Test The Garmin Edge 850: the screen we were waiting for, the revolution we didn't get

The bike computer market has never been so aggressive. Wahoo, Hammerhead, and others have clearly decided to compete directly with Garmin, which is responding with a new generation of devices. The Edge 850 is positioned as the high-end compact model, more modern, brighter, and smarter. On paper, everything seems to be in place to make it the new standard. On the routeThe assessment is more nuanced.

By David Polveroni – Photos: DR

I used the Garmin Edge 850 for about forty days, covering a little over 3000 kilometers and a lot of elevation gain, around 60,000 meters.This gives an idea of ​​what was imposed on him. All of this in parallel, alternating with a Wahoo Roam 3, a Wahoo Bolt 2 and a Edge 540 SolarIn other words, it was put up against the best that the competition has to offer… and even against Garmin.

=> Buy the Garmin Edge 850 cycling computer/GPS

First impressions: a Garmin perfectly in tune with the times

Visually, The Edge 850 is slightly larger than the previous generationIt's noticeable once it's mounted on the handlebars, but it's still reasonable: it's not like we're on the "tablet" that is the...Edge 1050, but you can still feel that Garmin is gently pushing the bar upwards in both size and weight with its 112 g, almost double the original model, an Edge 500 (58 g).

In hand, it delivers what Garmin knows how to do best: A solid case, clean construction, and above all, ergonomics that combine a touchscreen and physical buttonsIt's a real plus in everyday life. You can do everything via touchscreen while stopped, in the garage, or when preparing for a trip. Once on the routeEspecially with thick gloves, or as soon as there's a slight vibration, you naturally switch to the buttons. The day you need to change your screen at the top of a windswept mountain pass, you're glad you don't have to rely on a simple swipe on a wet screen.

The downside of the compact format is that as soon as the route it gets bad, the screen looks smallNavigating menus or zooming on the map when it's shaky is not ideal: the slightest unwanted wrist movement complicates the gestures, whereas it's easier on a large screen like the one on the 1050.

On the interface side, Garmin has modernized its design. It's richer, visually more modern, and more fluid.However, for someone coming from a Wahoo device, the contrast is striking: with Wahoo, everything is extremely simple and streamlined; with Garmin, there are more options, but also more menus, more submenus, and a bit of a learning curve. Once you've taken the time to configure it, though, the Edge 850 becomes quite user-friendly.

A screen that makes you want to drive

Where the Edge 850 truly shines from the very first kilometers is on its screen. In automatic brightness mode, The display is really clean: bright, with good contrast, and effortlessly legible colors.You can read its data fields at a glance, and follow the map without squinting, even in broad daylight. This is clearly an area where Garmin takes the lead.tage on Wahoo, whose screens remain duller and less flattering, although the latest generation is clearly coming closer!

The downside is that This screen has an energy cost.As long as you let it run its course in auto mode, everything is fine for your eyes, though less so for the battery. If you decide to tighten the settings and limit the brightness to 10 or 20% to conserve battery life, you really lose comfort: the display becomes significantly less legible, especially during transitional moments like sunrise, sunset, or overcast weather. In short, the Edge 850 delivers its full visual potential when you let it power up, which makes sense… but it's frustrating for those planning long days in the saddle.

The touchscreen, on the other hand, is generally responsive and precise.We often find ourselves using it when stopped, to prepare screens or adjust a route. While riding, as soon as the road surface deteriorates, we quickly realize that it's not the ideal interface: we then wait for a smooth stretch of asphalt to avoid battling vibrations.

Autonomy: the pebble in the shoe

This is the area where the Edge 850 leaves a mixed impression, or even a frankly disappointing one if you're coming from a solar-powered model. In my "real-world" configuration: automatic brightness, power meter, heart rate monitor, Varia radar, frequent navigation, I get around 10 hours of use before the battery level drops drastically., whereas my Edge 540 runs for more than 20 hours.

On paper, 10 hours isn't ridiculous.For many cyclists, this is more than enough to cover their big weekend ride. The problem is the context: I'd been using an Edge 540 Solar until now, which offered real peace of mind in this regard. With it, I could string together long rides in mytagone, or even several days, taking advantage of the sun's rays to extend the party. With the Edge 850, this tranquility disappears. You find yourself monitoring the percentagetagThe remaining task was to adjust the brightness and turn off certain functions to ensure that the counter was still working and that the trip could be downloaded.

This isn't a deal-breaker if you stick to a "classic" recreational cycling style: 4 or 5 hours in the saddle, a few sensors, and a little navigation. However, For long distances, patents or ultras, the Edge 850 is not the tireless companion one might expect from a high-end model.We'll have to accept the idea of ​​an external battery, or look at more energy-efficient models. Let's not rule out an update that would fix this issue, as was the case on the... Wahoo ACE when it is launched.

Navigation and GPS: Garmin remains a benchmark

Fortunately, In terms of navigation, the Edge 850 performs exactly as expected from Garmin: very well.I create most of my routes on Strava, and the synchronization with the bike computer is almost instantaneous. Once on the bike, the maps are easy to read, the directions are clear, and route recalculations are well managed. When you miss a turn or decide to improvise, the computer readjusts itself without any problems.

