Replacement for an edge 530?

[ArchM87]

I ordered the IGPS 630S last week. Should arrive today. Planing a gravel tour this weekend, so I think I can give you a first feedback at saturday evening CET.

[zealot128]

Thanks. Had a quick look, it's not for me. Battery life over everything else isn't what i'm after.

My conclusion so far: that IGPSport 630S looks interesting at c.150 eur, because of relative value, and the opportunity to test an underdog that involves software.
Taking a step back, China has been making good THINGS for a long time, but whatever software / UI / UX they made had the reputation of sucking.
Then came the LTWOO app, which works really well. I wouldnt say it's amazing, but i'm also not sure what more i could ask of it.
And so, electronic devices that are software heavy like bike computers are a logical next frontier, and i'm curious.
Having been on Garmin for years (Edge & Fenix), the software is kind of shit, honestly. Namely:
- they launched that insulting subscription, and it does absolutely nothing. That, overnight, slashed a lot of the goodwill i had towards Garmin. Nobody launches a subscription business lightly in 2025. This IS sending a message, and i dont like it.
- the analytics are a bit shit, which is worse.
-- For example, if you have a power meter, but dont use the HRM, your training load on garmin connect is virtually zero. But on various other platforms (intervals.icu just to name 1), load is computer properly. This is frankly shockingly bad as a data forward company.
-- given the size of Garmin, you'd expect industry leading analytics, but you get the opposite. There are so many features that Garmin doesn't have compared to alternatives, including free ones, that the only logical conclusion is either 1. they dont give a F or 2. they're blatantly incompetent. I'm increasingly associating them with Zwift, which is an incredible money burning machine, run by a CEO who sounds like a complete, self satisfied muppet.

And so, i'm kind of curious to experiment.
Then again, it might suck ass, hard

Inputs welcome!

Thanks for the comment/research so far. I am also curently looking for a (extra) affordable bike computer - currently using Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 2, which also works fine, but you know, having is better than needing .
iGPSport and Magene are on my shortlist. At Eurobike IGPSport's sales guy told me, R&D is very important for them, as they have 100 engineers. Asked Magene the same - 38 engineers (ofc, as a software dev myself, numbers are not everything, seriously..!). I guess, Garmin has also many more business fields, like boat navs, watches, so bike devices might just be a rounding error for them.

There are also more options now, I have a friend in China which travels in a couple of weeks here and can bring me domestic products (Stuff, like 706, but also Magene's Groupset is already available there!)

- BSC300T - 82 EUR when buying in TaoBao and take back by a friend
- BSC300 - 70 EUR
- iGS630S - 141 EUR
- BiNavi - 212 EUR  - still to expensive, don't need on device nav.

The 300's have no on device nav, but I normally don't need it anyway, I would plan with an app and load on the device, that should be possible, I guess. 300T seems to have better GPS. 300 blank a larger screen.

Magene has this OneLap app, is it any good?
- C706 - 118 EUR on Taobao (999 RMB)
- C606 - 71 EUR
- C506 - 41 EUR (!)

Found this comparison table https://gw.alicdn.com/imgextra/i2/2200609211326/O1CN01Mk4IjV1LfMFKTSTj7_!!2200609211326.jpg  fed it to an LLM and got list of differences - but nothing too helpful.

On the plus side, I already have a radar light from both brands, and might buy a Magene PES or QED in the future, so there might be a better interconnection then...

Hard choices ^^
Because of my access to TaoBao, I might go with C706 ... also so brand new, might be worth to try out and make a review.

[kbernstein]

There are also more options now, I have a friend in China which travels in a couple of weeks here and can bring me domestic products (Stuff, like 706, but also Magene's Groupset is already available there!)

- BiNavi - 212 EUR  - still to expensive, don't need on device nav.

Can we share your chinese friend?

