Garmin Edge 840 Solar In-depth Review

Garmin’s Edge 840 Solar has a host of new features and upgrades, but Liam Cahill believes you shouldn’t buy this cycling computer.

In this video, Liam gives you his in-depth review of the latest Garmin GPS device and explains why you would be better off spending your money elsewhere.

What do you think of solar technology? Is it a big step forward or an unnecessary extra cost? Let us know what you think in the comments below 👇

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:27 New User Interface
02:51 Mapping & Navigation
04:17 Climb Pro 2.0
05:31 Climb Explore
06:00 Music Controls
06:56 The Basics
07:46 Why You Shouldn’t Buy
09:22 Outro

Garmin Edge Vs. Wahoo Elemnt | Which Is The Best Cycling Computer?

TWO New Garmin Solar GPS Computers | Tech of The Month Ep.28

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[bikeradar]

Would you pay extra for solar charging? ☀

[__marshie]

I bought the standard 840 and don’t regret it. The battery life is awesome, solar not required.

[Mamilian]

I agree that solar is strange addition to the computers, and a screen size bump, or a smaller unit size, would have been more useful. But, FWIW the US street price difference between the 840 Solar and standard is ~$20. Also, while I understand the reasons why this video has the title it does, I think it was a poor editorial decision.

[amidroc]

Solar results for worked great for me. I live in Northen California. I have only needed to put on the usb c charger a handful of times since I bought it when it came out. Ive been happy with this over my 830. The one bad thing about this is the quarter turn locking tab in the back. If you flip yours over there are two small screws. They can come loose. In my case it was mounted in my mtb mount and the tab broke. It was enough for me to curse garmin. There isn't a part number to order on the website. You have to go through product support and enter in your purchase info. They got back to me to offer a good will replacement. I just needed to answer a few questions.

[KissingTrails]

I can't understand that about solar. With a journey of approx. 2:30 hours here in Germany, on an average sunny day I easily achieve 20 minutes extra time through solar.
It depends on what you have on. I don't have Bluetogh or WLAN on, so maybe that's the reason.

[RentTrail]

loads of footage from Cascais and Colares area! great to see you riding here. Considering 830 for MTB adventures. Helpfull video! thanks a lot.

[clubstew]

I bought an 840 Solar in October and the extra cost for solar definitely isn't worth it. 2 hour ride in full sun and I got less than 2 minutes solar. Contrast that with my Instinct Solar where I typically get 8 hours solar for a 4-5 hour hike. I can trust that in full or partial sun in days-long backpacking trips. That said, touch on the 840 is very nice compared to the non-touch 540.

[Theerik]

You can almost get 3 wahoo element bolts for one 840 solar. It has the same features and a much better screen than even the 1040 solar.

[Aiden.K]

agreed! hope Garmin works on their interface and apps so they can be more usable :)

[shirtlessGraveler]

The only Garmin I have now is a forerunner base model watch. And I use my Garmin connect app on the phone. No more by computers they’re gone. I have been using my one and only computer I got during the pandemic. Leyzne Maco. No it’s not as fancy as wahoo or Garman it’s kind of based on DOS but it last a long time and there’s no problems with it. Sometimes I find fault with the app at times but, for the most part, I use it on three different bikes. And I go days before I have to charge it days and telling you because it’s LCD. It’s too bad that Leyzne, it doesn’t seem to care about coming out with anything new and it’s very difficult to buy online from them unless you go to a dealer who doesn’t have it and make it complicated. I don’t think they have much interest in computers anymore but, mine works well it does the job and boots up quickly shuts down quickly and it doesn’t freeze up or have glitches so far so good and by the way, he doesn’t fly off the quick release mount like Garmin does with a twist lock that easily can come unlocked, that’s how I lost my Garmin 510 couple years ago.

[MrFrescocotone]

What's the best navi for mtb and gravel bikes in your opinion?

[Rudyjosephjr]

got a standard 840, battery life is more than sufficient. I ride mostly at night....solar is negligible

[Boopop]

Just got a used 1040 Solar for £450. Hoping the solar functionality will help when bikepacking. A big upgrade from my 810! Question is do i use the 1040 on my commute or run the 810 in to the ground, saving the new device for weekend rides and holidays 🤔

[Sergio_Math]

My reasoning exactly. I did my research and decided that gaining a dozen or so minutes of charge wasn't really worth it since you can gain that by plugging the thing in for like 60 seconds, so I opted for non solar. Then when I entered the Garmin store, saw what the 540 non solar cost and went for that instead. Going touch screen wasn't worth the difference, specially when I live in a rainy area, where the touch screen becomes finnicky at best, so I saved a chunk of cash.

[edscoble]

Can you please caption your content preferably before you upload it so other don’t have to wait until it’s available?

[vcele]

I decided to go for a used edge 530 and except for type-C and the new sync feature, I feel like I'm not really missing out on anything.
(Paid 150€)

[Cuzzazbuzz]

Garmin. AKA Fisher Price & Nokia’s love child. Changed to Karoo2 and never looked back. A proper unit made by people who actually ride.

[getur]

So it charges when turned off or just in ‘standby’? I store my bike near a window…will it trickle charge when not in use?

[stinkybeam]

I exclusively ride at night, so, solar is completely pointless for me

[RicardMoreira]

Good job and good ride in portuguese roads ;)