Although your video is 11 months old i just got my Garmin 840 this week and stumbled across your review, appreciate your viewpoint and some tips on how to use it.i also own an epix gen 2 smart watch
Is there a field other than elapsed time which can show current ride time? I know that when a ride is uploaded to Strava it will show the difference and other bike computers will show this
I had a Garmn Edge 830 for almost two years and the lack of full button setup paired with how the UI worked annoyed me more than once in the past, I'm glad they added full button configuration with the 840. It is still a bit overkill with many functions most of the people will ever use, and they only make using the unit itself more complicated, but they are moving in the right direction with the changes on the 40-ish generation.
You are the first and only reviewer that I've seen point out that the mounting bracket is replaceable. That is huge. I previously destroyed two 530s by breaking the mounting bracket off. Garmin did provide me discounted refurbished 530 crash replacements for a reasonable price each time, but a replaceable bracket is much better option.
I have the 840 non-solar version as well which I use on my daily commute (30 miles/day) and the battery lasts an entire week. Didn't feel the need to pay an extra $100 for a gimmick.
Thanks Katie with av actually bought this Garmin just today soon after your very clear explanation. Listening to you was like music in my ears I had to the repeat this video over and over again 😂 my current one is a 530 so I already love this 840 before av even got my hands on it. Thanks you so much
Great review, would love to see a Trailforks tutorial/review. I think using Trailforks to navigate is popular use case for many (most?) mountain bikers.
I have the non-solar 840. Speed, cadence and HRM sensors. I see about the same battery drop in 4 hours as you saw with the Solar, maybe 2% more, but definitely not worth the extra $100 IMO. I'd expect the solar efficiency to degrade over time too. Maybe someone that is doing epic, multi--day, backcountry rides with no opportunity to charge would be able to eek out an extra day or two.
Earlier I tried 830, 1030 and 1040, but when it rained, the screen was effected by the rain, that was very-very annoying. I hope Garmin fixed that on the 840, but I did not took the trouble to find that out, so i bought 540. Im very satified with only touch buttons 🙂
With the 830 you could lock the display, but if you do that, good luck dismissing notifications if it's raining for example. I'm glad they added full button configuration for the 840, that surely makes things much simpler.
Thanks Clint. Nice review! How is the training status working out with the newer edge units in case you are training with a Garmin Fenix / forerunner as well? Does it work out? Syncing running workouts into the edge so it's having an idea, when you did something the day before in regards to training suggestions? Or recovery time?
Yeah, it’s very useful. No bike computer or watch will match Google maps on a smart phone. The advantage is when you are doing things like mapping a ride and then following turn by turn directions, pairing sensors like a heart rate monitor and a power meter so you can monitor those while you’re riding, planning workouts to do intervals in specific training zones, pairing a Garmin Varia to notify of cars coming up behind you, and many many more features. So yes, if you use it right, it’s extremely useful.
Since the Fenix 7 has many of the same features, do you really need the 840? Besides the size of the screen, don’t they have essentially the same functionality?
Every once a while like maybe once per ride at the most, the varia will disconnect but reconnect within a few seconds. Other than that everything has been fine.
I have 1030 Plus for my gravel bike. I find it too big for mountain biking, but that's my personal preference. I'd say if you plan to use it on a mountain bike, go for the 840. If just gravel/road, go for the 1040.
I run the Hammerhead Karoo 2, which is similar in size to the 1040. I run the (Garmin) mount over my stem for MTBing (so it doesn't snap off if I take a spill on the trail) and out in front of my handlebars on gravel (since falls on gravel are usually to the side). I prefer the larger screens, and think the 1040 would make a good choice for a GPS head unit you anticipate interacting with while riding. The smaller units are good for tracking and can navigate in a pinch, but the bigger units (historically) have been better at ad hoc routing mid-ride.
@@ClintGibbs great review as always. Would you say for mountine biker who might get a road bike in the future, to have one device is the 840 the one to go for?
