5 Best Garmin Edge 1040 Features

7 min. b4 title kicks in.

I appreciate your video: content, format, and straight-up down to earth, practical approach!!!! I have a 1030 and, for various reasons, was away from cycling for a while, but getting back into it now...will use my 1030 for now, but am researching the most recent model hence landing on your video. Much helpful! BTW, like the t-shirts!

I just recently bought a 1040 solar and I have to say you’re spot on with your criticism of the screen resolution. You don’t have much time to look down and try to figure out what the screen is telling you and with low resolution, trying to understand what a map is trying to tell you with big fat arrows and roads that just look like a mess on the screen, it is extremely disappointing for the cost of the unit.

I have a 1040 solar and the battery life is outstanding. For example I recently rode a 10 hr ride using full mapping, then another 4 x 2 hour rides and still had over 70% power remaining. I've never had a device so good in that respect. Love it.

Great vid!

Some annoying thing that are worse than before: 1. More clicking and smaller icons. You can't wipe out of the sub menus to get back to the activity. Instead need to click the tiny arrows in corner. 2. It syncs much slower / unreliably 3. The Garmin Radar icon is blocking the time of day. Yes really, can't see the time when using a radar. 4. The metal mount is giving me a sloppy fit with my old mounts. Had to replace one it was so loose.

Strangely, I've been using my Edge 1030 for over 5 years in various weather/temp conditions and road surface conditions. I recently added another Cannondale bike to my collection that came with a different version bike mount on a Vision Metro one-piece handlebar. The Garmin unit had more raddle, due to an un-snug fit in the locked position, and within a half dozen rides the polymer mount broke (one of the tabs) on the Edge unit. Very disappointing because but still wondering if it was due to possible small vibrations due to a less than snug fit when locked into the mount? But glad to see the Garmin Edge 1040 units come with metal mounts for full confidence in durability! And BTW, great review!

Ive just bought the Standard 1040 (couldn't justify the extra for the solar) looking forward to getting to grips with this now coming from a Wahoo roam 1

I do wish the screen was better, but if it truly does help with the battery life, I'm fine with it. I went with the solar model, and I know that I took a hit on the screen even more because they have a solar panel inside the screen area. Overall though, I can glance at the screen and see everything just fine. My only real gripe on the screen really is that looking at the map could be a little better. I'll have to play with it more. Coming from a Wahoo Elemnt (the OG) this is a substantial upgrade and is packed with a ton of features that I haven't really even started to play with yet. Loving it so far.

i am looking forward to seeing what comes out by May if anything

Good fluent interesting presentation

Firstly, having your 1030 fail on your big trip sounded so frustrating. I would have been furious, too, and in similar circumstances (as a consumer of other stuff), I've also written long letters of dissatisfaction. Most companies take that seriously, so it's great that Garmin treated you well. I have an Edge 840 Solar. I agree with the user interface, but you need to rewire your brain to get used to it. My wife uses an old Edge 520, it's the same concept but I agree the new xx40 UI is better but I think a lot of that is the touch screen. All this said, I still struggle with software reliability - I had a couple annoying software issues last season, it seems to be a continuing problem with Garmin. I would be curious about your long term experience as you use it more.

The metal mount is a great improvement but as the quarter turn bracket it fits into is still made of plastic/resin/polymer the problem of something breaking is still there plus we now have metal on plastic which may result in a more aggressive wear on the inside of the bracket.

I'm surprised that no one noticed another major feature of the 1030, namely that when you stop, the map always rotates correctly. The previous model couldn't do that and it always waited for your movement, making it difficult to navigate.

For my running watch I liked the screen of the ForeRunner 965, but I'm still more than happy with my 955 resolution and especially it's battery life. When I'm cycling, my head is not nearly as close to the screen as it gets to my phone or my watch. I don't use my cycling computer except for when cycling, while I do use my watch. I really don't see how a higher resolution would be beneficial. As an ex-owner of the Hammerhead Karoo, I can say that screen has more wow-factor but functionally the screen isn't better (the interface is!), and when riding in dark conditions it's lowest brightness is still too bright. The battery life of the Hammerhead is a LOT worse. MIP screens ftw if you ask me.

The Edge 1040 is my first Garmin device in a long time, as I have been in the Wahoo eco-system (both Bolt and Roam V2) for some years. In general, it is a big step up from previous Garmin Edge computers I have had (the last one before this was the Garmin Edge 1000). Usability definitely have improved (also much needed). I have been mostly satisfied with the device for the year I have used it. The battery life is really something when you are on multi-day rides and I like the size of the screen (though I think contrast could be better). But long term stability? Lately, I have had more issues with it. Issues like dropping sensor connections or stop doing turn-by-turn directions early into the ride (each day on multi-day ride). I have already had to do one device reset. It also frustrates me, that the touch screen can get activated by rain. So it's a good device, but definitely not without issues. Honestly, if Wahoo released a device with similar screen size and somewhat similar battery lifetime I'd go back. The Hammerhead Karoo 2 is an interesting device, but battery lifetime deters me.

12:41 not sure. Watch displays are off the most of the time but bycicle computer has to be on all the time.

I think you a wrong. In a trade-off between a brighter, higher res display and being certain the battery will endure from sunrise to sunset, most users would pick the longer battery life.

Not critical enough...but thanks for the information.

I slightly have to disagree about navigation. Garmin's head units have inferior navigation features when it comes to browsing the map, planning random routes. You cannot even add a via point to an existing route. Mobile phones (almost any app, Komoot, RWGPS, BikeMap, LocusMap) are way better and look nicer. Ok, Edge devices are durable and dedicated.