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I’ve been utilizing Garmin Edge 540 Photo voltaic and ELEMNT BOLT 3 for just a few weeks, and on this comparability, I’ll attempt that will help you determine which one to purchase.
You’ll find out about their variations, professionals, and cons, and I will even examine them with different bike computer systems, such because the Edge 530, Edge 830, Edge 1040, Wahoo ELEMNTs, and extra.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The principle distinction between the Garmin Edge 540 and the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 is that the Edge affords extra options and excels in navigation in comparison with the BOLT. In most different areas, they carry out equally nicely. The BOLT 3 outperforms the Edge 540 in just one side, and that’s ease of use, and solely partially as a result of it’s extra depending on the smartphone app. You’ll be able to proceed studying for extra data or purchase Edge 540 right here (additionally out there on amazon.com).
Edge 540 vs. ELEMNT BOLT 3: The Fundamentals
Here’s a abstract of the principle options and variations between the Edge 540 and the ELEMNT BOLT 3.
FeatureGarmin Edge 540 (Photo voltaic)Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3
Display screen dimension (decision)2.6″ (246×322px)155 PPI2.3″ (480×720px)376 PPI
TouchscreenNoNo
ButtonsEasy to pressEasy to press
Claimed battery lifeReal battery life26 hrs (32 hrs)27.50 hrs² (Edge 540 Photo voltaic)20 hrs26.7 hrs
Dimensions85×57×20 mm 3.4×2.2×0.8 in83.5×47.2×24 mm3.3×1.9×0.9 in
Weight80g (85g)84g
Storage16 GB32GB
Begin-up time∼13s∼33s
ChargingUSB-CUSB-C
Mounts within the boxOut entrance mountStem mountOut entrance aero mountStem mount
Deal with SearchOn-System Course CreationNoNo
Sensible navigation (rerouting)YesYes
Multi-band GNSSYesYes
Crash/incident detectionYesNo
ConnectivityANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-FiANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
RRP$349 ($449)$349.99
Extra infoEdge 540 reviewWahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 Evaluate
BuyCheck PriceAlso out there at amazon.comCheck Worth (Photo voltaic)Additionally out there at amazon.comCheck Worth
This desk compares the principle options of Garmin Edge 540 (Photo voltaic) vs. Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3.
Edge 540 vs. ELEMNT BOLT 3: Options Comparability and Variations
Beneath, I examine essentially the most vital variations between the Edge 540 and BOLT 3.
Edge 540 has a 0.3″ bigger show (2.6 vs. 2.3″)
Edge 540 affords extra options (Actual-Time Stamina, Energy Information, Street Hazards)
Edge 540 is obtainable in Photo voltaic model, however BOLT isn’t
Edge 540 Photo voltaic reaches barely longer battery life (27.5 vs. 26.7 hours in my exams)
BOLT 3 affords twice nearly as good a display decision (376 vs. 155 PPI)
BOLT 3 affords twice as a lot storage (32 vs. 16 GB)
Bodily Dimensions & Weight
Edge 540 and ELEMNT BOLT 3 have comparable dimensions, however the Edge 540 is wider. The burden is nearly the identical and varies by ~5 grams.
They’re amongst smaller head models, such because the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 (word that the earlier era was smaller), and bigger ones, just like the Edge 1040 or Edge 1050.
I recognize their compactness, and I imagine this dimension is ideal for a motorcycle pc for those who don’t want a bigger show for maps or bigger fonts attributable to poor eyesight. However extra about that later.
Ease of Setup
To arrange each of those bike computer systems, all it’s a must to do is scan a QR code. You probably have already been utilizing a Garmin Edge bike pc, its settings, comparable to the info pages, knowledge fields, or sensors, will obtain from the cloud. Leaving you with a ready-to-go unit. You can even modify most settings immediately on the Edge 540, and ultimately, through the Garmin Join smartphone app.
On BOLT 3, you will have the info pages and knowledge fields synchronized as nicely, however it’s a must to pair the sensors. Moreover, many settings usually are not out there on the pinnacle unit, and you could use the Wahoo smartphone app. These embrace altering the info pages and knowledge fields, and some extra.
