Revolutionizing Your Ride: Garmin Edge 550 Packs a Punch
Garmin’s latest offering, the Edge 550 GPS head unit, hit the market in September alongside its touchscreen counterpart, the Edge 850. With a sleek, elongated design and a slightly larger 2.7-inch color screen, the Edge 550 replaces the Edge 540, boasting enhanced brightness, responsiveness, and smoother map rendering. But here's where it gets exciting: both models are feature-rich, yet the Edge 550 stands out with its button-only interface, while the pricier Edge 850 adds a touchscreen, expanded storage, a built-in speaker, bike bell functionality, and Garmin Pay compatibility.
First Impressions: A Cut Above the Rest
Garmin’s expertise in GPS technology shines through in the Edge 550. Its build quality is exceptional, and its mid-range size caters to a broad spectrum of riders. The device feels like a natural evolution of the high-end Edge 1050, offering an intuitive yet comprehensive feature set. Despite being 32 grams heavier than its predecessor, it remains lightweight at 110 grams. Upon activation, the 420×600 pixel display immediately impresses, marking a significant leap from the Edge 540’s 246×322 resolution. Garmin promises—and delivers—unparalleled readability, even in direct sunlight, with no glare issues. The unit comes with a variety of mounts and adapters, and its 32GB storage (double that of the Edge 540) ensures ample space for maps and data. The Edge 850, meanwhile, doubles this capacity to 64GB.
Feature Spotlight: A Cyclist’s Dream
Modern GPS units are marvels of technology, and the Edge 550 is no exception. It retains and refines all the expected Garmin features while introducing exciting new capabilities. From segment tracking and live updates to ClimbingPro, incident detection, and real-time weather alerts, it’s a cyclist’s Swiss Army knife. Smart fueling prompts, tailored to your ride conditions and fitness level, ensure you stay energized. Plus, Garmin Connect offers free coaching plans that adapt to your progress. After a month of testing, I’ve only scratched the surface of its potential. And this is the part most people miss: mountain bikers will appreciate dedicated enduro and downhill profiles, though I didn’t test these extensively.
Getting Started: Seamless Setup, Minor Hiccups
Setup is a breeze, especially if you’re already using the Garmin Connect app. Syncing your Edge 550 transfers most of your existing data and preferences effortlessly. The most time-consuming part? Updating the maps—a 2.3GB Australian update took nearly two hours. The button-based interface is familiar to Garmin users but might feel fiddly to newcomers. Patience is key here.
Navigation: Effortless and Precise
Navigation with the Edge 550 is a joy. Its multi-band GNSS receiver ensures pinpoint accuracy, while the upgraded screen delivers stunning map clarity. Visual and audio alerts, real-time rerouting, and seamless Garmin Connect integration make getting lost nearly impossible. My Strava routes appeared instantly, and while the map features aren’t groundbreaking, the faster processor and enhanced display elevate the experience.
Battery Life: A Double-Edged Sword
Here’s where opinions might diverge: the Edge 550’s advanced processor and graphics consume more power, reducing battery life compared to the Edge 540. Garmin claims 12 hours of normal use, which aligns with my testing. Enabling battery saver mode extends this to over 30 hours, but at the cost of reduced functionality and dimmer screen brightness. Is this a fair trade-off for enhanced performance? That’s up for debate.
Final Thoughts: A Premium Choice with a Premium Price
The Garmin Edge 550 brings top-tier features from the Edge 1050 into a more compact, affordable package. If you’re seeking a mid-sized head unit, don’t mind skipping the touchscreen, and are already in the Garmin ecosystem, it’s a compelling upgrade. At $750 RRP, it’s an investment, and if brand loyalty isn’t a factor, you might find better value elsewhere. My advice? Shop around—once you own it, you’re unlikely to regret it.
Specifications:
- Size: 4.6 x 92.2 x 16.8mm
- Display: 2.7” diagonal
- Weight: 110 grams
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, ANT+
- Charging: USB-C (cable included)
- Waterproof Rating: IPX7
- Storage: 32GB
- RRP: $749.95
Learn More: Garmin Edge 550
About the Author:
Peter Maniaty is Bicycling Australia’s senior journalist, renowned for his insightful bike reviews, destination features, and thought-provoking opinion pieces. His expertise makes him a trusted voice in the cycling world.
Controversial Question: Is the Edge 550’s reduced battery life a dealbreaker, or is the trade-off for advanced features justified? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
