Garmin Edge 830 vs 1030 Plus: Which Ought to You Purchase?

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On this publish I evaluate the Garmin Edge 830 and the Edge 1030 Plus and assist you to resolve which is finest for recording, and guiding, your magnificent feats of highway bike efficiency. Or one thing.

Each are excessive finish Garmin bike computer systems, full of coaching and TopBikeFun options. However each price a good chunka change. Understanding and evaluating what you get, and what you don’t, is vital to selecting which to purchase. And that’s precisely what you’ll get from this publish.

I’m not an expert reviewer – no matter that’s – I simply purchase a load of motorcycle computer systems, largely funded by my weblog, check them out and provide you with my ideas (on which be aware, right here’s my spherical up of the very best touchscreen bike computer systems below £400/$500).

Garmin Edge 1030 Plus vs Egde 830

Regardless of being round for some time, the Edge 1030 Plus is a relative newcomer to the Sportive Bike owner check secure: the GPS Stud (not my nickname). I’ve had the 830 for ages. In some unspecified time in the future soonish, I’ll purchase the brand new Edge 1040 and add that to my record of comparisons.

However let’s cease wittering and get into the publish. Beginning with the essential issues…

The place Does The ‘Plus’ Come From?

A superb query. With a solution that I’ll fudge cos I don’t know.

[Commence speculation mode]

From time to time, Garmin appears to launch a higher-powered or more-featured model of an present mannequin however with out redesigning the case.

The Edge 520 Plus added on-board navigation and different options to the prevailing 520, earlier than Garmin moved on to the 530, which changed each.

The Edge 1030 Plus is (clearly) the equal half replace of the Edge 1030. My large dangerous guess is that when the 530 and 830 have been launched, two years after the 1030, it was very apparent they’d had a CPU improve. They instantly turned rather more usable, exhibiting the Edge 1030 up.

However since Garmin wasn’t but prepared to maneuver to the subsequent technology 10xx system with design adjustments to warrant an entire new quantity (which we now know is the Edge 1040), it launched the interim 1030 Plus.

[Speculation over]

Garmin Edge 830

A robust bike GPS with full on-board mapping. The touchscreen is responsive and works effectively, each within the map display and for transferring across the menus. Wonderful coaching and security options.

In case you click on this hyperlink and make a purchase order, I earn a fee at no extra price to you.

Garmin Edge 1030 Plus

Excessive spec bike GPS with massive color touchscreen and tremendous quick processor. Comparable options to the 830 (i.e. numerous subtle ones) – the bigger display makes them simpler to make use of.

In case you click on this hyperlink and make a purchase order, I earn a fee at no extra price to you.

The place In The Vary?

This was once straightforward. The Edge 1030 Plus was beforehand the monkey on the high of the tree. Then the 1040 got here alongside, with two variations.

For the Edge 830, the waters have been just a little muddied while Garmin was nonetheless promoting the 1030 (sans Plus). Was the quicker however cheaper Edge 830, with it’s smaller display, above or under it (it was definitely higher worth)?

With the 1030 lastly having departed this mortal coil the Garmin web site, and inserting the 2 new Edge 1040 fashions in HashtagTopSpot, it’s now clear that the Edge vary runs:

And we’ll politely ignore the Edge Discover 2 because it doesn’t comply with the identical numbering conference and is clearly for absolute losers (I jest!).

When Had been They Launched?

(With the actual query being, when will they get replaced?)

As talked about, the 1030 Plus is the newer of the 2 fashions, launching into the veloverse in June 2020. Regardless of this, it has been the primary to be outmoded.

Outdated somewhat than changed as a result of the 1030 Plus nonetheless on the market. It stays a wonderfully viable and enticing bike laptop buy, even when it not occupies the tippity high slot within the Garmin vary. Significantly because the 1040 launching has shifted the 1030 Plus down in worth (not formally – but – however the 1030 Plus is now being discounted by some retailers).

Edge 1030 Plus vs 830 screen comparison

The 830 was launched in Could 2019.

Garmin tends to launch new Edge fashions each 3-4 years. And it hasn’t ever finished an ‘in-sync’ replace of the 10xx and 8xx mannequin households in the identical 12 months. Additionally, we’re in the direction of the tip of 2022 now and new bike laptop launch season has seemingly closed.

All of which factors to Garmin launching the subsequent 8xx collection bike laptop in April / Could 2023.

(As is hopefully clear to you, I’m a random muppet writing weblog posts in his man-and-pain cave so I’ve no precise intelligence on this. Arguably in any sense of the phrase, ‘intelligence’).

