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%

Have no need for this......still gonna watch the video intently.

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 👌

Whoa! Unexpected, great Review as always!

Smashing out the content Ray! Awesome vid 🌟

Very fair review, as always. Thank you!

Thank you Mr Rainmaker. Great review just ordered one..

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!

This looks perfect for my needs will eventually get a Varia to go with it.

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

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.

Excellent Basic Cyclocomputer

Great review, thanks alot.

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.

Great content as always! P.S. it seems like the audio is balanced to the left in this video

Thanks rainmaker just ordered one

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! 👌

Good Video for sharing

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.

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

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.

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!

Thanks! Was thinking I need to get the power pack bundle. Now I am realizing I dont.

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.

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!

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.

Thanks!

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...

beautiful

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!

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Hello! Great review. So I can download GPX from Garmin connect and then follow from this device?

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

Ordered the 1040 solar, let's see if I made the right decision...

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.

Thanks for this review ! For battery power : isn't it possible to simply wire a portable battery to the USB connector ?

Gee it's really great.. if only I could use it..

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!

How is the screen readability compared to the 530? I struggle to read the map when I'm out with sun+reflections?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank goodness KZfaq allows us to slow DCR to 75% speed....!

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?

Will silicon cases for the old Explore fit the Explore 2?

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.

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 it had connectivity to etap di2 it would be the perfect bike computer for mid level

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?

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?

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.

Does anyone know what power meter data fields does it display? I am mostly looking for the 3s/10s average, the %FTP, the average per lap. Does it also let me manually start a new lap mid ride, like to 810 does? thanks

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?

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.

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

I’ve been a big wahoo fan for years but they’re hard to read. I don’t want a huge unit either but this looks good.

Do any of these Garmin cycling computer sync with Apple Health?

Is it possible to charge de Garmin via usb c when it is in use ?

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!

Any chance the explore 2 has geocaching added? I can't find any specific reference in the manual.

Does the power have all the usual, like NP, AV, Actual...?

When is there going to be an update to the 530 released? I think it's about due. I'm a mountain biker, so the more newer bike touring models don't appeal to me.

The price of the power mount is indeed outrageous 😤😤😤

Does it sync a course during activity?

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.

Can I connect edge explore 2 with shimano DI2 groupset ?? I've read it works only for "main" line of Garmin products ie. 530/830/1030/1040 .. but not for explore and explore 2. Is that true?

Hi, is it possible to charge the device from a powerbank via the usbc while on the go?

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.

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?

@DC Rainmaker how can we compare explore 2 vs bolt v2.?

Bit gutting that I bought an Explore 3 weeks ago. I'm satified with it, but the new UI looks better.

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 don’t see anything in owners manual about compatibility with SRAM Etap or DI2. Can it connect with electronic gearing?

Does it have the option to create a Round Trip Course inside navigation?

Does this work offline or is the map data being downloaded on the fly?

Ha il dato temperatura esterna? Grazie

regardless of the price which is better - 830 or explore 2? 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?

Can't believe they still use that mirroring display. Wahoo is so much more readable.

Specialized Turbo Levo works?

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).

Easier to setup vs 530/830?

🤟🏼🤝😎

Historically the explorer units have been unable to display power among a few other shortcomings compared to their flagship models. This update basically turns it into a Garmin Edge 1020 in regards to features. What's Garmins own claim to distinguish Explorer models from other units going forward?

Could trailforks work on this computer?

Any rumors about the 540 or 840? I am willing to upgrade but not until the whole lineup is revealed.

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?

Will this allow me to download Trailforks? Thank you.

Great vid, thx. Maybe a little too fast spoken for my non-english european ears. Maybe I therefore still, after watching 2 vid's, don't know, if I can tap f.ex. a roadname or maybe tap a map to find my destination while being on the route?

I am having trouble getting Heading to display. Any suggestions for solving the problem would be appreciated.

Hi to all; is the lack of compass a big issue?

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.