Magene sells good bike computer hardware at roughly half the price of the Garmin or Wahoo equivalent. The weak point is software. Each Magene computer I have tested recorded rides accurately and handled sensors well, then stumbled on navigation, app polish or a missing feature. Firmware updates have closed much of that gap since 2024, but not all of it.
This page covers the bike computers only. Magene also makes power meters, smart trainers and wheels, which will be added here later. Full specifications for every current model are in the Magene specifications database.
Is Magene any good?
For recording rides, displaying power and heart rate, and sending everything to Strava or TrainingPeaks, yes. The Magene C606 matched Garmin, Wahoo, Polar and Apple devices for GPS accuracy on my test rides through the Surrey Hills and south-west London. The Magene C506 was accurate over 500km of riding in 2024.
Navigation is where Magene has lagged. When I tested the original C606, rerouting needed a live phone connection, and route creation took the shortest line rather than cycle-friendly roads. The C506 had no rerouting or climb feature at the time, and its touchscreen sometimes needed three taps with cold fingers, though the buttons covered for it. Firmware 1.9 has since given the C506 rerouting choices.
Independent reviews of the newer C606 Pro and C706 still report unreliable rerouting in 2026. The hardware has moved on faster than the software.
Magene is a Chinese company founded in 2015. Its Qingdao factory makes around 1.1 million GPS computers a year, and it supplies computers to the XDS Astana WorldTour team, as covered in Magene at China Cycle 2026.
The Magene bike computer range compared
| Model | Screen | Navigation | ClimbPro | Battery (Magene claim) | UK / US price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C506 SE | 2.4in colour, buttons only | Route line with turn prompts, rerouting via app | No | 17 to 24 hours | £79 / $69 |
| C506 | 2.4in colour touchscreen | Maps, turn-by-turn, rerouting | No | 17 to 24 hours | £109 / $99 |
| C606 V2 | 2.8in TFT touchscreen | Maps, turn-by-turn, rerouting via app | Yes, including mid-climb | 15 to 25 hours | £169 / $159 |
| C606 Pro | 2.8in transflective touchscreen | On-device navigation that works offline | Yes, including mid-climb | Up to 25 hours | £209 / $199 |
| C706 | 3.3in TFT touchscreen, five buttons | On-device and offline, voice prompts, dual-band GNSS | Yes, including without a route | 17 to 25 hours | £239 / $249 |
UK prices are list or launch prices. US prices are from magene.com in October 2026.
Which Magene to buy
C506 suits a first GPS computer. It shows maps with turn-by-turn directions, pairs with power meters, Shimano Di2 and SRAM AXS, controls a smart trainer, and shows cars approaching from behind with a radar light. C506 SE costs less and drops the touchscreen and downloadable maps, following a route line instead. Neither has ClimbPro, which Magene keeps for the C606 family and C706.
C606 V2 is the step that adds the features keen riders look for: ClimbPro that picks up a climb joined partway up, and live Strava Segments. It reroutes through the OnelapFit app on a connected phone.
C606 Pro adds on-device navigation that works offline, GPX waypoint icons and back to start, which makes it the cheapest Magene I would consider for regular route following. Magene says its transflective screen stays readable in direct sun and uses less power. Three different devices now carry the C606 name; the original C606 I reviewed in 2024 is the older model.
C706 adds voice turn prompts, dual-band GNSS for better positioning under trees and between buildings, and ClimbPro that detects climbs without a planned route. At £239 it costs about £140 less than the compact Garmin Edge 550. My own testing covers the C506 and the original C606.
What firmware has added
Firmware 1.7 in August 2025 brought ClimbPro and live Strava Segments to the C606, and raised the route limit from 200km to 1,000km on both the C506 and C606. Firmware 1.953 in January 2026 added mid-climb ClimbPro entry, configurable rerouting, multi-day ride recording and control of Insta360 and DJI cameras. Both updates install through Magene’s OnelapFit app.
Magene against the alternatives
Against Garmin Edge, Magene gives up depth in training metrics, mapping polish and app quality. Garmin remains the safer buy for riders who navigate unfamiliar roads often. Against Wahoo, Magene offers a touchscreen and lower prices, while Wahoo’s app is easier to live with. The Coospo CS600 competes on price with full GNSS and 36-hour battery life.
Magene’s own L508 radar light shows approaching cars on every model in the range, at a lower price than Garmin Varia. For the wider field, see bike computer brands compared and the best cycling computer guide. Magene’s current range is listed on magene.com.
Magene bike computer coverage
Reviews and news
- Magene C606 review
- Magene C506 review
- Magene C506 first look
- Magene C606 gets ClimbPro and Strava Segments
- Magene C606 and C506 firmware 1.953
- Magene at China Cycle 2026
- Magene L508 radar review
Specifications
- Magene C706 specifications
- Magene C606 Pro specifications
- Magene C606 V2 specifications
- Magene C506 specifications
- Magene C506 SE specifications
Quick answers
Does Magene C506 have ClimbPro?
No. Magene keeps ClimbPro to the C606 V2, C606 Pro and C706.
What is the difference between C506 and C506 SE?
The C506 has a touchscreen and downloadable maps. The C506 SE uses buttons only, follows a route line with turn prompts, and reroutes only while the OnelapFit app is connected.
