I have this device, it pairs well with my heart rate sensor, cadence sensor and Fenix 7x pro. I don't go out cycling for anything like the battery power allows (anyone who does is a top end cyclist and would have a top end device so the whole power supply issue is negligible for me). It connects to "power meter". It navigates well and basically does everything I need it to do, it worked perfectly last week on a 60 mile ride across the moors around Stalybridge no problems whatsoever and I have every confidence tomorrow on a 50 mile journey to Holmfirth. I just don't know what else I'd need tbh. I was willing to pay whatever I needed for a solid device and feel I have it. If you are a recreational cyclist it is perfect and more than enough 👌
Excellent vid...only wish it was out yesterday! Edge Explore 2 arrived and won't work with Trek Rail 9.7 (Bosch/Kiox) for the power display. Was told that Bosch doesn't support ANT+. Hours on the phone with Garmin and Trek. Also, no power pins on bottom of unit (power bundle still 5 - 8 weeks out), but with the Garmin power pack unit, one can power the Explore 2 with a short USB-A/C cable while riding, and charge it while not riding. Navigation WAY better than my "old' 1030...faster and easier, IMO. Thanks!
I feel like all cables should be included. $120 is a lot for a bike mount. Other than that, I think this Explorer unit could be perfectly fine for a lot of people. I’ll be very curious to see what Garmin does with the 540/840 products. They might need a bit more to distinguish between all of these Edge units. Great review as always Ray! 👌
Explore 1 and 2 are definitely distinguishable. Those devices are specifically for people who don't care nor need advanced training features. It's for people who prioritize navigation aka exploration :D For them, this very solid bargain... or at least definitely better than Edge 530 which has awful menus and smaller non-touch screen (not very convenient if you like to check and/or edit your destination).
i used this in combination with Komoot cycling 9000km through Thai Laos and Cambodia.. excellent is all i will say.. combined with Google maps on my phone my tour was very easy to navigate, the battery lasted around 350km of continuous navigation, never ran out during a ride, saves using phone power and no need for using powerbank power all sorts of things, if you are going touring, get this bike computer 100%
Great review. Can you tell me if data fields can be changed on the move. (On the edge 1000 I could press a data field and lists of fields would appear that I could choose from). Thanks. Mark
I notice a small, possibly significant, difference in the design between Explore 1 and 2 that's never mentioned. It's the location of the micro-speaker. On the original Explore it was located right atop the quarter-turn mount. Whenever the unit was mounted, i.e., everytime it was in use, this had the unfortunate effect of dampening the unit's beeps, often making them difficult to hear in windy or noisty traffic situations. On the Explore 2 the holes have been relocated further up the underside, hopefully increasing the volume.
If Garmin updates the ClimbPro to detect climbs without requiring a loaded course, I wonder if that feature will or can be updated on this Explore 2 since it does not have the Dual Band GPS? I don't need the advanced training metrics found on the higher end units, but I do like the larger 3 inch display and ClimbPro if it gets the update. Update: Garmin did update ClimbPro to auto detect climbs, but I doubt it makes it down to the Explore 2. I bought the 840 instead and love it so far.
Thanks a lot for the answer in advance DC Rainmaker! Question: I've seen that the 1040 could calculate a 60km course in 2 seconds, the old Explorer 1 would take 2 minutes... (this is unuasable if one gets off the route, with a recalculation) does this unit (The Explorer 2) have the same processor as in the 1040?? So can it recalculate or load a course as quick as the 1040? That's of the most importance to me...
I have been waiting for this upgrade of the Garmin Edge Explore, this is exactly what I need. I will just get the standard version, I am not going to pay $50 for a usb cable.
Just upgraded from an old beaten up 2015 edge 520 to this. So far im very happy with it. I could have upgraded to a Edge 530 for a little less but I dont need all the fancy performance features of the 530. Im mainly a recreational rider that does the occasional club run. The fact that the E2 supports all the sensors is such an huge bonus. So I can hook up a heart rate monitor or a power meter if I ever decide to turn pro....which is highly unlikely. I wanted to ride more local routes with komoot. So the big screen, navigation and tonnes of space for maps and routes sold it for me. The early 520 was amazing for its time but it is so very dated with the super tiny amount of storage capacity for maps and courses, And i did the 'extra storage' hack by deleting the folder for language files too!
I have been waiting out for something like this with a touch screen and more navigation focused as I have really fallen in love with gravel and i am coming from the 530
I'm new to bike GPS and your channel is super well explained…but I can't find any info about that… is it possible with the Garmin Edge Explore 2 to start a ride (a freeride?) without any planned route?
I have my own power bundle; a £40 power bank in my back pocket, and a generic USB C cable. This system also worked very well in the past with my edge 520 though using a micro USB cable. Also, in practice, the real time training metrics that I've used are %HR and HRSS which is a 3rd party app anyway. Everything else is in Garmin connect and Strava for post ride analysis.
Not sure if I missed this so apologies if I did. I’ve been running a ELEMNT bolt since 2016 and it’s time for an upgrade, I’m not overly interested in workout as I do those on the turbo so feel the explore 2 has everything (and more) that I actually use. Only query is the standard page I use on the wahoo has a data field at the top of the map/course navigation page which I’ve set to my 3s power. Does Garmin has data fields that are customisable on the courses page?
Thanks for your review. I lost mine after just 2 days. I bought my Garmin Edge Explore to help me navigate off-road routes. The Garmin mount looked fairly solid so I made the mistake of not using the supplied tether After a long bumpy off-road ride, I noticed I had lost it, the attachment method is great for smooth roads but not bumpy rides. For me, I felt the Garmin was not that intuitive and the screen was too small for a pair of 55-year-old eyes. Also, I was hoping for voice prompts of when to turn left or right but it did not do this.
