Garmin Edge Explore

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
sukuinage
Posts: 143
Joined: 20 May 2008, 1:18pm
Location: Germany

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by sukuinage »

The models with 5 contacts as in the post above are compatible, those with 3 contacts aren't e.g. your Edge Explore. The problem is that the battery pack is "compatible" in that you can connect it to the Explore via a cable (as with other battery packs costing a tenth of the price)
LittleGreyCat
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Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by LittleGreyCat »

I have an Edge Explore but I don't use it for calculating routes.

I pre-plan routes using Cycle.Travel and others supply routes using Komoot (mainly).
If I am just cycling locally I use it as a speedo and trip recorder.

The battery life doesn't seem massive if it is being used for active routing but I have a couple of power packs (one big, one small) which I can use for a top up.
I have also managed to wire it up with a USB lead so the power pack is in a bag (either bar bag or frame bag) and the lead connects to the Garmin on the mount.
It looks waterproof but fortunately I haven't had to prove that yet.
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RickH
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Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by RickH »

bobzeller wrote: 19 Apr 2021, 7:30pm I use a Garmin Edge Explore and have found it to be a really worthwhile tool for navigation. But, like others, I found battery life to be a problem on kong days. As a result, I have just bought a Garmin Battery Pack which fastens to the bottom of the mount with the GPS unit on top. I had considered using a small battery pack in my handlebar bag and connected to my handlebars mounted Garmin Edge Touring GPS unit. But I was worried that in wet weather, I could have problems so the Garmin Battery Pack seemed to be an ideal answer because it connected directly to the GS unit via the mount. I confirmed with Garmin that the Garmin Edge Explore was indeed compatable and could do this and was told yes.

But it seems that is not the case. The Garmin Battery Pack I am now told by one Garmin rep, only connects directly to one model Garmin Edge and it is not the Edge Explore. Another Garmin rep said it did. Can anyone give me a definitive answer please.

Many thanks

Bob
I think Garmin's definition of compatible is somewhat "generous"! Their listing of compatible devices for the battery pack (here) lists the Edge 1000 which doesn't have the direct connections. They also list various watches. They seem to include compatibility for (some) Garmin devices that can be only be plugged in to charge with a USB lead.

AFAIK the only properly compatible Edges are X30 series ones (the 1030, 1030 Plus & 830 definitely, I'm not sure about other models).
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Paul Smith SRCC
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Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by Paul Smith SRCC »

I have an old Garmin 810 and would be happy to update it with another 'Garmin'. Features wise the Edge® Explore that coastman is considering has all I'd need although the extra battery capacity of the 830 would probably sway me (upto 20 v 12 hours). Yes the 830 is more of an investment but my old 810 has lasted 8 years which is not bad for a piece of tech'; which for me would also be a consideration when justifying how much I am prepared to treat myself.

The 530 is cheaper and also has 'upto 20 hours' battery life. I do find the 830 touch screen far more intuitive to use than the 530's buttons, plus the deal breaker on my 810 is that the power button has failed; although admittedly that was after eight years and even now I am currently still using it all be it with a home made button!.

For sure the Edge® Explore is still a good value; if battery life on longer rides is an issue then some have also referenced taking a Powerbank. If I needed I will carry one in my bar or top tube bag, the USB lead reaches perfectly. Last summer I rode an 8 hour day using tbt on the map screen, mid way around the course I was down to 50% battery so I knew I would be pushing my luck just using the 810's battery reserve so I plugged in the Power Bank. When I got home it had charged back up to 100%, the Powerbank (a Goji G10PBWP17) itself has battery indicator with four LEDs so you know how much charge it has left; it had all four still lit.
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I already had that power bank, I didn't buy it with this in mind, it's waterproof and robust but you can get them much smaller, lighter and cheaper. Yes damaging connections could potentially be an issue, the way I look at it this is an old unit and I'm a bit less precious with it than I once was. I have had that power bank three years and only needed to use it once; most of my long days are on routes I know where I don't need the map screen permanently on, I can easily complete those rides without issue. I've seen a few who use a power bank to top up their device at a rest stop which would help minimise potential damage to the Usb connection.
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bobzeller
Posts: 114
Joined: 20 Aug 2013, 8:37pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by bobzeller »

Thanks to all for replies. I will just pack a battery pack for those times when I seem to be running especially low on power. However, I did complain to Garmin about the inconsistant info coming from the battery info on a data screen and because of that they offered to replace my Edge Explore with another one. When I said they had already done that, they checked and came back to say that the refurbished unit they had already sent me as a replacement unit hadn't had new batteries placed in it as part of the refurbishment process. That was because it was less that three months old when they did the refurbishment and they don't install new batteries in units that are less than three months old. That is their policy apparently. To his credit, the Garmin man said he would provide a brand new, never out of the box, unit for me. Trouble is, the delivery company - UPS - screwed up the return of my unit to them so the process has had to be restarted. Hopefully this won't mean that the original decision to provide a brand new unit hasn't been forgotten.
philvantwo
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Joined: 8 Dec 2012, 6:08pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by philvantwo »

Exactly the same as happened to me, I paid the extra and had the Edge 830.
Someone on here has the Montana and reckons it's better than anything.
st599_uk
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Joined: 4 Nov 2018, 8:59pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by st599_uk »

LittleGreyCat wrote: 20 Apr 2021, 6:30pm I have an Edge Explore but I don't use it for calculating routes.

I pre-plan routes using Cycle.Travel and others supply routes using Komoot (mainly).
If I am just cycling locally I use it as a speedo and trip recorder.

