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New bike computers from GarminEdge 540 and Edge 840 in the first test

Sandra Schuberth

, Marc Strucken

 · 11.04.2023

First test of the Garmin Edge 840 - we had the version without solar, but the sun's rays were perfect for this picture.
Photo: Marc Strucken

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Garmin has introduced new bike computers: The Edge 540 and 840, both of which are also available in a solar-powered version. We were able to test the Edge 840 bike sat nav before the official launch.

The new bike sat navs Garmin Edge 540 and 840 have an easy-to-read 2.6 inch display. Devices in the Edge 540 series are operated using buttons, while those in the Edge 840 series also have a touch function on the display. If 26 hours of battery life with paired sensors and smartphone as well as active navigation (42 hours in energy-saving mode) is not enough, choose a Edge 540 or 840 with solar cells. The solar versions have a battery life of up to 32 hours - and even up to 60 hours in energy-saving mode. This is thanks to a Power Glass solar charging lens.

Another new feature is the ClimbPro function, which works with devices from the two new Edge series even without a loaded route.

Edge 540 and 840: these are the new bike computers

The following is an overview of the two new Garmin Edge series 540 and 840 and a comparison with the Edge 1040 (solar).

Garmin Edge 540/840Photo: GarminGarmin Edge 540/840

Comparison of the size and weight of the new bike sat navs

Size:

  • Garmin Edge 540 and Edge 840: 57.8 x 85.1 x 19.6 millimetres
  • Top model Garmin Edge 1040 solar: 59.3 x 117,6 x 20.0 millimetres

Weight:

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  • Garmin Edge 540: 80.3 grams
  • Garmin Edge 540 solar: 84.9 grams
  • Garmin Edge 840: 84.8 grams
  • Garmin Edge 840 solar 88.9 grams >>
  • Top model Garmin Edge 1040 (solar): 126 (133) Gram
The picture shows the Edge 840 (right) in comparison with the Edge 1040 solar in a protective case (right).Photo: Marc StruckenThe picture shows the Edge 840 (right) in comparison with the Edge 1040 solar in a protective case (right).
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Battery life of the Edge 540 and 840

Edge 540 and 840 battery runtimes: 26 hours in classic mode, 42 hours in energy-saving mode

Battery life of the solar versions: Up to 32 hours; up to 60 hours in energy-saving mode.

USB connection: Charging via USB-C cable

Internal memory

  • Garmin Edge 540: 16 GB
  • Garmin Edge 840: 32 GB
  • Top model Garmin Edge 1040 (solar): 32 (64) GB

Functions

ClimbPro:

  • Even without a charged track: on Edge 540 and 840 and the respective solar versions
  • Top model Garmin Edge 1040 - ClimbPro only with previously loaded route

Accident detection

  • Garmin Edge 540 and 840: Accident detection on the road and off-road
  • Top model Garmin Edge 1040 (solar): Accident detection only on the road

Trailforks MTB map

  • Garmin Edge 540: installable
  • Garmin Edge 840: pre-installed
  • Top model Garmin Edge 1040: pre-installed

Prices

A bundle contains the respective Garmin Edge plus heart rate sensor, speed sensor and cadence sensor

>> Top model Garmin Edge 1040 solar tested by BIKE <<

Garmin Edge 540 and Garmin Edge 540 solar

The Garmin Edge 540 is a lightweight and compact bike sat nav with a 2.6 inch display and Key operation.

Accident detection: After a crash, a message is sent to a predefined contact after a short delay.Photo: GarminAccident detection: After a crash, a message is sent to a predefined contact after a short delay.

Garmin Edge 840 and Edge 840 solar

The Edge 840 and 840 solar are also bike computers with a 2.6 inch display. The design is just as compact as that of the 540 series. However, there is a difference in the operation: The 840 models are operated via touch display and buttons.

The sun extends the battery life of the Edge 840 solar.Photo: GarminThe sun extends the battery life of the Edge 840 solar.

First test of the Garmin Edge 840 bike computer

We opened the parcel as soon as it arrived at the TOUR editorial office. Of course, we couldn't switch it on and set off. Just switching it on did. The battery charge level was at 72 per cent and we were shown a remaining usage time of 19 hours; in energy-saving mode even more.

The menu navigation on the Edge 840 is initially as confusing as on other Garmin devices. Once you have familiarised yourself with it, countless functions can be found quickly and the device can be customised according to your own wishes - the data fields can also be individually configured via smartphone using the Garmin Connect app - or, with a touch display, via a long tap on the data field and the subsequent selection menu.