The mount is fine, working like a charm and i can guarantee that im going as bumpy trails than you could ever imagine even trying. Don't blame the product just because your then 55yr old eyes can't help you even with properly installing it.
Thank you for your very detailed review. You always do such good work.I have been waiting for this for a year now And I’m super disappointed they didn’t add solar. As a tour focused device long battery life should’ve been key. Long days of touring Sometimes without a place to charge makes my battery life really important to me.
It would be gobs more expensive like the solar 1040 vs regular. Could you buy a $10-20 mini solar panel and/or battery bank and charge via USBC? I assume this thing can charge while navigating??
Great review as always, super informative and detailed. Have been waiting for the Edge Explore update for a while as I have the 1st Gen unit and love it...except for battery life....which is frankly appalling. Had really hoped Garmin would include the battery power connectors on the base unit to allow their own underslung battery pack to be used. The fact they only offer this feature if you buy the power mount is ridiculous, especially as you have to then also buy a further connector cable and a battery pack. Love the Explore units as they strip back a lot of stuff I don't need and focus on navigation, but battery life on the old unit is a problem and whilst the new unit professes greater battery life, it still isn't great or enough for multi day rides. Garmin have missed a trick here for sure, imho, and should have simply included the power connectors on all units. When all is said and done, you'd end up spending close to the cost of of a 1030+ or 1040 it seems, to get better battery life or compatibility with their battery pack, which is a pity as they have a load of features I, and probably a good many other riders, don't need. Thanks for the info, really useful, especially as I was considering the upgrade, but will probably not do so now...
I'm interested in keeping my Garmin going for a long time for multi Everesting and my ears pricked up when I heard about the power mount. But it looks like the best solution is still to just plug a regular power bank into the charge port. I have done this for years with an 810, 820 and now 830.
Great reviews as well! I have so many bike computers, Garmin, Wahoo, Magene, Bryton etc. Although Garmin's products are expensive, they are really great to use!
I like my 530 most of the time, but it's worthless when it comes to navigation or trying to pan around the map, so I keep stopping to pull my phone out. I'm torn between switching to this one or waiting for the 840 (which should be out soonish?). Is the 840 going to be as good at navigation as the Edge Explore 2, apart from screen size, or do they withhold features like they withhold some of the power and training displays for the Explores?
I've had the original Explore for a few years and thousands of KM's. Despite its emphasis on navigation and the larger touch screen when I need to do some serious navigational consultation the phone comes out. For several reasons: the Explore's display, despite being slightly larger than the 530's, is still very small; the device doesn't put out much nits and is sometimes difficult to see in the sun; finally, responsiveness is slugglish, because the CPU is not modestly powered as befits a mid-range device.
Is the Explore good at finding coffee shops for instance. I'm only considering this GPS device for navigation and pairing my Garmin bike radar. That's it. I don't ride for performance or anything. I ride for fun and going around town to eat or siteseeing. Maps is all I need and I don't want to risk breaking my phone so have no plans on using a phone for navigation.
I've been waiting on this computer, been checking back every couple weeks to see if there was anything new. I hope it arrives in time for my tour at the end of the week!
As always, a clear and trustfull review. Thx Ray. I have a few questions. Is it possible to pair this Explore 2 with my Epix gen 2? If so, will the EPIX provide me all the training information, that the explore doensn’t (recovery time, training load, training status, …)? Does the data from de Explore and the Epix come together in one training session in the garmin connect app, or seperated as 2 training sessions. Grtz.
Thanks! The answer is sorta. You can transmit HR from Epix to Explore - and that's fine, but it won't directly transmit/update to the other unit. Instead, it does it on the backend via Garmin Connect. So, it'll come together automatically and merge the training load/status/etc. You don't have to worry about deleting the extra session - unless you want to remove the extra mileage, as it won't remove that. But in terms of load, only one counts.
@@Dcrainmaker I don't understand. WIll the training be doubled or not with Epix + Explore 2? I get the point with transfer HR to the EE2 but what about the mileage?
Had my Edge 2 out over the last couple of days. It seems that each discipline road, off road and indoor has a separate odometer rather than one overall total.
Nice review. After some thinking I pulled the trigger yesterday for a Karoo2. What's your opinion on comparing the 2 devices? It seems that the Explorer leans more as the name suggest to exploring and giving users a more "casual" entry into the Garmin ecosystem without the in depth training features or not? While the Karoo 2 seems more focused on what the Explore lacks + bigger screen for navigating? The special e-bike support on the Explore seems like a useful extra for e-bike riders.
Good review thanks. Ref charging. If need be, do you know if it is possible to connect a cable from a powerbank ( eg in a barbag if touring) into the device while using the device with navigation and cycling? Say I get down to 5% battery and want to give it a boost to get me to destination. Also at the moment if I charge the Edge Explore (1) it stops the current ride and starts a new one. So if it is possible to charge and use, does it start a new ride from that point?
Hey Paul, Used the Explore 2 yesterday with the powerbank. The ExP 2 fit into the power mount (old one with the powerbank) and I connected a USB-A/C cable from the USB-A outlet in the powerbank to the USB-C input on the ExP 2 (routed around the handlebars.) The powerbank powered the ExP 2 and recharged it while riding. There were no issues like stopping the current ride or turning off. (However, I wasn't in a current ride when I first connected it...will check that right now...OK, just "started" a ride inside by pushing the "start" button. Plugged in the powerbank and the only thing that happened was that the ExP 2 started charging.) Hope that helps. Cheers (Also of note is that when you stop on a ride, the ExP 2 automatically pauses the ride timer...nice feature!)
@@edwardebel1847 Thanks for that Edward. Really useful info. Just to clarify. Was your set up - the Explore 2 with a "normal" power bank positioned somewhere else on the bike? With the USB-a/C cable input to the Explore on the side at the bottom of the device? So not involving Garmin powermount. Gosh I find it hard to explain this clearly. Shows what a good job DC Rainmaker does! The current model, Edge 1, stops a navigated course when it is given a new charge. Can't remember if mine stopped a ride (without a navigation).
