Revolutionizing Your Ride: Garmin Edge 550 Packs a Punch
Garmin’s latest offering, the Edge 550 GPS head unit, arrived in September alongside its touchscreen counterpart, the Edge 850. With a sleek, elongated design and a slightly larger 2.7-inch color screen, the Edge 550 replaces the Edge 540, boasting enhanced brightness, responsiveness, and smoother map redraws. But here's where it gets interesting: while the Edge 550 retains a button-only interface, the Edge 850 introduces a touchscreen, larger storage, a built-in speaker, bike bell functionality, and Garmin Pay compatibility—all at a higher price point. But is the Edge 550 worth the investment?
First Impressions: A Cut Above the Rest
Garmin’s expertise in GPS technology shines through in the Edge 550. Its build quality is exceptional, and its mid-range size caters to a diverse range of riders. The device feels like a natural evolution of Garmin’s top-tier Edge 1050, offering an intuitive yet extensive feature set. Weighing in at 110 grams—32 grams heavier than its predecessor—it still maintains a respectable lightweight profile. Upon activation, the 420×600 pixel color screen is a standout feature, significantly outperforming the Edge 540’s 246×322 resolution. Garmin promises a display that’s readable in all conditions, even direct sunlight, and my testing confirmed this with zero glare or visibility issues. The Edge 550 comes with a variety of mounts and adapters, and its 32GB storage doubles that of the Edge 540, though the Edge 850 takes it a step further with 64GB.
Feature-Rich and Future-Proof
Modern GPS head units are marvels of technology, and the Edge 550 is no exception. It includes all the expected Garmin features—but enhanced—plus a host of new additions. From segment, group, and live tracking to ClimbingPro, incident detection, and real-time weather alerts, it’s a cyclist’s dream. Phone and text message alerts keep you connected, while smart fueling prompts offer personalized nutrition and hydration reminders based on weather, route, and fitness level. Garmin Connect even provides free coaching plans that adapt to your riding style and recovery. After a month of use, I’ve only scratched the surface of its capabilities. And this is the part most people miss: it also includes dedicated MTB profiles for enduro and downhill enthusiasts, though I didn’t test these extensively.
Getting Started: Seamless Setup, Minor Hurdles
Setup is a breeze, especially if you’re already using the Garmin Connect app. Syncing your Edge 550 transfers most of your existing data and preferences effortlessly. The most time-consuming part? Updating the maps—a 2.3GB Australian update took nearly two hours. The user interface is familiar to Garmin button-operated device users, but newcomers might find it initially fiddly. Stick with it, though—it’s worth the learning curve.
Navigation: Getting Lost is Nearly Impossible
Navigation with the Edge 550 is a stress-free experience. Its multi-band GNSS receiver ensures ultra-accurate positioning, while the upgraded screen resolution delivers exceptional map visibility. Visual and audio navigation alerts, real-time rerouting, and seamless Garmin Connect integration make route planning and execution effortless. My Strava-generated routes were ready to go the moment I turned it on. While there’s nothing groundbreaking in the map functionality itself, the Edge 550’s enhanced display and faster processor ensure everything runs smoother and more efficiently.
Battery Life: A Double-Edged Sword
Here’s where opinions might diverge: the Edge 550’s advanced processor, graphics, and features consume more power, reducing battery life compared to the Edge 540. Garmin claims 12 hours of normal use, which aligns with my experience. Enabling ‘battery saver’ mode extends this to over 30 hours, but at the cost of reduced functionality and screen brightness. Is this a dealbreaker, or a fair trade-off for premium performance?
Final Verdict: A Premium Mid-Range Contender
The Garmin Edge 550 brings many high-end features from the Edge 1050 into a more compact, affordable package. If you’re seeking a mid-sized head unit, aren’t bothered by the lack of a touchscreen, and are already a Garmin enthusiast, it’s a compelling upgrade. At $750 RRP, it’s an investment, and if brand loyalty isn’t a factor, you might find better value elsewhere. My advice? Shop around for a deal—once you have it, you’re unlikely to regret it.
Specifications:
- 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: $749.95
Learn More: Garmin Edge 550
About the Author:
Peter Maniaty is Bicycling Australia’s senior journalist, renowned for his insightful bike reviews, destination features, and thought-provoking opinion pieces. His expertise makes him a trusted voice in the cycling world.
Thought-Provoking Question: With the Edge 550’s premium features and higher price tag, do you think Garmin is justifying the cost, or are there better alternatives in the market? Share your thoughts in the comments!
