The Magene C706 offers impressive hardware specifications and features at a competitive price, but suffers from significant software issues, inconsistent battery life, and navigation problems that limit its overall reliability.
Pros
- Excellent price-to-quality ratio
- High-definition display visible in all weather conditions
- Very responsive touchscreen
- Automatic Climb Pro function with offline climb detection
Cons
- Cannot zoom on maps - limited navigation controls
- No pre-set screens for beginners - requires manual configuration
- No live tracking or SOS alarm function
- Doesn't calculate FTP/VO2 Max or recovery metrics
Key Facts
- 3.3-inch TFT color touchscreen display
- Weight of 111g (70g per another source)
- IPX7 water resistance rating
Reviews & Ratings
NCT - La Chaîne du Vélo on YouTube8 days ago
00:29:34
The reviewer provides a mixed assessment of the Magene C706 Smart GPS bike computer, praising its hardware quality and specifications but criticizing significant software and functional issues that undermine its usability.
AI Summary
Pros
- High-quality build and finish
- 3.3-inch TFT touchscreen with good brightness and readability
- Integrated speaker with voice guidance in 13 languages
- Dual-band GPS for better accuracy
- Compatible with various sensors (power, heart rate, cadence, speed, radar, Di2, etc.)
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Good value for basic data recording and synchronization with Strava
- Accurate altitude tracking
- Climb detection function (when working properly)
- Includes accessories like rubber case, tempered glass, elastic mount, and quarter-turn mount
Cons
- Poor speaker placement (downward-facing) makes audio hard to hear while riding, especially with wind
- Battery life lower than advertised (12-13 hours vs. claimed 17-25 hours)
- Navigation software is problematic: premature direction announcements, incorrect route guidance, excessive alerts for minor turns
- Climb detection function sometimes fails to detect climbs
- Poor integration with rear radar (Varia): visual alerts blend with map colors, audio alerts are too quiet and ineffective
- AI assistant notifications are intrusive, blocking navigation with large pop-ups
- Map interface lacks detail when rerouting, and accidental swipes can cancel navigation
- Strava Live Segments function imperfectly
- Some translation issues in the software
- Front LED light is mostly cosmetic and drains battery
- At €229, it competes with more polished alternatives like Garmin Edge Explorer 2
Key Points
- Price: €229
- Screen: 3.3-inch TFT touchscreen
- Weight: Just over 100g
- Battery: Advertised 17-25 hours (reviewer experienced 12-13 hours)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- GPS: Dual-band
- Speaker: Integrated, voice guidance in 13 languages
- Mount: Includes quarter-turn metal mount with speaker holes
- Port: USB-C
- Accessories: Rubber case, tempered glass, elastic mount, quarter-turn mount
PreTriathlon on YouTube28 days ago
00:24:45
The reviewer presents the Magene C706 Smart GPS bike computer as an affordable yet feature-rich device that competes with high-end brands like Garmin. He highlights its advanced navigation, dual-band GPS, Climb Pro feature, and integration with World Tour team XSD Astana. While praising its functionality and value, he notes some areas for improvement.
AI Summary
Pros
- Affordable price with high-end features
- Advanced navigation with route recalculation without phone
- Dual-band GPS with fast acquisition and good accuracy
- Climb Pro feature showing gradient, distance, and customizable data
- Voice guidance for turns (150-120m before)
- Back to start function without phone
- Strava segments synchronization via WiFi or phone
- Camera control for Insta 360 or DJI with integrated data
- Cycling dynamics (power phase, pedaling, seated/standing time)
- Indoor training compatibility with smart trainers
- 12 customizable profiles and 12 data screens
- IPX7 water resistance
- Physical buttons work well with gloves
- LED sidelight with 12 colors and modes
- Speaker with adjustable volume
- WiFi for uploading activities without phone
- Improved menu organization compared to previous models
- Good screen visibility in sunlight
- Solid build quality with metal back support
- Official partner of World Tour team XSD Astana
Cons
- Touchscreen responsiveness with gloves is not optimal
- Route recalculation doesn't always choose the best route or consider bike lanes
- Battery life in demanding conditions (bright sun, multiple sensors) is below promised 17-25 hours (around 14 hours observed)
- Climb Pro simplifies gradients by averaging instead of showing sharp changes
- Some functions depend too much on the app (e.g., changing data fields)
- Auto-brightness adjustment is slow
- No direct e-bike connectivity
- No direct Wikiloc implementation (requires GPX download)
- Indoor mode requires smart trainer connection
- Training Peaks workouts don't sync automatically
- Screen protector has edges that can cause button mistakes with gloves
- LED sidelight doesn't cover the entire side of the device
Key Points
- 3.3-inch TFT color touchscreen
- Dimensions: 97mm long, 55mm wide, 14.8mm thick
- Weight: 111g
- IPX7 water resistance
- Dual-band GPS
- Battery: 17-25 hours promised (14 hours observed in demanding use)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, ANT+
- Sensors: Connects to power meters, heart rate monitors, electronic shifters
- Navigation: Route following, recalculation, back to start, favorite locations
- Features: Climb Pro, Strava segments, cycling dynamics, camera control, indoor training with smart trainers
- Voice guidance in Spanish (as demonstrated in transcript)
- Includes physical buttons alongside touchscreen
HOBSCOTCH on YouTube19 days ago
00:26:11
The reviewer provides a detailed hands-on review of the Magene C706 Smart GPS bike computer, highlighting its modern design, new user interface, built-in speaker for voice navigation, and various smart features. They praise the device's build quality, display readability, and comfort-oriented features like voice guidance and the integrated bell, while noting some limitations with the bell's volume and speaker audibility in noisy environments.