@@CeilidhMalin Hey Paul...agree...hard to describe without pics :-) I mounted the ExP 2 on a regular quarter turn mount. Underneath that mount is a Garmin powerbank. The Garmin PB has a micro USB to charge it, and a USB-A to charge anything that takes a USB charger. Here the Garmin PB is just functioning like any generic powerbank. I can also test it with a generic powerbank...I have a few Mophys around the house, but I'm pretty sure it will behave the same... Using the Garmin powerbank, or any other powerbank instead of the $130 mount and the $50 cable has got to be a better choice. Too bad that the ExP 2 with the power pins on the bottom only comes with the power mount...otherwise I could use my Garmin powerbank with the powerbank mount and not have to route a cable to the USB-C port on the ExP 2. Seems like pettiness toward those of us who have been loyal customers. Cheers
Nice review. I've recently acquired a refurb Edge Explore (V1) of which i'm very pleased with. Should I upgrade to V2? I tried the 530 and hated it, i need the touch screen.
I feel like they addressed a lot of the comments people had about the previous unit, which Im pretty excited about. I'd be curious to see more people compare the two versions, but I'm absolutely going for a new one vs the refurbished explore 1
Thanks for the vids as always! Question though: Do all training metrics sync through true up? I.e if you have a 955 and didn't ride with it but unly the explore would you get all of them? Or would wearing and saving the ride on the 955 be better? Thanks!
When i use the edge and an fenix 7 and record an activity on the edge will it update for example my Training readiness on my fenix 7 with the recovery time an so on?
Thanks for the amazing video. I purchased this device today and since there is the standard time in the U.S. Is there's a way to adjust the time on this device, it's currently in the daylight saving time.
I am looking at buying one of these as my old Polar M460 is nearly dead and Polar have no more bike computers. I did notice though on Garmin website this model does have GPS GLONASS, GALILEO and GPS not just GPS.
Do you know if any of the garmins work with a specialise creo 2 ebike as can’t fine any information and with sram axis battery levels? And do you have to plug this into a computer to download maps as I have a wahoo And never use a computer! Many thanks love your vlogs so informative 😊
If it doesnt have WiFi connection, how does it send completed training session to Strava? Do you have to do it manually after you get back home with cable? Another question: can you use regular powerbank with usb C cable to charge the device during ride?
I believe soon we will see a 1040-based mod that allows to run structured workouts using this device. There’s nothing that would prevent unit from doing that.
If the half dozen firmware updates on the Explore 1 are any indication what you get with Explore 2 is all you're going to get. Don't expect increased functionality with future updates.
If I combine this with a Fenix 7, is there a recommended way to make the most of the fenix's metrics during a ride? Would I just start activities on both devices at the beginning of the ride?
@@Viewtolove I have a fenix 6x. It does not contribute to all of Fenix training metrics. Only Vo2, intensity and load is sync...Training effects is not calculated by EE2.
Is the Garmin Varia integration full or limited? I remember reading that the first Explore didn't act as a "complete" heads up display like the 530-1030 models.
This morning I logged onto Garmin Connect to do some route preparation. Then I see there's a map update available and I hit the download button. On trying to update I get a message to the effect that there is too much info in the latest maps to fit it all on my device's memory. It's a brand new device. It's my first map update. I've only added 4 new training routes so how can there be lack of memory. I've contacted Garmin Support so I'll wait to see what they say.
Not sure. If I log out of Garmin Express and log back in, it will sync and say device up to date. I have 3 items in Express. Car satnav, Instinct watch and this Edge. When you bring up Garmin Express it shows what you have registered and any available updates show as a number top right. When I look now my car satnav has 1 update and watch has 2 updates available. When I look at the Edge no updates are available. Also my PC notifies me of available updates. It did for the watch and car but not for the Edge. So I suspect it may be a glitch. Garmin Support say they will get back in 2 working days so hopefully it will be resolved this week.
My original explore was a massive letdown, with a battery that could barely last five hours of riding. The screen would switch off and the guidance instructions were vague and irregular. I hope for the sake of anybody that purchases this new unit that it is an improvement.
If I create a route using fiets knooppunten netwerk is it possible to load this onto the Explore 2? Normally I just follow the numbers but we have to cross through Den Haag and it would be good to have the backup as we have sometimes missed a turn. Thanks Rainmaker.
Hello and thanks for your review. I have a question, at 1:35 what`s that symbol in the upper right corner? It appears a lot of times in your review. And i´m confused, i found a lot of Data sheet / description who says that the Explore 2 has Wi-Fi is that right? Greetings from Germany!
@@Dcrainmaker Thanks Ray. Less so in cycling and more so in running / multi sport, Garmin’s range is so proliferated that I’m not sure us punters know what we should be buying. The choice is endless and a little bemusing!
@@Dcrainmaker I've read that non-touch screen displays have superior clarity to touch screen displays. Do you notice this between devices, say the 530 vs Explore or 830?
Great review. Can anybody tell me if data fields can be changed on the move. (On the edge 1000 I could press a data field and lists of fields would appear that I could choose from). Thanks all.
Just noticed something strange - when changing colour mode to 'Night' the map stays bright and doesn't change on Explore 2 like on other devices - is that a bug or this functionality was removed??
If I have the Epix 2 or a 955 and left the watch at home. Would the workout from this count and adjust the new training readiness data? As always thanks for doing what you always do
DC Rainmaker, Question.... Does the power mount bundle plug into any Ebike display that has a USB power outlet.. IE: the P860c by Bafang... It says on the Garmin site to choose the Bosch or Shimano cable.. or the USB-A cable.. will This mount (with the contacts and cable work on Bafang kit with the display that has a USB outlet to plug into?
