I desperately need to replace my Garmin Edge 510, which is losing settings and buttons are breaking.

There's a refurbished 820 on Amazon for $240, but the reviews are mediocre. I don't want to repeat my 510 experience with a bad touch screen. The 820 also has negative touch screen reviews.

I want a larger screen than my 510 has. But I'll opt for another 500 series to save some money. The 830 is at least $400.

Anyway I'm looking for a worthy replacement.

Steve

You are going to always find negative touch screen reviews. However I think Garmin actually fixed most of the touch screen problems on the Edge 820 through software updates. My son has one and prior to replacing it with a Edge 1030+ he said he rarely had any issues with the touch screen. But he thinks the touch screen on his 1030+ might be better still and less prone to the issues sweaty fingers and rain poses.

No matter what you get, make sure it has the latest software and firmware updates and that you've done a reset before you start griping about it.

https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webh...7BA6BE59E.html

I think the main reason my son replaced his 820 was that it sometimes seemed sluggish. Maybe the processor is a little slow for the amount of info to be processed. His 1030+ is blazingly fast and responsive.

If the question is whether you will be satisfied with the touch screen, I don't think written word is going to answer that. With a newer unit, you good go to the store and try it out and see if it works to your satisfaction. Since that probably isn't possible with a previous generation unit, it's a risk. I'm fairly averse to risk, so I would be likely to sit this one out.

You can get the 830 for $350.

The 520/520+ and 820 were (in hindsight) "not great" devices: kinda slow and with not great battery life. The 520+ seems like it might have been rushed-out to counter Wahoo's offering. The *30 devices seem to be "very good".

​​​​Unless the extra $100 is a real problem, I'd suggest you pick the right unit for you (over just the cost).

I've never had a real issue with the touch screens and the touch screen makes the device easier to use. Especially, for navigation.

Some people (especially, in frequent wet conditions) like buttons.

(Of course, you might also consider the Wahoo or Hammerhead devices.)

Speaking from experience, stay far away from the 820. It is borderline infuriatingly slow, and any of the touchscreen "gestures" like swiping between data screens are executed slowly, if the input isn't divorced from computer response entirely. Typically the defining feature between the 530/830 is the more robust/feature-complete navigation on the 830, so maybe give that a ponder since a new 530 is priced pretty near the Amazon 820? Both the 530 and 830 have the same sized screens, which checks that box for you, and while a touchscreen is a smidge nicer off the bike, I'd prefer buttons while actually riding (starting/stopping rides and switching data screens).

Unfortunately I’ve already ordered the 820. Wish I’d read the last too replies before ordering. There’s a deadline before delivery gets delayed by a day. So I’m going to cancel the order.

Both of the last two replies mentioned real buttons. I think neither the 530 nor the 830 have real buttons. And frankly my ailing 510 has had two button failures.

I'm probably going for the 530. Don’t use navigation on such a tiny device anyway. Prefer to stop and use a smartphone for that with a much larger screen.

???

"Real buttons"?

They all have buttons.

The 5xx only have buttons. The 8xxx and 10xx models have three fewer buttons and have a touch screen.

My bad!

My old 510 has two buttons on the front panel which have failed. My assumption was all models had buttons on the front. After looking at the manuals, I see my mistake.

I've had an 820 and now an 830. The touch screen on the 820 was a "capacitive" style and while some worked "okay" lots of them were pretty average. The touch screen (and everything) on the Edge 830 is MILES better.

If you prefer touchscreen, go the 830, if you prefer buttons, go the 530. They're essentially the same apart from button / touch.

Not to nitpick but just in case anyone else happens upon this thread- the 820 has a capacitive touchscreen, same as the 830, not resistive. The execution on the 820 is just...bad.

Another unhappy 820 owner: touch screen frustrating, battery life terrible. I bought the 830 and am very happy with its performance. It's worth the extra cost over buying the refurbished 820!

I'm returning the 820 and just received the 530. The only reason I looked at the 820 was pricing. Don't need the 800 series features.