Garmin Edge 1040 Solar long term review 

All three of these Garmin head units are currently available at Amazon: The Garmin Edge 1040 is here: amzn.to/3QuRxWG The Edge 840 is here: amzn.to/44eSLbP The Edge 540 is here: amzn.to/45mURax

This is the best review on the 1040 so far I've seen. Keep it up mate!

Thanks for this. I found the review extremely helpful. I’ve been using an 830 and had been considering an upgrade to the larger model. I’m a road rider and given what you say about the 1040, I’m going to stay put. Thanks again.

Great review. I use an out front mount, mounted backwards to computer is above the stem. Works well for me. I also appreciate the audio controls as I listen to podcasts. Only 1 bud in, or bone conductive headphones due to safety reasons as well. thanks

Useful review. Thanks. I too bought the 1030 just before the 1030 plus released. I have learnt my lesson and won't buy late in the lifecycle again. I have just ordered the 1040 standard. For me, going from 20 hours of battery life to 35 is a major upgrade just there. Never really had any concerns with the 1030 and battery, but the laggyness in the menus is pretty bad. I only plan to cycle in AU/NZ so I have no need to load up US or EU maps. Base storage will be fine. Looking forward to Stamina, Climb Pro and USB-C charging. Yep, it would be super cool to have the Solar and watch the tech work, but I saved $250 which I can put somewhere else in my cycling.

Excellent video, very well narrated and with wise comments.

The gyroscope records your MTB metrics like flow and jumping as far as I can tell. It can tell me my jump speed, distance, and hang time.

Great real world review. I like how you made the review very logical and informative.

My 520 died after almost 7yrs, I recently purchased the 1040 solar & must say, I love it. The larger screen size is so easy to read without straining compared to the smaller computers. Highly recommended 👍👍👍

I loved this video: highly informative and explained the type of rider that he is. Also, he dud not sit on the fence like other reviewers, which was refreshing

I just bought mine last Thursday. I finally get to try it out today while exploring a city I haven't been to in over a decade. I sometimes do bikepacking adventures so am going to work any kinks out today.

Great honest review thanks. I think the gyro might be used for those things you said, plus also for measuring GRIT and FLOW which are used to measure mountain bike metrics to show how smooth you are through trails or how on/off the power and speed you. My guess anyway

If you use Di2, you can change the data field screens on your Garmin remotely, using the shifter hood buttons or the shifter buttons themselves (you can use synchro shifting mode and use just the right shifter to control both the front and rear derailleurs). No need for swiping the Garmin while riding.

Got it for the larger screen fonts and weaker eyes... Was actually very happy with my 830. Re-mapping is still not great but easy "go-to-home" set-up is valued. Gyro is used for accident detection - my wife applauds. To me its also an advantage that you get access to all Garmin regional maps as I travel the world. YMMV.🙂

840 is the sweet spot!! Ohhhh yeah!

Great coverage of the New Garmin 1040. In regards to your comment about the gyroscope, if I had to guess it would be used for tracking the slope or grade of the road and any additional motion like you stated in a wreck or as in the security feature notifying you if your bike has moved while you were away from it. Hope this helps.

Di2 is a game changer with respect to swapping screens!

great video mate, thanks

Some really good points. I have a 2nd hand 1030... it works OK, certainly well enough but I get the issues. I like the faster GPS and as a long distance endurance rider the solar battery life is REALLY attractive... especially on a 60 to 90 hour ride. But oh that is a steep step up.

thank you!!! keeping making vids

Hi Julian. I got the 840 for many reasons - one of which is I love mountain biking. And I didn’t want a big honk’n device sticking out to get snagged on anything. But I did have a twinge of regret due to the large screen as I love using my trail forks to help me navigate trails. Oh well. I’ve nought too many accessories for the 840 to change to the 1040. I think the 1040 would show maps such as Trailforks so much better.😢 great video!

I enjoyed my 1030 computer but the battery was not lasting so I up graded to this computer the solar still questioning but I have no regrets on buying my 1040 solar 😊

For those asking about the Garmin Edge 840 and Edge 540 rumored new bike computers from Garmin - they just landed today! First impression is that they are very close in specs to the Edge 1040 including USB-C charging, and for the Solar versions, solar charging too. The new head units are adopting the same interface layout as we have already with the Edge 1040. There is also an update to the ClimbPro called Free-ride ClimbPro that does not require you to be on a predefined route or course in order to get climb information. This is stated to be coming to the 1040 in a firmware update. If you are looking at the Garmin Edge 840 and Edge 540 and are looking for how they may perform - this video on the Edge 1040 Solar after (almost) one year will help!

