Garmin Edge 1040 Solar review

The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar is the brand’s most expensive GPS bike computer to date and you’ll be hard pushed to find a more expensive competitor on the market.

So what exactly do you get for your money? And is it worth the outlay?

Garmin Edge 1040 Solar bike computer review

It’s mightily expensive but the Edge 1040 Solar offers near unrivalled functionality. For a start, set up and connectivity with both the Garmin Connect app and sensors is quick and painless, with the app offering a huge array of data after your rides.

It comes with three mounts (MTB, standard and out-front), which are super easy to use, as well as a black silicone case for extra protection. On that note, the device is rated to IPX7, meaning it’ll handle rain, snow, splashes or showers.

Usability is top notch too, with a responsive touchscreen combining with three buttons to good effect.

At full brightness the 3.5in colour screen is easy to see, though we found it a little dull when brightness was set to auto mode. That aside, it offered range-topping clarity, pulling out key data and displaying routes in a user-friendly way.

Speaking of which, routes can be imported into or made on Garmin Connect and sent to the device easily, while navigation is class-leading.

The multi-band GPS proved accurate, while clear turn-by-turn directions were easy to follow. Handily, the 1040 Solar is quick to reroute you if you head off-course, too.

Navigation aside, you’ll get pretty much every performance metric you could want, including features that show recommended power targets, remaining stamina and training status (when used with additional sensors).

The Edge 1040 also allows you to sync training plans and follow suggested workouts, while customisable nutrition and hydration alerts are another plus, especially when training for a race or competing on the big day.

Meanwhile, a ClimbPro feature shows you the remaining ascent and grade while tackling challenging hills, with a clear graph utilising colour to indicate how steep the incline is.

The solar-boosted battery life is up to 45 hours in heavy use, or more with reduced features in operation, which, again, is pretty darn good.

Verdict: Prohibitively priced and possibly overkill for some, but among the best in class.
Score: 87%

Also consider…

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt

From one fitness tech mega company to another… The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt is a popular choice for many athletes, particularly those that are part of the Wahoo ecosystem and use kit from the brand such as its turbo trainers.

In our Wahoo Elemnt Bolt review, we praised it for its 16GB memory, the ease with which you can import GPX files and its connectivity with third-party apps such as Strava.

Navigation is also decent, with reliable GPS and user-friendly turn-by-turn directions backed up with noise alerts when a turn is coming up.

The screen is considerably smaller than the Garmin at 2.2in and battery life is a claimed 15 hours, but that’s still plenty to see you through race-day or a week or two of training.