I declare the Edge 540 the winner, nevertheless it was a detailed name.
Winner: Edge 540 (Photo voltaic)
Show
The two.6″ show dimension of the Edge 540 is 0.3″ bigger than that of the BOLT 3 (2.3″). Nevertheless, since BOLT is far narrower, the show can also be a lot smaller. Each are non-touchscreen and are supplemented by bodily management buttons. Their decision differs, although. BOLT 3 affords twice as many pixels per inch (PPI) because the Edge 540 (376 vs. 155 PPI), making it seem sharper in close-ups.
However what about readability? Sadly, I didn’t have the Edge 540 Photo voltaic and BOLT 3 on the similar time to take a side-by-side photograph of them; nonetheless, the Edge 840 is nearly an identical. The next pictures examine the Edge 840 (and subsequently the Edge 540) with the BOLT 3. In actual life, I discover the Edge to be extra readable, particularly in direct daylight. The brightness appears to be the identical.
It’s additionally price noting that the Edge 540 Photo voltaic has a barely dimmer show than the non-solar model models. Nevertheless, you’ll in all probability solely discover this in side-by-side comparisons.
The Edge 540 has a barely much less reflective show in direct daylight, however in most situations, readability is nearly the identical. Nonetheless, it’s a win for the E540.
Winner: Edge 540
Management & Consumer Friendliness
The ELEMNT BOLT 3 is simpler to manage, due to fewer options and easier menus. Nevertheless, it affords fewer on-device settings, requiring you to hold a smartphone in case it is advisable to change knowledge fields, for instance.
I truthfully don’t have any choice relating to the buttons’ placement. I’m positive with each approaches – having them beneath the show like on BOLT 3, or on the backside facet of the unit, just like the Edge 540. The buttons on each gadgets really feel tactile and straightforward to press.
My expertise with the Edge 540 Photo voltaic was ‘meh.’ Its consumer interface is designed for touchscreen gadgets, and utilizing it with buttons is inefficient. I struggled with a number of the operations, comparable to scrolling via menus and establishing knowledge fields. Thankfully, you are able to do this via the Garmin Join app.
The identical applies to the BOLT 3, despite the fact that it’s simpler to make use of attributable to its fewer menu choices. Its interface is identical because the one on the ROAM 3 and ACE, which have been additionally made for touchscreens. That is perhaps why you may’t change knowledge fields immediately on the system. It will be too irritating, so that you’re higher off utilizing the Wahoo app as an alternative.
Wahoo nonetheless stays a bit simpler to make use of, however to be honest, this is applicable solely to the extra difficult actions. The day-to-day use (beginning an exercise/a brand new lap, and saving it) is mainly the identical.
In abstract, you may carry out extra actions and modify extra settings immediately on the E540. BOLT 3 is extra restricted and extra smartphone-dependent, but additionally easier. So I’m calling this a draw.
Winner: It’s a draw
Battery Life
The Edge 540 has a claimed battery lifetime of 26 hours for the non-solar model and as much as 32 hours for the Photo voltaic model. The examined Edge 540 Photo voltaic lasted round 27.5 hours, however the Photo voltaic didn’t assist a lot attributable to less-than-ideal situations. The BOLT 3 outcomes have been extra stunning. Whereas the claimed battery life is 20 hours, my BOLT 3 lasted 26.7 hours, so virtually the identical because the Edge 540 Photo voltaic.
I used each bike computer systems on auto brightness settings (sure, each have ambient sensors for adjusting the brightness) and had the identical set of sensors related. Beneath, you may see a comparability of the claimed battery lives with a number of the finest bike computer systems. The Edge bike computer systems are nicely above common when it comes to battery life.
Let’s speak in regards to the Photo voltaic for a second. Garmin claims that Photo voltaic fashions add about 25 minutes per hour of driving. The smaller photo voltaic panel is much less efficient than the panel on the Edge 1040 Photo voltaic. This makes the 540 Photo voltaic and 840 Photo voltaic a worse deal as a result of the 1040 Photo voltaic provides 42 minutes per hour (however prices the identical additional 100 USD).
