Garmin Edge 520 (£239.99)
Garmin Edge 520 (£239.99)
If you’re after a computer that’s geared towards performance, the Garmin Edge 520 will fit the bill rather nicely. Doing away with the ‘optional’ extras you’ll find on the top-end Edge 1000, like turn-by-turn mapping, it keeps things to the performance-focussed essentials only.
Having said that, the Edge 520 is the first of Garmin’s computers to integrate with Strava segments, so if you like to unleash your competitive side during training then this one might be the computer for you.
New Garmin Edge to feature Strava Live segments
Data is the name of the game as far as the Edge 520 is concerned and you’ve got a whole heap of metrics at your finger tips. Everything from the basics, like speed, distance, time, elevation and gradient, to a range of data pulled in from heart rate monitors and power meters. No doubt about it, the Edge 520 will keep data geeks more than happy.
It also offers the ability to work with ANT+ compatible, power-controlled indoor trainers. Simply set the wattage you want to hold and the 520 will adjust the trainer to make sure you’re holding that target wattage. Plus it’ll also offer more features when paired with a power meter like FTP tests, watts/kg tracking and even an estimation of VO2 max when coupled with a heart rate monitor.
Spec-wise it’s a smaller unit than the Edge 1000 – as well as its predecessor, the Edge 510 – featuring a 3.7 x 4.5cm screen into a 4.9 x 7.3 x 2.1cm package. That means you won’t need a larger out-front mount to accommodate the unit. There are a number of bundle options for the Edge 520 depending on what your want (or don’t want) in the way of compatible sensors, and you can see the choices on Garmin’s website.