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Garmin Edge 520 Plus vs 530 – Which One Is for You?

LAST UPDATED: February 6, 2021

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If you are anything like us, you don’t like to take unnecessary risks hoping it will increase the thrill of an adventure;

in which case, perhaps you would agree that a GPS device is a must-have for any passionate biker.

Garmin Edge 520 Plus vs 530

It helps keep track of your biking stats, gives you accurate route details, and most importantly, keeps you safe.

Garmin is one of the biggest manufacturers of biker GPS thanks to the reliability and features of their products, two of which are Garmin Edge 520 plus and 530.

These devices are similar and yet quite different from one another.

So, to find out which side of the Garmin 520 Plus vs. Edge 530 debate you lean towards, keep calm, and read on.

In this article, we are going to help you decide between the two. We will try to give you a thorough understanding of the computers and compare some characteristics of the two.

From this, you should be able to comprehend which GPS comes with everything you are looking for; Garmin 520 plus or 530.

Garmin Edge 520 Plus vs 530 – Comparison 2021

Before buying a product, you need to know all about it so that you can verify if it complies with your requirements.

So, it is only fair that we provide you with an analysis of each aspect for both GPSs. The next section will let you know about these.

Garmin 520 Plus vs 530 - Comparison 2020

It will also shed light on the differences between Garmin Edge 520 Plus and 530 so that you be able to compare between the two and help ensure if your choice is justified.

Preview
Garmin Edge 520 Plus, Gps Cycling/Bike Computer for Competing and Navigation
Editor's Pick
Garmin Edge 530, Performance GPS Cycling/Bike Computer with Mapping, Dynamic Performance Monitoring...
Name
Garmin Edge 520 Plus, Gps Cycling/Bike Computer for Competing and Navigation
Garmin Edge 530, Performance GPS Cycling/Bike Computer with Mapping, Dynamic Performance Monitoring...
Ratings
Reviews
931 Reviews
827 Reviews
Bike Alarm
Race an Activity
GPS
Battery Life
up to 15 hours
up to 20 hours
Display Size
2.3″ (58.4 mm) diagonal
2.6″ (66 mm) diagonal
Display Resulation
200 x 265 pixels
246 x 322 pixels
Ambient Light Sensor
Basemap
Group Live track
In reach Compatible
Training Effect
Physio Trueup
MTB Dynamics
History
up to 200 hours
up to 200 hours
Price
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Preview
Garmin Edge 520 Plus, Gps Cycling/Bike Computer for Competing and Navigation
Name
Garmin Edge 520 Plus, Gps Cycling/Bike Computer for Competing and Navigation
Ratings
Reviews
931 Reviews
Bike Alarm
Race an Activity
GPS
Battery Life
up to 15 hours
Display Size
2.3″ (58.4 mm) diagonal
Display Resulation
200 x 265 pixels
Ambient Light Sensor
Basemap
Group Live track
In reach Compatible
Training Effect
Physio Trueup
MTB Dynamics
History
up to 200 hours
Price
Buy on Amazon
Editor's Pick
Preview
Garmin Edge 530, Performance GPS Cycling/Bike Computer with Mapping, Dynamic Performance Monitoring...
Name
Garmin Edge 530, Performance GPS Cycling/Bike Computer with Mapping, Dynamic Performance Monitoring...
Ratings
Reviews
827 Reviews
Bike Alarm
Race an Activity
GPS
Battery Life
up to 20 hours
Display Size
2.6″ (66 mm) diagonal
Display Resulation
246 x 322 pixels
Ambient Light Sensor
Basemap
Group Live track
In reach Compatible
Training Effect
Physio Trueup
MTB Dynamics
History
up to 200 hours
Price
Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2021-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Garmin Edge 520 Plus

Garmin Edge 520 Plus

Key Features

  • It has preloaded Garmin cycle map and alerts for new riders for easy navigation
  • The battery can hold up to 15 hours
  • It lets you compete with other riders and also compare with your previous record using preloaded Strava Live Segments
  • You can keep in touch with your smartphone with Group Track and LiveTrack
  • Smart notifications and messaging among riders are enabled
  • It can monitor cycling-specific Vo2 max with a recovery advisor
  • It observes heart rate and has ‘Incident Detection’ built into it
  • If you use it with Vector power meters, it checks FTP or Functional Threshold Power

Related guide: Garmin bike computer comparison

Garmin 520 Plus Navigation

Garmin 520 Plus Navigation

Because this device provides preloaded Garmin Cycle Map, you will be aware of each turn you take and also be alerted for sharp turns.

