Garmin Edge 830 vs 1030 – Comparison of 2023
Like most current technological devices, bike computers should not be judged based on their size.
Though compact, they are powerful and useful devices that make one’s experience of cycling more productive, and in turn, more rewarding.
Today, we will be talking specifically about two such bike computers currently in the market: the Garmin Edge 830 and the Garmin Edge 1030.
This Garmin Edge 830 and 1030 guide will attempt to help you reach a decision about which of the two bike computers to purchase. With that, let the comparisons begin!
Garmin Edge 830 vs 1030 – Comparison in 2023
| Edge 830 | Edge 1030 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 2.6″ (66 mm) diagonal | 3.5″ (88.9 mm) diagonal |
| Display Resulation | 246 x 322 pixels | 282 x 470 pixels |
| Bike Alarm | Yes | No |
| Assistance | Yes | No |
| VARIAâ„¢ Remote | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | up to 20 hours | up to 20 hours |
| Weight | 2.8 oz (79.1 g) | 4.3 oz (123 g) |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Overview of the Garmin Edge 830
Here, we will give you an overall idea of the Garmin Edge 830.
Specification
General Features
Garmin Edge 830 is a step-up from its predecessor, the Garmin Edge 820. With a length of 1.9 inches, a width of 3.2 inches and a height of 0.8 inches, the device weighs just under 80 grams.
It has a display of 2.6 inches diagonally and a color display resolution of 246 x 322 pixels, and is priced at around 400 USD.
The device also has a battery life of up to 20 hours and has a waterproof rating of IPX 7. It has a full touchscreen, which is highly responsive.
Mapping and Navigating
The Edge 830 comes with a preloaded Garmin Cycle Map and Integrated TrailForks content.
You can also search addresses, and the device will provide you with a route to follow.
The popularity routing feature shows you which routes are most frequented by cyclists.
It also provides turn-by-turn navigation and allows you to find points of interest that are close by.
Other Features
The Garmin Edge 830 will automatically sync your rides, provide smart notifications, and allow rider to rider messaging.
You can also download the free apps and widgets that are on the Connect IQâ„¢ store.
With this bike computer, you can also create customized workout routines to suit your personal cycling goals as well as compete against a virtual cyclist.
The device will also display calories burned, recovery time, and work out calorie count based on your heart rate.
Garmin’s Edge 830 is, in short, quite a complete bike computer. Though small in size, it is packed with necessary and useful features that every cyclist would appreciate.
Pros
Cons
Related Guide: Garmin Edge 1000 Review
Overview of the Garmin Edge 1030
Let’s talk about the Garmin Edge 1030 in detail.
Specification
General Features
The Garmin Edge 1030 has a length of 4.5 inches, a width of 2.3 inches, and the same height as the Edge 830, that is, 0.8 inches.
It is priced at around 600 USD and weighs 123 grams. The device’s screen is 3.5 inches long diagonally, and it has a color touchscreen display of 282 x 470 pixels.
Its battery life is up to 15 hours, and it has a waterproof rating of IPX 7.
Mapping and Navigating
Overall, the Garmin Edge 1030 does not differ too much from the Edge 830 when it comes to internal and software features such as mapping, navigation, connectivity, and personal training.
In fact, though there are features in the Edge 830 that the Edge 1030 lacks, the latter does not have features which are absent in the former.
That is, the Garmin Edge 830 essentially has more to offer than what the Edge 1030 already does offer.
Features that the Edge 1030 lacks include bike alarm, find my bike computer, unit-to-unit transfer, Performance Power Curve, etc.
Other than that, the Edge 1030 is quite a complete bike computer with a sizable and user-friendly display and a highly responsive touchscreen.
Pros
Cons
Related Guide: Garmin Edge 1000 buying guide
Garmin Edge 1030 vs Edge 830 Which One Wins?
Although a predecessor to the Garmin Edge 1030, it can be concluded that the Garmin Edge 830 has more merits to its name than the former.
There is not much that comes in the way of differences between the two bike computers.
However, the Edge 1030 does seem to lack a few features that the Edge 830 comes with.
Similarly, there are aspects of the Edge 830 that may turn you to choose the Edge 1030 over it. Let us look at these differences in detail.
Price and Size
The Garmin Edge 830 is about 200USD cheaper than the Edge 1030, which is always a good thing, especially given the fact that this price disparity does not mean that the Edge 830 has fewer or less advanced features than the Edge 1030.
And the Garmin Edge 830 is also more compact and lighter than its successor.
This can either be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on who you are and what your individual bike computer needs are.
Some people prefer the portability and mobility of a smaller device, while others may find the larger size of the Edge 1030 to be more user friendly.
Display Size
Though more compact, this also means that the Edge 830 has a smaller display than the Edge 1030. Smaller, that is, by 0.9 inches (diagonally), to be exact.
Again, some may value the Edge 830’s small size due to its mobility, while others will prioritize a larger display, such as the one of the Edge 1030 (3.5 inches, diagonally).
Overall Features
Additionally, the features the Edge 830 comes with are equal to (if not more than) the ones in the Edge 1030. If we look at the list of the specs of the two bike computers side by side, we will see that they have almost the same features.
In fact, the Edge 830 has some added features such as bike alarm, find my bike computer, the Galileo satellite system, preloaded TrailForks content, unit-to-unit transfer, ClimbPro, Performance Power Curve, heat and altitude acclimations, water and calorie requirements, and even more.
The Edge 830 also has a longer (by 5 hours) battery life of up to 20 hours than the Edge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some of the most commonly asked queries regarding the comparison between the two products:
Which of the two has a better battery life?
Both the devices have similar battery lives, with the Edge 830 having up to 20 hours and the Edge 1030 having anywhere from 15 to 20 hours of battery life. They can both provide up to 48 hours of use on battery saver mode.
Are they touchscreen or button-controlled?
The Edge 830 and Edge 1030 by Garmin both feature highly responsive touchscreens.
To what extent can I control my route on each device?
Both these bike computers will allow you to recalculate your route on them, route back to your starting point, create a route on the unit itself, and create a round-trip route.
Are the devices waterproof?
The Edge 830 and Edge 1030 both have a waterproof rating of IPX 7, which means that they will work perfectly fine after remaining in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes or less.
Can I customize cycling workouts on these devices?
Yes, both the Garmin Edge 830 and the Edge 1030 allow users to create and modify goal-oriented workout routines.
Which One Is for You – Garmin Edge 830 or 1030?
All in all, if you want almost the same features in your Garmin bike computer as the Edge 830 (and do not mind a slightly slower processing speed), but with a larger display, feel free to go for the Garmin Edge 1030.
It not only has the very same features as the Edge 1030 but comes at a more affordable price and with additional features.
Either way, you will be going home with one of the most reputed and versatile bike computers on the market.