Garmin Edge 830 Review - Part One - Navigation, Climb Pro, Water Test, Profiles, In the Box

Garmin is arguably the leader in computers designed for one's bicycle. Ever since the release of the venerable Garmin 705, the company has strived to improve usability, functionality and reliability with each new model. In the case of the Garmin Edge 830, there are ton of standout features jammed into a small package:
Navigation, Touch Screen, Dynamic Performance Monitoring, Climb Pro, Group Messaging & Tracking, a Mountain Biking model that supports Trailforks are a few of the features on offer. To review every single feature in a video would take considerable time, thus, I've cut Part One down to the features I rely on the most for riding on gravel and mixed-surface roads.
In my Part One review, I unbox the Garmin 830 and show what's included, then cover Activity Profiles, Navigation, Climb Pro and a Water Test. More coming later in Part Two!
Link to Garmin Varia RTL 510 Review - wp.me/p4V4se-6z2
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Garmin Varia RTL510 Taillight - amzn.to/2Kz14s4
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[@TheNooll]

And this is what I call a comprehensive & practical review - thank you :)

[@GravelCyclist]

Appreciate the feedback!

[@douglasbracken7562]

Thank you for the great review! Very helpful!

[@chrisjong8412]

Finally somebody with an honest review on this item 👍

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks! I so hate shill reviews.

[@HarveyLMiller21]

I love this unit. I have the Garmin 705 and the one thing I like about my unit over the 830 is that it displays 4 data points while on the map screen while the 830 only displays 2. When I'm riding in unfamiliar terrain I usually display my map and find that the 4 data screen is essential. I'm amazed that, while the 830 has a bigger screen than the 705, Garmin chose to display LESS data on its map. The only, current, cure to this dilemma is to buy the 830 and use both units at the same time thus getting a larger map screen while seeing all the data I need to see...at the same time. ;)

[@CardiBa1]

Interesting video 👍 thx for your review! is it possible to hear directions over earpods for example?

[@nedt]

Good video mate, I got the 530 because I always wear gloves and couldn't find a good demonstration of the touchscreen with gloves.

[@Dima-dc5mf]

Just get a touch screen compatible gloves and that's it. Works fine.

[@tmayberry7559]

Good.video mate you

[@ryr4889]

cheers

[@lawor8]

Hey Jom: I am comparing the 830 to the 1030. In my research it seems like the 830 has a better battery life than the 1030 even though GARMIN claims they are the same. Can you give me your opinion based on you usage?

[@GravelCyclist]

All I can say is their runtimes are similar. I know that's vague as I haven't run them side by side for 20 hours at a time, but they are close. The thing I need to mention, if I know I'm doing some mega ride, I will have the Garmin extra battery along for the ride, or at least a brand X battery, to ensure I lose no data because of power loss. The other thing to remember, the more devices paired to the Garmin, the lesser the runtime. It all adds up!

[@ZillaYT]

Would you please show a video of using the 830 to navigate a mountain bike trail? Thanks.

[@GravelCyclist]

Yes, I may include that in part two... may have to sign up for Trialforks now :)

[@ZillaYT]

@@GravelCyclist Thanks! There's a ton of vids and articles on how to use this on the road, but not on single-tracks, even though it's touted to be an MTB-friendly device. I could never get mine to help me navigate through the woods e.g., turn left, turn right, when following a loop route i put in Trailforks or Garmin Connect

[@GravelCyclist]

@@ZillaYT I don't know if I'll be able to film the live navigation on MTB trails... the nav stuff I filmed in part one was done inside of a car, it is the only way to keep the camera stable.

[@ZillaYT]

Gravel Cyclist no worries. I'll keep looking for a video or tutorial of someone using this MTB-toted GPS device. I'm beginning to think it just sucks for that.

[@Cycling.Doughnut]

Hi. I can't seem to find information about a following issue. I am thinking between the Wahoo Bolt V2 and Garmin 830. With the Wahoo it is all clear, since I have the V1. But I don't know if the following is possible with the Edge 830. Lets say I am navigating with a pre-loaded course onto 830. But half way through I decide to change the route, and need to get off the planned (course) track to get to one place. As I have read, I cannot upload new courses to 530/830 from a phone/app while an activity is in progress. But what if I select an address/POI or even a point on a map during an activity and selected course already? Will this work? Won't the current activity stop/end ?? Thnx

[@deaglain]

Any thoughts on the Sigma rox 12?