+1 840 . The 1030/40 seems more vulnerable and really you still have to carry your phone anyway. There is plenty room on the 840 for turn notifications. The 1040 screen size is not as helpful as I thought it might be for trying to figure out where to go on the fly
I’m new to Garmin. 1. Will Garmin require us to pay a subscription fee to use all the features? (Ie Route planning, downloading, syncing to other apps like Strava) or are we good right out of the box. 2. I assume you can draw your own route on the computer and import it to your Edge, does the Edge then tell you the remaining distance and elevation to climb/descend? If so, could this theoretically work the same way while hiking? I know a watch would be better. Trying to decide what to get.
You do not need a subscription to use those features. It’s all included when you buy a Garmin. There are screens that will show you remaining distance. I’ve never planned a route for hiking but I believe there are ways to do that. I know for mountain biking you can plan a route, especially using apps like Trailforks.
Any thoughts on going with the Explore 2 if you don't need all the fancy training capabilities? The Explore 2 has the new UI, touchscreen, connects with most sensors and costs considerably less than the 840. Obviously it's watered down on a number of fronts and doesn't have freeride climb, but I can live without that. For me it's about basic navigation and getting basic ride metrics.
If basic navigation is all you need, the explore 2 is a great option. I have not used it but I’ve done a bit of research on it. You do miss out on things like Strava live segments, connecting to electronic drive trains, and I don’t think you get all the power data if you use a power meter. But like I said, for basic function you can’t go wrong with it.
Great review. Some other reviews have commented that the solar version screen doesn’t seem as bright as the non-solar. Thoughts? Also, where did you get the rubber bumper for the device or did it come bundled with it?
I’ve heard the same thing but haven’t really noticed it. I don’t notice it being any dimmer than my 830. Have not compared it to the non-solar 840 side-by-side. The rubber cover I ordered directly from Garmin.
@@ClintGibbs thankfully I had another cord laying around that works, I’m gonna reach out to Garmin and ask what I’m supposed to do with a double sided usb-c cord
@@grettaava1155 actually, I’m not sure I even pulled the included cable out of the box. I was assuming it was USB-A. I have tons of USB-C charging blocks laying around. Most new computers come with USB-C charging ports. Just pick one up on Amazon: amzn.to/3JNqgKE
I was so impatient for 840/540 to be released, I sold my 830 two months before that! I thought about getting 540 for the buttons - I think 'touch-only' doesn't work well. Garmin agrees, adding the buttons for 840 so it was the obvious choice. But, when reading the reviews, I was disappointed by it - no new features, same form factor, same screen, same besels but worse. No new 'wow' feature to warrant the asking price. There is nothing that my Fenix 7X doesn't do. I am 'forced' to ride with the 7X if I want all the data to be relevant. For tracking and data collecting purposes, for the smart features and data analysis after the ride - the 7x is perfect. But I can't use it for navigation nor for performance monitoring while riding. The screen is just too small. I need a device with bigger screen that can show me my current power, HR, cadence, and navigation cues that I always add to the .fit files. For these purposes I bought Wahoo Elemnt Roam v.2 and I am much happier than 830. The color LEDs and esp. the color background of the power/HR/grade fields makes it much easier to glance at my performance without having to read the numbers. About solar - I hate it! It ruins the screen of the 7x and I think the 840 will be the same. Depending on the sun's angle, the solar bezel shines brightly, stronger than the screen. But the worst part is the rusty hue of the screen itself - there is solar embedded in the screen too, and they make the screen noticably worse. Esp. comparing it to the Roam that has the perfect screen with no reflections nor weird hues
Speed Time Distance Average - Been riding for 30 years, these are the only 4 functions I "need". - I do have a Garmin Edge 130 Plus. I typically ride with just the first 3 items from above. I have a second screen that has all 4. (Sometimes I just don't want to know what my average is...lol...) I have a third screen with laps set up. (Lap time, lap distance, lap number - for things like hill repeats or intervals) I have a fourth 'for fun screen'. (With things like temp, grade, time of day, etc. - I almost never look at this screen. - I would love to have a solar Edge 130 plus, with extra battery capacity. (Mostly for my wife, as her rides run from 2 to 40+ hours...)