Regarding the claimed 15-25 hours battery on the C606: That's just a lie. There is no way I could ever get even 15 hours with no mapping, low brightness and zero sensors connected

Regarding the IGS630, I forgot to point out 2 flaws that I think could be improved: The barometer is meh, it tends to overestimate ascent by 5-10% compared to real data (it used to be 50% on launch so they've made great progress but we're not there yet). And there is no radar page (at least for the L508) that I could find so I can't change mode from the computer or check the battery levels (and god knows that is necessary with magene products) like I could on the C606

[Fatbonzo]

I'm using the 630 and I the elevation just goes crazy sometimes (+10%), very often it's just spot on

I do miss the climb screen, rerouting and segments, which are all offered by the 630s
I'm using a speed sensor, just to avoid any GPS lag
I'm getting 10h+ with almost any sensor connected it supports

Sometimes I consider the bolt 2, it's almost the same price point, usb c and Strava segments

[kbernstein]

I'm using the 630 and I the elevation just goes crazy sometimes (+10%), very often it's just spot on

I do miss the climb screen, rerouting and segments, which are all offered by the 630s
I'm using a speed sensor, just to avoid any GPS lag
I'm getting 10h+ with almost any sensor connected it supports

Sometimes I consider the bolt 2, it's almost the same price point, usb c and Strava segments

10h+? I get 20 easily. And I do have the climb screen on the OG 630

[Ultramic]

Magene C606 user here. If you use navigation then stay away, but if you are after a bike computer for the data then I can recommend it. It cost me US$110 delivered and it certainly beats a 130 in the same price bracket and I personally prefer using it to my 830 (as I don't use the navigation)

Pros:
- Good bright screen
- Touchscreen is responsive
- Good battery life. I get 20-25+ hours ( no nav, no pm, yes speed sensor, yes connected phone).

Cons
- Navigation.
- Climb pro

[Lotnik]

All the people recomending Karoo2, I just switched back to Garmin 840. Reason? The main one is the HORRIBLE battery life and screen visibility in sunlight.
Battery life - sensors connected are power/cadence, varia, navigation - if I get 7h I am happy (for anything longer I always bring a power bank (ie. long gravel rides or bikepacking).
Screen - in full sunlight even on the brightest setting you will have to cover the screen to see anything on it.

My wifes cheap $200 IGSport can do everything the K2 can (without installing extra apps which will only drain the battery even more) and lasts at least double the time using the same sensors connected etc.

You are speaking Karoo 2 and we are speaking about Karoo 3 which has far more better battery life than 2.

[crazyravr]

You are speaking Karoo 2 and we are speaking about Karoo 3 which has far more better battery life than 2.

Well then you should not mention the K3 in this discussion because the OP is not looking for high end bike computer. also, is it really that much better in real life........ Nope. People go for the Hammerhead units because it feels familiar, cell phone navigation menus etc, and they are willing to forgo the sihtty battery life and poor screen visibility. Also, most people dont go out for more than 2-3h at a time and for them and Hammerhead unit will be a wonderful thing.

[Fatbonzo]

10h+? I get 20 easily. And I do have the climb screen on the OG 630

Usually I get 20h, but I do have weeks, were it's depleting faster, but it's still 10+
For me the climb screen just shows the past and that's as described, if I do something wrong, please let me know

[acino]

also, is it really that much better in real life........ Nope.

K3 has significantly better battery life (+50%) and screen than K2 (Source: I have both sitting in front of me).

Your earlier comment regarding readability is perplexing too. I run K2 at 50% and I never had a difficulty reading it, even in the brightest Mallorca sun.

[makl]

I only know Garmin devices, so I can't compare. But two more things which I like about Garmin:

- They have a programme where they replace damaged computers for a reasonable amount of money (not quite cheap, but cheaper than the used market). So if your device fails, you'll have access to a certified refurbished one, and don't need to buy a completely new one.

- If you're also a runner and own a Garmin watch, all your training data and training recommendations are nicely synced via the Connect App (also true for swimming, nordic skating, etc...).

[crazyravr]

K3 has significantly better battery life (+50%) and screen than K2 (Source: I have both sitting in front of me).

Your earlier comment regarding readability is perplexing too. I run K2 at 50% and I never had a difficulty reading it, even in the brightest Mallorca sun.

