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On this Garmin Edge 840 vs. Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3 comparability, you’ll find out about their variations, professionals, and cons. I’ve been utilizing them for a number of weeks, and I even have expertise with the BOLT 2, BOLT 3, Edge 830, Edge 1040, Edge 1050, and different bike computer systems. So beneath, I share every thing I discovered that will help you determine which one to purchase.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The primary distinction between the Garmin Edge 840 and the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3 is that the ROAM 3 has a 0.2″ bigger show, is barely simpler to make use of, and options an in-built speaker with an digital bell. However, Edge 840 is much less smartphone-dependent and presents extra complete navigation options. Proceed studying for extra info, or purchase the ROAM 3 right here, or the Edge 840 right here (additionally obtainable on amazon.com).
Edge 840 vs. ELEMNT ROAM 3: The Fundamentals
Here’s a abstract of the primary options and variations between the Edge 840 and the ELEMNT ROAM 3.
FeatureGarmin Edge 840 (Photo voltaic)Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3
Display measurement (decision)2.6″ (246×322px)155 PPI2.8″ (480×720px)309 PPI
TouchscreenYesYes
ButtonsEasy to pressEasy to press
Claimed battery lifeReal battery life26 hrs (32 hrs)24.2 hrs² (Edge 840)25 hrs28 hrs
Dimensions85×57×20 mm 3.4×2.2×0.8 in83.5×47.2×24 mm3.3×1.9×0.9 in
Weight85g (89g)84g
Storage32 GB32GB
Begin-up time∼13s∼36s
ChargingUSB-CUSB-C
Mounts within the boxOut entrance mountStem mountOut entrance aero mountStem mount
Tackle SearchOn-Machine Course CreationYesNo
Good navigation (rerouting)YesYes
Multi-band GNSSYesYes
Crash/incident detectionYesNo
ConnectivityANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-FiANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
RRP$449 ($549)$464.99
Extra infoEdge 840 reviewWahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 Evaluation
BuyBUYBuy at amazon.comBUY (Photo voltaic) Purchase at amazon.comBUY
This desk compares the primary options of Garmin Edge 840 (Photo voltaic) vs. Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3.
Edge 840 vs. ELEMNT ROAM 3: Options Comparability and Variations
Beneath, I evaluate essentially the most important variations between the Edge 840 and ROAM 3.
ROAM 3 has a 0.2″ bigger show (2.6 vs. 2.8″)
ROAM 3 has an in-built speaker and digital bell
ROAM 3 reaches barely longer battery life (28 vs. 24.2 hours in my checks)
Edge 840 presents extra options (Actual-Time Stamina, Energy Information, Street Hazards)
Edge 840 is obtainable in Photo voltaic model, however ROAM will not be
ROAM 3 presents twice nearly as good a display screen decision (309 vs. 155 PPI)
Bodily Dimensions & Weight
Edge 840 and ELEMNT ROAM 3 have comparable dimensions, however the Edge 840 is wider and shorter. The load is sort of the identical and varies by lower than 5 grams.
Each are among the many small to mid-size bike computer systems. For me, the ROAM 3 has the perfect measurement. Fashions just like the Edge 1040 or Edge 1050, and even ELEMNT ACE, are too massive for informal driving.
Ease of Setup
To arrange each of those bike computer systems, all it’s a must to do is scan a QR code. When you have already been utilizing a Garmin Edge bike laptop, 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 too can alter most settings instantly on the Edge 840, and ultimately, through the Garmin Join smartphone app.
On ROAM 3, you’ve gotten the info pages and knowledge fields synchronized as effectively, however it’s a must to pair the sensors. Moreover, many settings will not be obtainable on the top unit, and you will need to use the Wahoo smartphone app. These embody altering the info pages and knowledge fields, and some extra.
I declare the Edge 840 the winner, nevertheless it was an in depth name.
Winner: Edge 840 (Photo voltaic)
Show
The two.8″ show measurement of the ROAM 3 is 0.2″ bigger than that of the Edge 840 (2.6″), nevertheless it doesn’t appear to be that enormous as a result of it’s a lot narrower. Each are touchscreen and are supplemented by bodily management buttons. Their decision differs, although. ROAM 3 presents twice as many pixels per inch (PPI) because the Edge 840 (309 vs. 155 PPI), making it seem sharper in close-ups.
However what about readability? In actual life, I discover the Edge 840 to be extra readable, particularly in direct daylight. Nevertheless, the variations are minimal in most different situations. You may test the gallery beneath.
It’s additionally price noting that the Edge 840 Photo voltaic has a barely dimmer show than the non-solar model models. Nevertheless, you’ll most likely solely discover this in side-by-side comparisons.
Each shows are nearly equivalent when it comes to readability, however Edge is less complicated to learn in direct daylight.
Winner: Edge 840 (Photo voltaic)
Management & Person Friendliness
The ELEMNT ROAM 3 is less complicated to regulate, because of fewer options and easier menus. Nevertheless, it presents fewer on-device settings, requiring you to hold a smartphone in case you’ll want to change knowledge fields, for instance.