Are They Nonetheless Up to date?

Sure. They’re each present, extremely illustrious, members on the Garmin Edge line up. Each obtain common firmware updates from Garmin, a few of which function full blown new options.

On the time of writing (finish of September 2022), the newest firmware updates have been launched on 2 September 2022.

When it comes to the navigation and mapping software program, the Edge 830 and the 1030 Plus are the identical.

And the way in which you work together with the navigation options, which is de facto the important thing distinction between the 830 (with the touchscreen) and the 530 (utilizing the buttons on the aspect), is identical.

Each the 1030 Plus and the 830 are touchscreen, which makes utilizing the maps with out repeatedly punching your self within the face a heck of loads simpler.

Edge 1030 Plus vs 830 map screen

In abstract, each gadgets have full onboard navigation. You may plug in a vacation spot or choose a focal point from the record, and the Edge 1030+/830 will plot you a route.

You may add a route file to comply with, or sync one from Strava or different route creation apps, and the system will flash up flip instructions and usually hold you on the straight and slim (lovely lanes in your splendid biking paradise… perhaps).

In case you go astray, each the Edge 830 and 1030 Plus will warn you and try to recalculate a means again to your unique route (which admittedly is usually, “Do a U-turn”…).

Each have three totally different map codecs: the unique ’Traditional’ color scheme after which the not too long ago added Excessive Voltage Distinction and Mountain Biking themes (with latter higher denoting off-road routes).

So all in all very comparable. Apart from one key facet. With the Edge 1030 Plus you’ll be able to see ‘extra map’ (technical time period)… as a result of it has a much bigger…

Display

Shock horror. You most likely already knew this.

Anyway, in pure dimensional phrases, the Edge 830 sports activities a 2.6″in display (or 246 x 322 pixels), while the 1030 Plus instructions 3.5″ of diagonally-measured display actual property (or 282 x 470 pixels).

So the bigger display clearly permits for the map display to point out extra element. Or the identical space simply with excessive definition.

Extra is all the time nicer (not all the time nicer) however I suppose it’s so that you can resolve whether or not you want the extra display space and if it’s value the additional price.

Edge 830 vs 1030 Plus data screen

Earlier than shopping for the Edge 1030 Plus (and likewise the Hammerhead Karoo 2), I by no means yearned for a bigger display space than on my 830. If I desire a large ol’ map interrogation session, I’ll whip out my iPhone.

That mentioned, I can’t deny that having a bit extra display actual property to play with on the 1030 Plus (within the zooming-in-and-out, swooping-around-the-map-screen sense) hasn’t been a Brucie-bonus on the bigger system.

Each computer systems have touchscreens and I’ve typically discovered latest Garmin touchscreens to work effectively. They work high quality (for me – we’ve all received totally different fingers) within the rain and are a bit hit or miss with gloves on (and to be truthful, my iPhone is fully miss with gloves on).

While they don’t have Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT V2 ranges of sharpness and definition (which I’m 99% sure isn’t the proper technical time period), Garmin shows are, for me, completely readable. That mentioned, they’re reflective in vibrant daylight in comparison with the aforementioned BOLT V2 and the Hammerhead Karoo 2 (I discuss in regards to the display A LOT in my evaluation of the Karoo 2).

For some motive Garmin limits the utmost font measurement, even while you scale back the variety of information fields down to 1, leaving a great deal of white area (versus Wahoos which permit for wahoosive font sizes).

This is identical for each the 830 and the 1030 Plus although, so if we’re coming these two gadgets (we’re), this can be a wash.

Measurement and Weight

With nice energy (bigger display) comes nice duty (a bigger system case).

The 1030 Plus is bigger than the Edge 830. By about 8mm in width and simply over 30mm in size (so an inch and a bit longer for the imperialists).

For the dimensionfans:

  • 1030: 58 x 114 x 19mm
  • 830: 50 x 83 x 19mm

Placing that into not-particularly-well-defined context, the 830 isn’t ‘mini’ however I’d nonetheless say it’s a ‘compact’ bike laptop.

Edge 1030 Plus compared to 830 and Karoo 2

This in flip signifies that the 1030 Plus isn’t ‘jumbo’.

The 1030 Plus doesn’t seem like a behemoth, both in your hand or ‘pon your handlebars. In a 1030 Plus versus modest sized smartphone boxing match, the previous could be punching effectively above its weight class.

Speaking about weight, extra plastic and no matter else they make these out of means the 1030 Plus is available in at 124g versus 79g for the 830.

