Garmin Explore 2??
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 248
From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Garmin Explore 2??
Would like to hear from anyone who has this unit. What are your thoughts. Thanks!
#3
Facts just confuse people




Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,268
Likes: 7,021
From: Mississippi
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
I don't own a Edge Explore, so I'm not in the criteria you established for your question. However I wanted you to realize that Garmin is essentially selling features with all their various Edge models.
You can get a quick idea of what those feature differences are by using the compare tool on the Garmin website. Here is how the Explore stacks up to a Edge 540 and Edge 840.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/compare...Product=802162
So not a lot of difference. Unless you are wanting to use workouts and other features that someone who wants to get into the nitty gritty of training with their device. If so, the Edge Explore might be a poor choice. Also Di2 integration is lacking if you have or will ever have a Di2 bike. As well there are one or two other things missing that you may or may never care for in the future.
Otherwise for navigation and just recording your metrics of that ride it's about as good as any other. Although I have a Edge 530 with the push buttons, I'm now of the opinion that I should have gotten a Garmin Edge 1030plus with a touch screen. And the Explore has that. Touch screens make it easier while on the bike riding to get to some of the features you might wish to use. And for certain, easier to scroll the map around when you are trying to look ahead or find something.
You can get a quick idea of what those feature differences are by using the compare tool on the Garmin website. Here is how the Explore stacks up to a Edge 540 and Edge 840.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/compare...Product=802162
So not a lot of difference. Unless you are wanting to use workouts and other features that someone who wants to get into the nitty gritty of training with their device. If so, the Edge Explore might be a poor choice. Also Di2 integration is lacking if you have or will ever have a Di2 bike. As well there are one or two other things missing that you may or may never care for in the future.
Otherwise for navigation and just recording your metrics of that ride it's about as good as any other. Although I have a Edge 530 with the push buttons, I'm now of the opinion that I should have gotten a Garmin Edge 1030plus with a touch screen. And the Explore has that. Touch screens make it easier while on the bike riding to get to some of the features you might wish to use. And for certain, easier to scroll the map around when you are trying to look ahead or find something.
Last edited by Iride01; 01-29-24 at 11:22 AM.
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 248
From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Pdlamb, we currently have a 800. It has served us for many tours over the last 12 years. It appears to be a good upgrade. Any glitches you don't like?
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,684
Likes: 2,602
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Seriously, the features I use on a GPS are pretty limited, and the Explore 2 does them all. The screen isn't as big as the 100X series, and the Explore 2 may be slightly less sensitive to raindrops or sweat. IME the Explore pretty much duplicates the 800 at the same price (10 years later on). I miss the removable memory chip (just in case the unit goes kaput and/or the software needs to be refreshed from factory original). Bottom line, only you can prevent forest fires. Or tell if a GPS has the feature(s) you want.
#8
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 780
From: Shanghai, China
Bikes: Waltly Custom Ti // Seaboard CX01 // Dahon Boardwalk
Very happy with mine. Decent battery life, decent functionality, and decent navigation. I wish it had Di2 integration, but I didn't have Di2 at the time I bought it so I didn't think I'd need that.
I don't do any guided training / intervals / training plan / etc, so the lack of that functionality is not a problem for me.
I don't do any guided training / intervals / training plan / etc, so the lack of that functionality is not a problem for me.