Yup, it does. You can add the data as a data field (Under the ''Other" bucket), as well as see it after the fact on rides: connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/9185217752
It has a thermometer...but my experience with the thermo on the 1030 is that it consistently reads about 5-7 degress (F.) high. Somehow, as hot as a ride may seem, it seems even hotter if your bike computer is telling you its hotter. :-) (Maybe it will even out in the winter.) Yesterday was out with the new ExP 2 and couldn't quite tell if it was accurate...will know in a week or so after a few more rides.
Sensors...the new Explore 2 did not automatically pull in sensors from the existing set of my 1030 ( and other) sensors. Again, long time on the phone with Garmin, re-paired phone with Explore...no go. So far the biggest fault with this new unit is that there is no online or in-the-box manual for anything more than just the Quick Start features. Customer Support is also struggling a bit with this sudden rollout...but that being said, Garmin CS is excellent nonetheless. (The automatic adding of sensor was a thing for me because I have multiple bikes with multiple sensors and have named all the sensors so they don't "cross connect" between bikes.) Thanks again
a question. I had Fenix 6x and Edge 530. For this use case: cycling to the spot -> running -> then cycling back, my watch recorded only recovery time from the last ride (back home). Did they fixed it? I had this thing with support, they supposed to work on this, but since I sold my Fenix I can't check this anymore.
We'll have to put the Explore 2 on the psychiatrist's couch to find out. I mean, it may be suffering from schizophrenia. With both eBike plug-and-play as well as VO2 readouts and Power Meter compatibility I think it's aimed at the legions of eBikers at lactic threshold who also need turn-by-turn guidance to the nearest charging station.
Got a question, is it possible to disable touchscreen easily while cycling? Also, I assume that touching the screen is the only way of scrolling through screens, or can you do that with one of the buttons on the bottom? This looks really good but I'm hesitant to move to a fully touch controlled device. Thanks for the review!
Can this explore 2 be blue tooth paired with a phone so that the turn by turn instructions are called out loud on your phone, and otherwise, it is in battery saving mode on your phone?
As you know, in The Netherlands but also Belgium we also have the so called "fiets knooppunten netwerk". Can you view and select these knooppunten in the garmin edge explorer 2? i can't find any answer to this (ps...i am not asking how to lead a gpx into the garmin).
If all ebike makers included ant+ then this would work with ebikes and be SO convenient! Sure it also works with shimano steps, but... Edit...recently saw the cable price listed as $30 on the Garmin site (don't recall if it was a new lowered price or a sale price).
Could this be used in a similar way to a Beeline Moto GPS to follow a 400 mile or less GPX route on a motorcycle? The original Edge could not do this as the length of the route was too much for it.
I have this device, it pairs well with my heart rate sensor, cadence sensor and Fenix 7x pro. I don't go out cycling for anything like the battery power allows (anyone who does is a top end cyclist and would have a top end device so the whole power supply issue is negligible for me). It connects to "power meter". It navigates well and basically does everything I need it to do, it worked perfectly last week on a 60 mile ride across the moors around Stalybridge no problems whatsoever and I have every confidence tomorrow on a 50 mile journey to Holmfirth. I just don't know what else I'd need tbh. I was willing to pay whatever I needed for a solid device and feel I have it. If you are a recreational cyclist it is perfect and more than enough 👌
Excellent vid...only wish it was out yesterday! Edge Explore 2 arrived and won't work with Trek Rail 9.7 (Bosch/Kiox) for the power display. Was told that Bosch doesn't support ANT+. Hours on the phone with Garmin and Trek. Also, no power pins on bottom of unit (power bundle still 5 - 8 weeks out), but with the Garmin power pack unit, one can power the Explore 2 with a short USB-A/C cable while riding, and charge it while not riding. Navigation WAY better than my "old' 1030...faster and easier, IMO. Thanks!
I feel like all cables should be included. $120 is a lot for a bike mount. Other than that, I think this Explorer unit could be perfectly fine for a lot of people. I’ll be very curious to see what Garmin does with the 540/840 products. They might need a bit more to distinguish between all of these Edge units. Great review as always Ray! 👌
Yeah for sure, but I would have to know if your rides get counted towards the training load balance on the watch via Physio TrueUp.
@@BleakVision - Yeah, I think so. That's exactly what Physio TrueUp does right?
Explore 1 and 2 are definitely distinguishable. Those devices are specifically for people who don't care nor need advanced training features. It's for people who prioritize navigation aka exploration :D For them, this very solid bargain... or at least definitely better than Edge 530 which has awful menus and smaller non-touch screen (not very convenient if you like to check and/or edit your destination).
I have a small powerbank if needed instead :) it was $10, and I used a velcro-strap last time around, and a short cable.
Have no need for this......still gonna watch the video intently.
Haha...that's the spirit - thanks!
🤣
i used this in combination with Komoot cycling 9000km through Thai Laos and Cambodia.. excellent is all i will say.. combined with Google maps on my phone my tour was very easy to navigate, the battery lasted around 350km of continuous navigation, never ran out during a ride, saves using phone power and no need for using powerbank power all sorts of things, if you are going touring, get this bike computer 100%
Great review. Can you tell me if data fields can be changed on the move. (On the edge 1000 I could press a data field and lists of fields would appear that I could choose from). Thanks. Mark
I notice a small, possibly significant, difference in the design between Explore 1 and 2 that's never mentioned. It's the location of the micro-speaker. On the original Explore it was located right atop the quarter-turn mount. Whenever the unit was mounted, i.e., everytime it was in use, this had the unfortunate effect of dampening the unit's beeps, often making them difficult to hear in windy or noisty traffic situations. On the Explore 2 the holes have been relocated further up the underside, hopefully increasing the volume.
great video... i got the edge explore 2 (no power pack) for the budget price point. seems fine to me, and the battery life is huge imo
If Garmin updates the ClimbPro to detect climbs without requiring a loaded course, I wonder if that feature will or can be updated on this Explore 2 since it does not have the Dual Band GPS? I don't need the advanced training metrics found on the higher end units, but I do like the larger 3 inch display and ClimbPro if it gets the update.
