Product Comparison: Garmin Edge 520 vs Garmin Edge 820

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Garmin Edge 520 Bike GPS

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Garmin Edge 820 GPS Cycling/Bike Computer for Performance and Racing

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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

Model

Edge 520

Edge 820

Origin

USA

Key Specs

Sensors

Barometric altimeter

Type Of Tracking

GPS/GLONASS

Tracking Details

Distance, Speed, Time, Location, Calories

Time, Distance, Location, Power phase, Heart rate, Speed, Calories

Type Of Tracking

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.

Width

1.9 in.

Depth

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

Touchscreen

Yes

3D-Map View

Yes

Touchscreen
3D-Map View

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

Smartphone Compatible

Yes

Interfaces

USB, Bluetooth

USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Environmental Protections

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

Smartphone Compatible
Realtime Map Updates

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

Battery Type

Rechargeable lithium-ion

Battery Type
Battery Life

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

Manufacturer warranty

1 year(s)

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

MSRP

249.99 $

349.99 $

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