GPS technology has made a huge impact on cycling in recent years. What started out initially as basic navigation tools are now used to record all kinds of data about your rides (and with the Edge 820 those of your friends) and is even used to live track the progress of the top pro riders on the road in the biggest races. Garmin are the undisputed leaders in GPS products for cyclists and the Edge 820 is the latest in the company’s line-up and aimed to keep you more connected than ever on your rides. 
As well as the main features such as touchscreen navigation that you’ve come to expect from Garmin products the Edge 820 has new features aimed at keeping you connected with family and other riders out on the road through the GroupTrack feature. GroupTrack connects your Garmin to your smartphone and allows you to track other riders within a ten mile radius which is useful on a group ride or checking if your friends are out riding as well. The accelerometer feature is designed to detect if you’ve had a crash and can send a message to the emergency services with your location. 
Cycling Weekly magazine tested the Edge 820 in August – “Connectivity-wise, the Garmin Edge 820 is compatible with ANT+ sensors, and has a number of different metrics that will interest those doing serious training and riding with a power meter and a heart rate strap. Namely it will estimate your VO2 Max and will also advise on how much recovery you should take after a ride.” The Garmin Edge 820 is also compatible with Garmin’s range of Varia products which mean that you could project your stats onto your sunglasses and use with the Varia rear light and radar which warns you of cars approaching from behind.
"My favourite computer than Garmin has ever produced"
“Out of the box and the unit is very sleek with a smooth glass front and the buttons very well hidden at the bottom and sides of the unit. Aesthetically, this is my favourite computer than Garmin has ever produced,” say Cycling Weekly. 
GROUPTRACK
If you ride with friends, now you can use GroupTrack to keep an eye on everyone in your pack, even if someone pulls ahead or falls behind. Just glance at your Edge to see the connected riders in your group as dots on the map. If someone stops, their dot becomes a hexagonal stop sign, telling you how long they’ve been stationary. Also, see other riders in your group in list view, where you’ll be able to see their current speeds and how far they are from you. Although the ability to be seen is available to all riders using a LiveTrack-compatible Edge or Forerunner® device, cyclists must be equipped with an Edge 820 or Edge Explore 820 to view others on the map.
Time to upgrade?
Either side of the Edge 820 sit the top of the range Edge 1000 and the Edge 820 Explore which is cheaper but does not have the same performance features. “A pleasure to use,” Cycling Weekly concluded about the Edge 820 so perhaps it's time to upgrade your Garmin or enjoy GPS technology for the first time.
See full details of the Garmin Edge 820 here
Features
- Lightweight and compact with 2.3-inch high-resolution, capacitive touch display that works with gloves and when wet
- GroupTrack1 feature keeps tabs on everyone in your riding pack
- Advanced performance monitoring includes VO2 max, recovery advisor, Strava live segments, FTP, performance condition and advanced cycling dynamics2
- Built-in incident detection3 included; compatible with cycling awareness accessories such as Varia Vision™, Varia™ smart bike lights and rearview radar
- Bike-specific navigation pre-loaded with Garmin Cycle Map for turn-by-turn navigation
Garmin is a world leader in satellite navigation and GPS technology. Since it was established in 1989 Garmin has been creating pioneering products to appeal to a wide range of customers. These include motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and fitness enthusiasts, as well as leisure users in the aviation and marine markets. Over the past decade Garmin has been at the forefront of cutting-edge GPS technology and has led the way in setting industry standards. All Garmin units are made to be as user-friendly as possible. With simple operations, logical menus, smart features, and easy-to-follow manuals, each product is built to be intuitive and fun to use. The Edge and Forerunner product range offer all the features you would need maximize your training.