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Garmin 520 vs 820??

I'm in the market for a new bike Garmin.  I like to explore new routes and my old Garmin just isn't cutting it anymore.  That was most obvious on a recent 35 miler from Andrews AFB to Annapolis on a completely strange route with a lot of turns.  I had to keep stopping and checking my phone because sometimes the roads weren't what I thought I had mapped out, or I missed a turn or something. I'll be doing some touring next year, so this is even more important.  My current method is map my route, write it on a sticky, and tape to my top tube.  I'd like a Garmin that I can either plan directly on, or send a route to, ideally from GoogleMaps or Easy Route. I'd like it to be able to correct me if I mess up, but at least be able to show me where I currently am so OI can find my way to where I want to be.  Needs to be water proof, of course.  Able to clamp onto the traditional Garmin thing at the end of my Torpedo.  Able to upload by wifi when I get home or finish on the trainer like my 920XT does.  I don't have a smart trainer and don't see one in my near future, but compatible would be good if I decide to get one in the future.

From what I can read, all this is leading me to the Garmin 820.  I like cheaper better than more expensive, but hubs is doing a lot of overtime and is basically saying yes to everything I ask for lately, so I want to ask for what I want for Christmas.  So.... which one do I ask for?  Thanks!

Comments

  • I don't use the maps feature of my 820 so can't comment on that yet but I despise the touch screen.  YMMV. 
  • @Leslie Knight
    Have you looked at the garmin 1000?  it can connect to radar and I LOVE the maps on it.  I upload routes all the time to it and love it.  Previously had the 800 and upgraded for the radar to the 1000.  It fits on my mount but it is a bit of a tight fit.  
  • @AnnSloan, isn’t the 1000 pretty big?
    @Satish Punna , why do you despise the tough screen?
  • edited December 10, 2017 12:02PM
    depends what you want it for. I would read the reviews at www.dcrainmaker.com

    if you want a device to give you biking stats, the 520 is the standard. That said mine got ran over by a car in October and I got the Wahoo Elmnt Bolt. Cool unit, better for mapping than the 520 since you have to follow a hack to get good maps on the 520 (820 is better on that)
    the big difference is that set up on the garmins requires going through lots of menus on the device, set up on the wahoo happens on your companion phone app. It comes preloaded with maps of the world.
    not sure if I love the Wahoo screen, but it was growing on me, I don't use it on the drainer. 

    btw, DCRainmaker has a head to head article of the G520 vs Wahoo

    hope that helps, 
  • @Leslie Knight the touch screen is not very responsive when you want it to be and too responsive when you don’t want it to be.  I prefer the buttons of my old edge 500.  
  • I had some decision, I like to get Garmin 820 too, after I read some review (touch screen on rain…) I got Yahoo Bolt, I’m not sure if it was good decision (It's different), build in map and I like the way I can configure It from my phone. Like @ScottDinhofer suggest check in  -

    https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/07/garmin-edge-820.html

    https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/07/best-bike-gps-2017-garmin-wahoo.html

      B) 

    Doron

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