Trail tested: Lezyne Mega GPS XL

Lezyne’s range of GPS cycle computers has been improving by leaps and bounds in recent years, offering a viable and affordable alternative to the omnipresent Garmins that adorn handlebars the world over.

The Mega GPS range is Lezyne's latest attempt to crack the GPS computer market. The range includes the smaller C model and the larger XL model, with functionality including:

• a high contrast screen, (colour on the C model and black and white on the XL)
• online and offline mapping capabilities
• sync capabilities with TrainingPeaks, Today’s Plan and Strava, including custom workouts and Live Segments
• phone notifications 
• live tracking 
• Bluetooth LE and ANT+ connectivity for accessories such as cadence sensors, heart rate monitors, power meters and Di2.

The XL model is going head to head with units like the Wahoo Elemnt and the Garmin Edge 820, and the big kicker is the battery life. Lezyne claims a battery life of 48 hours for the Mega GPS XL. In addition, the Lezyne is more than $200 cheaper than the Wahoo or Garmin units, at an RRP of just $299.

We’ve been riding with the Mega GPS XL on both mountain and road bikes since September, and it’s a solid GPS unit that does everything you need it to do in today’s synced-up wireless world.We tested the unit with a variety of sensors from different suppliers and experienced no dropouts or connection issues.

Its user interface will be pretty familiar to anyone who’s used an older Garmin unit (an Edge 500, for example). The menu system, button arrangement and screen layout are quite similar to the Edge 500, as is the use of individual profiles for different bikes, a practice largely discontinued by Garmin nowadays.

The large, high contrast screen on the Mega GPS XL is a vast improvement on the previous Lezyne computers. It’s much easier to read and its sheer size - 240x400 pixels) means that the text is easily readable (even for older eyes) even with five or six data fields on the screen.

Easily visible in a range of trail situations... not that you would ever do more than glance down at it anyway, right?

The ability to orient the unit in either portrait or landscape mode is a nice touch, but it’s not executed very well. While data fields and mapping are arguably better in landscape mode, the button layout remains the same as in portrait mode – making it much less intuitive – and setup menus remain in portrait mode. It’s unlikely you’d be changing settings while riding, but it’s still an annoying quirk.

I also found data file upload to be a little clunky: rather than the companion Ally smartphone app seamlessly uploading files to Strava and other software services, you have to manually upload the files to the cloud, whereupon it’ll propagate to Strava et al. It’s not a major issue, just an annoying bugbear.

I also wasn’t a fan of the supplied X-Lock stem bolt mount on the road bike; it was nigh impossible to tighten properly without the mount being slightly crooked and the GoPro mount attachment didn’t seem to work with my favoured Light and Motion light.

However, I found the opposite on the mountain bike: by reversing the mount, I was able to mount the Lezyne in a much safer spot which meant it was at much less risk of damage during a crash.

Well out of the line of fire... just be prepared to spend a while adjusting the mount so it's straight

Last and certainly not least, the battery life is incredible. I didn’t have to charge the Mega GPS XL once in over a month of testing, using it once or twice a week for up to two hours at a time. This battery life really does blow every other GPS computer out of the water: so, if you’re a bikepacker, ultra-endurance rider or just someone who hates having to regularly charge electronic items, this could be just the head unit you’re looking for.

Otherwise, the Lezyne Mega XL is a GPS computer that does the job in a solid, but relatively unexciting way. It would be a good option for you’re looking for a good large-format GPS but don’t want to spring for the higher cost of a Wahoo Elmnt or Garmin 820/1000. Alternatively, if you’re a fan of your old Edge 500 but want more functionality with a similar user experience, the Lezyne Mega GPS range is certainly worth a look.

https://www.lezyne.com/product-gps-megaxlgps.php

www.monzaimports.com.au

Weight: $83g

Price: $299