Customer Reviews for Garmin - Edge 2.6" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Black
Customer Rating
4
vast improvement
on October 11, 2019
Posted by: hermann
I’ve been using the Edge 500 for a couple years, and have recently purchased the 530. In my opinion it’s a real improvement - the map function is a real plus and the battery life is very impressive.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Does what I need and more!
on October 11, 2019
Posted by: Sailp185
I’m just getting seriously into cycling, and had made the decision that while my Garmin watch was great, I wanted to expand my rides and specifically wanted map functionality without having to strap my phone to the handlebars.
The bike shop I frequent was pushing the Wahoo. I looked closely at that, but I was familiar with Garmin via my watch, plus other cyclists I trust had Garmin and spoke highly of their experiences, so chose the 530 as something that would meet my needs.
I love the flexibility of setting up the information screen with as much or as little information as I want. I have a speed and cadence sensor set up to broadcast to the 530 which sync up flawlessly. I have a heart monitor also, but usually just have my watch’s heartbeat sensor transmit to the 530. Again, flawlessly.
The maps have been great. Was recently riding in an unfamiliar area, just sort of exploring. When we needed to get home, I just indicated “take me to start” and got turn by turn directions home. The nice part was I could have the information screen up, but the map screen would pop up when it came time to make a turn. I also love being able to map out a route on my computer and then load it onto the 530. It will even tell me when I should eat and drink on the ride!
As I said, I’m just getting into more serious cycling, so the 530 is great right now, but I feel like the it has enough features to serve my needs no matter how deep I get into the sport. (The given being that I know I’ll never make a living cycling!)
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Edge 530
on October 11, 2019
Posted by: Carp3538
I bought the Edge 530 several months ago. Overall I am satisfied and enjoy using the unit. However, I am a little frustrated with the repeated Bluetooth/phone connection dropouts. Also, unit has frozen twice during rides since the last update. Unsure what is causing this to happen, but again, very frustrating especially since I never had this happen with my previous unit from a as competitor.
In the end I will continue to use the unit. I do like its features and functionality.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Originally buggy but now I love it
on October 11, 2019
Posted by: provin1327
When I first bought my Garmin Edge 530 it was buggy and frustrating to use. The on trail navigation was glitchy and worthless but now that a firmware update has been released I am loving my Edge 530.
The direct integration with Trailforks is a dream. I absolutely love being able to see the trails on the map. No longer am I confused when I get to an intersection. The greatest feature has to be the ability to create a route on Trailforks then follow that route on the device. No turn by turn directions but just looking down and seeing your route highlighted in purple is very helpful for navigation.
The Climb pro feature is also pretty neat and helpful on those bigger rides.
There are still a few minor glitches/settings I wish I could change but once you start using the device you get used to it. The two issues I do have with the device are 1) I have the device set to "point towards track" when I stop moving but for some reason it does not do that. It can sometimes be confusing when you stop moving and the map zooms out and is facing 180* the wrong way. Also the bluetooth connectivity seems to be pretty poor.
Overall I really like my Edge 530. It can at times leave a bit to be desired but for the most part it's great!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Love most days, other days no
on October 11, 2019
Posted by: Mplsbiker
Traded my wahoo for this because of Trailforks integration. When the trail forks routes are perfect it works PERFECT and has guided me through some sweet new terrain ...but if you enter trail slightly "off course" it's worthless as it keeps sending you back to start. Separately, it does a nice job showing the trail names when riding but when i stop at intersections it often says i'm riding a trail from 2-3 turns back. In summary, I love it when it works but that 25%ish of the time it doesn't work right is very frustrating. On the plus side, the navigation for road biking has worked well and battery life is incredible.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Great device but some reservations
on October 11, 2019
Posted by: RunBudgieRun
This device is awesome with one major exception. The screen is great. Its nice and large and the backlight is perfect in the right occasion. Satellite finding only takes seconds. Setup and sensor paring has never been easier.
I only wish that the smartphone integration was better. The integration features are many, but unfortunately the phone will never stay paired and ready to go. This condition is regardless of what Edge 530 firmware, Garmin Connect app version and Android firmware version is in use. It works for one combination of the three and then not for another. I cringe upon any update of the three for it most likely breaks upon any update. Then its back to the routine of spend ten minutes to delete from both devices, re-pair and setup in vain most times pre-ride and be frustrated for the first few minutes of the ride and then again later because it doesnt upload results post-ride.
My Vivoactive HR never had these connection problems. If the Edge 530 would connect and interact with my smartphone like the Vivoactive HR I would gladly give five stars instead of a generous three I have given.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Lots of great features!!
on October 11, 2019
Posted by: T-Bone65
Still learning how to use all the features that are available to use. Unit works perfectly and records perfectly.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
2
Frequently freezes up & requires forced reboot
on October 11, 2019
Posted by: bikeryder
Since I bought it this past spring it has stopped functioning and accepted no input on at least five different occasions requiring a forced hard reboot. This has happened while in the middle of a ride which is really annoying since it cannot be forced to reboot with connecting to a power supply. It also frequently gets into a loop where it starts a new ride, I stop it, discard the ride, and then it just starts another new ride, over and over again. Sometime when I am charging it just starts a new ride without any human interaction at all.