AI Summary
Pros
- Modern and stylish design with a metal mount
- High-quality build and finish
- 3.3-inch TFT color touch display with good readability
- Built-in speaker for voice navigation and alerts
- New user interface (UI) is modern and visually appealing
- Integrated 'Starring' LED light bar with customizable colors
- Compatible with Garmin mounts
- Includes silicone case for protection
- Voice guidance for navigation, climbs, and ride status
- Automatic climb detection during free rides (without a route)
- Integrated digital bell (though not legally approved in Germany)
- Physical buttons for operation with gloves
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Supports 13 languages including voice announcements
- Battery life of 17-25 hours (manufacturer claim)
- 8GB storage for maps
- Can control DJI or Insta360 cameras
- Smart assistants (e.g., speed alerts, heart rate alerts)
- Ability to resume rides after turning off the device
Cons
- Integrated bell is too quiet and not a replacement for a legal bell in Germany
- Speaker may be hard to hear in very noisy traffic (faces downward)
- Voice alerts for pausing/resuming rides can be excessive (e.g., at traffic lights)
- Starring LED feature may affect battery life if enabled
Key Points
- Model: Magene C706 Smart GPS bike computer
- Display: 3.3-inch TFT color touchscreen
- Dimensions: 97mm x 55mm x 14.8mm
- Weight: 111g
- Mount: Metal, compatible with Garmin mounts
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ANT+
- Battery life: 17-25 hours (varies with settings)
- Storage: 8GB internal
- Features: Built-in speaker, voice navigation, climb detection, digital bell, LED light bar (Starring), physical buttons
- Included accessories: USB-C cable, mount, silicone case, screen protector, safety leash, manual
Coverstem Channel on YouTube26 days ago
00:22:16
The reviewer provides a comprehensive review of the Magene C706 Smart GPS bike computer, testing it extensively on the road. They describe it as a complete device that finally delivers the features cyclists have been waiting for, positioning it as a strong competitor to established brands like Garmin. The reviewer highlights its offline navigation, automatic Climb Pro detection, Strava Live Segments integration, and overall value for money.
AI Summary
Pros
- Excellent price-to-quality ratio
- High-definition display visible in all weather conditions (both light and dark modes)
- Very responsive touchscreen
- Automatic Climb Pro function works well (offline climb detection)
- Strava Live Segments function well via Wi-Fi without lag
- Automatic route recalculation when off-route
- Return-to-start function works without internet connection
- Front LED light and bell function (unique compared to competitors)
- Metal rear mount for durability
- Compatible with all accessories and sensors on the market
- Can control Insta 360 and DJI devices
- Pause-and-resume-later function for multi-day rides
Cons
- Cannot zoom on the map - limited to plus/minus buttons for navigation
- No pre-set screens for beginners - must manually configure all data fields
- Shimano Di2 top buttons don't change screens by default - requires manual setup in smart assistant
- No live tracking feature
- No SOS alarm function
- Doesn't calculate FTP/VO2 Max
- Doesn't calculate recovery days after intense activity
- Some lag in turn-by-turn navigation distance indicators (similar to other devices tested)
Key Points
- Automatic Climb Pro function works offline without device connection
- Offline navigation with preloaded maps
- Strava Live Segments integration with countdown to personal records
- 3.3-inch display
- Price around €200-230
- Weighs 70 grams
- Wi-Fi connectivity required for some functions
- Compatible with Strava account synchronization
- Can import and create routes via app
- Shows nearby climbs and can navigate to them
- Works in rain
- Front LED indicator light
- Built-in bell function
- Pause-and-resume function saves ride data when powered off
Purchase
Where to Buy
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