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This is my review of the Garmin Edge 830. I have been using it for the past few weeks, and in this article, I will explain what you can expect from it.
Additionally, I will be comparing it to other bike computers, such as the Edge 530, Edge 1030 Plus, and Edge 1040.
In summary, the Edge 830 is one of the best bike computers on the market, and I highly recommend it. Feel free to buy it here or read the full article for more information.
This is my Garmin Edge 830 review.
Garmin Edge 830 Pros & Cons
These are the main pros & cons of Edge 830 I found during its use.
Pros
- Ideal display size for most use cases
- Long battery life
- Touchscreen display
- Features rich
- Relatively quick start-up time (about 14 seconds)
- Downloadable data fields from Connect IQ store
- Full on-device navigation
- Easy-to-press buttons
- The internal memory of 16 GB
Cons
- Not customizable via a smartphone app
- The user interface is not user friendly
- The touchscreen display is not 100% reliable in non-ideal conditions
- Downloading maps requires a wired connection with a PC
- MicroUSB charging port
I’ve used several bike computers, including the Garmin Edge 1040, Edge 1030 Plus, Edge 520, and Edge 530, as well as Wahoo’s BOLT v1, BOLT v2, and ROAM models.
The Edge 830 features a 2.6-inch display, which is an ideal size—not too big or small—and the touchscreen display makes it easy to control.
However, it’s not perfect. Below, I explain why.
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Unboxing
Here are the contents of the 830 box:
- Garmin Edge 830
- Out front mount + stem mount
- MicroUSB charging cable
- Tether
- Manual
Garmin’s mount design for their bike computers is outdated and not as aerodynamic as the Wahoo aero mounts. While it may only save a few watts here and there, Garmin’s mounts could be sleeker.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of the original box and mount because I bought the Edge 830 second-hand.
Setup
The initial setup of the Edge 830 is easy but not as straightforward as the Wahoo ELEMNT line, which allows you to simply scan a QR code.
Additionally, you won’t be able to customize the head unit via a smartphone app, but we’ll see if Garmin implements this in future software updates.
That being said, the Edge 830 is not as dependent on a smartphone as the Wahoo ELEMNT bike computers, as you can customize the device directly (unlike the Wahoo ELEMNT, which doesn’t allow you to change data fields directly).
My Experience
Below, I share my experience of using Edge 830.
Display
The Edge 830 boasts a 2.6-inch (246x322px) touchscreen display, which is the most significant difference between the Edge 530 and the 830. I find this size ideal for most use cases.
Here’s a comparison of the screen sizes and resolutions of some Edge 830 alternatives:
- Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 2.2in (240×320px), non-touchscreen
- Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 2.7in (240×400px), non-touchscreen
- Garmin Edge 1030 Plus 3.5in (282×470px), touchscreen
While the Edge 830 offers good readability, the display finish is more glossy than ELEMNT computers.
However, it can adjust the brightness based on the outside light conditions thanks to the ambient sensor.
The Edge 830 can display up to 10 data fields at once, which is the same as the Edge 530. However, unlike ELEMNT computers, it doesn’t allow you to zoom in and out to adjust the size of the data fields. You have to change the entire data field layout instead.
Adjusting data fields is much easier on the Edge 830 than on the 530. You can simply drag and drop them to change their position, but I will discuss this in the Control & User Friendliness section.
Battery Life
The Edge 830 claims a battery life of 20 hours, which is the same as the Edge 530.
During my first testing, however, I could only get 8 hours (with my HR monitor, power meter, Varia radar, and phone connected to the bike computer). This battery life seemed too low, even for a used device.
I reset the device to factory settings to see if it resolved this issue and conducted a second series of tests. Based on my first few rides, everything seems okay. But still, the battery life was only about 13 and half hours.
If your battery runs low mid-ride, you can turn on the battery-saver mode, which will still record your ride.
It’s unfortunate that the Edge 830 still has a MicroUSB charging port. The rumored Edge 840 should have USB-C by now.
Control & User Friendliness
To control the Edge 830, you must use its touchscreen and three physical buttons. Most of us already use smartphones, so the touchscreen feels intuitive.
However, the interface and menu complexity make the overall experience less pleasant than that of Wahoo ELEMNT computers.
But changing the data fields is surprisingly fast. You just have to press the data field and choose another one to switch positions or browse from dozens of other data fields.
