The solar power is a nice add. I seldom run out of battery on my century rides but having the additional battery 🔋 life will be welcome when I leave my Garmin on my bike and forget to charge. This new 1040 with the new Rally XC power and of course a HRM sensor is truly a virtual coach interface.
I had a feeling garmin was around the corner from a refresh. Just a millimeter from a home run. Wish we could have seen a screen upgrade - even if it wasn’t AMOLED … just an enhanced LED screen with higher res would have been awesome. You could argue the handful of other upgrades out weigh that last detail on screen enhancement! Thanks for getting this vid out so quick!
I know rumors of the 1040 had been floating around for a while, but I wonder why Garmin have waited so long for an update to their 530/830 form factor. It's odd considering the 1030+ was only released in 2020, while the 520/830 were back in 2019. I would think the 530/830 series sell better than the larger form factor of the 1030/1040. As you might have guessed, I'm waiting for the 540/840 series.
Well, I just ordered the solar version. Thats a big chunk of change but I’m about to do a tour from Maine to Key West with a few detours along the way and camping most of the time. My Edge explorer wont last for a 8 hour day so this will be a big improvement.
@@TheFloridaBikeVlogger I'm four weeks in my tour and can't complain too much. I did have issue with it resetting itself while not recording a ride, did a factory reset and haven't had a problem since. Couple of other little bugs, but they appear to have been fixed with the last firmware updates. In general though, I have been plugging it in to charge about once a week, and thats with using it for about 8 hours a day.
@@DesFit You're welcome! It's really good to have you, Ray, and Rob doing all these detailed reviews. I'm promoting your channels in my videos. Just my way of saying thank you for all that you guys share.
Great review as always! Def tempting to upgrade my 1030+, but I only got it less than a year ago so will pass :(. Sad that the new interface isn't coming to the older models.
DCR, check. Des check. Next up: Lama 😀 Thanks for vid, superb as usual. One question: The flat/endurance specialist mentioned, that his experience with the stamina indicators is pretty good on the road. Do you have the same experience with MTB as well?
Why these cycling computers still have big black edges around the screen? In 2022 I see only cost cutting motives. Like a phone from early 2010's. Great and thorough review Des 👍🏻
After my second Wahoo failure at Unbound in two consecutive years, on top of the merely annoying, daily phone and HRM pairing issues, I'm coming back to Garmin. I hope they have fixed the issues of rides not being recorded which is the reason I left for Wahoo in the first place. It's sad what's happened to Wahoo. I was a died-in-the-wool Wahooligan, a fan. I own three tickrs, a bolt, a roam, kickr and had subscribed to Systm/X. I switched to Zwift last winter. Sunday I'll be completely off Wahoo's platform. I did not go easily - which I think says a lot about Wahoo. I still don't fully trust Garmin after all the fails I endured under their hardware (numerous Edges and HRMs) but I don't see any other option until Hammerhead comes out with a head unit with a battery that can last longer than me.
I’m considering upgrading from the 530. But I am wondering if it is worth it. I’ve had several problems with my 530 that I’m hoping the new 1040 fixes. It has a big problem connecting to my accessories, speed, cadence and pulse, but especially to my Varia Radar and Varia UT800 Smart Headlight. Before practically every ride I have to manually disconnect and reconnect the Varia stuff for the 530 to connect to them. Another is the navigation. My main reason for getting the Edge 530 was navigation, but so often it complains that I’m not following the route and then anywhere between 5 seconds and 1 minute it’ll say that the route was found. This happens on almost every ride, even when I just ride under a bridge. Does the 1040 fix these kinds of issues? Love your content, by the way!
Des great video and information. Could you put a screen cover over the solar one and would it still preform. Like we use on our cell phones? Thanks Will
Des, have you run into any challenges with the 1040 Solar being "too hot to charge"? I seem to run into this all the time... Rides, window passive charge, and outdoor patio table passive charge. I'm trying to figure out if this is a 1040 limitation, a product of living at altitude in CO, or I have a dud.
Really very good thanks for the review. I have just moved to Portugal and am looking for Gravel/trek riding. .... how do I check what is available on the 1040 before I buy please?
Cant wait for the garmin 540 and 840 to release and sell my edge v2. Overall, garmin bike computers are significantly superior to wahoo. A sales guy somehow convinced into buying the wahoo. I never got all the hype about the wahoo computers prior to buying one, and this remains the same after owning one for a while. From the general hardware of the unit to software(climb pro in particular), Garmin bike computers is a significantly better package.
