| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Magene |
| Type | Compact GPS cycling computer, 2.4-inch colour screen and three buttons |
| Series | C506 |
| Released | 2024 |
| Price | GBP 79 / USD 89 at launch; USD 69 on magene.com |
| Variants | C506, with touchscreen and map navigation |
Specifications and features as listed by Magene, October 2026.
Jump to: Expert opinion | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Ride profiles | Quick answers | Further reading
Expert opinion
C506 SE is the cheapest route-following Magene: a button-operated colour computer that shows a route line with turn prompts and street names, records power and heart rate, and controls a smart trainer. It shares the C506’s body, screen size and battery.
The C506 adds the touchscreen, downloadable maps, laps by location and camera control. Rerouting on the SE works while the OnelapFit app is connected during the ride.
Magene C506 SE
Button-operated route-following computer, a simple first GPS for the bars.
Specifications
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Type | Full-laminated colour screen, Asahi glass with anti-fingerprint hydrophobic coating, ambient light sensor |
| Size | 2.4 inch |
| Controls | Three buttons |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions | 78 x 48 x 17.5mm |
| Weight | 74g |
| Water rating | IPX7 |
| Operating temperature | -10°C to 50°C |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GNSS | Multi-GNSS: BeiDou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS (Airoha chipset) |
| Assisted positioning | AGNSS over Wi-Fi; Magene claims a fix in as little as 5 seconds |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Connectivity and storage | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| Supported devices | Speed, cadence and combined sensors, heart rate monitors, power meters, smart trainers, radar tail lights, smart tail lights, Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap |
| Ride memory | 100 hours |
| Data fields | 108 in 14 categories |
| Bike profiles | 5 |
| Charging | USB-C, 3 hours |
| Apps | OnelapFit; Strava and TrainingPeaks |
Battery life
| Mode | Battery life |
|---|---|
| Daily mode | 17 hours |
| Long battery mode | Up to 24 hours |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Features
Navigation
- Turn-by-turn route navigation from OnelapFit routes or GPX files
- Off-course alerts, with re-planning while the OnelapFit app is connected
- Street names at turns on routes built in OnelapFit, with automatic zoom
Training
- Smart trainer control by target power, resistance or gradient
- Power, heart rate, speed and cadence recording
Ownership
- Start, pause and resume reminders, or full auto start and pause
- Phone notifications
- Recovery of a ride stopped by an unexpected shutdown
- Automatic ride upload over Wi-Fi
- Menus in 11 languages
Ride profiles
C506 SE shows up to ten data pages and stores five bike profiles.
Magene C506 SE
Button-operated route-following computer, a simple first GPS for the bars.
Quick answers
When was the Magene C506 SE released?
Magene released the C506 SE in 2024. The launch price was GBP 79 or USD 89, and magene.com now lists it at USD 69.
Does the C506 SE have a touchscreen?
No, C506 SE has a 2.4 inch colour screen operated by three buttons. The C506 adds a touchscreen.
Does the C506 SE have maps?
No, downloadable maps are a C506 feature. C506 SE shows a route line with turn prompts and street names, and reroutes while the OnelapFit app is connected.
What is the C506 SE battery life?
Magene quotes 17 hours in daily mode and up to 24 hours in long battery mode. It charges over USB-C in 3 hours.
How much does the C506 SE weigh?
C506 SE weighs 74g, measures 78 x 48 x 17.5mm and is rated IPX7.
Can the C506 SE control a smart trainer?
Yes, C506 SE controls a smart trainer by target power, resistance or gradient, and records power, heart rate, speed and cadence.
Further reading
- Magene C506 specifications
- Magene C506 review
- Magene bike computers: which one to buy
- Magene specifications
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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