The battery life doesn't seem massive if it is being used for active routing but I have a couple of power packs (one big, one small) which I can use for a top up.
I have also managed to wire it up with a USB lead so the power pack is in a bag (either bar bag or frame bag) and the lead connects to the Garmin on the mount.
It looks waterproof but fortunately I haven't had to prove that yet.
Apologies for yet another question. The EdgeExplore seems to have some heatmap functionality. Is it possible to tell it to follow a GPX file exactly?

Also, if the OpenFietsMap is downloaded, how does one switch between Garmin's maps and the OFM maps?
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borisface
Posts: 360
Joined: 19 Feb 2010, 3:48pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by borisface »

After my second garmin edge broke, I bought a bryton aero 60 for which I paid the princely sum of £115. It includes full european mapping and a robust mount. The battery life is amazing - 30 hours plus, the downside is that I now only have to charge it from time to time, maybe once every 4-5 weeks rather than after every ride which means that twice I have forgotten and the battery has run out on me. The other thing is that the screen is a bit on the small side and the mapping is only black rather than colour but I can put up with that. It also uploads to strava etc wirelessly and once set up is a doddle. Recommended.
bobzeller
Posts: 114
Joined: 20 Aug 2013, 8:37pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by bobzeller »

Re battery and Edge Explore issues. When I charge my Edge Explore, iyt seems to only go to 93 per cent. Could that be because my charger is not working properly? If that might be the case, what would be the best charger I could get? There are so many different ones in addition to the standard mobile phone chargers. Advice would, as always, be appreciated.

Bob

UPDATE Sorry if I am posting this incorrectly. I would be grateful if someone can tell me how to update things if I have it wrong. However, since posting the above, I have received delivery of a new wall charger and my Edge Explore has gone from 73% to 100% in approx 3hrs and 30 minutes. It has almost never gone to 100% before. The new charger is made by Anker and it is their 24W 2-Port USB model. Cost about 17£. I contacted Anchor and they recommended this model for my Garmin.
Last edited by bobzeller on 26 Jul 2021, 4:56pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by Jdsk »

bobzeller wrote: 25 Jul 2021, 8:09amWhen I charge my Edge Explore, iyt seems to only go to 93 per cent. Could that be because my charger is not working properly?
I think that's unlikely if it's charging at all.

bobzeller wrote: 25 Jul 2021, 8:09am If that might be the case, what would be the best charger I could get? There are so many different ones in addition to the standard mobile phone chargers. Advice would, as always, be appreciated.
Does it charge through the micro USB socket, and not have another charging socket?

Jonathan
philvantwo
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Joined: 8 Dec 2012, 6:08pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by philvantwo »

On every Garmin there is only one micro USB socket. The edge 800 has a bigger socket.
Sounds like you haven't got a Garmin Jonathan?
I sent my edge explore back to Garmin.......I'd have enough of the pathetic battery life but apart from that it was great.
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by Jdsk »

bobzeller wrote: 25 Jul 2021, 8:09am Re battery and Edge Explore issues. When I charge my Edge Explore, iyt seems to only go to 93 per cent. Could that be because my charger is not working properly? If that might be the case, what would be the best charger I could get? There are so many different ones in addition to the standard mobile phone chargers. Advice would, as always, be appreciated.
If it only has a micro USB socket and doesn't support any proprietary charging protocols then the maximum charging current will be determined by whatever version of USB is supported.

I can't find that for the Edge Explore... anyone?

I'd try a modern USB charger rated at 2.1 A charging and see if it makes any difference to that displayed figure.

Jonathan

PS: I'd guess that it won't.
LittleGreyCat
Posts: 1177
Joined: 7 Aug 2013, 8:31pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by LittleGreyCat »

st599_uk wrote: 21 Jul 2021, 5:10pm
LittleGreyCat wrote: 20 Apr 2021, 6:30pm I have an Edge Explore but I don't use it for calculating routes.

I pre-plan routes using Cycle.Travel and others supply routes using Komoot (mainly).
If I am just cycling locally I use it as a speedo and trip recorder.

The battery life doesn't seem massive if it is being used for active routing but I have a couple of power packs (one big, one small) which I can use for a top up.
I have also managed to wire it up with a USB lead so the power pack is in a bag (either bar bag or frame bag) and the lead connects to the Garmin on the mount.
It looks waterproof but fortunately I haven't had to prove that yet.
Apologies for yet another question. The EdgeExplore seems to have some heatmap functionality. Is it possible to tell it to follow a GPX file exactly?

Also, if the OpenFietsMap is downloaded, how does one switch between Garmin's maps and the OFM maps?
Sorry for the delay in responding.

I have no idea what heatmap functionality is.
As far as I know it follows a GPX file exactly.
[ I am not that confident about it getting back on route if you diverge. Last week it tried to take me down a footpath (overgrown) to reconnect with a route.].

I haven't downloaded any alternative maps so can't say how to switch.
gcogger
Posts: 113
Joined: 2 Jul 2020, 9:54am

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by gcogger »

My Edge Explore was doing something similar - initially it would (usually) only charge to 97%, and later I think it dropped to 93%. I recently did a reset, by holding the power button down for 10 seconds, and the last couple of charges have gone to 100%.
I'm guessing that it's a calibration issue, and hasn't actually affected the battery life, but I don't know for sure.
bobzeller
Posts: 114
Joined: 20 Aug 2013, 8:37pm

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Post by bobzeller »

I contacted Anker, a company that specialises in chargers and asked for a recommendation. They suggested their Anker USB Charger 4.8A/24W 2-Port USB Wall charger. I have ordered one and will report back after giving it a trial.

Cheers

Bob
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