Noticed that the battery life never increases in percentage terms after solar charging whilst in sleep mode. Says Ride time gained but the battery shows anything but.
what you say is true, but then what's the point if the percentage doesn't increase? Why Garmin doesn't say anything about it, yet the forums are full of people complaining about this inconsistency compared to what Garmin promises in the manual...
Dude. I did a 91 mile ride today and the elevation should have been 1700 feet. My 1040 said it was 2500 feet. All the guys with old Bolt v1’s are laughing. It eventually beeped and said elevation set to location when looking at the head unit later in the evening. I hope it’s fixed or I’ll have to do a factory re-set which I don’t want to do. Any ideas? Auto calibration issue? Thanks.
Good stuff! Upgrading from my Edge 1000. It’s been randomly turning off mid ride in a completely unknown area, and freezing more and more. It’s also losing satellite signal more than before, specifically when Garmin released that massive cycling route update that took an external micro SD card to download… Edit: btw, I think most people wil be just fine with the non Solar version. Still offers all the same great features, still has amazing battery life even with everything connected and all satellite multi bands connected, etc…. Here in Texas is probably never have to charge my unit with a solar version, lol. I’d probably forget what a charger looks like.
You’re probably right that most people would be just fine with the non solar. I’m in Colorado so just like Texas can benefit from that feature, still not indefinite battery life but it certainly helps! Thanks!
Got the 1030 plus but needs to be replaced by garmin (garranty). They offer a refurbished 1040 as the 1030 plus isn’t available till september. It’s good to go for the 1040, isn’t it?
I have a 830 and thinking of upgrading to the 1040. My concern is the size while MTB, unlike road where the shifter would hit the ground first MTB not as much for a front impact. Have you had any issues in crashes
Size is a concern while mountain biking, for sure. I tend to like smaller computers for rougher trails but for longer touring type rides I’m usually comfortable with the larger bike computers.
Can you have more than 100 strava segments saved to the 1040? It’s frustrating not having all the segments pop up when you go through them and find out to went through a ton of different segments after you’re done with your ride. Wish there was a way to have all segments loaded within your current location or planned route.
I don t see any positive point vs 1030 plus beside the solar function and what bring with it. But with a power bank charge maybe more and garmin have as well their own out charging battery. As about the screen the 1030 plus is very acuracy and fast. In my opinion from what i saw in your video i think the 1040 is not worthy the diference of money for the 1030 plus and i can tell for sure the battery of 1030 plus is very diferent of 1030 and it goes way longer then the 1030 with out extra charging.
I wonder what solar does to the durability of the battery. Is this known from their watches? Afaik its best to keep your devices around 70-90% max and start from there. Having it both drain and recharge sounds like quite some stress on the battery or is this way of trickle charging actually good in that scenario?
@@DesFit Thanks for getting back to me. Let me rephrase: So the gained battery life is not like topping of the garmin but rather only prolonging the battery life - right? It can't run infinitely, given optimal weather.
super disappointed. this is a new case and new software. the 1030plus was a bigger step over the 1030 than this is over the 1030plus... this shoul've been a 1030++ . I was holding out so that I wouldn't be tempted by the Karoo. I was hoping for a modern screen after all these years of the same. they could've easily done the same Fenix/epix thing and offer a robust solar version with this screen and second version for the rest of us ( majority) that only need a 15-20 hrs charge per ride and given us that nice Epix OLED screen w the great responsive screen.
its funny how you guys never consider that better screen requieres a much havier and bigger battery to power it to the levels it can be powered with this specific screen. wanting it all when the more you want the less you get :). at least my opinion is that on computer navigation only battery life really matters and one needs to make compromises to achieve this. otherwise i would keep on using my cell phone as a bike computer, but the battery drain is insane. the future that u can charge the solar version on the sun, while turning it on power saving will actually be able to charge the device, i think the feauture is quite usefull tbh.
@@primuslaws1685 it’s funny that you think w front take that into consideration when we ask for a better screen. Some of us don’t need our computer to run 20 hours in one charge . I charge after every ride . If I’m doing a multi day ride where I can’t charge everyday …I take a different computer
@@drsus0 so you are just unable to find and use things. Ur an abuser. Changing your bike comp with weather and depending on the route is such an uneconomical way of using things. You just like to have things and complain when they don't offer all that ur mind desires. A grown up spoiled child basically.
the standard 1040 is going to be my first bike computer, I cant wait
Des is our mountain biker. Nothing specifically for the shredders.
