GarminEdge 830 GPS Computer(Return to Product Page)

I'm a long time Garmin user (started with the 700) and have not always been thrilled with Garmin software or hardware durability. The software has gotten better of late, so wWhen my 510 died, I looked around, held my nose, and made the expensive upgrade to the 830.

I love this computer! While the form factor is nearly identical, the display is FINALLY super readable in bright sunlight and nearly as responsive as my iphone. The text notifications on the Garmin are slick and unobtrusive. There are many small features that make this feel like a modern cycling computer.

The ONE thing Garmin still need to do is provide phonecomputer setup rather than relying on the clunky setup interface on the device.

I had an 820 and really liked it. It was 8 years old when the battery died. One of the electronics specialists at work replaced the battery for me, but he broke a connection and the top third of the touch screen no longer worked. I wish that Garmin would repair devices, it worked fine until the battery needed replacement

The 830 is by far the most disappointing Garmin Edge that I have owned. Ive had the 305, 705, 500, and 810 previously, and while all of them had occasional glitches, I found them to be largely reliable. Not so with the 830. First, pairing it and uploading activities to Garmin Connect is a manual activity. Every. Time. Ive paired and repaired it multiple times. On the iPhone Bluetooth connections page, it always shows 2 830s... one connected and one not. So after every ride, I have to open the Garmin app, hope it wakes up the connection and manually sync. But at least half the time, it requires turning Bluetooth off and on, and turning the Garmin off an on one or more times. In addition, the elevation profiles on the Garmin are totally stairstepped. My other Garmins showed the climbs as relatively smoothaccurate lines, but the elevation profile on the 830 has completely flat sections followed by completely verticals sections. It also always shows me an 18th of a mile farther up the climb than I am. Separately, the climb pro feature sounds good until you use it. Its way too zoomed out so that you cant see what elevation features are coming up. Itll say the average remaining climb is something like 8% as an example, but it doesnt give you any visibility to the 20% kicker coming up. So I dont use it. Finally, it also froze on me mid-ride, although Id give it a pass on that because Ive never had a Garmin that didnt do that. But this was in the first 6 weeks of using it. In summary, I wish Id stuck with my 810.

Got one of the first units when initially released in May, 2019.

Been in contact with Garmin customer support on several occasions. Their support has been excellent starting with a beta software release update which fixed my initial problem. One annoying flaw is that you can not set the odometer in order to carry over mileage from previous computer. There is an IQ odometer app which can be preset and incorporated into display page. Everything else is functionally complete and the touch screen is a vast improvement over menus and buttons on my previous 530.

Garmin is sending me a replacement unit which will hopefully fix my remaining issue - elevation jumps all over giving wildly erroneous readings. They already had other reports of the problem and established that it is a hardware - not software - problem hence the replacement unit. Hopefully the new unit will not have this problem.

Overall I am very satisfied with the unit, especially the route guidance feature which is essential for touring in unexplored areas.

Bought the Edge 830 to replace an Edge 820 that would deplete its battery on a three hour ride. So far, Ive been very satisfied.

Pros

- Good battery life. Ive finished a 7 hour ride using navigation & Bluetooth and still had 75% battery capacity remaining.

- The touch screen works. Very responsive, easy to change screens. Have not tested with winter gloves or in the rain yet.

- Bluetooth connection to my phone has been very stable. So far, my phone & Garmin have a connected every time and stayed connected.

- The new widgets pull down screen on the Garmin is very convenient. You can easily see & adjust your Ant connections, messages, weather, lights, and nav in one place.

- I really like the new Climbpro feature. Very handy & helpful feature here in the western NC mountains.

Cons

- Pricey, but a lot more valve for the money than the Edge 820.

First, If you read other reviews here for this device, a lot seem to be for the older 820, esp reviews before spring 2019 when the 830 was first available and the 830 is a different experience.

I upgraded to the 830 from my old garmin 500 red and what a treat it has been. The 830 is very quick to turn on and be ready to ride. The touch screen is responsive, even with full finger gloves yet other contact source, such rain and sweat on the screen dont seem to bother it. Routes are quick to load and maps are fast, with or without a route, even without a route it warns you of sharp turns ahead (ok, sometimes the warning seems silly...but safety first, right). If you have a route loaded that includes hills, the climb pro is cool...automatically shows your climb ahead, grade, distance and elevation to go.