Tried the Garmin twice over the weekend. Went on a 9h 240km gravel ride with Navi, Pwr and HR sensors and "some" re-routing". When I got home I had 40% battery left on the Garmin. The screen, even in full sun was amazing and bright. I would never be able to complete this ride with K2 without using power bank.
However.......... I am going back to the K2 and just deal with bringing a power bank on the long rides. Why? Map view and info is simply next level there. Ease of use getting route onto the unit is just much better. When or if the prices drop on the new K3 unit, I might try that. Wish the K2 has battery life equal to the Garmin. And the screen, in full sun cannot compare at all to the Garmin. I have to cover the computer with my hand to see any details on the map......... but this I can live with.

[pushpush]

Tried the Garmin twice over the weekend. Went on a 9h 240km gravel ride with Navi, Pwr and HR sensors and "some" re-routing". When I got home I had 40% battery left on the Garmin. The screen, even in full sun was amazing and bright. I would never be able to complete this ride with K2 without using power bank.
However.......... I am going back to the K2 and just deal with bringing a power bank on the long rides. Why? Map view and info is simply next level there. Ease of use getting route onto the unit is just much better. When or if the prices drop on the new K3 unit, I might try that. Wish the K2 has battery life equal to the Garmin. And the screen, in full sun cannot compare at all to the Garmin. I have to cover the computer with my hand to see any details on the map......... but this I can live with.

This doesn't seem right.

1) Syncing a route to garmin is almost zero effort. You just save/favorite on whichever platform you create the route and it just shows up on the garmin. I don't know how it could be any easier.
2) If you value the map view and information, why don't you value the ability to read it easily? The data displayed is only as good as your ability to read it on the screen.

[buttcrack]

It looks like my old Magene c406 pro just died and am looking for a new BC...

From what I have read in this post (forum) and a few reddits, I am in between these BCs:
bsc300/t, igs630/s, magene c606 and the coros duro looks really promising but is more than double the price of some the others.

I am not really that much into navigation as I ride on roads and if I go on a somewhat new path, I check the segments beforehand so navigation is not really important. The c406 was actually really enough for me and after 3 years it could still handle speed sensor, HR, PM, tail light for a 6 hour ride (the tail light gave up ). So lets say that the 10h mark is minimum, touch screen is not mandatory but the screen has to be visible in the sun (as it was the c406). I mostly climb hills so the altitude should be somewhat accurate, live in eu if that is any indication to what kinda GPS band is better... Really appreciate any recommendation.

[Da11as]

I did not read the entire thread, however considering your first post, Elemnt Bolt 2 will suffice you:

- Navigation was always underwhelming (I missed turns so many times)

It happened to me on my Bolt 1 quite frequently. On Bolt2 maps are more detailed, but you can't customize the view by uploading different map from OSM. Turn by turn notification are actually good.

- climb pro is nice, however i could never have on the climb pro screen fields i actually cared about (like power)
- map / navigation screen was nice, however i could never edit that screen to display fields i actually wanted to see (like power)

On Bolt 2 you can customize up to 4 (6?) fields on every screen.

- I like that i could get my ltwoo er9 to display data (battery charge and which gear i'm in, mostly)

I cannot tell about the compatibility with Ltwoo, but Di2 works just fine here.

If I buy a computer from some other brand:
- it needs to connect to my power meter & let me calibrate it
- climb pro equivalent is a plus, but honestly not a must.
- it needs to connect to my ltwoo er9 group to display stuff.
- i must be able to load a route (gpx or equivalent) and follow it, preferably without using a cable.
- have to be able to customize screens with data fields.
- i'll export the activities to strava, intervals.icu, and potentially to garmin, because of the history i have there.

All is covered. The only issue you may encounter is smaller battery which will cover you for up to 15 hours (depends on how much stuff you connect, whether you will use navigation etc). Screen is slightly smaller but all is very clear. I had Garmins before and I settled with Wahoo for the sake of simplicity - it has no unnecessary info, bells and whistles Garmin is overloaded with. It just works and I like it. I replaced my Bolt 1 mostly because I wanted an upgrade and music control from my head unit, it served me over 4 years and I liked it much more than my 520. If you use radar it is also more convenient - you can check the warnings with your peripheral vision with upper LEDs.
I wouldn't call it an upgrade to 530, it's rather lateral change. But I like it more