Garmin 1030 Vs. Wahoo ELEMNT - Which Is Best For Navigating Long Rides?

What's the best bike computer for navigating a long ride on unfamiliar roads, and do any of them live up to their battery-life claims? Ben Delaney took two of the big-boys out for a spin from San Francisco to Monterey, for science.

[bradleydallman]

I tried the Wahoo, but returned it for the Edge. The screen is easier to read, and the touchscreen works great! Plus the edge remote makes it easy to change screens without moving your hands. The Gramin realy shines when going for a ride in a brand new area without a route. I didn't have to stop to check my phone for maps, rather I could just keep riding and navigate right on the unit. It's more expensive, but if you are in a lot of new areas it's worth it

[harrylook]

If I had a nickel for every Strava ride I've seen with a title like, "Garmin died" or "Garmin didn't record my ride, " I'd have...several dollars. I've had the Elemnt Bolt for a year and it has never screwed up anything, never died, absolutely flawless. And half the price of the Garmin.

[aixPenta]

Wahoo Elemnt: 300€
Garmin 1030: 510€

I don't think 210€ extra for colors is worth it. You can get so much more for 210€: kits, new components... I'd rather have a second kit than colors on a map that I'll use 3 or 4 times a year.

[garethstephens]

Great review in common language without labouring over specs, etc, many thanks.

[mramazingtroy]

Or option C. Use two Wahoo ELEMNT's. Had a friend use this method for the transcontinental race. Whilst one is being used the other is being charged.

[a.garcia]

I have used both. The Garmin gives you so many more features. Like the one where the screen freezes up and the head unit squeals relentlessly until you power it off then reboot to find that the file for the six hour ride you’ve just completed has been corrupted and rendered unusable. I kept the Elemnt.

[seenstee]

Wahoo ftw. Wahoo does support turn-by-turn guidance if you know how to use it properly. Ever since I switched over from Garmin I haven't had an issue. Visibility and battery life with wahoo are the best bar none.

[Morpheus]

So I missed the bit where you recommend one over the other for any reason...

[ljayp]

LOL an unbiased although incomplete review and the comments are filled with people that will defend to the death their purchase. It's just a product people, if it contributes to your self worth then you have issues.

[MrJgibo]

I upgraded from my Edge 520 to the 1030. Was really enjoying it till it popped out of the mount on the Fabric Lumaray light. Have to give it props to still working with a big crack on the screen as I was riding in a down pour for 35 miles. It is costing me $155 to get my 1030 repaired. They also mentioned warranty is void if not in a Garmin mount. I sent an email to Fabric to let them know they need to improve their design. The adapter broke out of the top of the light when my Garmin went crashing,

[jdb]

I've used both. Sticking with Wahoo. What you get with either is similar. Where the Wahoo wins for me is ease of use. You never have to plug into a computer and don't have to configure screens on the unit itself. You configure the screen(s) on the Wahoo unit from app on your phone. Magically syncs. Zooming in out on the Wahoo is also very easy.

[rantingwrench]

The best one is the one which doesn't shit the bed mid-ride. My ELEMNT has crashed literally once or twice in about 3 years. My old Edge 810 regularly crashed once or twice PER RIDE. What's more, Wahoo stand behind their products and actively fix bugs with each firmware update. Garmin seem content with adding features nobody asks for, without fixing any of the problems each time - by the end of the product's update cycle, the compound effect of all of the unfixed bugs is absolutely crippling. I don't think I'll ever buy another Garmin product.

[edwardcdelk]

Thanks for the video (and great “vest doping” btw)! Not adjusting the screen brightness settings on the Garmin was a major error on a 130 mile ride. Screen brightness is a significant factor in battery life on any device. Two other tips to improve battery life on the Garmin: (1) don’t connect to your phone (just check it at rest stops) and (2) don’t connect a separate speed sensor (use the GPS which is on anyway). I’ve also found that using TCX course files produce a tiny fraction of the “off course” errors that I used to get when using GPX courses. That’s an easy option to select on Ride With GPS.

[satiic]

there are a couple of tips to save battery on the wahoo. Disable Wifi, backlight and the LEDs of it

[hawgietonight]

Looks like a no-brainer. Elemnt is cheaper, no stupid touchscreen, better battery life, and from what I've heard, has much better factory support with constant upgrades. I'll just leave here that Garmin refuses to release current USB drivers for the EDGE305 on modern OS. Although none of them have a serviceable battery, that means it's going to the landfill/recycling plant in 4-5 years... so knowing it's going to be toast in no time I prefer not to shell out too much. Probably next one is Elemnt bolt. I really don't need casual navigation, only follow preloaded tracks.

[aperezy]

Thanks for the video. Wha so you mean in 3:41 min about saving battery in navigation or GPS mode? thanks

[superdx]

Wahoo because you can actually set new destinations on the phone just by typing in a name on your phone and pressing go. That's it. Garmin cannot do that on their mobile app. So if you need to detour or change where you're going, you are screwed if you didn't prepare multiple GPX in advance.

That said, Wahoo does have its quirks. Sometimes it reports your position incorrect on the map and constantly tells you are off course. A reboot fixes it, but it does take several minutes to recover from an off state.

[kidsafe]

But did you get artichoke bread at the market in Pescadero?

[cyclingchantal]

Previously used an Edge 810. Switched to ELEMNT. Never want to switch back. Battery life is better with backlight off and turn off LiveTrack in the companion app.

[yas]

Bought a Garmin and sent it back after a few weeks. Kept crashing, software sucked, menu was confusing, etc..
Got a Wahoo Bolt and love it. For me, they only compare on a feature list level.