Does Magene use a Garmin mount?
Yes. Magene computers fit Garmin quarter-turn mounts.
What is the difference between C606 V2 and C606 Pro?
The Pro navigates on the device, including offline, while the V2 reroutes through the phone app. The Pro also has a transflective screen that is easier to read in sunlight and uses less power. It costs £40 more in the UK.
Explore the full resource library
This site covers endurance sport technology across a range of dedicated reference sections. Each one collects the most relevant articles, tests, and analysis on its topic in one place.
Buyer guides
- Best sports watch: tested recommendations by sport and athlete type (triathlon, running, marathon, cycling, hiking, and women)
- Best Garmin watch: Forerunner versus Fenix by series, sport, and budget
- Best wearables: fitness trackers, recovery trackers, heart rate monitors, running power meters, and female athlete tech
- Best cycling products: computers, smart trainers, power meters, and cycling heart rate monitors
- Buying guides: every upgrade guide and product comparison in one place, by brand, for owners deciding whether to move to the newest model
- Gear I use: the watches, bikes, sensors, fuel and sleep kit tfk actually trains and races with, and what his partner uses
Brand and product guides
- Amazfit: the full Amazfit range from Balance to Cheetah to T-Rex, accuracy tests, HYROX partnership, and Zepp Health analysis
- Apple Watch: athlete-first coverage of Apple Watch across running, cycling, and triathlon
- COROS: watches, features, and firmware across the full COROS range
- Garmin: the company, the platform and the full range, and the starting point for choosing across every Garmin product line
- Garmin Edge: bike computers from entry-level navigation to flagship endurance and mountain biking
- Bike computers: Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead, COROS and the value brands compared
- Bryton: the Rider range compared, from basic GPS units to the S810 with maps
- Garmin Fenix: every model, feature, and firmware development for Garmin's flagship outdoor watch
- Garmin Fenix 8 Series: which variant to buy, upgrade advice, accuracy data, and the full Fenix 8 review and firmware coverage
- Garmin Forerunner: the full Forerunner line covered from entry level to triathlon flagship
- Garmin Instinct: rugged GPS watches for endurance and adventure athletes
- Garmin Features Explained: how Garmin's metrics work, from Training Load and Body Battery to Race Predictor and HRV Status
- Google Fitbit: Fitbit Edge, Fitbit Air, Google Health, Pixel Watch and the Wear OS platform
- Magene: which Magene bike computer to buy, from the C506 to the C706, with tested verdicts
- Polar: watches, sensors, Polar Flow and training science across the full Polar range
- Runna: coach-written running plans that adapt as you train
- Suunto: Race, Vertical, Run and the SuuntoPlus ecosystem
- Strava: features, privacy, segments, and how Strava fits into a serious training setup
- Ride with GPS: route planning, navigation and how it works alongside Strava
- Wahoo: KICKR trainers, ELEMNT bike computers, and the Wahoo ecosystem
- WHOOP: strain, recovery, sleep and the full WHOOP ecosystem
Specifications database
- Full Specifications Database: detailed spec sheets, battery life, sensor lists and generation-on-generation comparisons for current Garmin, COROS, Amazfit, Samsung, Google Fitbit, Huawei, Polar, Suunto, Wahoo and Apple Watch models
Glossary
- Sports Technology Glossary: non-branded terminology across running, cycling, swimming, triathlon, hiking, strength training, HYROX, sensors, ecosystems, and brands
Sport and topic guides
- Running Watches: how to choose by discipline (road racing, trail, track, beginner, and multisport)
- Triathlon and Multisport Technology: watches, sensors, and race-day tools for swimmers, cyclists, and runners
- HYROX: training science, race analysis, and technology for the functional fitness race format
- parkrun: technology, training, and performance for the weekly 5K
- Hiking Technology: navigation, safety, and trail tech for walkers and hikers
- Heart Rate Monitoring: optical sensors, chest straps, accuracy comparisons, and how to set training zones
- Optical Sensors (PPG): the 40 things a wrist optical sensor could measure, from heart rate to glucose, ranked by evidence
- GPS Accuracy: how satellite systems perform across brands, terrains, and conditions
- Sports Watch Battery Life: battery claims, real-world tests, and how to manage battery life across Garmin, Apple, Amazfit and COROS
- Recovery Trackers: WHOOP, Oura, and the science of readiness scoring
- Muscle Oxygen Sensors: SmO2 and NIRS explained, Train Red and Moxy compared, and the category from BSX and Humon to Garmin and WHOOP
- Female Athlete Tech: wearables, physiology, and performance for female endurance athletes, covering cycle-synced training, RED-S, HR accuracy, and VO2max
- Sports Science: peer-reviewed research on HRV, VO2max, lactate threshold, running power, wearable accuracy, and supplementation
- Testing Methodology: how this site tests GPS accuracy, heart rate, battery life, and other performance claims
Content series
- Release Radar: confirmed launches, leaks, and rumours across Garmin, Apple, COROS, Polar, Suunto, and Wahoo
- Deep Dive Feature Files: weekly firmware feature updates across all brands (bug fixes excluded)
- Fix Files: weekly firmware bug fix tracking across all brands
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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