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The Garmin Edge x50 lineup is now full, as Garmin has launched the Edge 550 and Edge 850. Under, I summarize the variations between them and likewise clarify the brand new options they bring about in comparison with the earlier era.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The most important distinction between the Edge 550 and Edge 850 is that the Edge 850 contains a touchscreen show, built-in speaker (enabling digital bike bell, turn-by-turn prompts, and different audible alerts), Garmin Pay, and on-device course creation. Each fashions share the identical shiny 2.7″ transmissive show, UI, and core coaching/racing options. Nevertheless, the 550 stays strictly button-based. Probably the most notable trade-off in comparison with the earlier era is the battery life, because the Edge 550 and 850 ship simply 10–12 hours of typical use, which is roughly half that of the Edge 540 and 840.
The Variations Between the Garmin Edge 550 and 850
The desk beneath reveals the technical specs of the Garmin Edge x50 lineup.
FeatureGarmin Edge 550Garmin Edge 850Garmin Edge 1050
Interface¹Buttons onlyTouchscreen + buttonsTouchscreen
Display screen dimension (decision)2.7″ (420×600px)2.7″ (420×600px)3.5″ (480×800px)
TouchscreenNoYesYes
Claimed battery life12h12h20h
Dimensions54.6×92.2×16.8 mm 2.15×3.63×0.66 in54.6×92.2×16.8 mm 2.15×3.63×0.66 in60×118.5×16.3 mm 2.4×4.7×0.6 in
Weight110g112g161g
Storage32 GB64 GB64 GB
Begin-up time∼10s∼10s∼10s
ChargingUSB-CUSB-CUSB-C
Mounts within the boxOut entrance mountStem mountOut entrance mountStem mountOut entrance mountStem mount
Speaker / Bell / Voice navigationBeeps onlyYesYes
Garmin PayNoYesYes
Tackle SearchOn-System Course CreationNoYesYes
Sensible navigation (rerouting)YesYesYes
Multi-band GNSSYesYesYes
Crash/incident detectionYesYesYes
ConnectivityANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-FiANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-FiANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
RRP$499$599$699
Extra infon/an/aEdge 1050 Evaluation
BuyBUYAlso obtainable at rei.comBUYAlso obtainable at rei.comBUYAlso obtainable at rei.com
This desk compares the principle options of Garmin Edge 550 vs. Edge 850 vs. Edge 1050.¹How is it doable to completely management the system.
Edge 550 is buttons-only, lacks a speaker/voice prompts, and doesn’t help Garmin Pay or on-device course creation.
The Edge 850 provides a touchscreen, speaker, bike bell, voice navigation, Garmin Pay, on-device route creation, and extra storage (32 vs. 64 GB). It intently resembles the Edge 1050 in options (simply with a smaller show and decrease battery life).
All fashions use the identical quick, shiny transmissive LCD, which improves visibility however reduces battery life in comparison with older transflective screens. The battery life was completely slaughtered in comparison with the Edge x40 line. Check out the next chart, which compares Garmin Edge items from the previous few years.
The Edge 550 and 850 gained’t final even half so long as the Edge 540 and 840. Sure, you should utilize the battery saver mode, however it limits accuracy, dims the show, and so forth. It’s not an choice for day-to-day use however quite an “emergency” characteristic.
What’s New with the Edge 540 and Edge 840?
The Garmin Edge 550 and 850 signify a transparent generational leap over the Edge 540 and 840, bringing a brand new show, up to date design, and expanded options—however at the price of battery life and the lack of photo voltaic charging choices.
New Show Expertise: Each the Edge 550 and 850 exchange the older transflective display screen (excessive battery effectivity, however dimmer colours and decrease distinction) with a considerably brighter transmissive LCD just like the Edge 1050. This improves visibility in most situations however reduces battery life dramatically in comparison with the Edge 540 and 840.
Bigger Show: The Edge 550 and 850 now characteristic a 2.7” show (up from 2.6”).
Design Refresh: The brand new gadgets are “taller” and have additionally gained some weight and thickness to accommodate larger batteries for the extra power-hungry display screen.
No Photo voltaic Possibility: The x50 fashions have dropped the photo voltaic charging characteristic that was a spotlight of the earlier era.
Speaker, Digital Bike Bell, and Voice Navigation: The Edge 850 now features a speaker for spoken turn-by-turn directions, an digital bell, and audible alerts. The 550 nonetheless depends on a easy beep.
Garmin Pay: The Edge 850 helps contactless funds, a characteristic beforehand unique to the Edge 1050 and never obtainable on the 840.
On-System Route Creator: Each 850 and 1050 allow you to create and edit routes immediately on the system, whereas the 550 nonetheless requires Garmin Join.
5 Hz GPS/GNSS Recording: Sooner place sampling (5 instances per second) is now commonplace for extra correct monitoring.
Actual-time Climate Updates: The Edge 550 and 850 can offer you climate updates, permitting you to regulate your path to keep away from disagreeable conditions, equivalent to being caught off guard by rain.
Timing Gates: Now you can set timing gates to trace break up instances.
Improved Processor and Storage: The Edge 550 and 850 now run on sooner processors, have expanded flash reminiscence (Edge 550 as much as 32 GB, Edge 850 64 GB), and supply snappier map redraw and total operation.
Enhanced Coaching Options: Garmin’s Cycle Coach, Energy Steering, and “Sensible Fueling” have been upgraded with extra context, calibrating vitamin and pacing primarily based on route elevation, climate, and consumer profile.
GroupRide and Extra POI: New options for group rides and extra factors of curiosity, in addition to improved map layers and climate widgets.
Battery Life Downgrade: The battery life takes a big hit as a result of new display screen: whereas the 540/840 delivered 25–30 hours in real-world use, the brand new Edge 550 and 850 are rated for simply 12 hours.
Battery Replacements: Because of stress from the European Union, Garmin adjusted the system’s design to permit simpler battery replacements.
Garmin Edge x50 Alternate options
If I didn’t need a Garmin 550 or 850, I’d contemplate the next options:
The primary different is the Hammerhead Karoo 3, which gives higher battery life however a extra restricted characteristic set. It additionally has a completely totally different consumer interface, which I like, and a equally good show. Yow will discover out extra in my Karoo 3 overview.
The second different is the brand new Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 and ROAM 3 fashions, which have twice the battery life however a poorer (much less shiny) show and supply far fewer options. For my part, the ROAM 3 gives higher worth and value than the BOLT 3.
And the third worthy different is, in fact, the earlier era of the Edge x40 sequence, particularly the Edge 540, Edge 840, and Edge 1040, that are additionally obtainable in photo voltaic variations. Their most important benefit is greater than double the battery life. Personally, I’d select the Edge 840.
Abstract
I believe that for many cyclists, the further $100 for the Edge 850 is justified by the touchscreen and digital bell alone. Shopping maps on a tool and controlling it’s considerably simpler with a touchscreen. And the digital bell is extra helpful than it could appear (I attempted it on the Edge 1050).
Nevertheless, if lengthy battery life is your precedence (and also you’re keen to sacrifice display screen brightness and a few fashionable options), the earlier era Edge 840 or Edge 1040 stays a better option. They are going to simply double the real-world battery lifetime of the brand new x50 fashions.
The x50 sequence is greatest for riders who recognize show high quality and good options, and don’t thoughts recharging the bike laptop extra continuously. You can even contemplate options just like the Hammerhead Karoo 3 or Wahoo ROAM 3, or browse my roundup of the perfect bike computer systems in the marketplace.
