{"id":18818,"date":"2016-09-04T15:19:48","date_gmt":"2016-09-04T22:19:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/?p=18818"},"modified":"2020-08-29T14:03:49","modified_gmt":"2020-08-29T21:03:49","slug":"garmin-edge-520-vs-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-520-vs-25\/","title":{"rendered":"Garmin Edge 520 vs 25 Bike Computers"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post compares the Garmin Edge 520 vs 25, and includes an in-depth comparison of features in a chart<\/strong>. We hope this will help you decide where to put your money. This post focuses on these two because the Garmin Edge 520<\/a> has been hailed as pretty much the biggest upgrade in bike computers ever. Does it deserve this accolade? On the other hand, many people are drawn to the Garmin Edge 25 because it is small, super light, and relatively inexpensive<\/a><\/strong>, yet seems to have most of the super powers of the more expensive bike computers. Garmin claims the Garmin Edge 25 is the smallest GPS-compatible bike computer in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

So … is the Garmin Edge 520 worth paying more for?\u00a0<\/strong> Let’s start by comparing the basic features:<\/p>\n

Chart Comparing Garmin Edge 520\u00a0vs 25<\/h3>\n\n

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<\/td>
\"Garmin<\/a><\/th>
\"Garmin<\/a><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Best Price on Amazon Right Now:<\/td>
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Physical Specs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unit Size (Width x Height x Depth)<\/td>1.9 x 2.9 x 0.8\"
\n(4.9 x 7.3 x 2.1 cm)<\/td>		1.6 x 1.6 x 0.7\"
\n(4.0 x 4.2 x 1.7 cm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Display resolution, W x H<\/td>200 x 265 pixels<\/td>128 x 160 pixels <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Screen display size, W x H<\/td>1.4 x 1.9\" (3.5 x 4.7 cm) <\/td>0.9 x 0.9\" (2.3 x 2.3 cm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Screen color<\/td>Color<\/td>Black and white<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Touchscreen<\/td>No - this model has buttons for control<\/td>No - this model has buttons for control<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water rating<\/td>IPX7<\/td>IPX7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>2.1 oz (60 g)<\/td>0.9 oz (25 g)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery life<\/td>Up to 15 hours<\/td>Up to 10 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Charging mechanism<\/td>Micro USB. No plug incuded<\/td>Interesting new device which neatly clips around the Garmin, USB on the other end. No plug included<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Out front mount (as well as original quarter turn)?<\/td>Yes. Included in box in some models (comes with 2 included quarter mounts)<\/td>Yes; not included (comes with 2 included quarter mounts)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Connectivity Features<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Garmin Edge Remote Control support<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Compatible with Strava\/Training Peaks\/Sport Tracks?<\/td>Yes - just connect your Garmin Connect account to your Strava or other account. Then, when you upload to Garmin Connect, it should sync with the other account within seconds <\/td>Yes - just connect your Garmin Connect account to your Strava or other account. Then, when you upload to Garmin Connect, it should sync with the other account within seconds <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Can you download segments from Strava to the device?<\/td>Yes, although you do have to be a Strava premium user<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automatic sync (automatically transfers Garmin data to your computer)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Smart notifications - does it display your emails, texts and other alerts when paired with your smart phone?<\/td>Yes, just incoming phone calls and texts, which display for a few seconds<\/td>Yes, just incoming phone calls and texts, which display for a few seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Relive and share your rides with Garmin Connect\u2122 (online community where you can analyze, categorize and share data)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wifi Connected features (depends on having a Bluetooth enabled smartphone, and you may have to install the Garmin Connect mobile app on your phone)<\/td>Yes - send\/receive courses, workouts and training plans wirelessly<\/td>Yes - send\/receive courses, workouts and training plans wirelessly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Live tracking (allows others to follow your activities in real time, if you invite them)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BlueTooth to connect wirelessly to smartphone and upload data?<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Can you add a third-party compatible ANT+ power meter, weight scale and foot pod, and display the data on your Garmin?<\/td>Yes (optional extras, but it is set up to be compatible)<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Can it be paired with a wireless ANT+ Heart Rate monitor?<\/td>Yes (optional extra, but it is set up to be compatible)<\/td>Yes (optional extra, but it is set up to be compatible)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Can it be paired with wireless ANT+ speed and cadence sensors?<\/td>Yes (optional extra, but it is set up to be compatible)<\/td>Yes (optional extra, but it is set up to be compatible)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Can it be paired with ANT+ VIRB action cams and weight scales?<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How many sensors can you connect to using ANT+?<\/td>Unlimited; the Garmin will sense which ones are around and switched on, and pair with those<\/td>Only 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Special Features:<\/td>This model introduces advanced performance and power analysis, including new Time in Zone, FTP (Functional Threshold Power) tracking, cycling-specific VO2 and recovery and cycling dynamics<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How customizable are the data pages on which you view data?<\/td>Extremely - you can have up to 10 fields per page and up to 5 customized pages, so you should be able to set up a configuration that suits you<\/td>Very limited. You have just 3 fields per page and only 2 customized pages. See further in discussion below in the post<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Compatible with Garmin Varia Vision?<\/a><\/p><\/td>

Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Training features<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indoor training?<\/td>You can record an indoor ride with the Edge 520. PLUS - a spectacular new feature - you can recreate recorded outdoor rides on your compatible indoor trainer<\/td>You can record an indoor ride with the Edge 25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Round-trip routing (input a starting point and distance, and the Edge will suggest up to 3 bike ride options)<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recovery advisor?<\/td>Yes, it tells you approximately how much time you need to rest before your next training ride (requires heart rate monitor)<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Courses (compete against previous activities)<\/td>Yes (compete against your previous time by entering the % you want to improve by, then race your virtual partner; or enter a shorter time that you want to achieve)<\/td>Yes (compete against your previous time by entering the % you want to improve by, then race your virtual partner; or enter a shorter time that you want to achieve)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Virtual Partner\u00ae (train against a digital person, or a digital version of yourself)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advanced workouts (create custom, goal-oriented workouts, based on time\/distance\/calories)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Time\/distance alert (triggers alarm when you reach goal)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heart rate alerts?<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Interval training (set up exercise and rest intervals)<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Garmin Connect Real-Time segments<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heart rate-based calorie computation<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Integrated with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting?<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What history can you review on the device?<\/td>Review your rides to see time, distance, average speed, maximum speed, descent, calories, Ascent. Plus a separate screen to review totals (divided into the 3 training categories, indoor, race and train)<\/td>Review your rides to see time, distance, average speed, calories, ascent (lacks descent and max speed, compared to the 520). Strangely, the Edge 25 one has something the 520 does not have: a Records screen, which includes Most Ascent, Longest Rides. I like this feature - strange it is not on the 520<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maps and Navigation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GPS enabled? (this is the Global Positioning System, the US satellite navigation system)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GLONASS enabled? (this is the GLObal NAVigation Satellite System, the Russian satellite navigation system)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes - amazing at this price point!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Does it record distance, speed, ascent\/descent and GPS position?<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Navigation?<\/td>No, but you can upload a breadcrumbs course and then follow that. When doing that, you do get turn notifications, plus an alert if you go off course<\/td>No, but you can upload a breadcrumbs course and then follow that. For navigation, the 520 is definitely better, although still not great<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Turn-by-turn guidance?<\/td>Yes, for courses you have downloaded from your computer<\/td>Yes, for courses you have downloaded from your computer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Preloaded basemap?<\/td>Yes, but pretty basic<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ability to add maps?<\/td>Yes, and quite a lot of space to store them too<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plan and download new routes to follow (a route is a sequence of waypoints that leads you to your final destination)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barometric altimeter (to tell you your elevation)<\/td>Yes<\/td>No - it uses the GPS to figure out elevation, which is less accurate than a builtin altimeter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
History<\/td>Up to 180 hours<\/td>Up to 10 rides<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

As you can see, the Edge 25 is pretty impressive for size and price. And here’s a video that introduces you to the Edge 25:<\/p>\n