If the 45g (about 3/4 of an vitality bar) distinction has a fabric affect in your driving efficiency or enjoyment then I feel you might need come to the improper web site.

If it is essential to you then I doubt you’ll care an excessive amount of about having to take care of the 830’s smaller display from a navigation and route following perspective (as a result of the man in your workforce automotive is there to assist with instructions).

During which case, go for the 830 and save the fraction of a pound in weight and the a number of kilos in cash (different currencies can be found).

Processor Energy

GPS makers typically don’t go round disclosing the interior specs of their gadgets. However the 1030 Plus and the 830 carry out the identical so it’s secure to imagine their tech gubbins are additionally the identical or comparable.

When the 830 was launched, together with the 530, lots of the new options have been added to the earlier 1030 (no plus). This highlighted that the 1030 was fairly sloooooooowwwww in comparison with the brand new mannequin.

So Garmin launched the 1030 Plus primarily to appropriate this lack of processing grunt in its high quality system.

Battery Life

Each the 830 and the 1030 Plus have extra battery life than I might moderately use in a single mahoosive trip or a number of decent-sized ones. I’ve by no means felt irritated by the frequency with which I’ve needed to put both system on cost.

Nonetheless, for what it’s value, the Edge 830 bumf says as much as 20 hours. The 1030 Plus purports to have a further 4 (so an entire one among your human earth days in whole).

If that’s inadequate in your burgeoning ultra-endurance profession, then may sir or madam think about investing in a Garmin Cost energy pack, which offers one other 24 hours of energy.

Edge 1030 Plus and 830 charging contacts

Each the Edge 830 and 1030 Plus are appropriate, connecting with the ‘Cost’ by way of electrical contacts within the mount/cleat kind factor on the again of every system.

Connectivity

No distinction. Subsequent!

Each high finish Edges hook up with the identical cornucopia of information sensors, indoor trainers and different random gadgets that you simply may need to hyperlink together with your bike laptop (together with the not-so-random-and-in-fact-excellent Varia Radar – learn my evaluation right here).

So no good motive to choose between the gadgets on this enviornment.

Coaching And Different Options

And that theme continues.

Just about the entire software program options that Garmin builds into its Edge gadgets are frequent to each the 830 and the 1030 Plus. With one exception (that feels fairly minor).

All the security and monitoring options are the identical (reside monitoring – for members of the family which might be avid ‘dot watchers’; incident detection; bike alarm)… which I have to admit to not utilizing regularly.

I’m, nevertheless, a giant fan of Garmin’s ClimbPro function (particular and vibrant evaluation of the size and gradient of every climb in your route). It options on each the 1030 Plus and 830, so no worries there.

Edge 830 and 1030 Plus training features

Which brings us to coaching, the place the 1030 Plus has one teeny-tiny sub-feature that differentiates it from the Edge 830.

Don’t worry, the Edge 830 has completely every little thing the intense, semi-serious and (my class) rank novice bicycle owner may want from a coaching perspective:

  • Means to add and comply with subtle exercises – primarily based on energy, coronary heart price, time, distance, Haribos consumed
  • Dynamic efficiency monitoring and coaching standing – each options monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of your coaching and the way match you might be
  • Biking dynamics (in case you have pedal energy meters)
  • Feed and drink reminders.

And loads extra…

So the one distinction, [tiny fanfare on a mini-bugle] is that the Edge 1030 Plus has ‘Day by day Prompt Exercises’ (and the 830 doesn’t).

Edge 1030 Plus daily suggested workout

Day by day Prompt Exercises makes use of Garmin’s Firstbeat Analytics ‘engine’ to, er, counsel your subsequent coaching session primarily based in your present health, latest coaching historical past and restoration stage. The function was launched first on the 1030 Plus (in mid-2020) earlier than being carried out on a much wider vary of Garmin watches later within the 12 months, the place I’m guessing it has extra widespread enchantment.

One factor to notice: I’m fairly certain Day by day Prompt Exercises on the Edge 1030 Plus requires you additionally to be utilizing an influence meter in your bike (it suggests structured exercises primarily based on energy information). So it’s just a little redundant for those who don’t have an influence meter and also you don’t plan to purchase one.

Garmin Edge 830

A robust bike GPS with full on-board mapping. The touchscreen is responsive and works effectively, each within the map display and for transferring across the menus. Wonderful coaching and security options.

Verify worth – Amazon Verify worth – Aggressive Bike owner

In case you click on this hyperlink and make a purchase order, I earn a fee at no extra price to you.