GPS accuracy is one of the strong points of this modelThe traces stick to the routeThe speeds are consistent, even in somewhat complicated areas. In that respect, we really have a reliable tool, whether in high altitude or high altitude.tagor on more classic routes. The 5 GHz GPS configuration is also a new feature. The GPS activates at a high frequency during descents to avoid errors in track, speed, or segment data. However, this function remains debatable: the displayed speed was similar to my Garmin, and the downhill sections aren't necessarily useful for those who use Strava segments live…

On the other hand, I very quickly cleaned up all the extra layers of "information": danger alerts, event notifications, Anything that adds visual noise without providing real value on the ground has disappeared from my screens.The same goes for the live weather/wind widget via Garmin IQ: on paper, the idea is appealing, but in practice, it's too complicated to access to be usable while riding. I prefer to plan my ride beforehand rather than trying to read a mini weather app in the middle of a descent. But that's just my opinion.

A true training partner

Where the Edge 850 really shows its worth for a performance-oriented cyclist is in the training aspect. There are many tools, sometimes too many, but some clearly stand out..

ClimbPro is one of those. When you spend your days tackling elevation gain, it's a very useful tool: knowing where you are in a climb, how many kilometers and percentages you've covered.tagAnd if it remains, it allows you to very precisely adjust your effort. It's a simple tool on paper, but when used correctly, it changes the way you manage your climbs.

FTP's automatic detection and calculation functions are also convincing. The estimates I obtained correlated well with the testcritical power s performed alongside. It's not a lab tool, but for tracking trends, checking if the work is paying off and if there's progress, it's perfectly usable..

The Garmin IQ ecosystem also opens the door to more advanced sensors, such as the TymeWear chest strap, which I'll soon be using and which tracks respiratory rate. For those interested in physiology and internal workload, this is a huge advantage. we are no longer limited to just power and heart rate dataOne of the athletes I coach used the "Electronic Shifting Stats" app, which I also think is pretty cool. In short, a whole host of tools to explore…

The risk, however, with this abundance of tools and possible screens, is wanting to have everything at your fingertips. You then end up with a dozen different pages, and you spend more time scrolling through screens than focusing on your effort. The Edge 850 is a computer that requires discipline. You have to choose your key data, accept leaving some out, and build a simple interface, otherwise you'll get lost.

Solid connectivity, mixed "smart" features

In terms of pure connectivity, there's nothing to criticize about the Edge 850: connections are stable, fast, and reliable.Power meter, heart rate monitor, Varia radar – everything connects flawlessly and stays connected. In this area, Garmin maintains a comfortable lead.

The “smart” functions, on the other hand, divide beforetage. Garmin Pay, for example, simply wasn't used: the idea of ​​being able to pay for a coffee with your bike computer is appealing to some, but in practice, it's not a life-changing feature for everyone. The integrated speaker could be useful for voice navigation instructions, but the volume is too low to be truly usable at real speeds. On the other hand, The integrated virtual doorbell is an excellent idea: in town or on the roads bytagBeing able to warn other users without shouting is very much appreciated..

I usually leave smartphone notifications enabled, except during interval training sessions when I prefer to mute them. Again, these are features that can be convenient, but they don't sway my opinion of the computer's performance.

Facing the competition… and the previous generation

The Edge 850 operates in an environment where competition is increasingly fierce.With a Roam 3, a Bolt 2 and a 540 Solar in the drawer, the comparison was inevitable.

What stands out is that The Edge 850 scores very clearly in three areas: screen brightness, overall interface speed, and GPS accuracy.On these three criteria, it is at the level of, or even above, its direct competitors. However, it also suffers from three significant drawbacks that are difficult to ignore: A less powerful battery, a size that continues to grow, and a clearly high price. compared to what it offers that is additional compared to the previous generation.

Another annoying point, which persists from one generation to the next: altitude management. In wet weather, the altimeter can still be seen to malfunction, a classic Garmin issue.Meanwhile, Wahoo doesn't encounter the same problems in this regard. It's not a disaster, but for a device that aims to be a technical benchmark, it's the kind of detail that ultimately matters.

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Verdict: an excellent meter, not a revolution

As I was about to close this testThe observation is simple: The Edge 850 is a very good computer, but it's not the revolution some were expecting.It does almost everything very well: the screen is superb, the navigation is solid, the training features are well-supported, the Garmin IQ ecosystem is powerful, and the GPS accuracy is impeccable. It's a pleasure to use, and that's saying a lot.

But it's entering a different, more mature, more competitive market, with a very strong track record. Compared to the Edge 540 Solar from the same brand, it primarily offers a better screen and a more modern interface… while sacrificing battery life. Compared to Wahoo phones, it gains in features and customization options, but at the cost of increased complexity and a higher price.

At a retail price that flirts with €550 (depending on versions and bundles), the question is therefore not whether it is good – it is – but whether the price difference with the previous generation, or with certain competitors, is justified for your needs…

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