I got a 715 way back then an 810 then went to a wahoo elemnt but now have a karoo 2 Hammerhead which is quite ok. The solar panel aspect of the'40 is pretty fine 👌

In recording cycling dynamics, I think the gyroscope is recordings wether youre seated or standing. I recorded some rides indoors and it didnt record my standing periods, so I assume its because the 1040 is stationary..?

Great Video. Garmin has a strategy of just creating new metrics without any accountability to the accuracy of what they tell you as you say, their competitors offer nothing new. I use a Fenix 7 for running and 530 for cycling, there is no way you can use a watch for cycling, the issue is that the ecosystem of metrics do not work together and I have to upgrade to make them work. I have just ordered a 1040 not just for this reason, being short sighted I cannot read the 530 without bifocals, but it has a ton of features I will never use.

thanks for the show! what would be the bike computer you would get for the first bike computer. In a enduro bike with quarq crank based power meter. I trully only care about seeing watts and maybe get a training feature to use? thanks!!!

Re your comment on headphones i was like you until i invested in a pair of Shokz the jawbone headphones. All ambient noise is still audible, so for me there has been no reduction in safety. That said, only ever podcasts when riding outdoors, music will distract me too much. Give it a shot it was a gamechanger for me!

My 810 finally stop working well on off button is broken. I am going to be buying this soon

Interesting about the solar, I always pegged it as a bit gimmicky because us less your racing across the country or bike camping, I wouldn't think there is a viable use case because there is always an electrical outlet around. I always charged my bike stuff after each ride, so running out of juice is never a problem and my rides don't extend more than 6 hours.. usually 3-4 max. I upgraded from the 1000 to the 1030 plus and aside from being more stable and quicker to load, said meh. The screens I use are exactly the same, maybe a little bit brighter. Don't have a need for a gps because I know where I'm going. I think if you start with a decent bike computer, there is very little reason to upgrade. HR, watts, speed, and maybe cadence is all you will need.

7:20 - Gyroscope is there for MTB functionality, such as detect jumps...

The gyro helps with measuring your air time and jump distance. Not very TT metric though

6:57 Ain't the gyroscope needed to get the angles bike stays in? Ascents, descents? Edit, or at least to set up the screen orientation - vertical/horizontal (if that's even available)?

Living in Southern California. Sunny year round 250 days of the year. Will I ever have to charge? Solar enough? Day to day?

I briefly had the solar. I may have had a defective one. I did a 6 hour ride and the battery went from 100% down to 14%. Burn rate of 14.2 % battery life per hour. I got 9 minutes of additional time with 64% solar efficiency. A novelty feature at best. I returned it and got the 1040 non solar. 2.4% burn rate per hour and $150 cheaper. Don’t waste your money on solar.

I went from the 830 to the 1040 and I think it's totally worth the upgrade. First, main reasons for ditching the 830: very slow UI and touchscreen responsiveness and slow route (re)calculation. I thought the 840 would fix all that plus with the added buttons it would eliminate any issues with touchscreen interaction during rides. But in reality I always wanted to have an Edge 10X0 to have a bigger screen for navigation. After trying out an 840 and seeing how much more responsive the touchscreen now is (even with gloves), I immediately felt I wouldn't need the extra buttons, so I ahead and got the 1040 instead. Still just as responsive and the added screen real estate for navigation or larger glanceable data is way more important to me than how it looks on the bars.

Hi Julian. I am now in possession of the edge 1000. Very satisfied with this GPS, but the batteries are slowly wearing out. To purchase the 1040 solar is of course a thing due to the expensive purchase price. But decided to buy it anyway. So a big upgrade in my case. I own a garmin tactics with which I go for a lot of walking and recreational cycling, also a solar device very satisfied with this and the frequency with which I charge it varies, of course, less in the summer and more often in the winter. Your video is of course inspiring. But what you say there are a lot of nonsensical things / gadgets on it 😂 that's true. But quite nice. Been cycling race and off road bike mtb for about 24 years now no mountains but hills. 10 years with the local bikeclub, fun time but longer alone and sometimes with a buddy. 12:56 So I will definitely use some items on the device like alerting help. I think I am now convinced of my purchase. Thanks. As we say here cycle on...... 🚴🏻🚵🏻 in the Netherlands. Greetings Wiel.

Since both my wife and I want to use the computer, can It handle 2 cadance sensors and 2 heart rate sensors or do I need to pair them every time the user changes? Perhaps there is even the option of 2 user profile?

thanks for the great review, I have been using the 520 for years now, I'm no athlete but do like having a record of what I'm doing on my rides, Been thinking of upgrading to the 1040 just for the screen size, my eyes are getting a bit old now and i am struggling to see things on the 520 while moving

gyroscope helps device to detect inertia. Gps not so fast as gyroscopic, so gyroscope primal usage detect when you stop or start ride

Great video, I’m currently on the 1030, not really had many issues with it, but some of the new data that’s only on the 1040 I’m really interested in, I’m a triathlete, but my dilemma is solar or not, if I’m doing a race it’ll always be fully charged the night before, so it running out shouldn’t be an issue, it’s the solar panels that look a little distracting?

