. I find the built-in Fitness App (on the iPhone), ideal for looking over the data the watch collects. (See a recent ride below.) I understand other (paid) apps provide more data, graphs, and shiny things, but this is all I need.

 

[NordieBoy]

How's the connectivity on that thing? And how does the LTE work? Do you have to have a SIM card if you're not tethered to a phone?

If you've tried the monitoring features, do they work well?

Can you use the LTE to remotely access your phone?

I'm looking at upgrading from the watch I have, and it would be nice to have one that allows me to leave the phone behind.

Thanks!

It's got an e-sim that's linked to the plan my normal phone is on.
If you're within BT range, it'll use your phone as the main unit.
Out of BT range and it's got it's own phone number and can call/txt/messenger etc nicely.
The range is very good. I've got txt's out I thought would have no chance of going.
I leave the phone behind now unless I need a camera with me.
Got it 2nd hand for about 20% of retail.

 

[Wabatuckian]

Here are screenshots from the app I use. I don't have a power meter, so I don't know how accurate its power estimation is. The app is BikeComputerPro and is the paid version.

 

[She&I]

Some racers on the AZT used the AZT app with no dedicated GPS. I wasn’t racing but did similar and never wished for my GPS for navigation. Backup power on board makes GPS-free a more viable option.

 

[Sparticus]

Garmin Edge integrates into Ebike computer to display certain things.

This is a good point.
I set up my Garmin 530's data fields to include my SRAM AXS der's current gear (1-12) plus current battery levels (both shifter & der.)
=sParty

 

[ghettocruiser]

Don't want a big @ss phone on my handlebars.

At this point it feels like a matter of principle. Even if I had a relatively tiny phone with a mount that didn't look like crap.

 

[dd82]

The thread title isn't intended to be a troll, LOL. I'm genuinely wondering: why would anyone buy a Garmin Edge these days? For mountain biking, I mean. It still probably makes some sense for navigating while road biking, although for road biking it's easy enough to just mount your smartphone on the bars (it won't be hammered to death by impacts and vibration).

Are there things an Edge will do that some smartphone app won't do?

I also ask because for hiking/backpacking, there is no reason to buy and use a Garmin handheld GPS anymore. I mean sure, you can...but there are many smartphone apps that offer far more functionality (and if you combine 2 or more smartphone apps you demolish the functionality of any handheld GPS).

Scott

it won't be hammered to death by impacts and vibration

Yes it will. Not to the point that it would on a motorcycle, but you can absoltutely screw up your phone's camera stabilization

 

[Cleared2land]

The thread title isn't intended to be a troll,
Scott

Not one input from the OP?

 

[teK--]

Wrist size.
Samsung Watch 5 Pro LTE.
Titanium & Sapphire Glass. Probably tougher than my bike.
Only gets used for the communication features.
View attachment 2098538

That looks like a watch

 

[NordieBoy]

That looks like a watch

It can do that as well.

 

[Radical_53]

Gave my Edge 530 to my wife after upgrading from a Fenix 6 to an Epix 2 Pro.
But: Both are barely readable with Oakley polarized lenses & the bar-mounted Edge made it much easier to navigate.
I use audio cues now mainly but there's still a vast number of reasons to use the Edge on a bike.
Never miss it when I'm on tracks I know, navigating unknown territory without is is definitely harder though.

 

[Offspring]

I have an Garmin epix and really like it. It gets better gps data than my 540 on the same rides, consistently. What I really want is some fix for the extended display mode, so I can see my watch data at a glance on the 540 instead of trying to read the epix screen. I've tried all kinds of things but it drops data or locks up to the point where it is useless. Anyone else have any experience in fixing this, or making it work?

 

[Cleared2land]

I have an Garmin epix and really like it. It gets better gps data than my 540 on the same rides, consistently.

Can you expand on explaining what this means? What is different? Are you referring to accuracy or what?

 

[Harold]

Can you expand on explaining what this means? What is different? Are you referring to accuracy or what?

I'd be curious with this, also. What is the baseline for this assessment?

 

[Offspring]

Can you expand on explaining what this means? What is different? Are you referring to accuracy or what?

I'd be curious with this, also. What is the baseline for this assessment?

I have used them both at the same time with all satellite stuff turned on, and the edge misses all the deeper canyon stuff and the first mile or so which is tucked up against a pretty steep hillside and blocks a southern sky. My epix doesn't drop in these areas. This is my go-to ride and the only place I've seen this drop on the edge and I've got 100+ rides here and when I got my epix it was the first thing I noticed, my mileage went up for same ride. It's about a 1.5-2% error.This is part of the reason I'd like the extended display to work better than it does on the edge..

 

[NordieBoy]

In theory they both do multi-band gnss.
I know my 955 is much more accurate than my 530.

 

[Harold]

I have used them both at the same time with all satellite stuff turned on, and the edge misses all the deeper canyon stuff and the first mile or so which is tucked up against a pretty steep hillside and blocks a southern sky. My epix doesn't drop in these areas. This is my go-to ride and the only place I've seen this drop on the edge and I've got 100+ rides here and when I got my epix it was the first thing I noticed, my mileage went up for same ride. It's about a 1.5-2% error.This is part of the reason I'd like the extended display to work better than it does on the edge..

I'd like to see an example overlay. Were you recording with both on the same ride, or was this on different rides?

 

[Offspring]

I'd like to see an example overlay. Were you recording with both on the same ride, or was this on different rides?

"I have used them both at the same time with all satellite stuff turned on"

 

[Harold]

"I have used them both at the same time with all satellite stuff turned on"

overlay?

 

[Offspring]

overlay?

I didn't save the bad one. If I remember, I'll do it again.