TESTED: Garmin Edge 550 packed with features

The new Garmin Edge 550 GPS head unit arrived back in September, along with its touchscreen sibling, the Edge 850. Longer, narrower and with a slightly larger colour screen (2.7”) than the Edge 540 it replaces, Garmin says the Edge 550 offers riders significantly improved brightness and responsiveness with smoother map redraws. Both new units are packed with features, with the Edge 550 using a button-only interface while the more expensive—but similarly-sized—Edge 850 also has a touchscreen and a few other tricks such as larger storage, built-in speaker, bike bell and the ability to use Garmin Pay.

First impressions

Garmin has been producing GPS head units for a long time now, and it shows in the Edge 550. The build quality is excellent. The mid-range size is perfect for a wide range of riders. The functionality is both intuitive and extensive, drawing many lessons, no doubt, from the top-of-the-range Edge 1050. While it’s 32 grams heavier than the previous model, the Edge 550 still weighs a respectable enough 110 grams. Switching it on for the first time, I can vouch that the 420×600 pixel colour screen resolution is simply first-class, representing a significant upgrade from the 246×322 offered by the Edge 540. Garmin says the improved display is designed to be easily readable at all times, even in bright and direct sunlight, and I had no glare or visibility issues. As you’d expect, the Edge 550 ships with all manner of mounts and adapters. It also features double the storage of the Edge 540 with 32GB, while the touchscreen Edge 850 doubles that figure again with 64GB.

Noteworthy features

The sheer level of functionality available in modern GPS head units never ceases to amaze. Pretty much all the features you’ve come to expect from previous Garmin models are here—but improved—plus a swathe of new toys and widgets. Segment, group and live tracking. ClimbingPro, incident detection and real-time weather alerts. Phone and text message alerts. Smart fuelling prompts that provide tailored nutrition and hydration reminders as you ride, taking into account things like the weather, route and your fitness level. You can even access free coaching plans via Garmin Connect that adapt to your riding and make adjustments based on your training and recovery. Having said all this, after a month with the Edge 550, I’m sure I’ve still barely scratched the surface of everything it can do.

(There’s also some pretty neat MTB functionality with dedicated enduro and downhill profiles if you like to hit the trails, but I didn’t put any of that through its paces.)

Getting started

Set up is straightforward, especially if you already run the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone. Simply sync your new Edge 550 and you can instantly bring across most of your existing data and ride preferences. Aside from sifting through the mountain of functionality options, the thing that actually took me the longest was updating the maps—the free 2.3GB Australian update available when I picked up the device took about two hours to download. The other comment I’d make relates to the overall user interface of the Edge 550. If you’re already familiar with Garmin’s button-operated head units—as I am—you’ll have few issues, as most of the back/forward/select functionality remains the same. But if you’re a newcomer, you may find it all a little fiddly to start with. Hang in there.

Navigation

Finding your way with the Edge 550 is a stressless experience. The device uses a multi-band GNSS receiver for ultra-accurate positioning. The upgraded screen resolution is seriously impressive and delivers truly excellent map visibility. Coupled with the ability to choose visual and/or audio (aka ‘beep’) navigation alerts, plus all manner of additional options like real-time rerouting, getting lost is hard to do. As mentioned, the Edge 550 also syncs effortlessly with your Garmin Connect account, making it a breeze to create and then upload routes directly to your device. No sooner had I switched it on than my latest Strava-generated routes were there waiting for me. In terms of specific map functionality, there’s nothing earth-shatteringly new here. But thanks to the Edge 550’s enhanced display and faster processor, everything just happens better and more smoothly.

Battery

Battery life is one of the more polarising changes from the Edge 540, with the superior processor, graphics, and functionality of the Edge 550 chewing up considerably more energy, thus resulting in reduced run times between charges. Powered by a USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Garmin says the Edge 550 will deliver a reasonably modest 12 hours per charge with normal use, something that aligned pretty accurately with my experience during the review. Switching to ‘battery saver’ mode can push that figure out to more than 30 hours, but functionality and screen brightness is sacrificed of course.

Summing up

The Garmin Edge 550 delivers many of the premium features from the top-of-the-range Edge 1050 in a more affordable and compact package. If you’re in the market for a new mid-sized head unit, aren’t fussed about a touchscreen and are already a Garmin fan, it’s an impressive upgrade that’s sure to warrant serious consideration. At $749 RRP, it certainly isn’t cheap, so if your brand loyalty isn’t hitched to Garmin, you may find the value a little less attractive. Shop around for a great deal would be my advice, because once you have it, you’re unlikely to be disappointed.

Garmin Edge 550

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.

More info garmin.com/en-AU