I truthfully don’t have any choice concerning the buttons’ placement. I’m tremendous with each approaches – having them beneath the show like on ROAM 3, or on the backside facet of the unit, just like the Edge 840. The buttons on each gadgets really feel tactile and simple to press.
I’ve been utilizing the Edge 840 as my fundamental laptop for a number of months. Because of the touchscreen, it’s a lot simpler to make use of than the button-based Edge 540, as its person interface is particularly designed for touchscreen gadgets. Utilizing it simply with buttons is just not environment friendly. So, for instance, you’ll be able to change an information discipline by long-pressing after which searching the menu.
ROAM 3 has the identical UI because the BOLT 3 and ACE. It’s extra smartphone-dependent. So, for instance, you’ll be able to’t change knowledge fields instantly on the machine. It’s a disgrace Wahoo didn’t implement this as a result of with the touchscreen, it might be fairly straightforward. Nevertheless, you will need to use the Wahoo app.
Wahoo ELEMNT bike computer systems nonetheless stay a bit simpler to make use of than Garmin Edge, however to be truthful, this is applicable solely to the extra sophisticated actions. The day-to-day use (beginning an exercise/a brand new lap, and saving it) is principally the identical.
In abstract, you’ll be able to carry out extra actions and alter extra settings instantly on the E840. ROAM 3 is extra restricted and extra smartphone-dependent, but in addition easier. So I’m calling this a draw.
Winner: It’s a draw
Battery Life
The Edge 840 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 840 lasted round 24.2 hours. The ROAM 3 outcomes had been extra shocking. Whereas the claimed battery life is 25 hours, it lasted 28 hours in complete, surpassing the claimed period by 3 hours.
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’ll be able to see a comparability of the claimed battery lives with among the greatest bike computer systems. The Edge bike computer systems are effectively above common when it comes to battery life.
Let’s speak concerning 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).
I’m calling this one a draw, although, as a result of it’s seemingly that Edge 840 Photo voltaic would final a bit longer in perfect situations.
Winner: It’s a draw
Maps & Navigation
That is an space the place Edge 840 has the sting. It additionally presents extra navigation choices and options. I additionally discover the chosen routes when navigating extra applicable. ROAM 3 typically tries to take me through facet roads that aren’t the shortest approach residence, as a substitute of taking the shortest route, which is comparatively freed from visitors.
On each the Edge 840 and the ROAM 3, you’ll be able to replace maps wirelessly through Wi-Fi.
Wahoo maps look nicer, however in some situations, they’re a bit tougher to observe. Nevertheless, ROAM 3 has an in-built speaker, so that you don’t need to take your eyes off the highway. Edge 840 doesn’t have this hack.
Winner: Edge 840 (Photo voltaic)
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 world 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 take a look at bike computer systems on my favourite forest phase. While you check out the next screenshots, you’ll be able to see that the accuracy is sort of equivalent. Nevertheless, I need to level out that for a totally comparable take a look at, I must take a look at 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 840 presents a number of extra options that aren’t obtainable on ROAM 3. These embody:
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 power you’ve gotten 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 circulate. It’s helpful primarily for mountain bikers.
Incident/crash detection detects when you crash and notifies your emergency contacts.
Street Hazards means that you can report highway hazards, comparable to potholes, whereas driving. They then seem on the map for different riders, and the top 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 preserve this in thoughts.
Winner: Edge 840 (Photo voltaic)
Whole rating: Garmin Edge 840 (4) | Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3 (0) | It’s a draw (3)
My Verdict
Let me put it this fashion — you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with both of those two bike computer systems. Each are comparable in setup, display screen readability, and battery life. Nevertheless, the Garmin Edge 840 has the sting (no pun supposed!) in terms of navigation and superior options.
I want the ROAM 3, though it presents fewer options, and it didn’t win in any of the classes. I want its simplicity over the complexity of the Edge 840. And, as foolish as it might sound, I discover the digital bell helpful, particularly on bike paths. So, I’m prepared to miss a few of its flaws, like weaker navigation, the dearth of crash detection, or the absence of options to Energy Information, Actual-Time Stamina, or Street Hazards.
I additionally don’t use Garmin Join as my fundamental app for logging rides. That mentioned, Garmin actually stands out right here. Its ecosystem is unmatched. Whereas I didn’t issue it into the general rating, it’s an enormous plus when you want to not depend on third-party apps like Strava.
Costs for each fashions are almost the identical, particularly within the US. The Edge 840 Photo voltaic prices a bit extra. Is it price the additional cash? In my view, not likely. The Photo voltaic improve makes extra sense on the Edge 1040 due to its bigger floor space. Nonetheless, your selection ought to rely in your driving type and what issues most to you. In case you worth simplicity, the ROAM 3 could possibly be the higher decide.
I hope this comparability helps you determine. In case you’re planning to purchase considered one of these bike computer systems, please think about using the hyperlinks beneath. It gained’t value you something additional, and it’s one of the simplest ways to help me and CyclistsHub. Thanks!