Update: Garmin did update ClimbPro to auto detect climbs, but I doubt it makes it down to the Explore 2. I bought the 840 instead and love it so far.
I have the explorer 2 but havent manage to see climb pro activate, it only works on loaded rutes?
Picked one up. Looking forward to using it mainly for navigation capability as a replacement for my venerable edge 500.
Great review which gave me the information needed before I bought the Explorer 2. Ordered from Amazon and look forward to using & recording my rides.
Thanks a lot for the answer in advance DC Rainmaker! Question: I've seen that the 1040 could calculate a 60km course in 2 seconds, the old Explorer 1 would take 2 minutes... (this is unuasable if one gets off the route, with a recalculation) does this unit (The Explorer 2) have the same processor as in the 1040?? So can it recalculate or load a course as quick as the 1040? That's of the most importance to me...
Thanks!
Hi Antonio! Huge thanks!!!
I have been waiting for this upgrade of the Garmin Edge Explore, this is exactly what I need. I will just get the standard version, I am not going to pay $50 for a usb cable.
Just upgraded from an old beaten up 2015 edge 520 to this. So far im very happy with it. I could have upgraded to a Edge 530 for a little less but I dont need all the fancy performance features of the 530. Im mainly a recreational rider that does the occasional club run. The fact that the E2 supports all the sensors is such an huge bonus. So I can hook up a heart rate monitor or a power meter if I ever decide to turn pro....which is highly unlikely.
I wanted to ride more local routes with komoot. So the big screen, navigation and tonnes of space for maps and routes sold it for me. The early 520 was amazing for its time but it is so very dated with the super tiny amount of storage capacity for maps and courses, And i did the 'extra storage' hack by deleting the folder for language files too!
I have been waiting out for something like this with a touch screen and more navigation focused as I have really fallen in love with gravel and i am coming from the 530
What are your dislikes about the 530?
(I’m looking for a gps for gravel and some enduro mtb riding.)
Thank you Mr Rainmaker. Great review just ordered one..
Whoa! Unexpected, great Review as always!
I'm new to bike GPS and your channel is super well explained…but I can't find any info about that… is it possible with the Garmin Edge Explore 2 to start a ride (a freeride?) without any planned route?
Great content as always!
P.S. it seems like the audio is balanced to the left in this video
I have my own power bundle; a £40 power bank in my back pocket, and a generic USB C cable. This system also worked very well in the past with my edge 520 though using a micro USB cable. Also, in practice, the real time training metrics that I've used are %HR and HRSS which is a 3rd party app anyway. Everything else is in Garmin connect and Strava for post ride analysis.
Not sure if I missed this so apologies if I did. I’ve been running a ELEMNT bolt since 2016 and it’s time for an upgrade, I’m not overly interested in workout as I do those on the turbo so feel the explore 2 has everything (and more) that I actually use.
Only query is the standard page I use on the wahoo has a data field at the top of the map/course navigation page which I’ve set to my 3s power.
Does Garmin has data fields that are customisable on the courses page?
Thanks for your review. I lost mine after just 2 days. I bought my Garmin Edge Explore to help me navigate off-road routes. The Garmin mount looked fairly solid so I made the mistake of not using the supplied tether After a long bumpy off-road ride, I noticed I had lost it, the attachment method is great for smooth roads but not bumpy rides. For me, I felt the Garmin was not that intuitive and the screen was too small for a pair of 55-year-old eyes. Also, I was hoping for voice prompts of when to turn left or right but it did not do this.
The mount is fine, working like a charm and i can guarantee that im going as bumpy trails than you could ever imagine even trying. Don't blame the product just because your then 55yr old eyes can't help you even with properly installing it.
Thank you for your very detailed review. You always do such good work.I have been waiting for this for a year now And I’m super disappointed they didn’t add solar. As a tour focused device long battery life should’ve been key. Long days of touring Sometimes without a place to charge makes my battery life really important to me.
It would be gobs more expensive like the solar 1040 vs regular. Could you buy a $10-20 mini solar panel and/or battery bank and charge via USBC? I assume this thing can charge while navigating??
get a dynamo hub and charge via it during daytime
Hi, I was wondering is power pod removable from the mount? Great video, cheers!
Great review as always, super informative and detailed. Have been waiting for the Edge Explore update for a while as I have the 1st Gen unit and love it...except for battery life....which is frankly appalling. Had really hoped Garmin would include the battery power connectors on the base unit to allow their own underslung battery pack to be used. The fact they only offer this feature if you buy the power mount is ridiculous, especially as you have to then also buy a further connector cable and a battery pack. Love the Explore units as they strip back a lot of stuff I don't need and focus on navigation, but battery life on the old unit is a problem and whilst the new unit professes greater battery life, it still isn't great or enough for multi day rides.
Garmin have missed a trick here for sure, imho, and should have simply included the power connectors on all units. When all is said and done, you'd end up spending close to the cost of of a 1030+ or 1040 it seems, to get better battery life or compatibility with their battery pack, which is a pity as they have a load of features I, and probably a good many other riders, don't need.
Thanks for the info, really useful, especially as I was considering the upgrade, but will probably not do so now...
Excellent Basic Cyclocomputer
Thanks! Was thinking I need to get the power pack bundle. Now I am realizing I dont.
Hi, is it possible to charge the device from a powerbank via the usbc while on the go?
Yup! No problems at all.