When you go off-course, you need not worry either; because it can get you to the route again or the start.

Garmin 520 Plus Trails

It lets you use trail maps online with the Trailforks app, containing trails of at least 80 countries.

So, wherever you go, you can see topographic info, heatmaps, points of interest, and condition of a trail.

The app also lets you find new trails and thus prepare for the best ride.

Garmin 520 Plus Training

Thanks to TrainingPeaks, chances of actually completing or upgrading your daily workout are greatly increased.

This app only requires a free account to direct you live while training along with recess periods and intensity targets.

You can sync your data in it for analyzing and gauging improvement after each session.

Garmin 520 Plus Cycling Safety

Along with advanced navigation, Garmin Edge 520 Plus makes mountain biking secure with a bunch of cool features.

Pairing it with rearview radar and smart bike lights, you will get notifications of approaching vehicles and be visible to others.

Also, you can provide your real-time location to your riding buddies and loved ones.

Garmin 520 Plus Customization

One of the best things about this device is its customization features.

You can use a myriad of apps to know about weather conditions before riding and whether you are going beyond maximum available power.

The product can be tailored to display your preferred stats.

Check Price On Amazon

Read Now: Garmin Edge 520 Plus Review

Garmin Edge 530

Garmin Edge 530

Key Features

  • It features MTB dynamics to observe jump distance and count, hang time, a ride’s complexity, etc
  • It has a battery life of up to 20 hours, and with Garmin Charge Powerpack, it lasts for an extra 40 hours
  • This complies with Vector power meter
  • It lets you know the conditions of your Vo2 max, training balance, heat, and altitude
  • It comes with features like tracking and messaging in group conversations, alarms, etc
  • This is compatible with Variant rearview radar and lights which, when paired with a smartphone, lets you see and be visible to others
  • There are routable Garmin Cycle Map that shows you most popular routes, off-course recalculation, etc. and it is able to set you back to start
  • You can customize it with apps, data fields, and widgets by using Connect IQ Store

Garmin 530 Navigation

Garmin 530 Navigation

This is able to give you turn by turn navigation and get you to the destination early if you like.

It gives you an edge by letting you know the ‘popularity routing’ so that you can ride like a local. Its route computation has a dashing speed.

Garmin 530 Trails

This one has the benefits of Trailforks too. Edge 530 shows forks that come in a trail utilizing the Foresight mode.

It provides various mountain biking metrics, including Grit or the difficulty of a ride and flow or your level of smoothness descending a trail.

Garmin 530 Training

This device provides an excellent analysis of your workout to help you achieve your goals, so detailed that you can see how you are adjusting to a setting with altitude adaptation and heat when connected with sensors.

Using TrainingPeaks, you’ll know about your progress according to your selected workout module.

Related article: 520 VS 810 comparison.

Garmin 530 Cycling Safety

This computer assures safety by keeping you connected. You can set up emergency contacts so that they can be informed of your location when the device detects an incident.

Moreover, when making a pit stop, if your bike’s location changes, you will be notified.

Garmin 530 Customization

With the Connect IQ Store, Garmin Edge 530 bundle lets you customize the device by utilizing its free elements.

You can download various apps, data fields, and widgets to give it a personal touch for ease of use.

Check Price On Amazon

You may also check the Garmin Edge 1000 vs 1030 Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Which one is worth buying? The Garmin Edge 520 Plus or the Edge 530?

The new Garmin Edge 530 includes a host of valuable new features and also addressed the shortcomings of the 520 and the 520 plus. The screen is larger, and the processor is also faster. They have also improved the battery life.

What’s new in the Garmin Edge 530?

The 530 now sports Wi-Fi support as well as Bluetooth Smart sensor support. There are also other new features like Heat Acclimation, Altitude Acclimation, ClimbPro, Bike Alarm Feature, and Hydration & Nutrition Alerts.

Final Thoughts

Garmin ensures quality with all of its products, making it one of the most recommended brands in the world of mountain biking.

If you have gone through this narrative of Garmin 520 plus vs. 530 so far, we hope that we were able to highlight the facts that unite and distinguish these two products. Say hello to adventure with whichever of the two you choose!

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