Using a garmin watch and cycle computer

This is how it works. Don't wear the watch. Have the HR strap connected to the edge during your activity. You will get correct HR data on your garmin connect / watch for the day

Grumpy from dawn till dusk said:

I use this, simple but effective:

Yes, I saw it at the time but it was not available when I wanted to buy it, so I decided to 3D print it until I could get it. Then I ended up liking 3D better, because you press it to set the watch and then release it, so it generates a tension that is well fixed without having to adjust the strap too much.

Grumpy from dawn till dusk said:

even though the display is obviously smaller.

Sure, the only drawback that I feel also but also it's not a problem.

bbrannon said:

I agree that the watch and strap will yield proper HR data. The problem comes if you want more on the fly info from tour device on the bars. When I mtb I never really look at my cyclometer. On the road that is a completely different experience where for most the watch is inadequate.

I think it's a matter of comfort and personal taste, everyone has their own preferences. I also use it on the Road Bike, following also some Garmin Training Plans and it was perfect. Obviously Edge screen it's amazing in comparison, being larger and even with more data or graphics useful on the road but that will also depend on each one. On the usual routes, even on the road, it is not a problem for me. Anyway for now I keep the 830 and I had not decided to sell it in case I found something that would make me change my mind, but a year has passed and nothing, I still have the 955 on the bike and the 830 at home :)

bbrannon said:

The daily HR data uses the watch inaccurate HR data during the activity unless it is also actively recording an activity. I choose treadmill because it does not activate the GPS but does use the HR strap data.

Sorry, I didn't understand why you need to start an activity on the watch? I got lost here. If it is to use the Edge at the same time I understand that you don't need to activate anything on the watch because the HR it will save will be the Edge/Chest HRM during the activity and then go back to the watch once you finish the activity. You don't even need to wear the watch, unless you want to record intensity minutes which I believe some Edge models don't (mine doesn't). That's what I've seen in Connect when using both.

do you still wear the watch? Or let edge record all?

Have you considered getting an Edge 530 or later and using it in "Extended Display Mode"?

In this mode you record and save all your activities on your watch as if you never had an Edge.  The Edge only acts as a display for what is going on in the watch and does not record or store any of your ride data.

See here https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=fZaD0E9cTwAwBffjoJcWT8

You can choose whether to use an HR strap or the optical HR on the watch whichever works best for you. 

If you wear the watch while you're recording an activity on the edge with a HR connected to the edge you won't get the hr data recorded from the edge in your daily hr results. You'll get the watches hr. Because there is two sets of hr data for the same time period it'll choose the primary device as the hr to record. The way around that is either don't wear the watch when you record on the edge or disable the hr on the watch

Thank you for pointing out this interesting option!
Personally, I did not know about this possibility.

Anyway, I will stay with my "Forerunner 955 on handlebar"-solution, as here in Germany, Edge 530 is around 300 Euros and Edge 540 around 320 Euros - a bit pricy for a headunit that will only mirror my watches content. While the Edge 130 Plus is also capable of doing that, its display is not very big and monochrome - which would be a downgrade to some degree.

Anyway, for some people it might be an interesting option, so thanks again for pointing it out!

I am in a similar situation.   I have been using an ancient 310XT - which is on its last legs - on a 1/4 turn mount on my stem to show speed, 3s power and cadence direct from the sensors and HR broadcast from the 955. 

I now wish to see the balance of power between my pedals. The 310XT can only display total power.  I was considering getting an Edge 530 or 540 and using it in Extended Display Mode but then it occurred to me that I could use my old Fenix 3 attached to the handlebars as it can display some cycling dynamics information.

As the 1/4 turn mount can't be used with the Fenix 3 I have used some foam pipe insulation to improvise a mount and I'll do something better if it works, otherwise I might still end up buying an Edge as there isn't much room on the bars.  The stem mount is much neater.  Or I suppose I could bond a quarter turn mount onto an old charging cradle for the f3 and cut off the cable.

I looked at the 130 as a possible option but when I studied the specs I found that it cannot display cycling dynamics.  So I would need a 530 or later.  A 530 is £260 at the moment in the UK.   It was available at £200 earlier this year but the all the stocks at stores offering this price appear to have sold out.

That would not be a problem for me, I „just“ have a single sided 4iiii Precision 3 on my Cyclocross.

But anyway, at least for the moment, I am fine using just my FR955 for everything.