First look: Garmin Edge 1040 solar-charging bike computer

On Wednesday, Garmin launched their Edge 1040 Solar, a GPS bike computer featuring solar charging and multi-band GNSS technology.

As the name suggests, the Edge 1040 Solar features a solar charging lens, called the Power Glass, which gives cyclists ride time between charges–up to 100 hours in battery saver mode–while multi-band GNSS technology provides more accurate GPS positioning in challenging ride environments, such as dense urban areas or under deep tree cover. The new bike computer is full of improved navigation, performance, safety and connectivity features.

Updated interface

The Edge 1040 Solar has a refreshed, modernized user experience, giving cyclists easier access to key information. You can also customize the home page, which includes an improved ride summary view and more, while still remaining slim and sleek: all in a 3.5-inch touchscreen display.

Key features

The Edge 1040 Solar features several advancements in technology and performance metrics, including:

• Cycling ability and course demands: classify strengths and weaknesses as a cyclist, focus on improvement and prepare for the demands of a specific course.
• Power guide: Recommended power targets make it easier to manage efforts throughout a course.
• Real-time stamina insights: Monitor and track exertion levels in real-time during a ride

Simple setup

Custom ride profiles prepopulate based on previous Edge data, ride types, and sensors. From there, cycling activity profiles can be managed directly on your compatible smartphone from the Garmin Connect™ smart device app.
Training and performance

To help cyclists track their performance, the Edge 1040 Solar provides insights from Firstbeat Analytics such as VO2 max, recovery time, training load, training focus and more to see how their body is responding to their training efforts. Cyclists will get daily workout suggestions based on their current training load and VO2 max. During a ride, the Edge 1040 Solar lets riders see how their body is holding up in different environments with heat and altitude acclimation and receive in-ride notifications when it’s time to refuel or rehydrate. What’s more, the ClimbPro feature allows riders see the remaining ascent and grade for each climb when following a course and review their performance on the climbs post-ride right from the Edge 1040 Solar or in Garmin Connect. Meanwhile, mountain bike metrics, including jump count, jump distance, hang time, grit and flow track the details of every ride.

Maps and routes

Whether riding through busy cities or exploring remote areas, the Edge 1040 Solar includes advanced navigational tools to help cyclists stay on track. This includes high-contrast, ride-type-specific maps to highlight popular roads and trails based on billions of miles of ride data that other users have uploaded to Garmin Connect.

You can also use turn-by-turn navigation and alerts notify riders of sharp curves ahead. Additionally, you can pause route guidance and off-course notifications to explore beyond the beaten path. Route guidance can be turned back on at any time to get back to the original route or starting point.

Safety and connectivity

While out for a ride, Garmin’s safety and smart features help cyclists stay connected.3 Built-in safety and tracking features include incident detection, assistance and LiveTrack to let loved ones follow a cyclists’ real-time location and view their entire preplanned course to see where they’re headed, while group messaging and tracking let cyclists stay in touch when they get separated from the pack.3 For added confidence while riding, the Edge 1040 Solar is compatible with the Varia line of cycling awareness devices, including the new Varia RCT715 rearview radar with camera and tail light, so cyclists can see, be seen and continuously capture video footage during their ride.

Edge 1040 Solar, $980
Edge 1040 (non-solar), $780
Edge 1040 (non-solar) bundle (includes speed and cadence sensors and the HRM-Dual heart rate monitor), $909.00