I'm about to switch to Garmin 840 :D The missing training status thing is negging me, since I to intensive running stuff the last 2 years... I hate my brain xD
When I bought my Edge 800 10 years ago, I had good eyesight, and the screen (the same size as 840) was good for me. Now 10 years later, I have troubles reading the screen, and need a bigger screen, but I will go for the 1030 plus, since its half the price on sale.
![ประสบการณ์ จ้าง Developer ที่ผมจะไม่มีวันลืม [ภาค2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pZbsSDRrmXA/mqdefault.jpg)
Although your video is 11 months old i just got my Garmin 840 this week and stumbled across your review, appreciate your viewpoint and some tips on how to use it.i also own an epix gen 2 smart watch
Is there a field other than elapsed time which can show current ride time? I know that when a ride is uploaded to Strava it will show the difference and other bike computers will show this
I had a Garmn Edge 830 for almost two years and the lack of full button setup paired with how the UI worked annoyed me more than once in the past, I'm glad they added full button configuration with the 840. It is still a bit overkill with many functions most of the people will ever use, and they only make using the unit itself more complicated, but they are moving in the right direction with the changes on the 40-ish generation.
You are the first and only reviewer that I've seen point out that the mounting bracket is replaceable. That is huge. I previously destroyed two 530s by breaking the mounting bracket off. Garmin did provide me discounted refurbished 530 crash replacements for a reasonable price each time, but a replaceable bracket is much better option.
agree, lets hope the replacement bracket is not like $100 :)
How do you manage to break that? 😮
Thanks for this.I picked up the 540 and just love it. Having the ability to “Touch” looks like a nice feature.
I have the 840 and it works good for me. I learned a lot from your review, thank you.
Thanks for the overview. My Karoo 2 just tooka big shit, and I now want to go back to Garmin. Looks like the 840 is the way to go!!
do you like the 840?
Great review, Clint. Been thinking about switching from Wahoo to Garmin. This review helps a ton.
I don’t need the solar feature but I really like the garmin 840 non solar
Just recently bought an 840. I bought the Non-Solar. The battery lasts a good while anyway.
I have the 840 non-solar version as well which I use on my daily commute (30 miles/day) and the battery lasts an entire week. Didn't feel the need to pay an extra $100 for a gimmick.
Good to know guys coz im a bit confused if i go for solar or not . 👍
Thanks Katie with av actually bought this Garmin just today soon after your very clear explanation. Listening to you was like music in my ears I had to the repeat this video over and over again 😂 my current one is a 530 so I already love this 840 before av even got my hands on it. Thanks you so much
Great review, would love to see a Trailforks tutorial/review. I think using Trailforks to navigate is popular use case for many (most?) mountain bikers.
th-cam.com/video/6GkwRcKXJhk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gaKlEckYGVRCvAYl
I have the non-solar 840. Speed, cadence and HRM sensors. I see about the same battery drop in 4 hours as you saw with the Solar, maybe 2% more, but definitely not worth the extra $100 IMO. I'd expect the solar efficiency to degrade over time too. Maybe someone that is doing epic, multi--day, backcountry rides with no opportunity to charge would be able to eek out an extra day or two.
Earlier I tried 830, 1030 and 1040, but when it rained, the screen was effected by the rain, that was very-very annoying. I hope Garmin fixed that on the 840, but I did not took the trouble to find that out, so i bought 540. Im very satified with only touch buttons 🙂
With the 830 you could lock the display, but if you do that, good luck dismissing notifications if it's raining for example. I'm glad they added full button configuration for the 840, that surely makes things much simpler.
anything conductive will affect the screen, so I dont think there is a easy fix for this.
Thanks for this detailed review! Very helpful.