Not so much this time around, but great for gravel though!
If only Garmin’s course creator were as good as Komoot … they have a ton of data but all their interfaces haven’t been updated in forever
It's great.
When it comes to cycling I would only use garmin.
Garmin is just crazy good the best of the best for cycling computer but expensive 🥲
Snake or stick season in Ft Collins - it’s so true.
Crikey!
The solar power is a nice add. I seldom run out of battery on my century rides but having the additional battery 🔋 life will be welcome when I leave my Garmin on my bike and forget to charge. This new 1040 with the new Rally XC power and of course a HRM sensor is truly a virtual coach interface.
Sounds like a great combo 👌
Just looking to buy a cycle computer from Garmin so this is a very useful video, thanks!
You’re welcome! Enjoy your new bike computer 👍
I had a feeling garmin was around the corner from a refresh. Just a millimeter from a home run. Wish we could have seen a screen upgrade - even if it wasn’t AMOLED … just an enhanced LED screen with higher res would have been awesome. You could argue the handful of other upgrades out weigh that last detail on screen enhancement! Thanks for getting this vid out so quick!
Thanks Colin! I think battery life is very high on their list of priorities so not sure an AMOLED display was in the cards.
@@DesFit good p
I don’t get this screen obsession. This is mounted on a moving bike, are you really piksel peeping a headunit? :)
I know rumors of the 1040 had been floating around for a while, but I wonder why Garmin have waited so long for an update to their 530/830 form factor. It's odd considering the 1030+ was only released in 2020, while the 520/830 were back in 2019. I would think the 530/830 series sell better than the larger form factor of the 1030/1040. As you might have guessed, I'm waiting for the 540/840 series.
Well, I just ordered the solar version. Thats a big chunk of change but I’m about to do a tour from Maine to Key West with a few detours along the way and camping most of the time. My Edge explorer wont last for a 8 hour day so this will be a big improvement.
Nice! Enjoy your trip!
hey, hows it going with the solar? I am tempted but dont want to get burned again by garmin
@@TheFloridaBikeVlogger I'm four weeks in my tour and can't complain too much. I did have issue with it resetting itself while not recording a ride, did a factory reset and haven't had a problem since. Couple of other little bugs, but they appear to have been fixed with the last firmware updates.
In general though, I have been plugging it in to charge about once a week, and thats with using it for about 8 hours a day.
Lo aspettavo da mesi, ordinato subito in versione solar! Sarà il mio nuovo compagno di avventure!
Amazing video once again Des! Love that new workspace!
Thanks! I actually quickly set up that space in a certain someone’s studio 😉
@@DesFit You're welcome! It's really good to have you, Ray, and Rob doing all these detailed reviews. I'm promoting your channels in my videos. Just my way of saying thank you for all that you guys share.
Thanks a bunch, Ken!
@@DesFit You're welcome Des! This is nothing compared to all the work you guys do.
Great review as always! Def tempting to upgrade my 1030+, but I only got it less than a year ago so will pass :(. Sad that the new interface isn't coming to the older models.
Thanks! Ya kind of a bummer that the previous models won’t be getting the UI refresh.
great video, now ill just wait for 840 Solar :)
Thanks Goran!
DCR, check. Des check. Next up: Lama 😀 Thanks for vid, superb as usual. One question: The flat/endurance specialist mentioned, that his experience with the stamina indicators is pretty good on the road. Do you have the same experience with MTB as well?
Yup, very much the same with MTB as a lot of stamina is power based. Thanks Mate! They’ve got done great videos as well of course 👍
DCR is paid to review, wouldn't bother with him anymore.
@@pisstaker5552 source? I don't believe He is.
DCR is the farthest thing from a paid reviewer. He has some of the highest ethics in the business.
@@DesFit I'm trying to think of a single company He hasn't seriously criticized in the last 1-2 years... Maybe the producer of those charger pucks 😀
Why these cycling computers still have big black edges around the screen? In 2022 I see only cost cutting motives. Like a phone from early 2010's.
Great and thorough review Des 👍🏻
It's the same with most watches, they all look so outdated.