Unfortunately, there is no possibility to adjust them via the smartphone app. On the other hand, this makes the Edge 830 less smartphone-dependent than Wahoo bike computers.
The three buttons are for turning the device on and off (or locking the screen), starting a new lap, and starting/pausing the recording. They are easy to press.
So, what about the touchscreen display in non-ideal conditions, such as when wet or with full-finger gloves? It works surprisingly well in both scenarios, but you sometimes have to repeat the touch. Please see the following video for an illustration.
Maps & Navigation
The Edge 830 features full on-device navigation, providing you with turn-by-turn instructions and the ability to navigate to a selected point on the map or to the starting point.
I don’t mind the smaller screen than the 1030 Plus, nor the smaller internal storage (16 vs. 32 GB), because I am not a frequent traveler.
What I do mind is the need to download maps via MicroUSB cable using the desktop app. Garmin, it’s 2022 already.
The navigation works fine (I didn’t experience any significant issues). However, sometimes, the recalculated routes use inappropriate roads.
For example, I don’t understand why the head unit chose the bottom road instead of the main one I was riding on.
The Edge 830 also struggles with gradient changes. Those are less accurate (delayed by a few seconds) than on Wahoo.
So, if you are looking for more reliable cycling GPS navigation, I recommend looking elsewhere (such as the Garmin Edge 1040 with GNSS).
Extras
Garmin Edge cycling computers are known for many of their features. I want to highlight the following:
- ClimbPro shows stats about the upcoming climbs based on a pre-planned route. This feature is helpful for climbers and riders who want to better pace themselves in climbs.
- MTB Dynamics measures your jumps, grit, and flow. It’s useful mainly for mountain bikers.
- Incident/crash detection detects if you crash and notifies your emergency contacts.
- Virtual Partner that you can use for pacing yourself.
- Trailforks compatibility and many others…
Garmin crushes its competitors with these features. But I would like to see a more user-friendly interface than having features I will never use. What about you?
Connectivity
Garmin Edge 830 features ANT+, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity. You can pair it with additional sensors like HR monitors, power meters, cadence and speed sensors, among others.
Edge 830 can automatically upload your activities to third-party apps like Strava or TrainingPeaks.
Despite having Bluetooth, Edge 830 cannot be customized via a smartphone. This means that you have to download maps via the desktop app Garmin Express or adjust data fields on the device itself.
Hopefully, Garmin will include this functionality with future software updates to match Wahoo computers.
Garmin Edge 830 Alternatives
Here are some of the Garmin Edge 830 alternatives worth considering.
- Garmin Edge 1030 Plus (read my in-depth Garmin Edge 1030 Plus review for more info)
- Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 (read my in-depth Wahoo BOLT v2 review for more info)
- Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM (read my in-depth Wahoo ROAM review for more info)
Garmin Edge 830 FAQ
Garmin Edge 830 Technical Specifications
Here is the summary of the main features and the technical specification of the Garmin Edge 830.
Technical Specifications
- Battery life: 20 hours (MicroUSB charging)
- Screen size: 2.6in / 66mm
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weight: 82g
- Strava live segments: Yes
- Smart trainers control: Yes
- Smart navigation (rerouting): Yes
- Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Waterproofing: IPX7
- Internal memory: 16GB
My Verdict
I enjoyed using Edge 830 more than Edge 530 because of its touchscreen display. I understand now why it’s so popular among pros and amateur cyclists.
However, when the conditions are not ideal (it’s raining or I’m wearing full-finger gloves), the display is not 100% reliable.
On the other hand, its ideal display size makes this bike computer more suitable than the 1030 Plus for day-to-day riding or racing. By the way, you can read my comparison of the Edge 830 and 1030 Plus here.
Considering its price and other features, I think it’s a worthy investment for cycling enthusiasts.
But if you are a beginner or have a tighter budget, the Edge 530, 130 Plus, or BOLT v2 might be a better choice for you.
Also available at rei.com, amazon.com, wiggle.co.uk, and wiggle.com
I hope you find this review helpful. If you are considering the purchase of the 830, please, use my links to support Cyclists Hub.
Recommended Accessories
Below, I include a few accessories worth using with the Garmin Edge 830.
Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar
Garmin Varia RCT715 Radar with Camera
Two Bolt Out Front Mount
