Why We Like The Garmin Edge 540 Solar Bike Computer
Garmin’s new Edge 540 Solar Cycling Computer is a must-have tool to help us improve our riding, and it’s so awesome that it uses solar power to do so. With solar charging, we can ride longer and harder without our computer crashing mid-ride and taking away the incredible features the Edge 540 provides. When used with a heart rate monitor and power meter, we can see our most accurate data, which the computer uses to create personalized workouts, adaptive coaching, and live power targets. Riding longer may come with unknown routes, which is never an issue while using the Edge 540, thanks to multi-band GNSS technology and pre-loaded route options.
Details
- A cycling computer designed for advanced navigation and adaptive use
- Solar charging allows for longer rides and up to 32 hours of battery life
- Button controls make for a user-friendly interface
- Provides adaptive coaching when used with a power meter or HR monitor
- Multi-band GNSS technology offers pin-point accuracy in any area
- Personalized workouts, insights, and coaching improve our riding
- Item #GRMF06F
- Housing Material
- silicone
- Clock
- yes
- Wireless
- yes
- Backlight
- yes
- Water-Resistant
- IPX7
- Battery Type
- Lithium ion cell contained in equipment
- Battery Life
- [demanding use] up to 32 hours, [battery saver mode] up to 60 hours
- Low Battery Indicator
- yes
- Mount Type
- out-front mount, standard mount
- Includes
- Edge 540 Solar, out-front mount, standard mount, tether, USB-C cable, documentation
- Dimensions
- 2.3 x 3.4 x 0.8in
- Face Size
- 2.6in diagonal
- Claimed Weight
- 84.9g (3oz)
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited
- Activity
- cross-country, enduro, gravel, road cycling, trail
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
3.5 based on 16 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageApril 18, 2024
All great except for the buttons
Works like a charm except the buttons are a bit difficult to use
Originally reviewed on Garmin
April 6, 2024
Going Great…for now…
I started in the Garmin family with the edge 520, after polar cyclometers, cycleops power meters, Garmin 520 was my first Garmin product. It was nice for a year and a half or so before issues such as power off in middle of ride even though battery was fine, restarts would get me back, I really liked the livetrack feature, the 520 was nice till I had a lot of issues and lost data. So I switched to wahoo. That lasted about 6-8 months, I missed the Garmin ecosystem and a lot of what was good wasn’t available with wahoo, total bike mileage per bike, different types of bikes and rides. Wahoo didn’t offer that. So I came back to Garmin in time for the almost release of the 540, but it wasn’t out, so I got the 530, enjoyed it for almost a year, then I guess the battery is having issues, after a full charge and an hour ride, a couple days later I go to ride, now it has to be charged..so I charge it enough to get a ride in, this happened multiple times, so by now I’m able to move into the 540, I go with the solar, I’ve heard there was a battery improvement too, and the usb-c is great too. Lost the ability to have a self race, but the feature set on this is really great. Of course it’s only a couple months with it and it’s working great. I like the wider aesthetic, it makes it look thinner than the 530 even though it’s not. Power has definitely not been an issue, but with solar, it’s nice to see I gain minutes back a little. So far it’s worth it. I’ll send the 530 in for a new battery so I can have as a backup
Originally reviewed on Garmin
January 29, 2024
Loving my 540 Solar!
I'm really enjoying my Garmin so far. It's a really smart device. It sends an alert when I'm approaching heavy traffic and I love that it has solar charging capabilities. I still haven't used it to its full potential, but it's been a pleasure to use so far. It's also a lot more user friendly than I had previously heard about. I love the push button version. Remember to buy protective screen and casing because it's not fully waterproof. I do wish those items were included with the device.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
November 29, 2023
Not user friendly
Is comes with no manual other than what the buttons do. It’s like going from android to a iPhone. You have got to play with this a lot to teach yourself how to use it. I had to go online and ask a question to set it up. Is was going to return it the next day but I forced myself to learn this. I think it’s overpriced for what it does. Especially when you have to buy apps like ride gps.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
October 24, 2023
Works Well
So far, the Edge 540 Solar does everything well. It was easy to set up, and the buttons are the same as my older Edge 520 so it was a low learning curve to use it. The battery seems to last a long time. I used it for 9 hours and it still had 60% battery. The solar charging is an added benefit and reduces worrying about battery life during a century or other all day cycling.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
October 23, 2023
Best One Yet
Garmin has really put a ton of thought into the Edge 540 Solar. In addition to the solar capability, it now has a larger screen, better feed back following a ride or workout, the start screen has all of the information one could possibly need (weather, scheduled workout, training status...), control of what you are listening to is at your fingertips... My favorite feature is the two (2) personalized data points on the workout screen; it's a game changer!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
October 9, 2023
Poor design
It charges solar a little. It doesn't charge when off like they said. It has trouble turning on. It doesn't sync hardly at all.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 11, 2023
Like a dedicated navigation device from past era
Attention! Initial review after setup and first 50 km solo ride. My main sport is running and I've been using Garmin running-specific devices since 2009: Forerunner 405, 225, 735XT, 245, 245 Music, fēnix 6X Pro Solar, and Enduro 2. Love those and the overall development progress throughout the years. The logic says I have to go with Garmin when choosing a bicycle computer. Great experience and the data stays at one base. However, after today I’m sure the wearables team doesn’t even speak to the cycling computer division folks because they’re ashamed of them. There’s almost nothing from the experience you have using wearables (except maybe glances). Navigation is awful. On a straight 5 km stretch the device shows arrows left and right marking intersections. The distinction between intersection notifications and actual turns is unnoticeable. That’s how I missed the exit, luckily that was on the cycling lane and I was able to return. I was in luck in the second part of the route, I have been riding there with a friend a couple of weeks ago. The whole user experience is of automotive sector devices, e.g., some Tom Tom from 2008. An hour before sunrise, when it gets a little darker the contrast was almost off. Checked “Auto Brightness” is on. Combine that with screen glare and you have one awful combination. And I don’t even have anything to compare to, is there anything? My Enduro 2 with magnifying glass mount?
Originally reviewed on Garmin
July 7, 2023
Annoying to use - features are not intuitive.
I bought this devise 2 months ago and have used it about 4 times only just because the device is very difficult to program, The Edge 540 Solar does not have a touch screen. This makes it difficult to program, even when I thought I have it all figured out. There is a constant beeping noice with arrow pointing to the right that comes on when the unit is in the "Train" position. Elapsed time and mileage covered does not record, neither does calories burned. I am not happy with the unit.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
June 17, 2023
Can’t get it to stop beeping
Just bought this sucker. Put it on my bike and ready to roll but can’t get it to start without beeping and this arrow ?? Need to visit the website as no instruction manual came with the box.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
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