I'm interested in keeping my Garmin going for a long time for multi Everesting and my ears pricked up when I heard about the power mount. But it looks like the best solution is still to just plug a regular power bank into the charge port. I have done this for years with an 810, 820 and now 830.
Great reviews as well! I have so many bike computers, Garmin, Wahoo, Magene, Bryton etc. Although Garmin's products are expensive, they are really great to use!
Great review (!!!), as always... can one make text larger for turn by turn directions and street names? I'm getting old people.
Smashing out the content Ray! Awesome vid 🌟
I like my 530 most of the time, but it's worthless when it comes to navigation or trying to pan around the map, so I keep stopping to pull my phone out. I'm torn between switching to this one or waiting for the 840 (which should be out soonish?). Is the 840 going to be as good at navigation as the Edge Explore 2, apart from screen size, or do they withhold features like they withhold some of the power and training displays for the Explores?
up to now the 830 sits above the Explore and I would assume that the 840 would also pack more than the Explore2
I've had the original Explore for a few years and thousands of KM's. Despite its emphasis on navigation and the larger touch screen when I need to do some serious navigational consultation the phone comes out.
For several reasons: the Explore's display, despite being slightly larger than the 530's, is still very small; the device doesn't put out much nits and is sometimes difficult to see in the sun; finally, responsiveness is slugglish, because the CPU is not modestly powered as befits a mid-range device.
Is the Explore good at finding coffee shops for instance. I'm only considering this GPS device for navigation and pairing my Garmin bike radar. That's it. I don't ride for performance or anything. I ride for fun and going around town to eat or siteseeing. Maps is all I need and I don't want to risk breaking my phone so have no plans on using a phone for navigation.
@@GlobalAdventurer According to this review it should work great for you...
ruclips.net/video/sC6gE0yuyXE/видео.html
I've been waiting on this computer, been checking back every couple weeks to see if there was anything new. I hope it arrives in time for my tour at the end of the week!
As always, a clear and trustfull review. Thx Ray. I have a few questions. Is it possible to pair this Explore 2 with my Epix gen 2? If so, will the EPIX provide me all the training information, that the explore doensn’t (recovery time, training load, training status, …)? Does the data from de Explore and the Epix come together in one training session in the garmin connect app, or seperated as 2 training sessions. Grtz.
Thanks! The answer is sorta. You can transmit HR from Epix to Explore - and that's fine, but it won't directly transmit/update to the other unit. Instead, it does it on the backend via Garmin Connect. So, it'll come together automatically and merge the training load/status/etc. You don't have to worry about deleting the extra session - unless you want to remove the extra mileage, as it won't remove that. But in terms of load, only one counts.
@@Dcrainmaker I don't understand. WIll the training be doubled or not with Epix + Explore 2? I get the point with transfer HR to the EE2 but what about the mileage?
Had my Edge 2 out over the last couple of days. It seems that each discipline road, off road and indoor has a separate odometer rather than one overall total.
Very fair review, as always. Thank you!
This was a very useful review for me. I am deciding whether I want to buy a Garmin GPS or keep using my Apple Watch.
Nice review. After some thinking I pulled the trigger yesterday for a Karoo2.
What's your opinion on comparing the 2 devices?
It seems that the Explorer leans more as the name suggest to exploring and giving users a more "casual" entry into the Garmin ecosystem without the in depth training features or not? While the Karoo 2 seems more focused on what the Explore lacks + bigger screen for navigating?
The special e-bike support on the Explore seems like a useful extra for e-bike riders.
I just got the karoo 2 as well. How are you liking it? I'm still waiting for it a week later
Good review thanks. Ref charging. If need be, do you know if it is possible to connect a cable from a powerbank ( eg in a barbag if touring) into the device while using the device with navigation and cycling? Say I get down to 5% battery and want to give it a boost to get me to destination.
Also at the moment if I charge the Edge Explore (1) it stops the current ride and starts a new one. So if it is possible to charge and use, does it start a new ride from that point?
Hey Paul, Used the Explore 2 yesterday with the powerbank. The ExP 2 fit into the power mount (old one with the powerbank) and I connected a USB-A/C cable from the USB-A outlet in the powerbank to the USB-C input on the ExP 2 (routed around the handlebars.) The powerbank powered the ExP 2 and recharged it while riding. There were no issues like stopping the current ride or turning off. (However, I wasn't in a current ride when I first connected it...will check that right now...OK, just "started" a ride inside by pushing the "start" button. Plugged in the powerbank and the only thing that happened was that the ExP 2 started charging.) Hope that helps. Cheers (Also of note is that when you stop on a ride, the ExP 2 automatically pauses the ride timer...nice feature!)
@@edwardebel1847 Thanks for that Edward. Really useful info. Just to clarify. Was your set up - the Explore 2 with a "normal" power bank positioned somewhere else on the bike? With the USB-a/C cable input to the Explore on the side at the bottom of the device? So not involving Garmin powermount. Gosh I find it hard to explain this clearly. Shows what a good job DC Rainmaker does!
The current model, Edge 1, stops a navigated course when it is given a new charge. Can't remember if mine stopped a ride (without a navigation).
@@CeilidhMalin Hey Paul...agree...hard to describe without pics :-) I mounted the ExP 2 on a regular quarter turn mount. Underneath that mount is a Garmin powerbank. The Garmin PB has a micro USB to charge it, and a USB-A to charge anything that takes a USB charger. Here the Garmin PB is just functioning like any generic powerbank. I can also test it with a generic powerbank...I have a few Mophys around the house, but I'm pretty sure it will behave the same... Using the Garmin powerbank, or any other powerbank instead of the $130 mount and the $50 cable has got to be a better choice. Too bad that the ExP 2 with the power pins on the bottom only comes with the power mount...otherwise I could use my Garmin powerbank with the powerbank mount and not have to route a cable to the USB-C port on the ExP 2. Seems like pettiness toward those of us who have been loyal customers. Cheers
Thanks for this review ! For battery power : isn't it possible to simply wire a portable battery to the USB connector ?
