{"id":25990,"date":"2017-09-20T05:44:29","date_gmt":"2017-09-20T12:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/?p=25990"},"modified":"2020-08-29T13:35:45","modified_gmt":"2020-08-29T20:35:45","slug":"garmin-edge-1030-vs-820-vs-520","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-1030-vs-820-vs-520\/","title":{"rendered":"Garmin Edge 1030 vs 820 vs 520 GPS Bike Computers"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post aims to give you all the information you need to choose between the Garmin Edge 1030 vs 820 vs 520<\/strong>. First I have a chart that highlights the key differences<\/strong>. Then I discuss those differences. I also offer informed opinions on whether the new features of the Edge 1030 will be rolled out to the other units. Then I offer some advice on which Garmin Edge to buy, based on your needs. Finally, I present a chart comparing all of the key features<\/strong> of all 3 bike computers, for those who want to know every single detail. If you don’t have enough time to read all of this, you can jump to the Bottom Line on which Garmin Edge bike computer is right for you<\/a>. Otherwise, please read on!<\/p>\n[table \u201c135\u201d not found \/]
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New content: Check out our comparison of the Garmin Edge 1030 vs 830 vs Edge 530.<\/a><\/h4>\n

Buying Options<\/h4>\n

If you find this review useful and decide to buy one of these bike computers, please consider using the affiliate links to buy. It’s the only way I can get paid for the many hours of research and writing I do. And of course, it costs you nothing – so it’s a win\/win! At the end of this post, I offer a variety of reputable online buying options<\/strong>, including Amazon, Competitive Cyclist, Backcountry, and REI.com. Click here for buying options.<\/a><\/p>\n

First off, here is a chart that highlights the differences<\/strong> between these three bike computers.<\/p>\n

Chart Highlighting Just the Differences between the Garmin Edge 1030 vs\u00a0820 vs 520<\/h3>\n\n

