Product Comparison: Garmin Edge 520 vs Garmin Edge 820


General Specifications
About the Product
GPS Bike Computer Helps You Compete and Compare. Offers in-ride challenges through Strava live segments. Reports cycling-specific VO2 max and recovery time when used with power and heart rate. Pairs with compatible ANT+® indoor trainers for data display and control. Tracks Functional Threshold Power (FTP), watts/kg and cycling dynamics when used with Vector™ or Vector 2 power meters.
GPS Bike Computer for Performance and Racing. Lightweight and compact with 2.3-inch high-resolution, capacitive touch display that works with gloves and when wet. GroupTrack¹ feature keeps tabs on everyone in your riding pack. Advanced performance monitoring includes VO2 max, recovery advisor, Strava live segments, FTP, performance condition and advanced cycling dynamics². Built-in incident detection³ included; compatible with cycling awareness accessories such as Varia Vision™, Varia™ smart bike lights and rearview radar. Bike-specific navigation preloaded with Garmin Cycle Map for turn-by-turn navigation.
Brand
Garmin
Garmin
Model
Edge 520
Edge 820
Origin
USA
USA
Key Specs
Sensors
Barometric altimeter
Barometric altimeter
Type Of Tracking
GPS/GLONASS
GPS/GLONASS
Tracking Details
Distance, Speed, Time, Location, Calories
Time, Distance, Location, Power phase, Heart rate, Speed, Calories
What customers say about "Key Specs"
Garmin Edge 520 Bike GPS
  • Easy to use, no issues with connection, great set of items to display.
  • The size/weight is perfect, screen is always legible.
  • I like the size, features and downloads to my iPhone.
  • Great GPS system, perfect size and full of features!
  • Acquires GPS satellites much faster, and the Glonass is very good to have as well.
Garmin Edge 820 GPS Cycling/Bike Computer for Performance and Racing
  • I have really loved the extra features on this computer plus the small size.
  • The 820 is almost perfect size, the navigation is great and the screen is clear and easy to see in the bright sunlight.
  • GPS easier to use than cell phone which can have gaps in coverage.
  • My impressions about 820 after some rides: Acquires GPS signal very fast. The touchscreen works flawlessly. Very easy to configure and operate
  • Its difficult to use the touchscreen while riding, software still needs some work when used with utilities of a strava premium account such as beacon and call and text display.
Size & Weight
Height
2.9 in.
2.9 in.
Width
1.9 in.
1.9 in.
Depth
0.8 in.
0.8 in.
Weight
2.1 oz.
2.4 oz.
Display
Display Size
1.4” x 1.9”
2.3”
Resolution
200 x 265 pixels
200 x 265 pixels
Touchscreen
No
Yes
3D-Map View
Yes
Yes
What customers say about "Display"
Garmin Edge 520 Bike GPS
  • I like the compact size, yet still a big display.
  • Display is bright, and I was surprised how readable it is considering it's color display.
  • The larger display compared to the wrist models is great, and it has true mapping capabilities.
  • Screen size is good. Not too big and not too small. It has enough squares to get the information I want on the screen.
  • There was so little contrast on the display that it was practically unreadable no matter the lighting.
Garmin Edge 820 GPS Cycling/Bike Computer for Performance and Racing
  • Great display readability day and night.
  • I also like the size of the device and the screen.
  • My sweat also seems to trigger touches on the display - randomly going into settings menus and changing things.
  • Slow reaction in displaying new course direction after a turn.
  • It works fine but the screen size is just too small.
Features
Maps & Memory
Waypoints/favorites/locations 200, Riding history up to 180 hours
Waypoints/favorites/locations 200, Routes: 100 Courses, Riding history up to 200 hours, Ability to add maps, Basemap
Realtime Map Updates
No
No
Smartphone Compatible
Yes
Yes
Interfaces
USB, Bluetooth
USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Environmental Protections
IPX7
IPX7
Extras
Customizable data pages, Auto Pause, Interval training, Advanced workouts, Auto Lap, Virtual Partner, Auto scroll, Cycling Courses, Time/distance alerts, Compatible with Vector™, Foot pod capable, Power meter compatible, Garmin Connect, Automatic sync, Compatible with Varia™ bike radar and lights, Edge® remote compatibility
Customizable data pages, Auto Pause, Interval training, Advanced workouts, Auto Lap, V02 max, Virtual Partner, Auto scroll, Cycling Courses, Time/distance alerts, Cycle Map, Compatible with Vector™, Power meter compatible, Foot pod capable, Garmin Connect, Automatic sync, Compatible with Varia™ bike radar and lights, Edge® remote compatibility
What customers say about "Features"
Garmin Edge 520 Bike GPS
  • With the auto scroll setup I'm able to see more data and my route.
  • I'm using bluetooth to sync to my phone and finding the Garmin Android app to be much more useful than it was with the Garmin 25.
  • With my mobile phone's bluetooth, I'm able to effortlessly synch my ride to garmin connect and auto upload it to my Strava account.
  • I added a speed transmitter primarily for indoor training, then I added a rpm transmitter and I just added a heart rate monitor transmitter. The information it supplies me is great.
  • Constantly says I'm off course when I'm using a pre-planned route.
Garmin Edge 820 GPS Cycling/Bike Computer for Performance and Racing
  • Varia radar, bluetooth, wi-fi and incident detection. They all seem to work well.
  • Integration with the Varia radar is, actually, pretty cool and useful.
  • It's small and a good-looking unit.
  • The Varia Radar taillight is the best reason to own this expensive computer.
  • I COULD NOT get this thing to connect to the included sensors or bluetooth on my Samsung Galaxy S8+.
Battery
Battery Life
15 hours
15 hours
Battery Type
Rechargeable lithium-ion
Rechargeable lithium-ion
What customers say about "Battery"
Garmin Edge 520 Bike GPS
  • After 3 hours of use the battery is on track to last about 10 hours with gps.
  • One thing that I have enjoyed is the long battery life. I ride about 140 miles a week which takes 7+ hours and only have to charge it about once every other week.
  • Love this, battery life is great.
  • At night there is a backlight that does drain the battery somewhat rapidly.
  • Battery runs down after only 3 or so hours, so it has to be charged after every ride.
Garmin Edge 820 GPS Cycling/Bike Computer for Performance and Racing
  • Battery life is good to good-plus, but not great, and, of course, depends a lot on the features you have activated.
  • Battery-wise, on a recent 75 mile ride, the Explore 1000, with navigation, remote and bluetooth on, but wi-fi and Varia off, I would have gotten about a total of 12 hours
  • The best feature is the battery save. I rode in a 175 mile ride for about 11.5 hours in battery save mode. When I finished, still had a bit over 50% battery left.
  • After round about 7hrs of Screen On Time the 820's battery is drained.
  • Works when battery is charged but it’s only been less than 6 mos. and it seems I’m not getting the full life of the battery. Only 4 hours into a ride and battery is in RED.
Warranty / Certifications
Certifications
CE, EAC
CE, EAC
Manufacturer warranty
1 year(s)
1 year(s)
Other Information
Manufacturer
MSRP
249.99 $
349.99 $
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