Real world comparison of Garmin 810 vs 520

[Buck]

I've been itching to buy the Garmin Edge 520 bundle (HR + cadence etc.) for a little while and it's been at a great price of £220 but I've been watching the Black Friday offers.

Tonight the 810 bundle was on offer at Amazon in one of their lightning deals at a further £50 off down to £200.

After all that waffle, has anybody got any real world experiences of the 810 and 520?

Have I made the right choice in going for the 810 over the 520?

Thanks for any thoughts and feedback.

 

[Keith Oates]

They are both good until they decide to stop working.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Buck]

Thanks Keith!!

I guess you've experienced the "freezing" then?!

 

[gavintc]

I think few on here will be able to compare directly as you don't tend to have both. I upgraded from a 705 to a 810. There are more software issues with the 810 than the 705 it freezes more and I don't like not being able to turn it off to save power in a cafe and not be able to resume the ride. You could do this with the 705.

 

[bpsmith]

I upgraded from 510 to 520 recently. 520 is a much better unit. Does everything the 810 can do, and more, once you update the base maps. This is done for free and very easily too.

 

[Buck]

Thanks guys.

I've cancelled my order with Amazon. (Nice and straight forward ) and will be ordering the 520

 

[Sbudge]

I can't comment on the 810, sorry but the 520 is an excellent unit. I agree with BP that upgrading the maps is important but that whole process only takes a few minutes. So far the only issue I've had is the odd stubborn sync. Otherwise the 2-way updating with Strava segments etc and overall ease of use is great. I had downloaded the course GPX for the sportive yesterday and found the turn-by-turn directions really useful before a couple of junctions where I'd missed the first road signs. Thumbs up!

 

[Buck]

Cheers @Sbudge
I've taken the plunge and ordered the 520 bundle.

Another reason for the 520 was the the sensors are the newer / updated ones and also the fact I can load new base maps onto it. Should be here Wednesday - can't wait

 

[Red17]

I think few on here will be able to compare directly as you don't tend to have both. I upgraded from a 705 to a 810. There are more software issues with the 810 than the 705 it freezes more and I don't like not being able to turn it off to save power in a cafe and not be able to resume the ride. You could do this with the 705.

I never have that issue with my 810 - I often turn it off when I'm in a cafe or stopped for a while and it resumes again when I restart it.

It did go through a spell of freezing earlier in the year but touch wood its been pretty faultless since then.