I think its time for a bike computer. I haven't had one since the 90's Cateye days. Time for something better. I think it adds to the fun of cycling.
Thanks Clint. Nice review! How is the training status working out with the newer edge units in case you are training with a Garmin Fenix / forerunner as well?
Does it work out? Syncing running workouts into the edge so it's having an idea, when you did something the day before in regards to training suggestions? Or recovery time?
is this piece really useful? I feel that I got scammed with the Fenix watch, it is a terrbile watch for maps indications ... no one talks about that 😢
Yeah, it’s very useful. No bike computer or watch will match Google maps on a smart phone. The advantage is when you are doing things like mapping a ride and then following turn by turn directions, pairing sensors like a heart rate monitor and a power meter so you can monitor those while you’re riding, planning workouts to do intervals in specific training zones, pairing a Garmin Varia to notify of cars coming up behind you, and many many more features. So yes, if you use it right, it’s extremely useful.
Since the Fenix 7 has many of the same features, do you really need the 840? Besides the size of the screen, don’t they have essentially the same functionality?
Holy crap theres buttons on the bottom. I was about to return this dang thing to 😂
Funny I never learned how to start it because I didn’t know there was a start button I was ready to return mine too lol
Question! Are you having issues with your sensors where they keep disconnecting while you are riding? Specially with the varia rtl515 radar.
Every once a while like maybe once per ride at the most, the varia will disconnect but reconnect within a few seconds. Other than that everything has been fine.
@@ClintGibbs thanks! Appreciate your response! 👍
I'm tempted but it looks quite chunky. Thinking of going for the 1040 as they're almost the same price in the UK. Any thoughts?
I have 1030 Plus for my gravel bike. I find it too big for mountain biking, but that's my personal preference. I'd say if you plan to use it on a mountain bike, go for the 840. If just gravel/road, go for the 1040.
I run the Hammerhead Karoo 2, which is similar in size to the 1040. I run the (Garmin) mount over my stem for MTBing (so it doesn't snap off if I take a spill on the trail) and out in front of my handlebars on gravel (since falls on gravel are usually to the side).
I prefer the larger screens, and think the 1040 would make a good choice for a GPS head unit you anticipate interacting with while riding. The smaller units are good for tracking and can navigate in a pinch, but the bigger units (historically) have been better at ad hoc routing mid-ride.
@@ClintGibbs great review as always.
Would you say for mountine biker who might get a road bike in the future, to have one device is the 840 the one to go for?
@@MichalBudzik_ most definitely
+1 840 . The 1030/40 seems more vulnerable and really you still have to carry your phone anyway. There is plenty room on the 840 for turn notifications. The 1040 screen size is not as helpful as I thought it might be for trying to figure out where to go on the fly
I’m new to Garmin.
1. Will Garmin require us to pay a subscription fee to use all the features? (Ie Route planning, downloading, syncing to other apps like Strava) or are we good right out of the box.
2. I assume you can draw your own route on the computer and import it to your Edge, does the Edge then tell you the remaining distance and elevation to climb/descend?
If so, could this theoretically work the same way while hiking? I know a watch would be better. Trying to decide what to get.
You do not need a subscription to use those features. It’s all included when you buy a Garmin. There are screens that will show you remaining distance. I’ve never planned a route for hiking but I believe there are ways to do that. I know for mountain biking you can plan a route, especially using apps like Trailforks.
Any thoughts on going with the Explore 2 if you don't need all the fancy training capabilities? The Explore 2 has the new UI, touchscreen, connects with most sensors and costs considerably less than the 840. Obviously it's watered down on a number of fronts and doesn't have freeride climb, but I can live without that. For me it's about basic navigation and getting basic ride metrics.
If basic navigation is all you need, the explore 2 is a great option. I have not used it but I’ve done a bit of research on it. You do miss out on things like Strava live segments, connecting to electronic drive trains, and I don’t think you get all the power data if you use a power meter. But like I said, for basic function you can’t go wrong with it.
