Garmin Edge 540 Standalone
Garmin 540 Review
After watching DC Rainmaker’s Garmin 540 review on YouTube and doing research, I bought the Garmin 540 standalone for $279.99. My Garmin 520 lasted 6 years. I reused the heart rate monitor and strap.
I ride a Trek Madone 9.2, Dura-Ace C40 carbon wheels and Dura-Ace pedals. First, I had to put a new CR2032 battery in the Bontrager DuoTrap cadence sensor which is built in. You have to manually add or find the cadence sensor and heart rate monitor. I have a speed sensor magnet on the left crank arm. The Garmin 540 nicely mounted into the out-front Garmin 520 holder securely.
I use 6 fields for my Garmin 540: Cadence, Heart Rate, Speed, Average Speed, Distance and Time. I will rarely touch the buttons while cycling which could knock off the device. I am using only a small portion of the features available.
It is illogical and a little frustrating to configure the Garmin 540 via buttons. I did it manually- not using a PC or SmartPhone. Once configured you are good to go.
The USB cable comes USB-C to USB-C. So, I had to use my other USB-C to USB-A cord to charge the device through a lamp outlet or older PC USB-A port.
Positives include battery life, appearance, maps, GPS, ClimbPro and wealth of features. Biggest negative is configuration or menus.
Good and recommended upgrade from the Garmin 520. 4 out of 5 stars.
Paul D.