Garmin Edge 1040 Solar review
Solar charging, multi band GNSS and a battery measured in days rather than rides.
A GPS bike computer with a Power Glass solar charging lens giving up to 100 hours in battery saver mode or 45 hours in demanding use, multi band GNSS positioning and full navigation, planning and performance tracking.
Check Backcountry → Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Solar | Power Glass solar charging lens |
| Battery | Up to 100 hours in battery saver mode, up to 45 hours in demanding use |
| Positioning | Multi band GNSS for enhanced accuracy |
| Function | Navigation, planning, performance tracking, cycling awareness and smart connectivity |
| Interface | Simplified setup with adjustable data fields |
Specifications above come from Garmin's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Forty five hours of GPS in demanding use is more than any one day event needs, and the solar lens extends it further on a bright day, which is what makes multi day riding practical.
- Multi band GNSS is the single biggest accuracy improvement in bike computers in years, and it is what stops a ride in a city or a valley producing nonsense distance.
- A large screen that is readable in direct sun is the specification that actually matters when navigating, and this is one of the best.
- Garmin's routing and course following remain the most reliable in the category, which is what you buy a head unit for.
Where it falls short
- Solar charging is a supplement, not a power source. In genuinely demanding use it extends battery by a useful margin rather than replacing charging.
- Six hundred and sixty seven dollars is a lot when the Edge 850 navigates the same routes for a hundred and seventy less.
- It is a big unit on the bars, and on a compact cockpit it looks and feels oversized.
- Feature depth is substantial and most riders will use a fraction, which is a reason to consider a cheaper unit rather than a criticism of this one.
What owners report
Published owner reports praise the battery and the screen above everything, and long distance riders describe the solar contribution as real if modest. Navigation reliability draws consistent approval.
The criticism is price and size, and the observation that most riders never approach the battery limit. Reports comparing it with smaller Edge units usually conclude the 1040 is bought for events rather than for training rides, which is a fair summary of who should own one.
Who it suits
- Bikepackers, ultra distance riders and tourers.
- Anyone who navigates unfamiliar routes regularly and wants the best screen.
- Riders who want the longest battery available in a head unit.
Who should skip it
- Riders whose longest day fits comfortably in a smaller unit's battery.
- Compact cockpits where a large head unit is out of place.
- Anyone who wants navigation for less, where the Edge 840 or a Wahoo does it.
Alternatives worth considering
A hundred and seventy dollars less with preloaded road, gravel and trail maps including Trailforks, smart fuelling alerts and up to 36 hours in battery saver mode. Enough for any single day ride.
Check Backcountry → Check price on AmazonTwo hundred dollars less with dual band GPS, turn by turn routing from GPX and TCX files and on demand route generation. Wahoo's setup through the phone app is simpler than Garmin's, which suits some riders far better.
Check Backcountry → Check price on AmazonA hundred and ninety dollars less for a smartphone like display with 64GB of memory and 4GB of RAM, which produces the fastest map rendering in the category. A different interface philosophy that people either prefer or do not.
Check Backcountry → Check price on AmazonGift idea: the Edge 1040 Solar is one of the picks in our Gifts for Cyclists guide. See also Gifts for Runners, gifts under $50 and the gift finder.
Common questions
Does solar charging on a bike computer actually work?
It contributes rather than replaces. Garmin quotes up to 100 hours in battery saver mode with solar and 45 hours in demanding use, and the real gain depends on how much sun the unit sees. For a multi day ride it is meaningful; for a two hour training ride it is irrelevant.
What is multi band GNSS and why does it matter?
It receives satellite signals on more than one frequency, which lets the unit reject reflections off buildings and cliffs. That is why multi band units produce sensible distance and pace in cities and valleys where single band units produce spikes. It is the most useful accuracy improvement in years.
Edge 1040 or Edge 850?
Battery and screen size. The 850 has preloaded maps, smart fuelling alerts and up to 36 hours in battery saver mode for a hundred and seventy dollars less. Unless you ride events longer than a day, the 850 does everything the 1040 does.
Garmin, Wahoo or Hammerhead?
Garmin has the deepest feature set and the best routing; Wahoo has the simplest setup through a phone; Hammerhead has the best screen and map rendering. Our Garmin versus Wahoo versus Hammerhead comparison sets out the differences that show up in daily use.
Do I need a bike computer if I have a watch?
Not strictly, and a bar mounted screen is far easier to read while riding, and gives navigation you can follow at speed. If you ride long distances or navigate, a head unit earns its place. If you ride known routes, a watch is enough.
Keep reading
- Garmin vs Wahoo vs Hammerhead
- Best bike computers
- Best bike computers with maps
- Wahoo KICKR V6 review
- Garmin Rally RS210 review
- Bike climb time calculator
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.