Learning to use the Edge 840

I definitely sympathize.  I started with a 705 back in 2010.  I had a number of different Edge units since but the 840 was a big change in the UI and organization compared to those.  It was a learning curve.  The first thing I did was figure out how to turn off all the automatic features like ClimbPro, Forksight (Mtb), Road hazards, Auto rerouting, etc etc.. That made it more manageable to use while riding. Working through the 840 manual got me partway there, and from there just poking around and figuring things out as I went.  I create courses in RWGPS, and also upload courses from elsewhere there.  From there, they can be wirelessly downloaded to my 840 (usually).  

Thanks @looigi!

I did a ride yesterday, I got the RWGPS and this time I authorised it to publish the route directly into Garmin Connect. This actually worked pretty well to get the route onto the device.

However, I obviously marked it wrong, and when I was riding the course the Garmin kept trying to re-calculate, 3-4 times it just came up with something about "recalculating error" which felt a bit crappy. Fortunately, I knew where I was going anyway. So I'll try switch that stuff off.

I also found a Youtube video about setting up the data screens, and I think this helped too, I can navigate them easily now.

One thing I'm not clear on is there's a screen with shows "Mountain" and has my last route and a hamburger icon, and then there's this other screen with the battery ad GPS signal and stuff, and that one has its own left/right pages you can navigate with the up/down button. I just cant get my head around all these different modes - I just wanna ride my bike man! ... and hopefully know where I'm going.

1. RTFM

2. Disable all features you do not use (yet)

3. You can still pull gpx-files to the /Garmin/Newfiles directory on the edge

4. You can email a gpx to your smartphone and when Garmin Connect is running on it you can then save the gpx-attachment to Connect and with Connect sync it with the Edge.

I just got an Edge 840 because bluetooth no longer works on my 8 year old Edge 820 which is otherwise functional. So far I'm horrified by the confusing UI.  I'm thinking of returning it and will for now continue using my old 820. I can live with no bluetooth by just loading courses and saving activities via USB with the online Garmin Connect website.

1. This does not help
2. Yes, I think I've done this
3. Nope, the 840 does not show up as a drive like the old 800 did, I can only connect via the Garmin Connect app on the phone
4. Thanks, I did not try email, I started with saving from RWGPS then uploading to the Garmin Connect website, then syncing. However as I noted, I've connected RWGPS and Garmin Connect now, so it seem to be more automated.

On 2: you have a Mac? I know, from others that can cause issues. 

The 840 is going to be a tiny bit different to a computer released 15 years ago. The mistake you might be making is trying to continue your old ways of working when the world has moved on.  

You don't create maps then manually download them to your PC, then manually transfer them to an SD card and then copy to the device anymore. The good news is that if you've managed to master that old and horrendously clunky process, you'll easily adapt to the modern world if you try.  It'll also be a revelation to you! 

You create a route.  If you use Garmin Connect, these will be automatically synced with your device, usually within a few seconds. Then... turn on your device, click on navigate, select the route, click 'ride' and you're off! How hard is that? 

For your question of 'navigating the menus', Alice in Wonderland comes to mind... 

• Alice: "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
• The Cheshire Cat: "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to."
• Alice: "I don't much care where—"
• The Cheshire Cat: "Then it doesn't matter which way you go."