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OutdoorGear
Real discussions from product enthusiasts
Navigation Accuracy and Reliability Praised
Users consistently describe the Garmin Edge Explore 2's navigation capabilities as 'top-notch' and dependable, highlighting its excellent mapping and clear turn-by-turn guidance for both road and off-road routes. This makes it a strong choice for cyclists prioritizing route following and exploration.
Battery Life and Charging Considerations
The device offers around 12-14 hours of battery life, with USB-C charging available mid-ride for extended trips. However, some users note it doesn't match the endurance of certain competitors for multi-day bikepacking, often requiring a power bank.
User Interface Compared to Wahoo
While navigation is strong, some cyclists find the Edge Explore 2's interface less intuitive than Wahoo devices, describing it as 'bizarre' and complex to navigate for certain features. This sentiment is more pronounced among users prioritizing simplicity over advanced metric integration.
Sensor Connectivity Concerns
A recurring theme involves intermittent connection issues with sensors like heart rate monitors and cadence sensors, particularly after ride pauses or device sleep modes. While updates may improve stability for some, it remains a point of frustration for users dependent on consistent sensor data.
Expert answers based on real user experience
Users report the 3-inch high-resolution touchscreen performs capably in wet weather, a significant improvement over some previous Garmin models like the Edge 830, which users found 'utterly useless' when damp. The capacitive touchscreen is designed to be glove-friendly, maintaining responsiveness even with standard cycling gloves. This ensures that navigation adjustments or data checks remain accessible during rain showers or when riding in cooler temperatures requiring hand protection, without requiring removal of gloves.
r/bikepacking
The Garmin Edge Explore 2 typically offers around 12 hours of continuous use with navigation and recording enabled. This can extend to approximately 14 hours when utilizing power-saving features. While this supports many day rides, longer bikepacking excursions often necessitate supplementary power. The device supports USB-C charging while in use, allowing connection to an external power bank, though some users find its endurance falls short of certain competitors like the Wahoo Roam over multiple days without recharging.
Garmin
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r/bikepacking
Discussions suggest that while Garmin's navigation is 'top-notch,' some users find the Edge Explore 2's interface 'bizarre' and features 'bewilderingly hard to access,' leading them to consider Wahoo devices more user-friendly for non-power users. Wahoo is often praised for a simpler, more intuitive setup. However, the Garmin ecosystem offers seamless integration with other Garmin devices, such as watches, and supports features like Varia radar, which are not typically matched by Wahoo.
r/cycling, r/Garmin
Some users have reported experiencing persistent connection drops with sensors like heart rate monitors, cadence, and power meters. These issues appear to be more common after periods of inactivity, such as pausing a ride or when the device enters a sleep mode. While software updates may have resolved these problems for some, it remains a point of concern for a segment of users who rely on consistent sensor data for tracking performance or navigation.
r/Garmin
While the Edge Explore 2's touchscreen is noted for its rain resistance, its resilience to prolonged, high-frequency vibration from rocky or washboarded trails over thousands of miles remains largely unquantified in user discussions. Garmin devices generally employ solid build quality, but extreme, continuous vibration can stress solder joints and internal component mounts. Without specific MIL-STD-810G testing data for vibration resistance, users undertaking frequent, aggressive off-road riding should consider potential long-term impacts, though typical cycling use should not pose an issue for its core navigation functions.
Expert Analysis
User discussions primarily focus on battery performance in temperate or wet conditions, not extreme cold. Lithium-ion batteries, like those in the Edge Explore 2, naturally experience reduced capacity and slower chemical reaction rates in freezing temperatures. At -5°C, expect a potential reduction in the stated 12-14 hour battery life by 15-25%. GPS accuracy is typically less affected by cold temperatures themselves, as it relies on satellite signals, but extreme cold can impact the physical responsiveness of the touchscreen if not designed for such conditions.
Expert Analysis