After a couple weeks of using the free trial, I feel confident in subscribing with XERT. With that, I want to upgrade my Garmin, but wanted to get some real world XERT user feedback before I pull the trigger. Further, though I lean with Garmin, that’s only because other than the original Avocet, the Garmin 910XT is the only upgrade I’ve made. So, I’m not fully locked in with Garmin if there are other brands (e.g. Wahoo) that perform even better than Garmin while synced w/XERT.
In addition to a flawless sync (I would hope), I regard screen visibility, overall size and weight, and user friendly controls while engaged in (year round) training and RACING to be important. My 910XT is a little bigger than the original Avocet (think large watch), so all of these modern units look huge to me. I mention this because my initial instinct is to go with a smaller option, like G540 or G840, but I want to make sure XERT and other metrics function perfectly on the smaller units vs something like the larger G1050? I’m not an advocate for sacrificing important functions in the name of saving a few bucks and/or grams, but I also don’t want “an iPhone” hanging out ahead of my bars if I don’t have to.
I welcome your feedback and opinions as they relate to the Garmin units in general and while synced with XERT…
I have a Garmin Edge 1040 it works very well with all the Xert data fields. It doesn’t really feel big. I wouldn’t go for anything smaller as it is nice to see more things or have larger fonts.
If you want to see MPA while riding you really need to buy a Garmin unit or go with a phone like device where you can run Xert.
I also use the 1040 with XERT and it is great. There is no other bike computer that comes close to the functionality and integration with XERT. I use the 1040 on my gravel bike and my racing bike and it does not feel big. If it feels big to you, I am confident that after a few rides you will not longer notice the size.
Xert has far more functionality with the Garmin units than with any of the others. From reading the forums I think that is mainly because Garmin has given more access to create apps and data fields than most of their competitors.
I’m still using a Garmin 530 which is the older version of the 540. I think if I was buying a new unit right now I’d get the 840. Reviews from sites like DC Rainmaker indicate the touchscreen really makes some of the added features easier to use. While the extra screen size of the 1040 would be nice on road rides I ride a MTB a lot and the smaller of the 2 sizes seems to be a better fit for the MTB. I can get enough info on the 530 with the dashboard up top and buckets on the bottom of a screen (though I wish HR wasn’t hidden by the Varia radar field).
My vote would be a Garmin 840 with touchscreen and 7 buttons.
I currently have an 830 which has old screen tech and UI and only 3 buttons.
I previously owned a 1030. That was larger than necessary IMO. The 830 is the largest hockey puck I want to mount on my bike.
Size-wise the 840 will do everything you need including Xert Connect IQ data fields and apps (XSS Buckets and/or Xert Dashboard). I don’t have issues with font size on my 830 but I can see why some prefer larger type.
Wahoo’s claim to fame is their large font layouts and zoom feature but I don’t consider their head units in the same league as Garmin. Wahoo has no ability to install apps like Buckets or Xert Dashboard or the IQ data fields.
Only downside to Garmin is they don’t allow activities recorded on Xert EBC (phone app) to sync to Garmin Connect. However, you can send workouts to the Garmin Edge device to run natively or install the Xert Connect IQ Player to run Xert SMART workouts as designed. Activities are saved to Garmin Connect then synced to Xert.
Another benefit to a Garmin unit is you can dual record to support some special use cases. You may not need to do that but the Garmin can connect to sensors via ANT+ while another app connects via BLE.
Thank you so much, everyone… excellent user feedback in addition to real life reviews. Garmin sure seems like the logical choice, especially with respect to XERT integration. Garmin, for sure, and I’ll sleep on it before I decide which unit to purchase.
I have to say I have a Edge 530 but feel it’s rather small. So thinking about a 1040. (1050 price is too insane). But idk if a 840 is big enough maybe?
The 530 and 840 have the same sized LCD, so if you want a bigger screen and bigger fonts, go for the 10xx series.
I’ve moved from the 830 to the 1050 in the last few months, and whilst it’s a bit pricey, the 1050 performs magnificiently: the screen is bright and clear, and the touchscreen is flawless, even in downpours with gloves on, so there’s no need for buttons.
The Edge 840 delivers on what people want: An Edge 1040 in a smaller package. It’s got an identical feature-set to the larger-screened Edge 1040, and in fact, is arguably a more usable device, since it has the full complement of buttons the Edge 1040 lacks. The only differences between the two units are size/battery/screen. That’s it.
I’m also at the stage of making a final decision about my bike computer. I started with the G530, then I bought the Roam v2 and last season I was absolutely delighted with it. Until I discovered XERT this winter. I can’t imagine a new season without using this tool while riding outdoors (MPA, Segment Hunter, indicators that allow you to do a workout without uploading intervals). I purchased the G1040 mainly because of the ConnectIQ apps. However, I really like the concept of the HH Karoo 3 (presentation of strava, climber, routing segments). Once the SDK is available, an application (color power indicator, drink/eat alert, KI2) begins to be created. This season I’m considering riding with the G1040 mounted on the stem (typically for the Connect IQ app - Xert, Aplha HRV, Eat My Ride) and the Karoo 3 mounted on the mount (Climber, Segments, fixed map view). Do any of you drive this way? I don’t really get overwhelmed by the multitude of data, I’m a financial analyst, so I like even that;)
Wahoo has its undeniable advantages (transparency, no segment limits). He wants to sell his Roam v2 and buy a used Bolt v2 serving as a lightweight racing computer.
