Agree completely! Garmin is the way when it comes to sports and outdoor activities. I've got a 1040 Edge head unit, Fenix watch , Rally XC200 Power Meter Pedals, Speed Sensor, HRM and Tacx Neo 2T Smart Trainer and all work great and provide amazing information and data while riding, running, hiking, etc.
Features I use are the gear tracking, for mileage and maintenance, I also have 840 paired w/ AXS so I can look back at gears used to make tweaks to gearing. It also syncs with almost every service out there, strava, trailforks, ride w gps, komoot, and has apps you can download to provide weather updates.
I agree about the need for a speed sensor. Earlier this year the speed-sensor battery ran out and I kept wondering why my speed seemed inaccurate at a lot of times. As you said , GPS is not reliable enough to calculate your speed.
Good Review Clint. For Moutain bking, I think that Apple has a long way to go to equal the features and functionality of the Garmin eco-system. For example, I use Trailforks (planning) and Climb-Pro when riding and it is valuable information. Trail Mapping, etc is so much better. (And the Garmin back woods battery life remains outstanding).
I had the wahoo bolt version 1 and the mileage and accuracy got awful while mounting biking and ok on cycling but I’ve got the fenix 7x garmin heart rate strap and I just purchased the garmin 840
I have recently switched from the Polar system to Garmin (Forerunner 965, 840, Varia head and tail lights, HR monitor) I still use the Polar app with the Garmin products but eventually I will rely more and more on Garmin connect as I get used to its features and layout.
great video. One comment on using your phone with Varia and RWGPS saving battery. I navigate with GPS routes stored on my (Offline) Library, use Varia, and listen to music, switch to Airplane mode, and toggle grayscale On. And, paired with my Boneless headphones, I listen for audio directions, Radar Cues and music all on my rides. I can ride for 6 hours and still have 70% battery on my phone. Because I’m navigating from a stored, off line file, I never lose location, with far less battery usage. If for some reason I needed cell service, I’d switch off airplane mode.
Garmin Connect vs Trek Central vs AllTrails - Used and compared these 3 apps over the last 3 months in the mountains of NM, AZ, CO. I'm 65 and retired. Rode my (super light) eMTB every single day and used at least one app per ride. Clear winner: Garmin Connect (and its underlying source Garmin Instinct Watch). Most useful features for me: Heart Rate Zones and Intensity Minutes. Can you burn 4000+ calories (activity + rest) per day on an eMTB? Yes😅 Can you do 30+ mins Z5/Z4 on an eMTB? Yes🤪 Can you reach 1500 Intensity mins per week? Yes🙃
I love Garmin and the integration. I have same setup but also use the UT800 front light. I also will connect the varia to my vivoactive and varia app if I am using headphones {Oladance)
Have you ever tried a Wahoo bike computer with the Garmin Watch? I had a chance to upgrade from my old Bolt but decided on the new Bolt after much Garmin vs Wahoo research. I do also have a Garmin power meter and am looking into getting a Garmin Watch to pair with it as well as have a more reliable wrist heart rate monitor with their new Elevate 5 heart rate sensor in the newer watches, also want a HRM for my cycling rides.
The wahoo won't provide the custom fields that the Garmin watch uses to calculate training status, body battery, etc. That's why I switched to a 840 from wahoo.
@@auricschiller : Right, but you only really need that on the watch right? Based off what I know it didn't seem like there would be any major missing features mixing up the eco system that way but allows me to use the bike computer I want.
@@tranquill80 if you don't care about the metrics that the bike computer influences on the watch, then you can use whatever computer you want. You can't easily get files from a wahoo onto Garmin Connect either, and if you could they wouldn't change the metrics anyway. Activities done on the watch will also influence the metrics shown on the Edge, but Wahoo doesn't have any of that at all on their devices.
I love Garmin and use most of their products but they aren't without bugs... There is currently a super annoying bug with the Varia firmware that causes a decent percentage of units to throw random sensor errors. About every other ride my Varia will start beeping with errors and restart a few times. Garmin said this is a known issue and an update is coming... eventually
Hey Clint-great videos! Quick ? Would the Garmin Varia radar unit work xc mt. biking? Occasionally someone comes up in stealth mode from behind. Thanks!
Can you tell me how to resset VO2 on my Garmin Fenix 7 Solar Saphire... it calculates from running activity, but I never run. I use only cycling - bike rides for it... but it stuck.... Restarted, reset, updates and etc...
Clint, I have a Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar that I use for everything. I also use my HRM pro for all of my riding and running. I have a speed and cadence sensor on my bike. Can you give me a no bs reason why an Edge Bike computer would be a good addition? I've never used one and I'm not opposed, just wondering what else it can do for me. I ride my MTB and grave bikes, no road bike anymore. Thanks.
It really comes down to how much you monitor the computer while you ride. If you map rides and then follow them, especially for road or gravel, then it will be very beneficial. Also if you plan workouts and watch your power or heart rate zone on the screen, that’s also very helpful on the larger device. Finally, you can just put more data on the screen. I found on the Watch three fields is about enough. But if you wanted things like speed, distance, heart rate, power, time of day, temperature, average speed… You could have all those on one screen.