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<\/td>
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Garmin Edge 1030<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/th>
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Garmin Edge 820<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/th>
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Garmin Edge 520<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Big picture<\/td>Much awaited upgrade to 1000. Key features are bigger screen and MUCH more battery life. Improved Strava functionality & other new features<\/td>Great for training and navigation. Smaller than the 1030, but the same size as the 520. Color touchscreen<\/td>Great for training but not for navigation. Buttons, not touchscreen. Color<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lowest Price on Amazon Right Now:<\/td>Because price is lower than manufacturer's recommended price, we cannot display it. Please click here for current price.<\/a><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unit Size<\/td> 2.3 x 4.5 x 0.8\" (5.84 x 11.4 x 2.1 cm) <\/td>1.9\u201d x 2.9\u201d x 0.8\u201d
\n(4.9 x 7.3 x 2.1 cm)<\/td>		1.9\u201d x 2.9\u201d x 0.8\u201d
\n(4.9 x 7.3 x 2.1 cm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Display resolution, Width x Height<\/td>282 x 470 pixels; color<\/td>200 x 265 pixels; color<\/td>200 x 265 pixels; color<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Screen size<\/td>3.5\" (88.9 mm) diagonal, high res<\/td>2.3\" (58.4 mm) diagonal, high res<\/td>2.3\" (58.4 mm) diagonal, high res<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Touchscreen<\/td>Yes - improved, much better in rain, and claimed to be compatible with gloves<\/td>Yes<\/td>No, buttons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>4.8 ounces (123 g)<\/td>2.4 oz (67.7 g)<\/td>2.1 oz (60 g)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery life<\/td>Up to 20 hours<\/td>Up to 15 hours<\/td>Up to 15 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery save mode available? (Extends battery live up to 50% while still tracking ride details)<\/td>Yes (powers down the screen)<\/td>Yes ( powers down the screen)<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Additional external battery?<\/td>Yes, Garmin Charge power pack increases battery life from 20 hours to 44 hours<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
History that can be stored on unit <\/td>Up to 200 hours of history<\/td>Up to 200 hours of history<\/td>Up to 180 hours of history<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Out front mount (as well as original quarter turn)?<\/td>Yes, but it is a new, improved flush-fitting front mount, more aerodynamic<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Is the screen responsive to level of ambient light?<\/td>Yes, it will brighten when ambient light darkens<\/td>Yes, it will brighten when ambient light darkens<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CONNECTIVITY<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Smart phone 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 - Live Tracking, Group Tracking, send\/receive courses, workouts and training plans wirelessly, social media sharing, smart notifications (texts and calls). PLUS it has canned replies (such as \"Cannot speak now\" and \"Sent from my Garmin Edge 1030\"!)<\/td>Yes - Live Tracking, Group Tracking, send\/receive courses, workouts and training plans wirelessly, social media sharing, weather updates in real time, smart notifications (texts and calls)<\/td>Yes - Live Tracking, send\/receive courses, workouts and training plans wirelessly, social media sharing, weather updates in real time, smart notifications (texts and calls)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group tracking <\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BlueTooth Smart?<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Accepts data cards<\/td>Yes, including optional memory card in the micro-SD slot. Weather protection for the card slot has been improved from the 1000<\/td>No. However, has 16 GB of internal memory<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Message other cyclists directly?<\/td>Yes, but for now, only if they also have an Edge 1030! Uses canned messages<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CYCLING AND TRAINING FEATURES<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Preloaded with TrainingPeaks? (a virtual coach to guide your workouts and training plan)<\/td>Yes<\/td>No, but you can download it from the App store<\/td>No, but you can download it from the App store<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Training calendar?<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Download Strava Real-Time segments?<\/td>Yes, if you have Strava premium. NEW advanced feature - can alert you to nearby segments<\/td>Yes, if you have Strava premium<\/td>Yes, if you have Strava premium<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automatically download new routes created in Strava to the unit?<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MAPS AND NAVIGATION<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New feature: Trendline popularity routing - when mapping, Trendline uses the routes most popular with cyclists, drawing from Garmin's database<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Navigation?<\/td>Yes - once you pick a location, it will guide you to that location. IMPROVED because it uses popularity routing<\/td>Yes - once you pick a location, it will guide you to that location<\/td>No, it cannot figure out how to get to places. However, 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>\n<\/tr>\n
Turn-by-turn guidance?<\/td>Yes - just like a car GPS, it will warn you a turn is coming, and tell you when to turn (with text and a beep). Also now has alerts of upcoming sharp turns<\/td>Yes - just like a car GPS, it will warn you a turn is coming, and tell you when to turn (with text and a beep)<\/td>Yes, for courses you have downloaded from your computer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Preloaded basemap?<\/td>Yes, preloaded and IMPROVED Garmin Cycle Map with bike-specific navigation so it can give you turn-by-turn navigation instructions<\/td>Yes, preloaded Garmin Cycle Map with bike-specific navigation so it can give you turn-by-turn navigation instructions<\/td>Yes, but very basic. It's just to give you a rough idea of where you are<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Points of Interest (POIs) specifically for cyclists<\/td>Yes<\/td>Requires optional City Navigator\u00ae maps to access general points of interest<\/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>You can upload routes you create elsewhere, and follow them; plus you can also enter in an address on the computer itself and it will create a route<\/td>Yes. You can upload routes you create elsewhere, and follow them; plus you can also enter in an address on the computer itself and it will create a route<\/td>Yes. The Edge 520 lets you upload routes you create elsewhere, and follow them, using pretty basic breadcrumb directions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

As you can see, there are several differences. Also, the Edge 1030 looks quite different to the other two. The Edge 820 and 520 are the same size and weigh almost exactly the same. They look like big, beautiful bike computers. The Edge 1030 looks more like a smart phone. All three have the sleek good looks and quality feel that comes with the latest offerings from Garmin. Below is a visual of the differences between these 3 Garmin Edge bike computers.<\/p>\n

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