[@GravelCyclist]

Not seen or ridden a sample.

[@4961Studebaker]

Perfect timing. Just ordered the 530. Opted for not having touch screen. Hoping gloved fingers can still manipulate the buttons.

[@GravelCyclist]

I don't think you'll have any problems. If the 530 is as good as the 520 Plus, you will be extremely happy.

[@twowheelslater7112]

I wish you could just disable the touchscreen and use buttons when you wanted. I had a garmin 820 and ended up returning it because it would flip out with water and it crashed occasionally. im on the wahoo element bolt now and I like its simplicity it never crashes but for some reason takes forever to autostop mountainbiking.

[@GravelCyclist]

You can lockout the touch screen by pressing the power button... what you're asking for is a touch screen version of the 530 (which has buttons), which would be nice. I need to post my review of the Wahoo ELMNT one of these days... I will say I find the mapping on the Wahoo to be amateurish in black and white... maybe the Roam is better? Also, the fact you have to configure just about everything with a phone to be highly annoying. Back to the Garmin, I love the Varia radar taillight, I never ride without it.

[@twowheelslater7112]

@@GravelCyclist I agree if your using your head unit for navigation not just following a route Garmin wins hands down. The wahoo is not a true GPS unit. If your just following a set route from ride with gps I like the bolt for the reason its less annoying. Highly scientific reasoning I know. I would just rather it not try to continue to redirect as the Garmin does. I do find the element bolt a little hard to see on the mtb or some gravel especially. The Wahoo wins for racing for ease of use. I found using the touch screen on the Garmin harder than the app for setup tho but really on either one once you have it where you want it its not something you fiddle with much. To me the buttons on the bolt work better than either the old 520 or screen of the 820. Maybe the 830 solves some of that. All that being said If I were to have to buy a gps today I think I might try the 830 if for no other reason than the bigger screen and color. Even tho the screen washes out on all of them in direct sunlight.

[@AmsterDanTheAmerican]

When will you put up tjr Rotor InPower review?

[@GravelCyclist]

Dan, that will probably be the next electronics review which I will tie into the 830 or the 1030. Thanks for the question.

[@AmsterDanTheAmerican]

@@GravelCyclist really looking forward to it

[@lawor8]

Are still going to do a review on the 1030?

[@GravelCyclist]

Affirmative... I have filmed some scenes for that already, will likely do a Part One / Part Two for the 1030 as well. If you want screen size, the 1030 is the device to get. Helpful for us folks with dodgy eyesight :)

[@lawor8]

@@GravelCyclist Heard some rumblings about a 1040 that should surface next year. What have you heard?

[@mister_ray]

Until the 1030 adds the “Climb Pro” feature that the 830 has I will not consider it. Seems odd the top of the line model is missing features.

[@GravelCyclist]

@@lawor8 Nothing yet.

[@GravelCyclist]

@@mister_ray I heard a rumor a firmware update may address Climb Pro on the 1030. It is such a killer function, it really needs to be in the 1030.

[@saabvanderlinden9214]

Which is better 530 or 830?

[@GravelCyclist]

If you like touchscreen, 830.

[@JohnSmith-qn6wq]

I recently purchased a Garmin Edge 830 - first purchase of a Garmin product. My display seems blur, in particular the the large text/characters in the main menu with white background. Annoying, a bit uncomfortable but not dramatic. I don't know if this is a defect or if I am used to better screen in general (i.e. iPhone). Are you experiencing the same?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi John, my display is clear as a bell, still the same as what you see in this video. Could be an issue covered by your product warranty.

[@JohnSmith-qn6wq]

@@GravelCyclist The blurriness is more noticeable in low light environment (i.e. in the shade or inside a building) and when the backlight is on. When the device is in direct sunlight, the display/text become suddenly crisp. Makes a huge difference. Maybe some sort of anti-reflective or screen optimization for outdoor use? Have you noticed the same thing?

[@vgnvideogameninja2930]

Where is part 2 ???

[@GravelCyclist]

You're no ninja. A real ninja would know the answer.