My opinion on Edge Explore 2

I almost forgot about battery drain. Nice work, Garmin!

No problems on my device with 7.09.  

Bad:
The complicated menu navigation is a disaster.
The fixed profiles without change options are a disregard for the customers.
Still way too many bugs.

Good:
Battery drain has improved considerably.
The loading time of the routes has increased significantly compared to the predecessor.

bikepc01 said:

Suppose you mean ... has decreased significantly ...

Thx. yes!

MaxR6 said:

The loading time of the routes has increased significantly compared to the predecessor.

Suppose you mean ... has decreased significantly ... ?    - one of the things I like most with the Explore 2.

And there is new firmware 8.06 which has "   • Fixed bugs and improved stability" in the changelog without further specification what has improved or has gained stability. Garmin, this can be better... Version 8.06 installed without hassles.
And disappointing, the dimmed 'Auto Pause' screen with the huge Pause icon is still there 

Have you noticed any changes with 8.06? I'm not offered with the update yet.
How about profile/acitivity, can it be edited now?

Just installed 8.06 this afternoon and have not been outside riding a course.
During quick armchair examination I could not see any differences.
  • Added support for CIQ System 6 - I'm not using CIQ
    • Added Additional Emoji Support - I'm not using Emoji's
    • Added feedback to RCT 715 Save Photo and Save Video buttons - I'm not using the RCT 715

Profiles still cannot be edited - just Rename and Change Color.
With saved activities (History) the only options are 'Delete' and 'Save Ride as Course' without further options.

So, as you can understand I'm a happy guy with a super stable & debugged Explore 2 . Let's see what comes up...

As a disappointed owner of the Explore V. 1, I pop in here occasionally to see whether V. 2 is a serious candidate for an upgrade. Then I read this. Version 2 seems the same experience in an updated package. Crashes and reboots, losing GPS, inadequate battery life...It is a shame because for me too, on paper at least, the Explore 2 is perfect for my needs. But so was the original Explore until I actually started using it.

But the new version now has support for emoji. 
Out of all the things Garmin needs to fix on this crap, they find time to do that :)

linguinee said:

As a disappointed owner of the Explore V. 1

Me too.

linguinee said:

2 seems the same experience in an updated package. Crashes and reboots, losing GPS, inadequate battery life..

I've never had a GPS loss and the battery life is really top-notch at least on my device .
Now I have light in winter at 80% and 2 minutes on, indoor even permanently. That would have been fatal with version 1.
To me it feels like an really low battery consumption.

The fixed profiles bother me the most.

I should qualify my battery life comment. What I mean is I can't get through a full day's riding without resorting to Battery Saver Mode. Which consequently opens up a Pandora's box of OS crashes or screens not waking. When I use the device, it's ONLY for navigation (no BT, ANT+, weather widgets, etc) and--guaranteed!--at least one reboot, often 2, sometimes 3, every century. 

All of which is to say: if the Explore V1 or V2 can't deliver on its core function then pffft, f*ck it. The whole point of the device is to increase the enjoyment of riding not distract me to no end with its shortcomings.

But I'm happy it's working for you. Many happy navigationally enhanced! miles to ya ;-)

EDIT: To avoid confusion: my battery life comments pertain to the original Edge Explore NOT Explore 2.