@@ClintGibbs You talked me into one. LOL! I got an Edge 530, planned a few MTB routes and there was absolutely zero cell phone signal but the Edge 530 was tracking perfectly. There is a definite difference between the tracking though. My Fenix Watch is synced to my speed and cadence sensors, but not the Edge. There is a 1.2 mile difference. Thanks again for the info, it really did help!
I love the Garmin ecosystem. My only complaint is that their app and GPS device software is not super intuitive. Often I have to dig for a setting or search Google to find instructions on how to accomplish what I’m trying to do. Well written software shouldn’t require that. With that said I overlook that fault because all the other benefits are so good.
Do you use a Garmin trainer or a differenr brand? Looking at trainers now and the Waho Kickr Core is the one I am leaning toward but not sure if there is an advantage to stay in the Garmin ecosystem for the trainer. I currently use a Forerunner 955 watch and Edge 530 computer and like both.
I use a Wahoo Kickr. I don’t really do much with Garmin devices for that, other than win the ride finishes in Zwift it uploads to my Garmin connect app.
I’m looking for a dedicated heart rate monitor but the Garmin has pretty terrible reviews. Has it worked well for you or do you use an alternative brand?
I’ve been using the Garman chest strap for years with little to no issues. I use a Wahoo Bluetooth Chester app for Zwift since my current Garmin one is older and it’s only ANT+ (newer ones are both).
I don’t use a Cadence Center because I pretty much know what my cadence is. My Garmin shows cadence when I’m on my gravel bike because that’s where the power meter pedals are right now.
Its wild how much better garmin is than apple. They must have incredible engineering and software guys. The apple stuff is very micky mouse IMO and its like a trillion dollar company. Just wish garmin would thin out there watch line.
@@David-rb3tkI have the wahoo element, it’s simpler but less features but the computer design is really beautiful and easier to read, and supposedly little less buggey
Varia paired with Garmin head unit is literally the best thing since sliced bread!
Crazy, in a garmin fan boy and I never heard of Varia.
Agree completely! Garmin is the way when it comes to sports and outdoor activities. I've got a 1040 Edge head unit, Fenix watch , Rally XC200 Power Meter Pedals, Speed Sensor, HRM and Tacx Neo 2T Smart Trainer and all work great and provide amazing information and data while riding, running, hiking, etc.
Features I use are the gear tracking, for mileage and maintenance, I also have 840 paired w/ AXS so I can look back at gears used to make tweaks to gearing. It also syncs with almost every service out there, strava, trailforks, ride w gps, komoot, and has apps you can download to provide weather updates.
I agree about the need for a speed sensor. Earlier this year the speed-sensor battery ran out and I kept wondering why my speed seemed inaccurate at a lot of times. As you said , GPS is not reliable enough to calculate your speed.
Good Review Clint. For Moutain bking, I think that Apple has a long way to go to equal the features and functionality of the Garmin eco-system. For example, I use Trailforks (planning) and Climb-Pro when riding and it is valuable information. Trail Mapping, etc is so much better. (And the Garmin back woods battery life remains outstanding).
I had the wahoo bolt version 1 and the mileage and accuracy got awful while mounting biking and ok on cycling but I’ve got the fenix 7x garmin heart rate strap and I just purchased the garmin 840
I had great customer service for my Garmin watch. That's a factor in my decision to stay with Garmin for a recent upgrade/replacement.
I have recently switched from the Polar system to Garmin (Forerunner 965, 840, Varia head and tail lights, HR monitor) I still use the Polar app with the Garmin products but eventually I will rely more and more on Garmin connect as I get used to its features and layout.
great video. One comment on using your phone with Varia and RWGPS saving battery.
I navigate with GPS routes stored on my (Offline) Library, use Varia, and listen to music, switch to Airplane mode, and toggle grayscale On. And, paired with my Boneless headphones, I listen for audio directions, Radar Cues and music all on my rides.
I can ride for 6 hours and still have 70% battery on my phone.
Because I’m navigating from a stored, off line file, I never lose location, with far less battery usage.
If for some reason I needed cell service, I’d switch off airplane mode.
Garmin Connect vs Trek Central vs AllTrails - Used and compared these 3 apps over the last 3 months in the mountains of NM, AZ, CO. I'm 65 and retired. Rode my (super light) eMTB every single day and used at least one app per ride. Clear winner: Garmin Connect (and its underlying source Garmin Instinct Watch). Most useful features for me: Heart Rate Zones and Intensity Minutes. Can you burn 4000+ calories (activity + rest) per day on an eMTB? Yes😅 Can you do 30+ mins Z5/Z4 on an eMTB? Yes🤪 Can you reach 1500 Intensity mins per week? Yes🙃
So far the 840 has been excellent
I love Garmin and the integration. I have same setup but also use the UT800 front light. I also will connect the varia to my vivoactive and varia app if I am using headphones {Oladance)
I really like the wahoo Element, for it's simplicity and the device design/button lay out. Though if i were a data guy, maybe i would get garmin..
Garmin Epix pro heart rate sensor is really accurate now. I use my iPhone 14 Pro Max and out door active as a bike computer
Check out the Garmin HRM Pro+, it's the best!