The next chart exhibits that the photo voltaic added about 31 minutes of journey time throughout a about 3-and-a-half-hour-long journey. Not nice, not horrible.
So, despite the fact that the Edge 540 Photo voltaic lasted an hour longer than the BOLT 3, I’d nonetheless name it a draw. The non-solar model of the Edge would in all probability have comparable or shorter battery life. Additionally, the BOLT 3 beat its claimed battery life, whereas the Edge 540 Photo voltaic fell brief.
Winner: It’s a draw
Maps & Navigation
That is an space the place Edge 540 has the sting. In contrast to BOLT 3, it permits you to browse maps immediately on the system. It additionally affords extra navigation choices and options. I additionally discover the chosen routes when navigating extra acceptable. So, regardless of half the storage (16 vs. 32 GB), if I wanted good navigation, I might purchase the E540. I imply, I might somewhat pay a bit extra for E840 due to its touchscreen, which makes shopping the map a lot simpler.
The issue with the Edge 540 is which you could’t replace maps over Wi-Fi; as an alternative, you could join it to a pc. That’s simply ridiculous. We’ve been capable of replace maps wirelessly on Wahoo for years!
Accuracy
Because of the Multi-Band GNSS system, which permits the reception of satellite tv for pc indicators on a number of frequency bands and from a number of international programs concurrently, each fashions are extra correct than their predecessors. Nevertheless, this know-how alone can’t assure the identical stage of accuracy between two competing gadgets. So, how was the truth?
I all the time check bike computer systems on my favourite forest section. If you check out the next screenshots, you may see that the accuracy is nearly an identical. Nevertheless, I have to level out that for a very comparable check, I must check each bike computer systems on the identical day. It makes a distinction whether it is sunny or cloudy.
Winner: It’s a draw
Extras
Garmin Edge 540 affords just a few extra options that aren’t out there on BOLT 3. These embrace:
Energy Information helps you tempo your self by offering real-time energy targets primarily based on the course profile, your health stage, and desired effort stage, optimizing efficiency throughout a route.
Actual-Time Stamina estimates how a lot vitality you will have left throughout a journey by analyzing coronary heart charge, energy, and health knowledge, serving to you handle effort and keep away from burnout.
MTB Dynamics measures your jumps, grit, and stream. It’s helpful primarily for mountain bikers.
Incident/crash detection detects for those who crash and notifies your emergency contacts.
Street Hazards permits you to report highway hazards, comparable to potholes, whereas driving. They then seem on the map for different riders, and the pinnacle unit supplies audible and on-screen warnings as you method them.
Each bike computer systems can show details about upcoming climbs. These options are referred to as ClimbPro (Garmin) and Free Summit (Wahoo) and are a few of my favorites. They don’t require a deliberate route, so I can tempo myself extra successfully on climbs that I’m not conversant in. I did a complete comparability of those two and Hammerhead’s Climber. In abstract, the ClimbPro knowledge web page is much less customizable than the Free Summit one, so maintain this in thoughts.
Winner: Edge 540 (Photo voltaic)
Complete rating: Garmin Edge 540 (3) | Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 (4) | It’s a draw (0)
My Verdict
Each bike computer systems are comparable relating to setup, display readability, and battery life. The battery benefit primarily applies to the Photo voltaic model of the Edge 540 in favorable, sunny situations. The Garmin Edge 540 comes out on prime in opposition to the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 when it comes to navigation and superior options.
Garmin Join is one other massive plus. Whereas I didn’t embrace it within the total rating, it’s a nice alternative for those who want to not use third-party apps like Strava for logging your actions.
Costs for each fashions are virtually the identical, particularly within the US. Keep in mind, the Edge 540 Photo voltaic prices a bit extra. Is it price paying additional for it? For my part, not likely. The Photo voltaic improve makes extra sense with the Edge 1040 attributable to its bigger floor space. Nonetheless, your alternative ought to replicate your driving model and what you worth most. For many who recognize simplicity, BOLT 3 is perhaps a greater possibility.
I hope this comparability helps making a decision. When you plan to purchase one in every of these bike computer systems, please think about using the hyperlinks beneath. It gained’t price you something additional, and it helps assist me and CyclistsHub. Thanks!
