Practical test of bike computers with GPS - What can GPS bike computers do - the practical test

At prices between €200 and €400, GPS devices are generally capable of navigating to a destination, following a route saved using GPS data and recording the ride with all parameters, including the barometrically determined altitude metres. The devices can be connected to additional sensors (e.g. cadence, power measurement), the smartphone and the home PC via the ANT+, Bluetooth and WLAN wireless standards. Most devices are operated via push buttons, some also have touch-sensitive displays. The associated apps can be used to connect the GPS computers to the device manufacturer's data portals or third-party services, such as the sports community platform Strava or the Komoot tour portal. We wanted to know which of the digital multi-tools are the easiest to use.

Conclusion: Current GPS computers can be much more than just signposts or training partners. However, the differences in user-friendliness are clear. The devices from Garmin, Sigma and Wahoo were the most convincing in the practical test, while the Bryton and Lezyne computers are more complicated to use.

Bryton model Aero 60

Offline maps OpenStreetMap
Display 2.3 inch, 25x48 mm, monochrome
Operation 7 buttons, some with multiple functions
Connectivity ANT+, Bluetooth, WLAN
Battery 20 hrs.

Display/readability ★★★★
Operation/menu ★★
Routing/Navigation ★★★★
Connectivity ★★★★
App ★★★★
Battery ★★★★★
Computing speed ★★★★

Garmin model Edge Explore 820

Offline maps Garmin Active Topo Europe
Display 2.3 inch, 200 x 265 pixels, colour
Operation 3 buttons, touchscreen
Connectivity ANT+, Bluetooth, WLAN
Battery 8 hrs.

Display/readability ★★★★
Operation/menu ★★★★
Routing/Navigation ★★★★
Connectivity ★★★★
App ★★★★
Battery ★★★
Computing speed ★★

Lezyne model Mega XL GPS

Offline maps not pre-installed
Display 2.7 inch, 240 x 400 pixels, monochrome
Operation 4 buttons, 2-way assigned
Connectivity ANT+, BluetoothBattery 25 hrs

Display/readability ★★★★
Operation/menu ★★★★
Routing/Navigation ★★★
Connectivity ★★★★
App ★★★★
Battery ★★★★★
Computing speed ★★★★

Sigma model ROX 12

Offline maps OpenStreetMap
Display 3 inch, 40 x 65 mm, colour
Operation 6 buttons, touchscreen
Connectivity ANT+, Bluetooth, WLAN
Battery 10 hrs.

Display/readability ★★★★
Operation/menu ★★★★★
Routing/Navigation ★★★★
Connectivity ★★★★★
App ★★
Battery ★★
Computing speed ★★★★

Wahoo model Elemnt

Offline maps OpenStreetMap
Display 2.7 inch, 240 x 400 pixels, monochrome
Operation 6 buttons
Connectivity ANT+, Bluetuooth, WLAN
Battery 13 hrs.

Display/readability ★★★★
Operation/menu ★★★★★
Routing/Navigation ★★★★
Connectivity ★★★★★
App ★★★★★
Battery ★★★★
Computing speed ★★★★

Favourable alternatives:

Lezyne Model Mini GPS

Display 1.3 inch, 22 x 26 mm, monochrome

The Lezyne is one of the cheapest GPS devices. The biggest drawback is the small display, on which the numbers are sometimes difficult to read.

Sigma model ROX 7.0

Display 1.7 inch, 160 x 128 pixels, monochrome

The casing is relatively large, but the display is no larger than on the Edge 130, and it is not very sharp due to the low resolution. Pairing with the app is not done via Bluetooth, but rather with an optional docking station and USB cable.

Garmin model Edge 130

Display 1.8 inch, 230 x 303 pixels, monochrome

The small Garmin impresses with its many functions, simple menu navigation via five buttons and its high-contrast display is easy to read. From the chest strap to the power meter, up to six sensors can be paired via ANT+, making the Edge 130 the ideal training partner.