Thanks! Another way to think about though could be that the cost cutting is being passed down to the the consumer to prevent a higher price.
Great point you bring up while placing fingers on the outside of the device 👍
I can’t believe it’s the same display, looks so much clearer.
It’s pretty crispy! 👍
@@DesFit might be time to upgrade!
Enjoy!
After my second Wahoo failure at Unbound in two consecutive years, on top of the merely annoying, daily phone and HRM pairing issues, I'm coming back to Garmin. I hope they have fixed the issues of rides not being recorded which is the reason I left for Wahoo in the first place. It's sad what's happened to Wahoo. I was a died-in-the-wool Wahooligan, a fan. I own three tickrs, a bolt, a roam, kickr and had subscribed to Systm/X. I switched to Zwift last winter. Sunday I'll be completely off Wahoo's platform. I did not go easily - which I think says a lot about Wahoo. I still don't fully trust Garmin after all the fails I endured under their hardware (numerous Edges and HRMs) but I don't see any other option until Hammerhead comes out with a head unit with a battery that can last longer than me.
I’m considering upgrading from the 530. But I am wondering if it is worth it. I’ve had several problems with my 530 that I’m hoping the new 1040 fixes.
It has a big problem connecting to my accessories, speed, cadence and pulse, but especially to my Varia Radar and Varia UT800 Smart Headlight. Before practically every ride I have to manually disconnect and reconnect the Varia stuff for the 530 to connect to them.
Another is the navigation. My main reason for getting the Edge 530 was navigation, but so often it complains that I’m not following the route and then anywhere between 5 seconds and 1 minute it’ll say that the route was found. This happens on almost every ride, even when I just ride under a bridge.
Does the 1040 fix these kinds of issues?
Love your content, by the way!
Wow thats a great piece of kit! Will go and get one 👌
Enjoy!
Well done Thank You
You're welcome!
Des great video and information. Could you put a screen cover over the solar one and would it still preform. Like we use on our cell phones?
Thanks
Will
Haven’t tried it yet but pretty sure it would be fine. I tested that on a Fenix 7 Solar and didn’t see any noticeable difference in charging. Thanks!
Des, have you run into any challenges with the 1040 Solar being "too hot to charge"? I seem to run into this all the time... Rides, window passive charge, and outdoor patio table passive charge. I'm trying to figure out if this is a 1040 limitation, a product of living at altitude in CO, or I have a dud.
Really very good thanks for the review. I have just moved to Portugal and am looking for Gravel/trek riding. .... how do I check what is available on the 1040 before I buy please?
That just crazy 🤪 tech, I honestly only use garmin for cycling they are the best.
Just one question, I always bring my iphone and a power bank. Do you know what my iphone can't do compare to this 1040 or other cycling computers?
Cant wait for the garmin 540 and 840 to release and sell my edge v2.
Overall, garmin bike computers are significantly superior to wahoo.
A sales guy somehow convinced into buying the wahoo. I never got all the hype about the wahoo computers prior to buying one, and this remains the same after owning one for a while.
From the general hardware of the unit to software(climb pro in particular), Garmin bike computers is a significantly better package.
Noticed that the battery life never increases in percentage terms after solar charging whilst in sleep mode. Says Ride time gained but the battery shows anything but.
what you say is true, but then what's the point if the percentage doesn't increase? Why Garmin doesn't say anything about it, yet the forums are full of people complaining about this inconsistency compared to what Garmin promises in the manual...
Very nice device. But I'm still waiting on the 840 or 830 plus.
Thanks Koen!
Dude. I did a 91 mile ride today and the elevation should have been 1700 feet. My 1040 said it was 2500 feet. All the guys with old Bolt v1’s are laughing.
It eventually beeped and said elevation set to location when looking at the head unit later in the evening. I hope it’s fixed or I’ll have to do a factory re-set which I don’t want to do.
Any ideas? Auto calibration issue? Thanks.
Good stuff! Upgrading from my Edge 1000. It’s been randomly turning off mid ride in a completely unknown area, and freezing more and more. It’s also losing satellite signal more than before, specifically when Garmin released that massive cycling route update that took an external micro SD card to download… Edit: btw, I think most people wil be just fine with the non Solar version. Still offers all the same great features, still has amazing battery life even with everything connected and all satellite multi bands connected, etc…. Here in Texas is probably never have to charge my unit with a solar version, lol. I’d probably forget what a charger looks like.