I don’t see anything in owners manual about compatibility with SRAM Etap or DI2. Can it connect with electronic gearing?
No compatibility there. :(
Nice review. I've recently acquired a refurb Edge Explore (V1) of which i'm very pleased with. Should I upgrade to V2? I tried the 530 and hated it, i need the touch screen.
I feel like they addressed a lot of the comments people had about the previous unit, which Im pretty excited about. I'd be curious to see more people compare the two versions, but I'm absolutely going for a new one vs the refurbished explore 1
Thanks for the vids as always! Question though:
Do all training metrics sync through true up? I.e if you have a 955 and didn't ride with it but unly the explore would you get all of them? Or would wearing and saving the ride on the 955 be better? Thanks!
When i use the edge and an fenix 7 and record an activity on the edge will it update for example my Training readiness on my fenix 7 with the recovery time an so on?
Yes if you have TrueUp enabled
Yup, it contributes to Physio TrueUp.
Thanks for the amazing video. I purchased this device today and since there is the standard time in the U.S. Is there's a way to adjust the time on this device, it's currently in the daylight saving time.
I am looking at buying one of these as my old Polar M460 is nearly dead and Polar have no more bike computers. I did notice though on Garmin website this model does have GPS
GLONASS, GALILEO and GPS not just GPS.
Will silicon cases for the old Explore fit the Explore 2?
Ordered the 1040 solar, let's see if I made the right decision...
Do you know if any of the garmins work with a specialise creo 2 ebike as can’t fine any information and with sram axis battery levels? And do you have to plug this into a computer to download maps as I have a wahoo And never use a computer! Many thanks love your vlogs so informative 😊
If it doesnt have WiFi connection, how does it send completed training session to Strava? Do you have to do it manually after you get back home with cable?
Another question: can you use regular powerbank with usb C cable to charge the device during ride?
Great review, thanks alot.
see this is what i'm looking for. I really don't care about all the performance metrics tbh. I just want to know where to go especially on trials.
Hello! Great review. So I can download GPX from Garmin connect and then follow from this device?
I believe soon we will see a 1040-based mod that allows to run structured workouts using this device. There’s nothing that would prevent unit from doing that.
There is modding scene for Edge? Tell me more please!
@@BleakVision it’s just my idea, I’m not aware of any, but in my understanding, this should not be very complicated.
If the half dozen firmware updates on the Explore 1 are any indication what you get with Explore 2 is all you're going to get. Don't expect increased functionality with future updates.
Yeah, someone could create a Connect IQ app to do it.Kinda a lot of work though for likely a limited audience.
My questions is, does it have an odometer? Lots of cool features, but I like to keep track of the milage on my bike. Thank you for any answers.
How is the screen readability compared to the 530? I struggle to read the map when I'm out with sun+reflections?
Thanks rainmaker just ordered one
If I combine this with a Fenix 7, is there a recommended way to make the most of the fenix's metrics during a ride? Would I just start activities on both devices at the beginning of the ride?
Physio TrueUp is your answer. Make your Fenix 7 the preferred device.
@@Viewtolove I have a fenix 6x. It does not contribute to all of Fenix training metrics. Only Vo2, intensity and load is sync...Training effects is not calculated by EE2.
Is the Garmin Varia integration full or limited? I remember reading that the first Explore didn't act as a "complete" heads up display like the 530-1030 models.
Seems full to me.
Do any of these Garmin cycling computer sync with Apple Health?
Is there any way to adjust the brightness 🔆
I got the explore 2 and brightness can be adjusted by 10% increments
This morning I logged onto Garmin Connect to do some route preparation. Then I see there's a map update available and I hit the download button. On trying to update I get a message to the effect that there is too much info in the latest maps to fit it all on my device's memory. It's a brand new device. It's my first map update. I've only added 4 new training routes so how can there be lack of memory. I've contacted Garmin Support so I'll wait to see what they say.
Hmm, that’s non ideal. Any chance it’s trying to download maps for other regions putting you over the limit?
Not sure. If I log out of Garmin Express and log back in, it will sync and say device up to date. I have 3 items in Express. Car satnav, Instinct watch and this Edge. When you bring up Garmin Express it shows what you have registered and any available updates show as a number top right. When I look now my car satnav has 1 update and watch has 2 updates available. When I look at the Edge no updates are available. Also my PC notifies me of available updates. It did for the watch and car but not for the Edge. So I suspect it may be a glitch. Garmin Support say they will get back in 2 working days so hopefully it will be resolved this week.
Thank goodness RUclips allows us to slow DCR to 75% speed....!
My original explore was a massive letdown, with a battery that could barely last five hours of riding. The screen would switch off and the guidance instructions were vague and irregular. I hope for the sake of anybody that purchases this new unit that it is an improvement.
If Garmin dares to put a product on the market with such huge shortcommings, the second version must still have a catch.
As an owner of Garmin Edge Explore 1 I unfortunately have to confirm awful battery life
This looks perfect for my needs will eventually get a Varia to go with it.
If I create a route using fiets knooppunten netwerk is it possible to load this onto the Explore 2? Normally I just follow the numbers but we have to cross through Den Haag and it would be good to have the backup as we have sometimes missed a turn. Thanks Rainmaker.
About the power bundle: can't we just juryrig a small powerbank and a usb cable if extra power is needed?
That's exactly what I do with my old edge 520.
Hello and thanks for your review. I have a question, at 1:35 what`s that symbol in the upper right corner? It appears a lot of times in your review. And i´m confused, i found a lot of Data sheet / description who says that the Explore 2 has Wi-Fi is that right?
