At a Glance: Quick Ratings
Heart Rate Functions
Fitness / Sport Features
Ease of Use
Battery Life
Where To Get It
A Deep Dive Into The Garmin Edge 810
Garmin Edge 810 tested and reviewed by Tristan Haskins aka CardioCritic. For the cyclist who wants it all, navigation and advanced training capabilities in 1 device.
The Edge 810 is rugged, waterproof and has a 17 hour battery life. It improves on the market leading Edge 800 by adding actvity profiles and connected features through your Android or iPhone.
Video Review
We’ve now had a play with the Garmin Edge 810 GPS. In super short summary it’s pretty similar to the Edge 800, same case, same buttons, same touch sensitive screen (works even with wet / gloved hands).
However, there are a few new features and they are BIG jumps in technology that could really appeal to certain users, those who enjoy technology and sharing their ride data. The key new features of the Edge 810 are detailed below – most of them relate to the new Bluetooth connection with your iPhone or Android phone and the Garmin Connect APP with Garmin LiveTrack.
Rather than feeling threatened by the popularity of iPhone and Android training APPS, the Garmin Edge unit embraces these technologies and works with them to further enhance the functionality of the 810 units.
Main Features and Functions
Since we played with the Edge 810 there have been some improvements and upgrades, the main one’s being >>
Shimano Di2 Integration
Like the Edge 1000, the Edge 810 now integrates with Shimano Di2 shifting systems5 to display your current gear on the screen. We’ve also expanded the integration capabilities for those Edge users with compatible Shimano Dura Ace Di2 systems by allowing them to directly control their Edge from the small buttons inside the brake hoods.
Segments
Similar to the Edge 1000, the Edge 810 now include segments. Cyclists can turn every ride into a race by competing on Garmin Connect segments and seeing real-time results, including alerts for segment start/finish and leaderboard rankings.
Edge Remote Integration
Control your Edge 810 without removing your hands from the handlebar. The 3-button Edge remote uses ANT+® wireless connectivity to mark laps and scroll through pages. You can even program the third button.
Key features
Track Every Detail
In addition to the mapping capabilities the 810 records your distance, speed metrics, ascent/descent, grade and more. It is also compatible with optional ANT+™ sensors that measure your heart rate, speed/cadence and power.
The Garmin Edge 810 features an activity profiles feature which allows the cyclist to customise data fields and device settings based on cycling discipline, for example as road riding, mountain biking or touring.
The user can switch profiles with a simple swipe of the touchscree.It shows you what you want to see, when you want to see it, without having to go through setup options each time you change bike.
Connect to the World
The 810 provides an array of communication and connection features when paired with your smartphone (Apple® or Android™) and the Garmin Connect Mobile app. The Garmin Connect Mobile App allows you to gain comprehensive, accurate ride data from a dedicated device, at the same time saving your phone battery.
It tracks your ride data and sends it to your phone using a Bluetooth® connection. While you ride stay connected and share all the details of your ride with friends, family and your social media contacts (this service relies on a 3G data connection – so no good when up cycling in remote, no-mobile signal area).
Once you’ve finished a ride post an update immediately after with details from your completed activity (you can also share data on Twitter or Facebook). You simply create the posts via your smartphone, and the ride data’s already there, thanks to the interface with Garmin Connect Mobile.
LiveTracking (via smartphone)
The Garmin LiveTrack features require a paired smartphone to be in close proximity of the Garmin Edge 810. This new live tracking feature of the 810 allows your friends and family to follow your races and training activities in real time.
Garmin LiveTrack is simple, just invite followers using email or social media so they can view your live data on a Garmin Connect tracking page. Once they get your email invite, they can click to follow and see your riding stats and your live location on the map.
Live Weather alerts
It is now possible to get real-time weather conditions, forecasts and alerts directly on the Edge 810. To enable this Weather feature you need to pair your 810 with your smartphone and the Garmin Connect Mobile app.
This Weather feature can be useful for extended rides, and it lets you keep your smartphone safe and dry while the weather data you need is at your fingertips – however, it does rely on your mobile device getting a good 3G data connection
Wireless Data Transfers
The Garmin Connect Mobile app allows for wireless uploads of completed activities from your device as soon as you finish recording an activity. It’s up to you – you choose whether activities are automatically or manually uploaded.
Once your ride has been posted to Garmin Connect, your own “connections” can view them. You can also search your courses and workouts stored at Garmin Connect, download to your smartphone, then send directly to your Garmin Edge 810 GPS — wirelessly.
You can then navigate to the start of the course and use the Virtual Partner® feature on your Edge to race your previous activities in real time. Future release of Garmin Connect Mobile will allow you to explore and download courses and workouts from other Garmin Connect users.
Top Alternatives
Next Model UP
Is the Edge 1000 with smartphone email and call notifications plus a cycling friendly route planner. Just enter your starting point and how far you want to ride.
The Edge 1000 will then present you with 3 different cycle friendly routes. The preloaded Garmin Cycle Map includes OSM (Open Street Map) content with routable road and bike paths, elevation data, points of interest and address search.
Mapping data is stored onboard th e Edge, so your access to navigation and performance capabilities isn’t dependent on cell coverage, and map updates are free.
The Edge 1030 is also one that you can consider, check out our full review of it here: cardiocritic.com/bicycle-monitors/by-garmin/edge-1030-review/
Next Model DOWN
The next model down is either the Edge 510 if you are PERFORMANCE inclined or the Edge Touring Plus if your preference is towards a navigational solution with auto-routing and full mapping.
Polar Alternative?
The Polar V650 features free MAPPING (worldwide) GPX/TCX route following, power meter, pedal cadence and heart rate support. Featuring a large FULL COLOUR display, multiple bike profiles an fully customizable training views it’s a genuine alternative to the Edge 810
Review Summary
The Garmin Edge 810 is an advanced, touchscreen GPS bike computer with maps that’s designed for the cyclist who wants it all — navigation and advanced training capabilities. It includes a built-in basemap with basic navigation capabilities, plus it’s compatible with optional detailed street or topographic maps for navigation and guidance on and off-road.
The Edge 810 is rugged and waterproof, and has up to a 17-hour battery life. The touchscreen is easy to operate, even with a gloved finger and when wet. Mounting options include a new out-front mount for heads-up positioning and a standard quarter-turn mount.
- Unit size: 2.0 x 3.7 x 1.0” (5.2 x 9.3 x 2.5 cm)
- Screen size: 2.6” diagonal
- Weight: 3.5 oz (98 g)
- Battery life: up to 17 hours