Hi and thanks for your video! i'm buying my first garmin after owning a simpler wahoo with just the basic information. I can t decide is buy the expolre 2 (some say it doenst work so well though) spend a bit more and buy a 1040 (i found some good deals right now) or maybe save up for a 1050 in the future (if there are nought advantages, but i doubt it, at leas for my use). I need it primarely for navigation in the woods for MTB, possibly follow routes that others did before me from strava. what would you advice to me?

I bought my 1040 because my 1030 fell apart, the screen detached from the body and Garmin don't repair 1030s any more. Apparently the battery swelled. Is there some 3rd party outfit that can do repairs? I have to say the 1040 appears great for bike touring, the screen zoom feature is really nice. The 1040 has led me into a dead end in a busy urban environment, it can be hard to tell exactly where to turn. The fitness stuff I have no use for whatsoever. I used a 1040 Solar on RAGBRAI and didn't have to charge it.

I have the 1030 plus and without gyroscope the screen change orientation almost every time you stop (traffic light, stop, break). It seems that the edge anticipated your position and come back to where you actually are. Your screen is then showing the wrong direction and it is confusing, I often had to double check which direction I need to take. I guess the gyroscope can really help in those cases... I often wished my 1030 would have one.

I want to buy a navigation device for my bicycle . Do you recommend this device? Or is there better?

I'm waiting for the 540. I have the 830 but I hate the touchscreen. I have Di2 so there is no need for a touchscreen. Navigation is something I never need to do on the fly and my courses are loaded from Ride With GPS. So, C'mon Garmin, launch the 540 already.

Never had a Garmin bike computer before, looked at the 530 on discount. Then the 840 looked good, then I found the Edge explorer 2 which was much cheaper. Then I bought the 1040 because I know what I'm like....

Gyroscope is usefull for MTB. It can track jumps and other metrics to how smooth you’re riding. Is it usefull for MTB riders? Who knows.. I ride road.

Glad to hear about the battery performance of the 1040 Solar. I have a 1030+ which is the most hideous piece of technology I have ever used from a usability point of view. Virtual partners which I don't need and I cannot disable. An (undocumented) limit of 100 trails I can keep stored. Also, why can I not organize my trails in a folder structure? A nearly impossible to see microscopic cursor visualizing (hiding) my position on the map. At one point there was an option to make the cursor larger. Why did this get removed? Perhaps my use case is special: I am downloading tracks from web sites or design my own ones. For this use case Garmin is simply dreadful. Garmin design appears to be driven by engineers interested in piling up as many features as possible without understanding the notion of usability of a consumer type product. I wish they would spend even just one day in some usability lab. Is the 1040 Solar any better in this regard?

I have the non-solar version. It's stupid buying the solar version for 150$ for more battery. With the standard version with 4 captor connect i have between 28 and 32h of battery. What kind of guy is on is bike for 28h non-stop??? My longest ride is 15h. after that i charge it for the next day.

12:20 As commuter I don't look on anything. It's the (Garmin) wristwatch that collects the data. It's just not that interesting after some commutes anymore to have it before you. :-)

840 is the sweeeeeeeet spot!!!! Sod giant 1040.

Must admit, my battery never increases when left in the sun. Not 1%. There's many people on the 1040 forums saying the same. Garmin mislead by claiming the item charges when left in the sun .

Love that he says GPS and Glasnost instead of Glonass 😂 That‘s clearly a Freudian slip.

So you claim that 1040 solar actually charged during the ride for about 6%? Why are there not more reviews about solar charging.

After my second Garmin Edge 520 died unexpectedly I decided to try something different - the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt instead of the Garmin 530. Boy! I'm glad I did. ru-vid.comUgkxXZCtB-wGdHVTBSz8RswePK5vllHNi06N The display on the Wahoo Bolt is much easier to read. I like the configuration of the display more (up to 7 items visible on page 1 without scrolling and the first item chosen is larger characters than the next 3 rows that have pairs of items (still very readable). I also like the configurable item selections. The Bolt synced with my Garmin ANT+ Speed sensors on both bikes easily so no additional investment was required there. While the rated battery life is a couple hours less than the Garmin 520/530, I easily get a weeks worth of 1+ hour rides before recharging (and it's never really low on charge). At the end of a ride syncing to the Wahoo app, Strava, and Apple Health app is painless.

⚔️💪😎👌🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿(stroke)

I I I I talk about the devise and not you.

Jesus man, are you in a bubble? Who doesn't know that Garmin cycle computers are great.