Very solid bike computer, like it overall. Would highly recommend pairing with a radar tail light. If you are used to buttons on a Garmin watch (such as a Fenix or Epix), the buttons on this will be familiar. HR strap and cadence sensor work great out of the box, virtually no setup required.
My only gripes: speed sensor that came in the box just doesn't work at all (which I will probably warranty), and creating routes in Garmin connect can sometimes take you way off the beaten path for no reason unless you're creating lots and lots of waypoints in the route.
The hardware itself seems well made, even cutting edge, and the multi-band GPS works very well. However, the firmware in the device and all the software needed to configure it is from the dark ages. I'm a firmware engineer working on embedded systems since they came into existence and I still have LOTS of trouble setting this thing up. In the end it's often impossible to get the hardware to do what you want despite it being completely capable. In my opinion, it's just not worth the hassle for the vast majority of cyclists to bother with Garmin Edge cycling computers. Just get a Wahoo and save yourself an immense amount of frustration. That time is better spent enjoying your rides.
I upgraded from a 520 and the difference is amazing. I love the larger screen, being configurable via the app on my phone is a huge plus, the mapping is nice, and the beep when I'm on the last gears on the cassette is really cool. Battery life is amazing, and overall it's a really nice computer. Took a few rides to get the settings right, but would recommend to anyone looking for a new bike computer.
6th Garmin Product...and they still perform better than expected
on October 14, 2024
Posted by: Aaron V
from Ravensdale, WA, US
I've owned 6 Garmin's over the last 6+ years (cycling, running, tris and scale) and they have always exceeded my expectations. The Edge 540 worked great for a recent bike packing trip. Easy to set up and to download maps from ride GPS. Well done.
It was a breeze to set up and pair with my existing equipment (garmin watch, polar HR monitor) and to attach to the bike. Battery life is outstanding, and GPS accuracy has been excellent.