Hot
- Economical price point great option for entry level cycling computer
- Excellent screen resolution and readability in sun or low light
- Seamless integration with Varia radar and lights
- Wirelessly sync workouts to device
- ClimbPro displays remaining ascent and grade on climbs while in route or course mode.
- Message alerts including text and calls
- Strava Live Segments
- Performance monitoring helps improve fitness
- Incident detection automatically sends location to emergency contacts
- MTB metrics tracks jump count, jump distance and hang time
Not
- Easily misplaced due to size
- Basic mapping shows turn by turn, but not street names
- Single profile for all types of cycling
- Limited display fields due smaller 1.8” screen size
- Unit must be on when charging to see battery percentage
- Only standard mount included in package
- No WiFi – uses smartphone to upload/download
- Screen is B/W and uses buttons, not touch screen
- Can’t control smart trainer (coming soon for Tacx indoor trainer)
Price: $199 (device only); $249 (device + HRM Dual)
Size: 1.6”x2.5”x0.6”
Screen size: 1.8”
Weight: 1.2 oz (33g)
Color: Black
Connectivity: ANT+ & Bluetooth
Battery life: 12 hours in GPS mode and up to 10 hours when using two sensors
Compatible devices: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/698436#devices
Detailed specs: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/698436#specs
Availability: Online and retail
How obtained: Sample from company
RBR advertiser: No
Good Things Can Come in Small Packages
In mid-June, Garmin launched the Edge 130 Plus cycling GPS computer. Its small size comes with a smaller price tag ($199 MSRP) than its bigger siblings. However, it packs a huge number of features into a 1.6”x2.5”x0.6” case with a 1.8” high resolution screen.
With this recent launch, Garmin has made an effort to simplify set-up. If you have other Garmin devices, it uses Garmin Connect to leverage activity profiles and sensors to use with the Edge 130 Plus. The Connect IQ app can be used to download and customize certain fields.
Many of the features available on the larger, more expensive Edge units are available on the Edge 130 Plus, with some like mapping, being less robust. If your budget is tight or you’re a weight weenie, this unit is an ideal option.
Get Out and Explore
The Edge 130 Plus offers a host of features to enhance your ride whether it is a local commute, exploring a new route, or shredding the MTB trails.
Course mapping – The unit provides turn by turn prompts and a breadcrumb map to show where you’re going and where you’ve been. During testing, I found the 130 Plus to be accurate and responded timely with prompts. However, the one feature that I have on my 1000 that wasn’t on the 130 Plus, was the actual street or trail names which made it hard to know exactly where I was.
This unit uses GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellites, plus a built-in altimeter to provide greater coverage and more accurate ride data. When using both the 130 Plus and the 1000 side by side, I found the 130 Plus recorded a shorter distance than the 1000. This happened primarily on longer rides and was off by as many as 3-4 miles, but the speed was consistent between the two units.
ClimbPro – When following a route or course, the ClimbPro feature displays the remaining ascent and grade for each climb. This lets you gauge effort during a hilly route.
Structured workouts – For year-round riding sync indoor and outdoor workouts automatically from Garmin Connect or other training apps, including TrainingPeaks and TrainerRoad, right to the Edge 130 Plus. Then view the details on screen before starting the actual workout.
Performance monitoring – Feedback from the 130 Plus helps improve your fitness with dynamic performance insights including VO2 max and heart rate. I paired my Garmin Forerunner’s wrist HRM with the 130 Plus to get accurate heartrate data.
Alerts – Built-in safety and tracking features of the 130 Plus include incident detection, assistance and LiveTrack which alerts designated people follow your real-time location and view the entire preplanned course.
Keep your phone in your jersey pocket since text messages, incoming phone calls, and weather alerts display right on the head unit screen. Go after that KOM/QOM with alerts for Strava Live Segments when you star them ahead of time on Strava.com.
Seamless integration with Varia radar and lights – It was quick and easy to pair the Varia RTL515 and RVR315 rear radars and the UT800 light to the head unit. The 130 Plus had a loud audible tone when a vehicle was overtaking me and I could monitor its proximity right on the screen.
MTB metrics – For MTB, the 130 Plus keeps track of detailed metrics, including jump count, jump distance, and hang time. I just got my MTB in March, so this feature I’ll have to take the company’s word for it.
Battery life – According to Garmin the 130 Plus has a 12 hour battery life in GPS mode and up to 10 hours when using two sensors. I finished a 106 mile ride with plenty of battery life to spare in GPS mode, paired with the RTL515 Varia rear radar and a speed cadence sensor.
What’s in the box?
There are two choices when purchasing the Edge 130 Plus; Standard (device only) or Bundle. The Standard package includes the device, a standard mount, USB cable and tether. The Bundle includes all the above with the addition of the HRM-Dual. Note that the standard mount included is the one that fits on the handlebars. You’ll need to purchase an “out front” mount to move it off the bars.
I highly recommend that you attach the tether immediately after opening the box. I have tethers on my Garmin computers as added security while riding. But with the 130 Plus, between the small size and the black case, I misplaced it numerous times after taking it off the bike to charge.
Bottom Line
If you are on a budget and don’t need a robust mapping feature, take a look at the new Edge 130 Plus. It has tons of features in a small package, making it an ideal entry level cycling computer.
When are you going to check out the jump distance and hang time ?? We need a full review.
I love the Edge 130. The small size is an asset for me, as are the buttons. Using a touch screen during cycling, and especially in cold weather, is a deal-killer for me. I like the way you can customize the screen and have multiple ones to scroll through as needed while on the roll. The clarity of the numbers on the screens is excellent. It can use GPS, GLONASS (sp?), and one other positioning system. Handles multiple sensors (I don’t use any). Charging is simple, uploading to Strava is simple. For someone who doesn’t need a high-tech device (that’s large and aesthetically unpleasing), this product really fills the bill. If you don’t like the small size because “it’s easy to lose”, how are you keeping track of your car keys?