Garmin’s latest addition to their revolutionary Edge series of cycling computers is set with a release date in early June. The Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar GPS is the next gen model from the 1030 plus. Garmin’s direction with the 1040 series meets evolution with revolution bringing many new enhancements, groundbreaking features along with software, hardware, interface, and power upgrades while evolving the new features they introduced with the Edge 1030 Plus. Additionally, Garmin unveiled the 1040 GPS series uses a multiband GNSS (Global Navigation Systems). This means the 1040 Series uses multiple Earth base receivers in addition to its GPS (Global Positioning System) for incredible pinpoint accuracy in location and tracking. The Edge 1040 Solar GPS option comes with solar panels which is a very a nice practical and beneficial feature along with a 64GB memory capacity vs the 1040 basic’s 32GB. With the extra memory the Solar edition is preloaded with 2 maps of AU and NZ in addition to the North America & EMEA maps you find on the 1040 basic, although you can download any of these maps and more for free from Garmin. The multiband GNSS/GPS location tracking, and solar panels are two features which are a first for GPS cycling computers, you will not find them on any other cycling device, thus separating Garmin’s Edge 1040 series from all other GPS Bike computers.
Garmin is not new to the space and has a proven track record of producing top of the line, high quality wearable technology and GPS navigation products to automotive, aviation and marine industries in addition to indoor and outdoor fitness. This only begins to scratchy the surface of what is new and improved in the Edge 1040 and 1040 solar. Furthermore, the Edge 1030 Plus already had an incredible number of new features that Garmin fine-tuned in the 1040 to perfection.
All the New things
We will begin by looking over a detailed summary on everything new, then look a bit further into several key areas worth noting.
Utilizing the GNSS+GPS for location and a more powerful operations system, the 1040 will give you better accuracy and lightning-fast calculation times when plugging in a route or setting the POI/Things search function. Garmin presents us with a complete overhaul of the user interface with integrated Garmin Connect IQ, customizable dashboard widgets including things like weather, mode presets, and location search.
The Edge 1040 is also packed with new riding and setup features like Power Guide which suggests training and competing targets depending on your needs. Cycling Abilities and Course Demands will help you categorize your strengths and focus on your opportunities based off the requirements of a particular course. Stamina insights will provide you with real-time data that will help you determine how much energy you have left. There is now Daily Suggested Workouts which provides training guidance based on your fitness level and training load. With Up Ahead, you can finally add customizable icon waypoints to your course with detailed distances and estimated remaining travel times for each waypoint. There is also new Bike Shops, Water Stops, and Recent Finds functions for navigation while removing ineffective stop categories like automotive which was not very helpful.
Garmin also added more details in metric reporting for just about every aspect of the device. Such as, paired sensor information, more color grading, and splits on ClimbPro for during and post ride displays, plus a collective post ride focuses page.
To note some changes to the hardware and power options, the Edge 1040 series now uses USB-C connection for super-fast charging and data transferring and 2 solar panels with Power Glass on the Edge 1040 Solar. The battery life has almost doubled to up to 35 hours for the 1040 and up to 45 hours for the Solar. Additionally, there is a battery saver function which displays estimated battery life and will prolong the power supply up to 70 hours and 100 hours respectively. In case 100 hours will not suffice, you can turn almost all functions off for lowest battery usage which can extend the battery to 90 hours for the basic and 180 hours for the Solar edition. Imagine how far you can ride now.
There is also a new metal back mount and location for the carrying lanyard (no longer attached to the charging port cover). And lastly, I want to mention the 1040 is now Shimano Steps E-Bike System compatible.
Of course, this is on top of already many established features like Dynamic Performance Monitoring, Training Status, Heat and Altitude Acclimation, Nutrition and Hydration Alerts, MTB Dynamics, TrailForks app, Foresight mode, Turn by Turn Direction, Off Course Recalculation, along with all the safety and protection features like InReach and Varia, all of which now have a complete makeover with the new interface. Now let’s deep dive a little further for review.
New User Interface
One of the first things you will notice when you turn on the Edge 1040 is the dramatically improved user interface. The dashboard is now streamlined with their connect IQ widget and app service which you can customize however you choose, as well as an overall navigation on the home page. They changed the fonts and layout of most feature and settings pages for easier readability and even added a small map icon on pages where it counts. The UI also changed to be able to alter all your settings from sensors to brightness with quicker accessibility options like when swiping a sensor to delete from the top menu.
You will also see much greater detail in metrics and statistics from setting up your route before your ride as well as post ride detailed summary. I loved the ease of use with this new interface being able to clearly see all the data and after a few rides, it was easy to make sense of the added information I was receiving from reports, graphs, and charts. I thought it to be very insightful and found it helps me prepare and train better.
Stamina Insights
As mentioned earlier, Stamina Insights provides real-time data about you, and your course. You will get information about your stamina, potential, heart rate and heart rate average, along with estimated distance before your body is gassed out from competing. Increasing the intensity level will reduce the distance you have left and vice versa. Once your device gets to know you after a few rides, you will find this to be a pretty accurate gauge of how much more competitive spirit you have left in your tank.
Cycling Ability and Course Demands
I like this feature very much as it will classify my style based on my ride history and relate it to the uploaded courses demands. This provides a good indication weather the course is right for you, if you would perform well, or if it is potentially too demanding based on your profile assessment. There are many rider classifications from Sprinter and Climber to Endurance Specialist and Challenger.
Final Thoughts
The Edge 1040 series are mighty cycling computers that seem to outshine every other bike GPS I have ever used. It is super durable and is IPX7 waterproof, so the screen will function exceptionally well with mud or even heavy rain splashing down on it. The price of the 1040 series is a bit more than the 1030 Plus and there is an extra premium for the Solar edition, but the value is there. This device should last a few generations at least before you will want to consider the next upgrade. There are bundle options for the standard edition which include speed and cadence sensors as well as an HRM-Dual. You can also combine an extended warranty package for both the Standard and Solar models.
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