The Garmin Edge Explore is a great device, but the user interface is hopeless, so I have some tips here. See also my website about this here:
https://www.avdweb.nl/gps/garmin/garmin-edge-explore-tested
There are 2 apps that can be downloaded for the Garmin
Garmin Express
Only to update software
Garmin Connect
To download routes to the garmin
Attention
Once Garmin Express on your PC is started, it will use your PC power for 25%, even if it is ended. So, your PC runs slower forever. You may notice this because the fan is always running. The cause is a bug in the Garmin software that constantly uses the WMI Provider Host. Solve this with the task manager (ctrl alt del) > startup and disable Garmin Express.
After using Garmin Express you have to restart the PC or else it will continue to run in the background, eating 25% of your PC.
Pairing with smartphone
Viewing and editing routes can be done on the Garmin device itself but this is not handy because of the small 3” screen. It can be done better on your smartphone, which is much more convenient.
The best settings for using just navigation
In order to navigate most conveniently without being bothered by unnecessary functions, I made the following settings.
Enter the settings menu with: Main menu > bottom left icon.
Remove GroupTrack List
Ride settings > Data screens>
Select GroupTrack List > Remove this
Set Screen 1
Ride settings > Data screens > Screen 1 > Layout and Data Fields only 3 fields >
Elapsed Time
Speed
Distance
Set map screen on top
Ride settings > Data screens > Click on the icon at the bottom right > select “Map” and drag up with up / down.
Turn off alerts
Ride settings > Alerts > disable all lines
Battery Save Mode
Battery Save Mode > disable this
Garmin Edge Explore tips
Lighting
Setting the backlight is cumbersome:
Swipe down
Swap right to light settings widget
Select the light level
Exit widget with icon in the bottom center
Therefore, to avoid this, set the backlight to 100% and the Lighting timeout to 30 sec:
Bottom left icon>
System> Display> Lighting timeout = 30 seconds
After that, you just need to tap the screen to turn on backlight.
Improving the use of the lock screen
If you want to temporarily store the Garmin in your pocket during navigation, you have to lock the touchscreen. Otherwise, all kinds of nasty functions can be performed on your device. Switching the Garmin off temporarily is not a good method because it takes a long time to switch on, the satellites have to be searched again, etc. However, the lock screen operation is inconvenient. But there is something to do about that. If you switch on the timer during navigation, with the button at the bottom right, you can then easily switch the lock screen on and off with one press of the power button. This should be improved, it should always work this way, not just with the timer on.