You’re probably right that most people would be just fine with the non solar. I’m in Colorado so just like Texas can benefit from that feature, still not indefinite battery life but it certainly helps! Thanks!
Got the 1030 plus but needs to be replaced by garmin (garranty). They offer a refurbished 1040 as the 1030 plus isn’t available till september. It’s good to go for the 1040, isn’t it?
Yes
I have a 830 and thinking of upgrading to the 1040. My concern is the size while MTB, unlike road where the shifter would hit the ground first MTB not as much for a front impact. Have you had any issues in crashes
Size is a concern while mountain biking, for sure. I tend to like smaller computers for rougher trails but for longer touring type rides I’m usually comfortable with the larger bike computers.
Go for Karoo 2
I heard the 1040 had some features for e-biking, is that true??? How about reading sensors for tire pressure?!?
Can you have more than 100 strava segments saved to the 1040? It’s frustrating not having all the segments pop up when you go through them and find out to went through a ton of different segments after you’re done with your ride. Wish there was a way to have all segments loaded within your current location or planned route.
I don t see any positive point vs 1030 plus beside the solar function and what bring with it. But with a power bank charge maybe more and garmin have as well their own out charging battery. As about the screen the 1030 plus is very acuracy and fast. In my opinion from what i saw in your video i think the 1040 is not worthy the diference of money for the 1030 plus and i can tell for sure the battery of 1030 plus is very diferent of 1030 and it goes way longer then the 1030 with out extra charging.
I agree! 👍🏽
I wonder what solar does to the durability of the battery. Is this known from their watches? Afaik its best to keep your devices around 70-90% max and start from there. Having it both drain and recharge sounds like quite some stress on the battery or is this way of trickle charging actually good in that scenario?
I didn’t see any noticeable difference between a Fenix 6 Pro Solar and a Fenix 6 Sapphire (no solar) over a couple years.
Any word on a Garmin 840?
I'm in the market for a bike computer. Do I get the 1040 or 1030+?
Probably the 1040 since it’s the most current
Hi , Can the heart rate from fenix7solar connect to Garmin edge 1040?
Does the solar charging works when the set is turn off?
Yes
@@DesFit strange. Did a test yesterday with 43% power left. Turn off and put it under direct sunlight for 5hrs. Battery power still 43%
@@cyberiansg that answers that
Is the gained ride time the net gained time? As in "Battery before a ride"+gained time or "Battery after a ride"+ gained?
Battery life after a ride + gained if I am understanding your question correctly.
@@DesFit Thanks for getting back to me. Let me rephrase: So the gained battery life is not like topping of the garmin but rather only prolonging the battery life - right? It can't run infinitely, given optimal weather.
It’s not designed to run indefinitely, regardless of some review titles that may lead you to believe otherwise.
super disappointed. this is a new case and new software. the 1030plus was a bigger step over the 1030 than this is over the 1030plus... this shoul've been a 1030++ . I was holding out so that I wouldn't be tempted by the Karoo. I was hoping for a modern screen after all these years of the same. they could've easily done the same Fenix/epix thing and offer a robust solar version with this screen and second version for the rest of us ( majority) that only need a 15-20 hrs charge per ride and given us that nice Epix OLED screen w the great responsive screen.
I agree. 👍🏽
its funny how you guys never consider that better screen requieres a much havier and bigger battery to power it to the levels it can be powered with this specific screen. wanting it all when the more you want the less you get :). at least my opinion is that on computer navigation only battery life really matters and one needs to make compromises to achieve this. otherwise i would keep on using my cell phone as a bike computer, but the battery drain is insane. the future that u can charge the solar version on the sun, while turning it on power saving will actually be able to charge the device, i think the feauture is quite usefull tbh.
@@primuslaws1685 it’s funny that you think w front take that into consideration when we ask for a better screen. Some of us don’t need our computer to run 20 hours in one charge . I charge after every ride . If I’m doing a multi day ride where I can’t charge everyday …I take a different computer
@@drsus0 so you are just unable to find and use things. Ur an abuser. Changing your bike comp with weather and depending on the route is such an uneconomical way of using things. You just like to have things and complain when they don't offer all that ur mind desires. A grown up spoiled child basically.
garmin not getting me on spending that amount just to crap out in the years head.
FWIW I still have an Edge 520 that works great
Koren guys be like
nice but not worth paying $800