Have you ever tried a Wahoo bike computer with the Garmin Watch? I had a chance to upgrade from my old Bolt but decided on the new Bolt after much Garmin vs Wahoo research. I do also have a Garmin power meter and am looking into getting a Garmin Watch to pair with it as well as have a more reliable wrist heart rate monitor with their new Elevate 5 heart rate sensor in the newer watches, also want a HRM for my cycling rides.
I only have a garmin watch and a cheapo head unit that shows my power, cadence and heart rate from a heart rate strap.
The wahoo won't provide the custom fields that the Garmin watch uses to calculate training status, body battery, etc. That's why I switched to a 840 from wahoo.
@@auricschiller : Right, but you only really need that on the watch right? Based off what I know it didn't seem like there would be any major missing features mixing up the eco system that way but allows me to use the bike computer I want.
@@tranquill80 if you don't care about the metrics that the bike computer influences on the watch, then you can use whatever computer you want. You can't easily get files from a wahoo onto Garmin Connect either, and if you could they wouldn't change the metrics anyway. Activities done on the watch will also influence the metrics shown on the Edge, but Wahoo doesn't have any of that at all on their devices.
I’ve used my Garmin watch as a HR monitor paired to a wahoo (or wahoo watch paired to Garmin or any other combination thereof). Works just fine.
I love Garmin and use most of their products but they aren't without bugs... There is currently a super annoying bug with the Varia firmware that causes a decent percentage of units to throw random sensor errors. About every other ride my Varia will start beeping with errors and restart a few times. Garmin said this is a known issue and an update is coming... eventually
Hey Clint-great videos! Quick ? Would the Garmin Varia radar unit work xc mt. biking? Occasionally someone comes up in stealth mode from behind. Thanks!
Yes, it works when riders come up behind you.
Can you tell me how to resset VO2 on my Garmin Fenix 7 Solar Saphire... it calculates from running activity, but I never run. I use only cycling - bike rides for it... but it stuck.... Restarted, reset, updates and etc...
Clint, I have a Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar that I use for everything. I also use my HRM pro for all of my riding and running. I have a speed and cadence sensor on my bike. Can you give me a no bs reason why an Edge Bike computer would be a good addition? I've never used one and I'm not opposed, just wondering what else it can do for me. I ride my MTB and grave bikes, no road bike anymore. Thanks.
It really comes down to how much you monitor the computer while you ride. If you map rides and then follow them, especially for road or gravel, then it will be very beneficial. Also if you plan workouts and watch your power or heart rate zone on the screen, that’s also very helpful on the larger device. Finally, you can just put more data on the screen. I found on the Watch three fields is about enough. But if you wanted things like speed, distance, heart rate, power, time of day, temperature, average speed… You could have all those on one screen.
@@ClintGibbs thanks Clint!
@@ClintGibbs You talked me into one. LOL! I got an Edge 530, planned a few MTB routes and there was absolutely zero cell phone signal but the Edge 530 was tracking perfectly. There is a definite difference between the tracking though. My Fenix Watch is synced to my speed and cadence sensors, but not the Edge. There is a 1.2 mile difference. Thanks again for the info, it really did help!
I love the Garmin ecosystem. My only complaint is that their app and GPS device software is not super intuitive. Often I have to dig for a setting or search Google to find instructions on how to accomplish what I’m trying to do. Well written software shouldn’t require that.
With that said I overlook that fault because all the other benefits are so good.
there scale is awsome if you care about your weight
Do you use a Garmin trainer or a differenr brand? Looking at trainers now and the Waho Kickr Core is the one I am leaning toward but not sure if there is an advantage to stay in the Garmin ecosystem for the trainer. I currently use a Forerunner 955 watch and Edge 530 computer and like both.
I use a Wahoo Kickr. I don’t really do much with Garmin devices for that, other than win the ride finishes in Zwift it uploads to my Garmin connect app.
I’m looking for a dedicated heart rate monitor but the Garmin has pretty terrible reviews. Has it worked well for you or do you use an alternative brand?
I’ve been using the Garman chest strap for years with little to no issues. I use a Wahoo Bluetooth Chester app for Zwift since my current Garmin one is older and it’s only ANT+ (newer ones are both).
Do you use a cadence sensor on your mountain bike if so how important is it to use
I don’t use a Cadence Center because I pretty much know what my cadence is. My Garmin shows cadence when I’m on my gravel bike because that’s where the power meter pedals are right now.
Apple only has “outdoor cycle”. Even though it knows you’re off-road going up a trail, it gives you credit for a road workout. Maddening.
Awesome
Its wild how much better garmin is than apple. They must have incredible engineering and software guys.
The apple stuff is very micky mouse IMO and its like a trillion dollar company.
Just wish garmin would thin out there watch line.
Garmin suffers from so many bugs - good features but unreliable and buggy software.
Have to agree. 1030 bike computer is cluncky, unreliable and has poor battery life.
@@David-rb3tkI have the wahoo element, it’s simpler but less features but the computer design is really beautiful and easier to read, and supposedly little less buggey