Ive ridden 160 miles over 5 days without recharge and still had 40% left, should get someone at least through a double century or a week of riding before charging. I also love that the device syncs with my phone and automatically uploads a ride when finished...no more plug into a pc usb to update garmin and strava.

If you dont already have an out front computer mount (I did) one is included in the box.

Though the device is not cheap, BTD has greats deals often enough that its well worth taking advantage of one to get the 830. Oh, and I do recommend downloading the owners manual from Garmin to understand some of the settings and features.

I've been using my Edge 820 for a few years and have been through the range from the 510 to the 820, now the 830. I was forced into a new unit due to battery anxiety. Almost went with the Wahoo Element, but went with what's familiar. Right away, I am very happy with the much improved screen resolutioncrispness. In direct sun I can finally read the unit which was at times a challenge with the 820....Big plus. Touch screen response is also much improved as well as the speed when tapping between screensfunctions...another Big plus.

Downside It could use a phone interface like the Wahoo units in order to vastly simplify screen set-up. If it had that functionality, I would give it 5 stars. Garmin, you need to catch up to the times even though your base DNA is solid.

Been running 520 for 5 years and thought everything newer was more than I needed. Within 5 rides I knew how much more tech was at my hands. Month in my maxVO2 is climbing along with healthy feel. Looking for technical help for your fitness, look no further.

I purchased my latest Garmin to replace the Garmin 1000 I have had for a number of years. I purchased the updated smaller unit because of the daily battery life as advertised. So far it performs as expected and is reasonable in price. I have not had a long enough ride to tell about expected battery but it works well with my Varia add on component as expected.

Garmin 500 to Garmin 830 is Super Sweet.

Color Touch Screen

Wifi post ride auto upload

Route Sharing between units

Upcoming Climb Details

What would you not like about this unit!

My decision to buy this one was the touch screen while the 530 used the buttons to go between screens.

BTW: Bike Tires Direct has awesome customer service and communication continues to be top notch.

I replaced an 820 and this is a huge step up - lower power GPS chip, much quicker user interface response, and better battery life. The user interface is totally different than the 820 and I still haven't figured it out, but I have a basic setup that works for my various bikes.

Bought this as I have a few different bikes & it makes mileage tracking easy as you just swap the computer from bike to bike. It has worked well for everything I've used it for: gps files for navigating & just general data. It's smaller than the 1030, so takes up less space on the handlebars, but has the 1030s functionality. Highly recommended.

Having had the 3 other Garmin's in the past 15yrs, The 830 is by far the best for the money spent.

I love the easy download and sync to my cell phone and the turn by turn directions.

Another big improvement was the battery life, being increased to well over 12hrs when you have setting dialed in for maximum battery savings.

Ordered this as an upgrade so I could track my interval workouts with better data. The touch screen is so nice, it makes using the unit so much more easier. Automatically uploads data to Strava so I can check out how I did verses my last ride on the route.

I've had a Garmin Edge 530 for a few years but passed that one on to my wife when her Edge 520 stopped holding a charge. I debated whether to go with the 830 but I'm happy with the choice after using it for a few weeks. The touch screen is easier to manage compared to the multiple buttons on the 530, and it has worked reasonably well in rain and during the last part of the winter with full finger gloves.

Upgraded from an old 500 series. Love this unit and got a fantastic price at BTD. Setup was fairly easy. Bluetooth is great to directly upload to my Garmin connect phone app.

I debated whether or not to go with the 830 touch screen. Very glad I did. Much easier to set up and navigate through the menu and set up. Well worth the extra cost.

I purchased this to replace a garmin 800 that died on me. This has more options than the 800. I appreciate it linking with my phone to show texts and emails. I'm still working to get courses and routs set up, but it gives warnings and turn information that is great. Still lots to learn, but am glad I purchased it.

love the touch screen, no issues even in the rain, easy to read even with out my reading glasses, intuitive, great battery life, good for more than a century ride, also lasted thru four days on the Kokapelli... couldn't be more pleased.

My wife isn't the data geek that I am, but she really likes her Edge 830. Now that she is getting the additional data she is being won over and sees the benefits.