@@ClintGibbs Thanks for the detailed response.
Great review. Some other reviews have commented that the solar version screen doesn’t seem as bright as the non-solar. Thoughts? Also, where did you get the rubber bumper for the device or did it come bundled with it?
I’ve heard the same thing but haven’t really noticed it. I don’t notice it being any dimmer than my 830. Have not compared it to the non-solar 840 side-by-side. The rubber cover I ordered directly from Garmin.
great review thank you!
I have a coospo.. 70 bucks. Works fantastic
Quick question, stamine funtion is available? Thanks!
Stamina is indeed available if you like that function.
I just got one, how do I charge it with the cord? It doesn’t fit any usb block I own
Should just be a standard USB-A for the charge side. You can use a computer USB-A port.
@@ClintGibbs nope, mine came with a usb-c on both ends!🤯
@@ClintGibbs thankfully I had another cord laying around that works, I’m gonna reach out to Garmin and ask what I’m supposed to do with a double sided usb-c cord
@@grettaava1155 actually, I’m not sure I even pulled the included cable out of the box. I was assuming it was USB-A. I have tons of USB-C charging blocks laying around. Most new computers come with USB-C charging ports. Just pick one up on Amazon: amzn.to/3JNqgKE
I was so impatient for 840/540 to be released, I sold my 830 two months before that! I thought about getting 540 for the buttons - I think 'touch-only' doesn't work well. Garmin agrees, adding the buttons for 840 so it was the obvious choice. But, when reading the reviews, I was disappointed by it - no new features, same form factor, same screen, same besels but worse. No new 'wow' feature to warrant the asking price. There is nothing that my Fenix 7X doesn't do. I am 'forced' to ride with the 7X if I want all the data to be relevant. For tracking and data collecting purposes, for the smart features and data analysis after the ride - the 7x is perfect. But I can't use it for navigation nor for performance monitoring while riding. The screen is just too small. I need a device with bigger screen that can show me my current power, HR, cadence, and navigation cues that I always add to the .fit files. For these purposes I bought Wahoo Elemnt Roam v.2 and I am much happier than 830. The color LEDs and esp. the color background of the power/HR/grade fields makes it much easier to glance at my performance without having to read the numbers.
About solar - I hate it! It ruins the screen of the 7x and I think the 840 will be the same. Depending on the sun's angle, the solar bezel shines brightly, stronger than the screen. But the worst part is the rusty hue of the screen itself - there is solar embedded in the screen too, and they make the screen noticably worse. Esp. comparing it to the Roam that has the perfect screen with no reflections nor weird hues
Speed
Time
Distance
Average
-
Been riding for 30 years, these are the only 4 functions I "need".
-
I do have a Garmin Edge 130 Plus. I typically ride with just the first 3 items from above.
I have a second screen that has all 4. (Sometimes I just don't want to know what my average is...lol...)
I have a third screen with laps set up. (Lap time, lap distance, lap number - for things like hill repeats or intervals)
I have a fourth 'for fun screen'. (With things like temp, grade, time of day, etc. - I almost never look at this screen.
-
I would love to have a solar Edge 130 plus, with extra battery capacity. (Mostly for my wife, as her rides run from 2 to 40+ hours...)
Garmin 840 vs Hammerhead Karoo 2
I'm about to switch to Garmin 840 :D The missing training status thing is negging me, since I to intensive running stuff the last 2 years... I hate my brain xD
Garmin 840 vs 1040
Size is really the main difference. From what I understand the software is the same.
When I bought my Edge 800 10 years ago, I had good eyesight, and the screen (the same size as 840) was good for me. Now 10 years later, I have troubles reading the screen, and need a bigger screen, but I will go for the 1030 plus, since its half the price on sale.
@@AndrewTSq If I may ask, what's your reading glasses number?
@@martingagnon4372 +1.5 / +2. But I bought the 1030+, and the screen is readable for me so I am happy :)
Ridiculously overpriced Garmin 840 gps. What a joke.