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 24 ratings
Review Summary
What do you think about this product?
View
Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageOctober 20, 2024
Great Features......BUT !
The 540 is O.K. But to program and customize it is NOT in anyway user friendly. I would have returned the 540, but it has been probably to long !
Originally reviewed on Garmin
June 17, 2024
Great Features | Not Intuitive
I'm using this for mostly navigating on trails and other backcountry routes and It's been working great for that. The solar charging adds a little extra battery life, but nothing significant. A lot of great features that aren't really intuitive to use, but I'm sure there is a learning curve that takes some time.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
June 5, 2024
Dislike. Difficult to use. New isn’t better.
I purchased this unit a month ago. I dislike it completely. My old Garmin 705 is superior in so many ways but Garmin quit supporting my device so I was forced to buy this new one which is garbage. New and improved means difficult and over engineered. I wish I could get my money back. Other problems: There’s no way to turn on the back light briefly while riding without messing with the buttons back-and-forth taking you in and out of your chosen screen. If you choose to leave the backlight on all the time, which isn’t bright enough anyway, it kills the battery. You are forced to use the Garmin Connect app in the background for weather so that means I have to carry a phone with radiation on my kidneys in my jersey pocket. So yeah, this thing is garbage. Just my opinion.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 23, 2024
Works great!
I was curious about how well solar would work, knowing it wasn't going to be the sole means of charging. I was pleased with it. The only reasons I gave 4/5 was that I think there is too much info to try to get through for the casual cyclist. But after using it for several rides & a couple short tours, I think I have finally got it set up for my riding style. Love the longer battery life!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 10, 2024
Drops sensors
So disappointed I didn’t read other reviews before purchasing about sensors dropping. I trusted Garmin for the other products I’ve purchased.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 8, 2024
Great device
I upgraded from the 130 plus and the 540 Solar is significantly improved. I cannot recommend it enough.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
April 29, 2024
Evolutionary Improvements
I bought the Edge 540 Solar about a month ago to replace an Edge 530. Most impressive was that the 540 was able to access and duplicate the settings on the 530, saving a lot of time and hassle. There are some differences in the screens and operating system, but it was generally easy to learn. There are some improved metrics and capabilities. The solar feature is nice in that extends the ride time on a sunny day. I also like the slightly larger and more easily visible display footprint. The one thing I don't really care for is the "feel" and "touch" of the buttons. They are a bit different than the 530 and I still have too many "misses" when I try to use them.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
April 27, 2024
First Garmin Edge
Had the 540 solar for a month now. Chose this based on numerous positive reviews. Its my first edge model, I was using a GPSMAP 64SX previously and this is just a massive step up in features as well as weighing far less. Really like how easy the menus are to navigate and the customizable data screens. Its everything I was looking for, plus does a ton of stuff I don’t need.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
April 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
Need Expert Advice?
Our Gearheads Can Help
Cancer and Reproductive Harm - P65Warnings.ca.gov