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Home / Bike GPS Computer / Garmin Edge 520 Plus vs 530 – Which One Is for You?
Bike GPS Computer

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

Garmin 530 Navigation

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

in this 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 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.

Table of Contents

  • Comparison Table
    • Garmin Edge 520 Plus
      • Key Features
      • Garmin 520 Plus Navigation
      • Garmin 520 Plus Trails
      • Garmin 520 Plus Training
      • Garmin 520 Plus Cycling Safety
      • Garmin 520 Plus Customization
    • Garmin Edge 530
      • Key Features
      • Garmin 530 Navigation
      • Garmin 530 Trails
      • Garmin 530 Training
      • Garmin 530 Cycling Safety
      • Garmin 530 Customization
  • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Final Thoughts

Comparison Table

Model  Edge 520 Plus Edge 530
Bike Alarm No Yes
Race an Activity No Yes
GPS Yes Yes
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 No Yes
Basemap Yes Yes
Group Live track Yes Yes
In reach Compatible No Yes
Training Effect No Yes
Physio Trueup Yes Yes
MTB Dynamics No Yes
History up to 200 hours up to 200 hours
Price Check Price Check Price

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 Edge 530 so that you be able to compare the two and help ensure that your choice is justified.

Garmin Edge 520 Plus

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07C1TDBZC&Format= SL400 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=5cyclingimc 20Garmin 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, heat maps, points of interest, and the 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, the 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.

ColorBatteries?Screen SizeItem DimensionsMap Type
BlackYes2.3 Inches2.9 x 0.8 x 1.9 inWorldwide
Check Price On Amazon

Read Now: Garmin Edge 520 Plus Review

Garmin Edge 530

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07QBDG3TR&Format= SL400 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=5cyclingimc 20Garmin 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 the 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.

ColorBatteries?Screen SizeItem Dimensions Map Type
BlackYes2.6 Inches3.2 x 0.8 x 1.9 inWorldwide,
North America
Check Price On Amazon

You may also check the Garmin Edge 1000 vs 1030 Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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 Edge 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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