Value

Greater display, greater battery, greater worth (unsurprisingly).

On a tool solely foundation, Garmin has the Edge 1030 Plus on its web site at £520/$600, which isn’t an insignificant chunk-a-change. *However* Garmin is clearly permitting retailers to promote it at discounted costs: it’s accessible on web sites like Wiggle at extra like £380 (or you’ll be able to try the worth on Amazon).

Edge 830 vs 1030 Plus handlebars

The Edge 830 is on the Garmin web site at £350/$400, and on the time of writing (Oct 2022), I can’t see it discounted round t’web.

So the official worth distinction is £170 (in favour of the 830) however the actuality is that proper now (presumably because of the introduction of the Edge 1040), the Edge 1030 Plus is accessible at or simply under the identical worth because the 830.

Which makes issues attention-grabbing, as we think about…

Which Ought to You Purchase?

Ach, all of it comes all the way down to measurement.

If having higher display actual property, significantly when utilizing the maps and navigating, is your precedence then the Edge 1030 Plus is the one to plump for. Assuming the additional moolah requirement doesn’t tip you in into everlasting penury.

The additional battery life can be useful.

I’ve definitely seen commentary on this funky new YouTube web site that implies the bigger system is healthier for bike packing and touring, significantly for multi-day journeys.

For everybody else, the Edge 830 is greater than ample. Navigation is completely usable (regardless of the smaller display). It’s a neat little (compact…) system that appears sufficiently ‘professional’ in your handlebars.

Edge 830 and 1030 Plus front buttons

In case you use an Edge as a coaching device (past measuring outputs), the 830 is to all intents and functions the identical because the 1030 Plus.

If the worth distinction was really £170, I’m undecided what number of riders are sufficiently all for coaching efficiency to pay an uplift for the extra Day by day Prompt Exercise function that aren’t already sufficiently educated or motivated to comply with an precise long run structured coaching programme (negating the necessity for day by day dynamic solutions).

Perhaps Garmin know otherwise (I’m certain they do – I’m simply an uninformed veloblogger, wittering into the void).

If the query is…

Which One Would I Purchase?

Nicely, I purchased the Edge 830 first. Regardless of all my blogwealth (ahem), I couldn’t convey myself to purchase the Edge 1030 Plus till it diminished from it’s unique launch worth.

I clearly have an ulterior motive in that I write and make movies about these items to fund my dependancy to clarky cat, so I purchase a good variety of bike computer systems (and have obtained a number of without spending a dime to evaluation). Regardless of this, I nonetheless struggled to spend over £500 on a motorcycle laptop.

Bike GPS boxes

When the 1030 Plus fell to lower than £400, I snapped it up in order that I might see what all of the BigDeviceFuss was about (there isn’t any large system fuss).

And I prefer it. So much. The bigger display on the Edge 1030 Plus is objectively higher – it makes the system simpler to make use of. However the ensuing bigger general measurement of the 1030 Plus is just not so large that it turns into unwieldy or seems ugly on the bike.

Assuming there’s not an excessive amount of in it worth smart, proper now I’d be guiding you in the direction of the Edge 1030 Plus over the Edge 830.

With that, I’m away. Hyperlinks to the bike computer systems talked about on this publish are under (affiliate hyperlinks – for those who purchase one thing I could get a fee).

Till subsequent time, secure biking.

Garmin Edge 830

A robust bike GPS with full on-board mapping. The touchscreen is responsive and works effectively, each within the map display and for transferring across the menus. Wonderful coaching and security options.

In case you click on this hyperlink and make a purchase order, I earn a fee at no extra price to you.

Garmin Edge 1030 Plus

Excessive spec bike GPS with massive color touchscreen and tremendous quick processor. Comparable options to the 830 (i.e. numerous subtle ones) – the bigger display makes them simpler to make use of.

In case you click on this hyperlink and make a purchase order, I earn a fee at no extra price to you.

Different Posts I’ve Written About Bike Tech:

Monty - Sportive Cyclist
Monty is an enthusiastic highway bicycle owner with solely average expertise. He began Sportive Bike owner in 2013 to report the journey to his first 100 mile trip, the RideLondon 100. Over time the weblog has expanded to incorporate coaching recommendation, gear opinions and highway biking tales, all from the attitude of a not-very-fit MAMIL. Because you’re right here, Monty would additionally such as you to take a look at his YouTube channel. Additionally, Monty actually must cease referring to himself within the third particular person.

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