Seeking Bike Computer Recommendations - Budget $400

[Furina]

Hello everyone,

I'm an new cyclist looking to upgrade my bike computer and would appreciate your suggestions. My budget is around $400 and I have some specific needs for my new device.

I want:​

Large screen with good visibility in direct sunlight (anti-glare is important)
long battery life - I often go on long ridesAccurate GPS and navigation for route tracking
Additional data tracking like heart rate, cadence, power metrics would be great
Durable and weather-resistant build quality

What models have you used that meet these requirements? Any particular brands or features I should prioritize? I'm especially interested in real-world experiences with GPS accuracy and screen visibility in bright conditions.
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[PaulSB]

Wahoo Roam will meet all your requirements. It's probably nearer $500 than 400 but it is possible to find deals.

I've been a Wahoo user for eight years. I'm on my second, the first was smashed in an RTC. Neither has ever let me down. Set up and use via an app is wonderfully simple. That could be a downside, you do need a smart phone to run the app.

 

[fossyant]

Garmin Explore 2, but it doesn't do power meters, which will add $$$$ onto your budget anyway.

 

[Timeisrunningout]

Another vote for the Wahoo Element Roam, particularly the V2 - I expect you could pick up a second-hand one for good money and they are fantastic IMO

 

[kingrollo]

The big 3 are wahoo, Garmin, Hammerhead. I've used Garmin and wahoo.

Wahoo easier to use imo - I've had a very small number glitches and weird GPS errors with wahoo - but nothing major.

I always buy mine used - which saves a lot of money.

 

[Dadam]

Garmin Explore 2, but it doesn't do power meters, which will add $$$$ onto your budget anyway.

Mine does. I don't have a power meter per se, but one of my ebikes has one built in. According to a thread on reddit it records everything but is limited in what fields it will display.

 

[ianrauk]

@Dadam is correct @fossyant. Garmin Edge Explore 2 does have power meter support.
For @Furina
HERE'S a full breakdown/review/walkthrough of the Explore 2 by DC Rainmaker
The battery life is probably the best of any Garmin apart from the Solar models, it will last all day even using a map.
For the price (approx $350) you are not going to get many better for your needs.

 

[fossyant]

The older Explore doesnt, so thats a good upgrade in the 2

 

[brommieinkorea]

I've had a Garmin 820 since 2016, still works.

 

[Furina]

@Dadam is correct @fossyant. Garmin Edge Explore 2 does have power meter support.
For @Furina
HERE'S a full breakdown/review/walkthrough of the Explore 2 by DC Rainmaker
The battery life is probably the best of any Garmin apart from the Solar models, it will last all day even using a map.
For the price (approx $350) you are not going to get many better for your needs.

Thanks

 

[Furina]

I've had a Garmin 820 since 2016, still works.

Thanks for the heads-up!

But the Edge 820 has laggy touchscreen response, and its battery drains really fast when left on always-on mode.

 

[Furina]

Mine does. I don't have a power meter per se, but one of my ebikes has one built in. According to a thread on reddit it records everything but is limited in what fields it will display.

View attachment 797735

Thanks for the recommendation! I’m using my uncle’s Edge 540 now. The grade display is a bit off, bad battery life, and the brightness is too low at night

 

[Furina]

Wahoo Roam will meet all your requirements. It's probably nearer $500 than 400 but it is possible to find deals.

I've been a Wahoo user for eight years. I'm on my second, the first was smashed in an RTC. Neither has ever let me down. Set up and use via an app is wonderfully simple. That could be a downside, you do need a smart phone to run the app.

Thanks for the recommendation! I’m using my uncle’s Edge 540 now. Will buy Wahoo next time.

 

[Furina]

Garmin Explore 2, but it doesn't do power meters, which will add $$$$ onto your budget anyway.

Thanks! I’m temporarily using a second-hand Garmin for the time being.

 

[Furina]

Another vote for the Wahoo Element Roam, particularly the V2 - I expect you could pick up a second-hand one for good money and they are fantastic IMO

Thanks a lot! For now, I’m just using a second-hand Garmin.