Garmin has today launched two brand new bike computers that aim to take GPS devices to the next level. The Edge 1040 Solar and Edge 1040 are the most advanced Garmin devices produced yet and offer serious upgrades in both hardware and software, most notably solar charging.
That means that despite looking almost identical the Garmin's previous best GPS bike computer, the 1030 Plus, the new model should boast significant performance gains in a number of key areas. Keep reading as we dive into the new tech.
New and upgraded functions
The most significant innovation is solar charging. The 1030 Plus already had one of the longest battery life on the market but Garmin's updates see the new 1040 last even longer between charges. The standard 1040 has 35 hours of battery life, which can be extended to 70 hours in battery saver mode.
However, the Edge 1040 Solar absorbs the sun's rays via its 3.5in Power Glass touch screen when used outdoors during daytime. This boosts the device's battery life which Garmin claim can last up to 45 hours in standard mode, or a whopping 100 hours in battery saver mode, without the need for recharging. Garmin claims that on a sunny day the Power Glass can add up to an additional 42 minutes of battery life per hour.
If that isn't enough, the 1040 is still compatible with Garmin's Charge Power Pack, which connects to the 1040 through the Garmin mount and charges your device while you ride.
There are other hardware updates as well. The unit is very slightly smaller and gets a metal Garmin quarter-turn mount, rather than the plastic one on the 1030. USB-C replaces the micro-USB which should offer faster charging too.
Aside from the solar capabilities, the two 1040 models have the same capabilities. Garmin says the Edge 1040 Solar (and the non-solar version) brings riders a number of key new functions and upgrades which include:
Multi-band GNSS technology
This tech improves GPS tracking and give more accurate positional information in challenging ride environments, such as built-up urban areas or when riding deep in the woods. Pre-loaded, "intelligent" mapping also aims to make ride navigation easier and more accurate, while off-road routes can be downloaded from Trailforks vast database. Not only should this mean that the GPS connection is more reliable, but more accurate speeds and elevations, plus faster connection times so you can start your ride quicker.
You still get all the full mapping from the 1030 including turn-by-turn guidance, navigation pausing, and notifications of sharp bends ahead. Trendline offers popularity routing to highlight popular roads and trails based on billions of miles of ride data based on users' rides that are loaded to Garmin Connect. You can now also search for points of interest on the map.
Functions to assess cycling ability and course demands
When used with devices such as a heart rate monitor or Garmin's Rally power meter pedals, the Edge 1040 can give training insight from Firstbeat Analytics to assess your strengths and weaknesses as a cyclist, guide you on areas of improvement and prepare you for the demands of specific courses and goals.
That means the Edge 1040 can offer data on VO2 max, recovery time, training load, training focus, and more. These metrics can then be used to recommend daily workout suggestions based on your training load and fitness. Not only does the 1040 recommend general and specific course training, but it also offers real-time stamina insights to help you stay on track with recommended power targets, so you don't over or under-cook it on a specific course. Real-time stamina insights also help you manage your exertion levels as you ride.
ClimbPro still gives real-time climbing data and it will still record your mountain bike metrics, including jump count, jump distance, hang time, grit, and flow so you can see your performance on the trail.
Easier and more customizable setup
The new devices give you the ability to you can manage your various riding profiles directly from your smartphone via the Garmin Connect app as well as a new home screen that offers considerably more information and is completely customizable.
This customization is managed either through the Garmin Connect app, or directly on the unit, and gives users the option to re-order, add, or remove data widgets, which Garmin calls glances.
Users can automatically set up their new 1040's with prepopulated custom ride profiles based on their previous Edge settings, new Garmin users will automatically receive the most popular setups from other users based on their sensors and ride types.
Garmin Edge 1040 Solar release date, specs, and pricing
The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar costs $749.99 / £629.99 / €749.99 /
AU$1299.00.
While the non-solar version costs $599.99 / £519.99 / €599.99 / AU$999.00
Both the Edge 1040 Solar and Edge 1040 are available to buy now. We'll have a full review very soon, but for further information head to Garmin.com.
- Unit dimensions (WxHxD): 59.3 x 117.6 x 20.0 mm
- Display size: 3.in” (88.9 mm) diagonal
- Display resolution (WxH): 282 x 470 pixels
- Display type: Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
- Weight: Standard - 4.4 oz (126 g) Solar - 4.7 oz (134 g)
- Memory/history: 64GB / 32GB and 200 hours of activity data
