Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Edge 540 Solar 2.6" GPS Bike Computer - Black
Average customer rating
4
(46 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 46 reviews
5 Stars
24
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
2
1 Star
6
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Edge 540 Solar 2.6" GPS Bike Computer - Black
Customer Rating
3
Like a dedicated navigation device from past era
on August 11, 2023
Posted by: Sandis
Attention! Initial review after setup and first 50 km solo ride.
My main sport is running and I've been using Garmin running-specific devices since 2009: Forerunner 405, 225, 735XT, 245, 245 Music, fēnix 6X Pro Solar, and Enduro 2. Love those and the overall development progress throughout the years.
The logic says I have to go with Garmin when choosing a bicycle computer. Great experience and the data stays at one base.
However, after today I’m sure the wearables team doesn’t even speak to the cycling computer division folks because they’re ashamed of them. There’s almost nothing from the experience you have using wearables (except maybe glances).
Navigation is awful. On a straight 5 km stretch the device shows arrows left and right marking intersections. The distinction between intersection notifications and actual turns is unnoticeable. That’s how I missed the exit, luckily that was on the cycling lane and I was able to return.
I was in luck in the second part of the route, I have been riding there with a friend a couple of weeks ago.
The whole user experience is of automotive sector devices, e.g., some Tom Tom from 2008.
An hour before sunrise, when it gets a little darker the contrast was almost off. Checked “Auto Brightness” is on. Combine that with screen glare and you have one awful combination.
And I don’t even have anything to compare to, is there anything? My Enduro 2 with magnifying glass mount?
Response from GarminBy Cecil with Garmin, Fitness, August 16, 2023
Thank you for posting a review we appreciate the feedback. We would encourage you to reach out to our team so that we can get more specific details from you on your experience and offer some assistance.
Please reach out to our team at: product.support@garmin.com
Edge 540 Solar Support:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=798925&tab=topics
Please reach out to our team at: product.support@garmin.com
Edge 540 Solar Support:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=798925&tab=topics
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Poor design
on October 9, 2023
Posted by: Poor
It charges solar a little. It doesn't charge when off like they said. It has trouble turning on. It doesn't sync hardly at all.
Response from GarminBy Garmin Fitness, October 12, 2023
We are sorry to hear about the issues that you are experiencing and would encourage you to reach out to our team so that we can more details from you and work on a solution, thank you for posting a review we appreciate it.
Please reach out to our team at: product.support@garmin.com
Edge 540 Solar Support:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=798925&tab=topics
Solar Charging:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=798925&tab=topics&topicTag=region_solarcharging
Please reach out to our team at: product.support@garmin.com
Edge 540 Solar Support:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=798925&tab=topics
Solar Charging:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=798925&tab=topics&topicTag=region_solarcharging
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Best One Yet
on October 23, 2023
Posted by: Randy E.
Garmin has really put a ton of thought into the Edge 540 Solar. In addition to the solar capability, it now has a larger screen, better feed back following a ride or workout, the start screen has all of the information one could possibly need (weather, scheduled workout, training status...), control of what you are listening to is at your fingertips... My favorite feature is the two (2) personalized data points on the workout screen; it's a game changer!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Works Well
on October 23, 2023
Posted by: Niles
So far, the Edge 540 Solar does everything well. It was easy to set up, and the buttons are the same as my older Edge 520 so it was a low learning curve to use it. The battery seems to last a long time. I used it for 9 hours and it still had 60% battery. The solar charging is an added benefit and reduces worrying about battery life during a century or other all day cycling.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
2
Not user friendly
on November 29, 2023
Posted by: Denny@4853
Is comes with no manual other than what the buttons do. It’s like going from android to a iPhone. You have got to play with this a lot to teach yourself how to use it. I had to go online and ask a question to set it up. Is was going to return it the next day but I forced myself to learn this. I think it’s overpriced for what it does. Especially when you have to buy apps like ride gps.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Loving my 540 Solar!
on January 28, 2024
Posted by: The Doll King
I'm really enjoying my Garmin so far. It's a really smart device. It sends an alert when I'm approaching heavy traffic and I love that it has solar charging capabilities. I still haven't used it to its full potential, but it's been a pleasure to use so far. It's also a lot more user friendly than I had previously heard about. I love the push button version. Remember to buy protective screen and casing because it's not fully waterproof. I do wish those items were included with the device.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Going Great…for now…
on April 6, 2024
Posted by: Mutant33
I started in the Garmin family with the edge 520, after polar cyclometers, cycleops power meters, Garmin 520 was my first Garmin product. It was nice for a year and a half or so before issues such as power off in middle of ride even though battery was fine, restarts would get me back, I really liked the livetrack feature, the 520 was nice till I had a lot of issues and lost data. So I switched to wahoo. That lasted about 6-8 months, I missed the Garmin ecosystem and a lot of what was good wasn’t available with wahoo, total bike mileage per bike, different types of bikes and rides. Wahoo didn’t offer that. So I came back to Garmin in time for the almost release of the 540, but it wasn’t out, so I got the 530, enjoyed it for almost a year, then I guess the battery is having issues, after a full charge and an hour ride, a couple days later I go to ride, now it has to be charged..so I charge it enough to get a ride in, this happened multiple times, so by now I’m able to move into the 540, I go with the solar, I’ve heard there was a battery improvement too, and the usb-c is great too.
Lost the ability to have a self race, but the feature set on this is really great. Of course it’s only a couple months with it and it’s working great. I like the wider aesthetic, it makes it look thinner than the 530 even though it’s not. Power has definitely not been an issue, but with solar, it’s nice to see I gain minutes back a little. So far it’s worth it. I’ll send the 530 in for a new battery so I can have as a backup
Lost the ability to have a self race, but the feature set on this is really great. Of course it’s only a couple months with it and it’s working great. I like the wider aesthetic, it makes it look thinner than the 530 even though it’s not. Power has definitely not been an issue, but with solar, it’s nice to see I gain minutes back a little. So far it’s worth it. I’ll send the 530 in for a new battery so I can have as a backup
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
All great except for the buttons
on April 18, 2024
Posted by: NYC23
Works like a charm except the buttons are a bit difficult to use
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin