No exaggeration, unfortunately.

Is there a better way than to delete a sensor that's wonky and then reconnect?

I rarely need to delete and add a sensor. It's usually a case where a sensor that I always use and have connected, such as my Di2 system, doesn't show up in a timely manner. I then just go to the menu and sensors and select the Di2 and press on connect. I pretty much always then connects.

Thanks, I'll give it a try next time. I'm sure it'll beat the "turn the Garmin on when you get to the bike, try to pump the tires up and get outside the fence before it times out and turns itself off" option.

Why don't you turn it on when you are ready to take the bike outside?

What sensor or sensors are you having trouble with? With my Garmin Edge 530, if I start my timer before waking up my Di2, then I have to stop the timer before it will find my Di2. I don't know why, I haven't seen any other complain of that. However, I've also made it a habit to wake up the Di2 when I turn on my Garmin just before going outside with the bike.

It's rare that any other sensor gives issues pairing. But usually when they do, it's after a update. But turning the device off and on or doing a reset will have it all working correct again.

Another option might be to just start the timer when you turn on the unit. If you have auto pause enabled, then the timer won't get but a few 0.01'ths of a second on it. But since the timer is started, it shouldn't turn itself off. Be sure to wake all the sensors on the bike at the same time too.

You really should call Garmin Support and tell them that you have trouble with the sensors staying paired. They'll work with you to figure it out. Older Garmin's might need a extra step that you may not be doing correctly. Or perhaps you got a dud.

My DI2 on occasion will not connect. I’ve usually started the track record and am rolling along but have no DI2 gear info in the data field. I know to do a few shifts to wake up the DI2 system and have it start sending data, but sometimes that doesn’t work. I’m always successful going into sensors and just pressing The Connect button for DI2.

Checked it - yes, before the turn it switches to the map screen. It can be dismissed with the press of one button. Also, in the setting the prompt can be switched to text only instead of the text + map.

The image below shows a custom datafield created using an app from Connect IQ store - app store for Garmin devices. Normally a climb screen has two datafields, this app turns one datafield into four smaller ones (at least on an Edge 540, may be more than four on 1040). It is configured via the smartphone Connect IQ app.

As the others say, it may be difficult to configure things using buttons without stopping during the ride, but if you know what you want it is not a problem.

Custom datafield on the Edge 540 in the left bottom corner.

Succinct.

Setting up and using a Garmin 5X0 series is almost a parallel to putting on old-fashioned cyclometer on a new bike. Takes a while to set it up the first time, then it's just a matter of pushing a button a couple times during a ride.

Only if you want to use the basic things a GPS cyclometer can do. And try panning and zooming the map while riding your bike. Or checking to see how far ahead or behind your friends are if they've gone out of sight. You can do that easier with a touch screen. IMO.

I went through the following in order.
wahoo Bolt v1
wahoo Roam v1
wahoo bolt v2
garmin 830
garmin 1050

I found the Wahoo’s easier to learn, configure and operate than Garmin.
However once mastered, the Garmin offers me functionally and data I can not get from wahoo.

Lastly, Garmin does not support the use of ERG files, so my Bolt is kept around to run my trainer 5 days a week.
But I record the Bolt controlled indoor rides with the Garmin.

TLDR:
If you are new to bike computers, the Wahoo.
If you’re experienced, you may benefit from Garmin.

Barry

'S'why I jumped in, head first. Mistake? Maybe, but after a couple of Utoob's I'm gettin' further down the road.

Benefit's certainly there, the Edge 840 carries a lot around in such a smallish package, why I felt its price point justified the expenditure.

But as you suggest, my being new to bike computers, I have to 'bootstrap' myself rather rigorously to take advantage of what it's capable of showing me.

When I got my Edge 500 back circa 2010, I had to learn to let go of all my misconceptions about what certain features did and how they were supposed to work.

People on the Garmin Forum's helped me learn about my Edge. https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/

Though my years of prior use with Garmin Marine chart plotters and other devices made their menu driven interface a little more understandable to me.

I’ve found that the secret to connecting DI2 is to wake it up before turning on the Garmin. Bike is usually in the big ring and I hit the lever to shift up, and the DI2 just clicks, but wakes up. Then it connects right away when the Garmin turns on

Pretty much this. DI2 is not transmitting BT while it’s been asleep. Thus nothing to connect to on the Garmin side, you need to turn on DI2 and get it transmitting so the Garmin sees it.

Or just hit the hidden buttons on the top of the STI's. I have mine set to page the Garmin display forward or backward depending on which STI I press. For those with 8000 series Di2, you have to have the d-fly unit to give the wireless Ant+ signal for the Di2 to be able to pair with the Garmin.

By using them I don't put additional wear and tear on the RD or FD by having it shift when the sprockets are not turning.

The really old Di2 didn't have the hidden buttons on the top of the STI's. I'm not certain if all versions of the newer Di2 have them either.