Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt Vs Garmin Edge 520 review - which is better and what should you buy?

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[toddmeerdink]

I like how definitive you are. Too many wishy-washy reviews comparing the two. Having a strong opinion sets your review apart from the rest. Good job!

[nlomman]

0600hrs: watched this video
0800hrs - 1600hrs: work
1630hrs: walked into Bicycle Express and bought Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt

Thank you.

[bugwan]

"Yay, I turned the beeps off" - every Garmin owner, ever.

[theautumnalcyclist]

Just bought a wahoo as my first computer, thank you for the help Sir

[trick]

I should add that if you're happy with your Garmin, stick with it - don't necessarily go out to replace with Wahoo. However, if buying from scratch then give serious consideration to Wahoo Elemnt Bolt - you will not be disappointed with ease of use and functionality.

[trick]

Have been using Wahoo Elemnt Bolt for 3000km now and really, no issues and confirm what is said here. Previously I had Garmin Edge 1000...poor battery life, locked screens and lost data were regular issues, and set up was hassle. It did have colour screen but this is not missed in practice. Elemnt Bolt is very easy to manage via Smart phone. I have nothing against Garmin, just think they have to rethink their product to catch up Wahoo.

[jonchapman]

I had a wahoo elemnt bolt.. it was amazing until it wouldn't turn on and wouldn't charge 15 months later. Amazing head unit but build quality is not as good as Garmin. The rubber cover over the buttons also peeled off. My 11 year old edge 705 still works fine.

[OldGeekVibes]

Bolt has a huge downside which was not mentioned. If you're using it for navigation (I assume that's the only reason to have such an expensive unit with GPS navigation), and you missed the turn, Bolt just don't care and tells you to get back to the route. I personally find it incredibly annoying, especially in the forest or on mountain trails. Meanwhile, Garmin just warn you that you off the trail, and then reroute quickly, so you can conveniently continue your ride. This is such a HUGE thing for a bike navigator, I can't believe it was just omitted. For me personally it was a no-go for using Bolt, which was exchanged for Edge Explore (which just does it's routing job well).

[bikegeek]

I just switched to a Garmin 530 and after 2 weeks, back to a Bolt. I wish I would’ve seen your video first. I hadn’t seen anybody in any review talk about the advantage of the Bolt’s Strava Live Segments. Spot on!
In addition to being able to switch segments “on the fly”, the Bolt allows you to see your segment’s elapsed time. The 530 only gives you ahead or behind times. That is dependent on your GPS accuracy.

[MrBobswire]

Thank you, best video comparison of Wahoo vs. Garmin bar none. Not that it helped me since I sold my Garmin a year ago and just purchased a Wahoo Bolt before seeing this video but your video more than adequately covers the frustration I've had with various Garmin computers and trying to figure them out. The Wahoo app to the phone simplifies everything.

[eskimounltd]

I agree, they revolutionised the computer, but seems they've just rested on their laurels for some time, with no regard for user-friendliness. I got to play around with my friends new Bolt the other week and I was blown away, its just so much more intuitive! I hear Giants new unit is also quite good too!

[thelocalzone]

Thanks for a great review especially regarding the mount.

[jbratt]

Loved my Wahoo bolt until I did the last update, now my SRM wattage is very spotty on the readout. It still downloads correctly with accurate numbers. I wish I could go back to what I had. Wahoo when contacted was no help. Works fine with my other bike with a pioneer power meter.

[willcole]

Sigma sports sells inserts so you can use the bolt with garmin mounts

[ricric]

Like many, believe or not, I've never had an issue with my 520. Funny the comparison on the 'easy' to read display. You have the Garmin with many more stats on the screen than the Bolt and they still look the same. You can obviously change the 520 screen down to the 4-5 that you had on the Bolt. The maps look nicer on the Garmin and as reviewed elsewhere easier to discern. I'm sure that's where some of the power loss goes. That being said the battery life is not great and the menus do take time. I've got over 6hrs on it at times with only the basic features on. Not ready to spend another $250 yet, but would look at the Bolt.

[keen]

I think the garmins big pull is what it can connect to. Wahoo can’t automatically turn off or on lights or connect to a radar system. For those reasons I stay with garmin

[santiago]

I have the bolt and a Garmin edge 810. I think the bolt is better in all respects other than navigation. It's simply easier to read the multicolour display.

[armando]

You didn't compare the most important features: GPS and sensors accuracy. That is the point of both devices, GPS tracking, not easy to use interface lol. They are not smart phones, they are GPS trackers with sensors smh 🤦‍♂️

[co]

Straight-up review. liked, subbed and commented to show my appreciation! Thanks

[fespo]

You can also change Strava live segments "on the fly" on the Garmin 820. Just scroll through them as you go.