Big easy to read screen and a fabulous battery
In moving from the 1030 Plus to the 1040 here are the differences I've found. The biggest difference I've noticed is the presence of new climb screens. Whenever you approach something Garmin has labelled a climb the data pops up on your screen. The 1040 set up is faster and less glitchy than the 1030 Plus and everything just happens more quickly. The Accuweather app now takes three steps to access instead of one which is a bother. Is the 1040 worth the difference vs the 1030 Plus? Probably not. After selling my 1030 Plus the 1040 was only $150 more than I got for the 1030 Plus so that made it okay.
I upgraded to this from the 1000 Explore and the 1030, which gave me some problems. I've only used the 1040 a few times. Navigation is important to me, but the 1040 is not as good. It is funky to start, can't preview route easily, including which way the route goes from the start. I cannot pair with 1030 to get previously ridden courses. And I liked having two small fields on map screen. As for biometrics, I'd like max heart rate, not %. As with all past and previous garmin devices, the calories burned is ridiculous. I'm a small female with a low heart rate, so my device will say I've maybe burned 500 calories on a hard, hilly 70-mile ride. Garmin gets confused pairing my scosche arm strap for reading heart rate with cadence. I always have to check if sensors are paired correctly, which is a pain. It's possible I'm doing some things wrong, I realize, but I've used 3 generations of edge 1000-xxx devices.
I depended on my Edge 1030. Then I broke it. Purely pilot error. The 1040 is the replacement. Way more battery capacity. Better graphics and user interface. New features I didn't expect -- like stamina and power guide -- are useful additions. Almost glad I broke the 1030!
Have used my new Garmin 1040 for about 2 months. Satisfied with the additional functions of the unit, of which I probably only use 50% of the available. Pleased with the increased font size on 1040, much easier to see. One thing I'm very dissatisfied with is the temperature function of the Garmin. I've found while riding and the Garmin is in the sunlight, the unit reads anywhere from 8 to 11 degrees higher than guys I ride with that are using a Garmin 1030 and 1030+. In defense of the Garmin, I put the unit outside for 1 hour prior to a ride, it is within 1-2 degrees of the outside air temp. I've also put it on a counter in the house, and again, it's with a degree or 2 of other units. I called Garmin product support and asked if this was normal? The response, try moving it to a different spot on your handle bars or just put it in you pocket...That's exactly what I bought an expensive unit for: to put it in a pocket??? Nice support Garmin. Have owned 2 other Garmin GPS's with no temperature issues as this new unit.
Very dissatisfied with Garmin's response.
I previously and currently own an Edge 530 cycling computer. I upgraded to the Edge 1040 primarily for the larger screen (at my age my eyes are failing me) and also the touch screen - but it when on sale. It is nice to be able to flip between the information screen/pages by swiping on the touch screen rather trying to find the page up / page down physical buttons. The multi-band GPS feature is nice for better GPS accuracy, especially when in tough GPS signal conditions (eg between tall city buildings and dense forest). However, as good as the Edge 1040 is I do not see much advantage to it over my older Edge 530, there are no new feature that I feel are "must have" on the Edge 1040.
I upgraded to this from the 1000 Explore and the 1030, which gave me some problems. I've only used the 1040 a few times. Navigation is important to me, but the 1040 is not as good. It is funky to start, can't preview route easily, including which way the route goes from the start. I cannot pair with 1030 to get previously ridden courses. And I liked having two small fields on map screen. As for biometrics, I'd like max heart rate, not %. As with all past and previous garmin devices, the calories burned is ridiculous. I'm a small female with a low heart rate, so my device will say I've maybe burned 500 calories on a hard, hilly 70-mile ride. Garmin gets confused pairing my scosche arm strap for reading heart rate with cadence. I always have to check if sensors are paired correctly, which is a pain.It's possible I'm doing some things wrong, I realize, but I've used 3 generations of edge 1000-xxx devices.
The map navigation features are easier to see and manipulate compared to the Garmin 530. The battery life is great. I used to charge the 530 after every ride now I can charge after 5 rides. I considered to solar version but since I am in Seattle I didn�t think it would provide much extra range. Glad i saved the 100 dollars since the non-solar battery lasts so long. Overall the computer is a good upgrade from the 530. Most noticeable is the startup speed. Also liked the new Home Screen which makes it easy.to select workouts or routes to follow without having to hunt in submenus.
I bought this Edge 1040 as my Edge 1030 battery was no longer keeping a charge so I was looking for new device. I read the DCrainmaker review and found this device should meet my longevity requirements. I have so far done a few 40 to 50 mile rides which have only taken my 1040 down to around 93 percent which really works for me. Also, as a side benefit the new graphics is so much cleaner and easier to read which is definitely great for my old eyes.
Got this1040 to upgrade from 530. Particularly interested in bigger map screen and better map controls. No disappointment there. Display is great. Processor works so much faster - a delight. Haven't done any of the bells and whistles like work outs, etc. Battery life is great - don't see need for Solar. Cons: Just like the 530, the Group Connect is something my group has yet to have any success with - major disappointment. Also, hoping for a firmware update on the Climbing screen - there is a major lag from where you are on a climb and what the screen shows. Too bad because the graphics on the screen are great. Dark red means you will be suffering.
I have been a long time user of Garmin computers, and just upgraded from the Edge 1030. I've done one ride, and here are my first impressions:
1. Battery life seems to be better. This matters a lot to me as I'll do 3 - 5 hour rides with linkage to my phone and I hate worrying about having the battery die. I did a 3.5 hour ride today, high brightness and connected to the phone and only used 30%. Other than if I would do Unbound XL (not happening), I see no reason I'd worry about battery life
2. Weight: Technically this weighs a few grams more than the 1030. Didn't seem to slow me down
3. Screens/Font: This is perhaps the greatest improvement I've observed so far. Much clearer font - just everything seems easier to read
4. Easier to load routes: I don't know why, but from Garmin Connect it just seemed easier to move my routes (created in Strava) to the device.
5. Home Screen is an improvement. This probably is personal preference, but I think this is better.
I've not tested all of the features, but I'm sure there are some I will eventually use. So, if you just like having the latest and greatest for your bike, this is worth getting. If an earlier version is working for you, especially a 1030 or 1000, the new features may not give you enough reason to spend the money.
I love this device. It is just superior to my Garmin edge 1030. It runs much faster. I love the music control. I love the stamina gauge. I should�ve bought this when it first came out.
I haven�t used a cycling computer in years and I can�t believe how good they are now. Screen is bright, big and easy to read. Super accurate data and much more functionality than I�ll ever use. Love it!
This is a much improved bike computer. It is easy to read and battery lasts a long time. The only downside is the gradient calculation. It has a significant lag. This needs to be improved by Garmin.
I have been riding with a Garmin Edge, which is bullet proof. It's never gave me any problem or reason to upgrade. Finally there is a new Edge to upgrade to. The screen is so much brighter and easier to read that the 1000. The touch screen is flawless and the buttons underneath make more space. The battery life is awesome.
moved up from a wahoo bolt and it cant be overstated how big of an upgrade this thing is...the screen is huge, easy to read and all the data you could ever want to see. love how the live segments work with strava and that it can actually do route finding unlike the bolt. battery seems like it could easily do 10 hours. integrates really well with varia radar unit as well
Fantastic touchscreen and great battery life
I love this garman gat the radar with much safer than a mirror or turning your head around
