ALL-NEW GARMIN EDGE 540 & 840 SOLAR – PRODUCT FEATURE

 

We recently took delivery of the all-new Edge 540 & 840 Solar GPS Cycling Computers from Garmin featuring a clever Power Glass™ solar charging screen (standard non-solar models are also available). These new head units are jam-packed with innovative features that have been developed to enhance your enjoyment, safety AND performance on the bike; so let’s take a closer look at some of the key features seen on the new Edge 540 and 840 Solar…

 

First off it’s worth noting that the only difference between the Edge 540 Solar and the Edge 840 Solar is how the unit is operated – the 540 is button only while the 840 can be operated either by touchscreen OR button; both however feature the clever solar charging screen. With more and more riders heading out on multi-day bikepacking adventures these solar charging models are every adventure rider’s dream GPS unit. You’ll get more riding time between charges with up to 32 hours of battery life in demanding use or up to 60 hours in battery saver mode; the  solar charge adds up to 25 minutes per hour in battery-saver mode.

 

One of our favourite new features is the ClimbPro Ascent Planner. With ClimbPro activated you’re able to see the remaining ascent and gradient as you climb, allowing you to better gauge your efforts as the climb opens up ahead of you. On previous versions you had to pre-plan the course you wanted ClimbPro to activate on, but the all-new Edge 540 and 840 allow you to use ClimbPro on ANY route. Simply select the ClimbPro screen and instantly gain an advantage over your fellow cyclists with the knowledge of where to dose your efforts and where to attack!

There’s a whole raft of great features on the new Edge 540 & 840 Solar GPS Cycling Computers; below we’ve highlighted some the most user-friendly functions on both units…

Garmin Power Glass™ provides solar charging, extending battery life and providing up to 32 hours of demanding use or up to 60 hours in battery-saver mode. During daytime rides, solar charging adds up to 25 minutes per hour in battery-saver mode.

 

ClimbPro is now available on every ride; it’s more user friendly with no need to pre-plan your course. With ClimbPro you’re able to see the remaining ascent and gradient as you climb allowing you to better gauge your efforts.

 

Multi-band GNSS technology provides enhanced positioning accuracy, using multiple frequency bands to allow for more consistent tracklogs and improved positioning when using the Edge 540 7 840 GPS units in challenging environments such as built-up urban areas or dense woodland for example. The Edge 840 and 540 units track more than one radio signal from each satellite on different frequencies dramatically reducing errors caused by environmental interference.

The Edge 840 & 540 GPS units use Multi-Band GNSS to track more accurately in challenging environments. 

 

Targeted Adaptive Coaching provides daily suggested workouts and training prompts on screen. When riding with a compatible power meter and heart rate monitor the Edge 840 and 540 will give personalised coaching that adapts based on your current training load, recovery, and upcoming events.

 

The Garmin Edge 540 & 840 features a Power Guide which recommends power targets throughout a chosen course, when paired with your power meter.

 

Real-time Stamina gives you on-screen information as you ride, allowing you to monitor how long you can ride at a certain effort, when paired with your power meter.

 

Cycling Ability helps you classify your strengths as a cyclist and compare your abilities to the demands your chosen course, encouraging you to focus your training and improvement in the right areas.

 

Setup has been simplified on the Garmin Edge 540 and 840 to make it quicker and easier to access all of the key information and tools you need to perform at your best.

 

Battery life (without solar charging) gives you up to 26 hours in demanding use cases and 42 hours in battery saver mode.

 

Use ride-type-specific maps that highlight the most popular roads and off-road trails so that you never miss the best routes available, allowing you to ride like a local!

 

With off-course recalculation you can pause route guidance and off-course notifications while you go off course to explore. When you’re ready to get back on track, the Edge 540 & 840 will recalculate to show you the way.

 

You can set your Garmin Edge 540 & 840 to automatically send a message with your location to emergency contacts after an on or off-road incident to get help when you need it.

 

Another useful feature included on the new Edge 540 & 840 GPS units is LiveTrack. This allows friends and family to follow your sessions in real time as well as see your entire pre-planned course. This is a really useful safety feature which also allows a group of cyclists to relocate each other if they get separated mid-ride.

 

You can also pair the new Edge 540 & 840 GPS cycling computers with Garmin’s Varia rearview radar system and smart lights allowing you to see and be seen more easily.

 

Garmin Edge 840 Solar GPS Cycling Computer £519.99

Fast Facts:

• Edge 840 GPS computer features touchscreen and button control.
• Garmin Power Glass™ provides solar charging, extending battery life and providing up to 32 hours of demanding use or up to 60 hours in battery-saver mode. During daytime rides, solar charging adds up to 25 minutes per hour in battery-saver mode.
• Battery life without solar charging gives you up to 26 hours in demanding use cases and 42 hours in battery saver mode.
• Garmin Edge setup has been simplified to make it quicker and easier to access all of the key information and tools you need to perform at your best.
• ClimbPro is now available on every ride; it’s more user friendly with no need to pre-plan your course. With ClimbPro you’re able to see the remaining ascent and gradient as you climb allowing you to better gauge your efforts.
• Multi-band GNSS technology provides enhanced positioning accuracy, using multiple frequency bands to allow for more consistent tracklogs and improved positioning when using the Edge 840 in challenging environments.
• When riding with a compatible power meter and heart rate monitor the Edge 840 will provide Targeted Adaptive Coaching, giving suggested workouts and training prompts on screen.
• Cycling Ability helps you classify your strengths as a cyclist and compare your abilities to the demands your chosen course, encouraging you to focus your training and improvement in the right areas.
• Power Guide recommends power targets throughout a chosen course, when paired with your power meter.
• Real-time Stamina gives you on-screen information as you ride, allowing you to monitor how long you can ride at a certain effort, when paired with your power meter.
• Use ride-type-specific maps that highlight popular roads and off-road trails so that you never miss the best routes available, allowing you to ride like a local.
• Pair the Edge 840 through Garmin Connect™ with Strava, Komoot, TrainingPeaks® and similar.

 

Garmin Edge 540 Solar GPS Cycling Computer £449.99

Fast Facts:

• Edge 540 GPS computer features button control.
• Garmin Power Glass™ provides solar charging, extending battery life and providing up to 32 hours of demanding use or up to 60 hours in battery-saver mode. During daytime rides, solar charging adds up to 25 minutes per hour in battery-saver mode.
• Battery life without solar charging gives you up to 26 hours in demanding use cases and 42 hours in battery saver mode.
• Garmin Edge setup has been simplified to make it quicker and easier to access all of the key information and tools you need to perform at your best.
• ClimbPro is now available on every ride; it’s more user friendly with no need to pre-plan your course. With ClimbPro you’re able to see the remaining ascent and gradient as you climb allowing you to better gauge your efforts.
• Multi-band GNSS technology provides enhanced positioning accuracy, using multiple frequency bands to allow for more consistent tracklogs and improved positioning when using the Edge 540 in challenging environments.
• When riding with a compatible power meter and heart rate monitor the Edge 840 will provide Targeted Adaptive Coaching, giving suggested workouts and training prompts on screen.
• Cycling Ability helps you classify your strengths as a cyclist and compare your abilities to the demands your chosen course, encouraging you to focus your training and improvement in the right areas.
• Power Guide recommends power targets throughout a chosen course, when paired with your power meter.
• Real-time Stamina gives you on-screen information as you ride, allowing you to monitor how long you can ride at a certain effort, when paired with your power meter.
• Use ride-type-specific maps that highlight popular roads and off-road trails so that you never miss the best routes available, allowing you to ride like a local.
• Pair the Edge 540 through Garmin Connect™ with Strava, Komoot, TrainingPeaks® and similar.

 

Garmin UK have very kindly sent us an Edge 840 Solar GPS Cycling Computer with touchscreen for the purposes of review. We’ll be testing out the Edge 840 over the coming weeks and months, riding on the grippy roads and challenging off-road terrain of the English Lake District. Look out for our field test report coming soon…

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by Garmin

 

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