Greetings from Germany!
Screen quality looks very good. Better than my 830?
It's a bigger screen than the Edge 830, I'm not sure the screen is any different though in terms of quality per se.
@@Dcrainmaker Thanks Ray. Less so in cycling and more so in running / multi sport, Garmin’s range is so proliferated that I’m not sure us punters know what we should be buying. The choice is endless and a little bemusing!
Think the new interface is doing most of the heavy lifting with regards to it looking better.
@@Dcrainmaker I've read that non-touch screen displays have superior clarity to touch screen displays. Do you notice this between devices, say the 530 vs Explore or 830?
Is it possible to charge de Garmin via usb c when it is in use ?
can you charge on the go via a power bank and a USB-C cable?
Yup!
Great review. Can anybody tell me if data fields can be changed on the move. (On the edge 1000 I could press a data field and lists of fields would appear that I could choose from). Thanks all.
Just noticed something strange - when changing colour mode to 'Night' the map stays bright and doesn't change on Explore 2 like on other devices - is that a bug or this functionality was removed??
If I have the Epix 2 or a 955 and left the watch at home. Would the workout from this count and adjust the new training readiness data? As always thanks for doing what you always do
DC Rainmaker, Question.... Does the power mount bundle plug into any Ebike display that has a USB power outlet.. IE: the P860c by Bafang... It says on the Garmin site to choose the Bosch or Shimano cable.. or the USB-A cable.. will This mount (with the contacts and cable work on Bafang kit with the display that has a USB outlet to plug into?
Does it have the option to create a Round Trip Course inside navigation?
Ciao, legge la potenza dal rullo Tacx Neo 2?
Mi serve anche per leggere la potenza, mi sembra che non si connetta ai cambi elettronici, vero?
Any chance the explore 2 has geocaching added? I can't find any specific reference in the manual.
COOL! Does it have a thermometer? As it have a barometer it have to have a thermometer in order to get the elevation ...
Yup, it does. You can add the data as a data field (Under the ''Other" bucket), as well as see it after the fact on rides: connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/9185217752
@@Dcrainmakerthe activity is Private ... :)
It has a thermometer...but my experience with the thermo on the 1030 is that it consistently reads about 5-7 degress (F.) high. Somehow, as hot as a ride may seem, it seems even hotter if your bike computer is telling you its hotter. :-) (Maybe it will even out in the winter.) Yesterday was out with the new ExP 2 and couldn't quite tell if it was accurate...will know in a week or so after a few more rides.
@@Thracium Oops, odd, I thought I had manually set that to public. Fixed, i hope!
The price of the power mount is indeed outrageous 😤😤😤
Sensors...the new Explore 2 did not automatically pull in sensors from the existing set of my 1030 ( and other) sensors. Again, long time on the phone with Garmin, re-paired phone with Explore...no go. So far the biggest fault with this new unit is that there is no online or in-the-box manual for anything more than just the Quick Start features. Customer Support is also struggling a bit with this sudden rollout...but that being said, Garmin CS is excellent nonetheless. (The automatic adding of sensor was a thing for me because I have multiple bikes with multiple sensors and have named all the sensors so they don't "cross connect" between bikes.) Thanks again
Weird. Mine pulled all mine in, which...is unfortunately a lot of sensors. 😂
a question. I had Fenix 6x and Edge 530. For this use case: cycling to the spot -> running -> then cycling back, my watch recorded only recovery time from the last ride (back home). Did they fixed it?
I had this thing with support, they supposed to work on this, but since I sold my Fenix I can't check this anymore.
Is it possible to get structured workouts from platforms like trainingpeaks?
as you can see he doesn`t answer people
Ray, I am confused. Who is this product aimed at?
We'll have to put the Explore 2 on the psychiatrist's couch to find out. I mean, it may be suffering from schizophrenia. With both eBike plug-and-play as well as VO2 readouts and Power Meter compatibility I think it's aimed at the legions of eBikers at lactic threshold who also need turn-by-turn guidance to the nearest charging station.
Does the power have all the usual, like NP, AV, Actual...?
Got a question, is it possible to disable touchscreen easily while cycling? Also, I assume that touching the screen is the only way of scrolling through screens, or can you do that with one of the buttons on the bottom? This looks really good but I'm hesitant to move to a fully touch controlled device. Thanks for the review!
You can lock the screen by holding the left button, which brings up the lock screen option. But yeah, you need to touch to swipe screens.
Does this have a find address like the 705 or car based GPS ?
Hi. Can I use my garmin Epix as a HR sensor with explorer 2? Or I need to buy normal HR sensor and then connect it to explorer?
Can this explore 2 be blue tooth paired with a phone so that the turn by turn instructions are called out loud on your phone, and otherwise, it is in battery saving mode on your phone?
As you know, in The Netherlands but also Belgium we also have the so called "fiets knooppunten netwerk". Can you view and select these knooppunten in the garmin edge explorer 2? i can't find any answer to this (ps...i am not asking how to lead a gpx into the garmin).
If all ebike makers included ant+ then this would work with ebikes and be SO convenient! Sure it also works with shimano steps, but...
Edit...recently saw the cable price listed as $30 on the Garmin site (don't recall if it was a new lowered price or a sale price).
regardless of the price which is better - 830 or explore 2? thanks :)
Good Video for sharing
If you wear a Fenix 7 is this the best display for you buck?
Could this be used in a similar way to a Beeline Moto GPS to follow a 400 mile or less GPX route on a motorcycle?
The original Edge could not do this as the length of the route was too much for it.
Is it compatible with SRAM Transmission ?
Do you know if solar is coming to any other Edge devices please?
I'm sure eventually it will, but nothing else has been announced at the moment.
@DC Rainmaker how can we compare explore 2 vs bolt v2.?
Hi to all; is the lack of compass a big issue?