Garmin Edge 840 - We deviated from the planned route to take a break for coffee and cake.Photo: Sandra SchuberthGarmin Edge 840 - We deviated from the planned route to take a break for coffee and cake.

The touch function of Garmin's new bike sat nav is less precise than that of the top-of-the-range Edge 1040, and the display skilfully ignored our touches or interpreted them differently, especially in wet conditions and when wearing gloves.

Fabian Danner, Category Manager at Garmin, will tell us the following later:

The touchscreen is the same as on the Edge 1040. As the pre-tests were pre-production devices, the software was not yet finalised. In the software versions from 9.xx, which is now live with the launch, the touch software has been adapted again.

In contrast, the connection with Outdooractive works smoothly. If you have created an MTB route there, it can be sent to your own Garmin account and therefore also to the Edge sat nav without any problems via "Send to linked accounts". The prerequisite is, of course, that the Garmin Edge and your own smartphone have already found each other. Synchronisation also works smoothly with komoot. "Send to device" is the name of the recently introduced new feature.

It's also fun to ride the existing trails that the Garmin displays as "routes" (see image below) or the heat map, which shows the popularity of such routes.

Popular MTB trails are displayed on the Edge 540/840, here the "Frundsberger Connector"Photo: Marc StruckenPopular MTB trails are displayed on the Edge 540/840, here the "Frundsberger Connector"

Functions of the new Garmin Edge devices in detail:

  • Multi-frequency: High-precision route recording thanks to multi-frequency reception of global satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO)
  • ClimbPro: Information about upcoming climbs with details of the gradient, remaining distance and altitude metres of the climb - even without a previously loaded route.
  • Device settings via app: Settings and data fields can be made on the Edge or in the Garmin Connect app with real-time synchronisation.
  • New user interface: User interface with overviews, which can be accessed by swiping upwards (Edge 840) or by pressing a button (Edge 540), helps to maintain an overview
  • Power Guide: Helps to find the optimum power input for the route and altitude profile (watt measurement required)
  • Stamina Residual energy: Stamina tracks performance during cycling training and shows the energy available during physical activity. In this way, energy consumption during activity can be optimised and premature exhaustion avoided.
  • Cycling ability: Experience your own strengths as a cyclist and compare them with the demands of a route. Physiological models are used to interpret combinations of heart rate and power data during your rides. This requires a power meter and a heart rate sensor.
  • Bicycle navigation: Extensive navigation function on pre-installed Garmin bike map
Grit and flow (at the top of the data field) are available in MTB mode and indicate how difficult the route is - and how smoothly you have mastered it.Photo: Marc StruckenGrit and flow (at the top of the data field) are available in MTB mode and indicate how difficult the route is - and how smoothly you have mastered it.
  • Trendline Popularity Map: An overlay based on Garmin Connect data to find the most popular routes for your activity. The heat map can also be displayed directly on the Edge map.
  • Route planning: Route planning and synchronisation possible directly on the device; routes from third-party providers such as komoot, outdooractive and Strava can also be synchronised automatically
  • Performance analysis: Training condition, training load and the load focus, altitude and heat acclimatisation as well as fluid and food intake
  • Recovery time: Garmin specifies recovery times after each training session or activity.
  • Training planning: Daily individual training suggestions from Garmin can be used or training plans from Garmin Connect or TrainingPeaks or TrainerRoad can be synchronised. There are also reminders to catch up on missed training sessions.
  • Trailforks map: Helps to find MTB trails with the right difficulty. The map is pre-installed on the Edge 840 devices and can be installed on the Edge 540 series
  • MTB-Dynamics: Analyse jumps and descents with grit, flow & jump analyses
  • Varia compatibility: Compatible with radar; vehicles can be displayed from a distance of 140 metres; a bright rear light ensures better visibility
  • Connected features: Smartphone music control, smart notifications, weather information, driver-to-driver messages, Live & GroupTrack, as well as customisation options via Connect IQ.
  • Bike-Alarm & Find my Edge: If the bike is moved while the rider is absent, an alarm is sent. There is also an option to find the last position of your Edge if it is lost in a fall.
  • inReach compatible: With the Garmin inReach, contact with friends and family is possible even without mobile phone reception. Particularly interesting for people who spend a lot of time travelling alone and away from network coverage

Sandra Schuberth

Sandra Schuberth, sometimes an after-work ride, sometimes a training ride, sometimes an unsupported bikepacking challenge. The main thing is her and her gravel bike - away from the traffic. Seven Serpents, Badlands or Bright Midnight: she has finished challenging bikepacking races. Gravel and bikepacking are her favourite subjects, and her demands on equipment are high. What she rides, uses and recommends has to stand the test of time: not in marketing, but in real life.

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