Garmin Edge 850 & 550 Review: New LCD Displays, Features, and Differences

New Garmin Edge Models Unveiled

• 🚀 The Garmin Edge 850 and 550 bike computers are introduced, largely mirroring the features of the 1050 in smaller form factors.
• 💡 Key upgrades include bright LCD displays, a new user interface, and specialized profiles like downhill and enduro.
• 💰 Pricing starts at $499 for the 550 and $599 for the 850, representing an increase from previous generations.

Display and Battery Life Comparison

• ✨ Both models feature a 2.7-inch transmissive LCD display, offering more pixels and vibrant colors compared to the previous memory-in-pixel screens.
• 🔋 However, this display consumes more power, resulting in 12-36 hours of battery life in various modes, a decrease from the 26-48 hours of the previous generation.
• 📊 Real-world usage with auto-brightness yields around 10-12 hours, while manual 30% brightness extends it to 16-18 hours, comparable to competitors like Wahoo.

Design and User Interface

• 📐 The design is more squared off and slightly larger/thicker than previous models, with the weight increase attributed to a larger battery.
• 🎨 Externally, the 850 has a glossy side panel and metallic buttons, while the 550 features a matte gray finish.
• ⚡ Both devices boast a faster processor, leading to a significantly more responsive interface and smoother map rendering, especially noticeable with panning.

Touchscreen vs. Button Interface

• 👆 The Edge 850 includes a touchscreen and buttons, offering flexibility, while the 550 relies solely on a seven-button interface.
• 🔊 The 850 also features a built-in speaker for enhanced audio alerts and a digital bell function, which is absent on the 550.
• 💳 The 850 additionally supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments and offers double the onboard storage (64GB vs. 32GB) for maps.

Advanced Features and Connectivity

• 🛰️ Both models feature multiband GNSS for accurate tracking, with a new 5 Hz recording mode for descents in downhill and enduro profiles to capture cleaner tracks.
• 🗺️ Enhanced trail fork features provide more detailed trail information and post-ride breakdowns, alongside offline topo maps with improved detail.
• 📈 Garmin's ClimbPro and new timing gates features are included, along with real-time gear display and post-ride summaries for electronic shifting systems.
• 💧 New smart fueling plans offer custom recommendations, and the power guide adapts to physiological stats and altitude acclimation.