Garmin Edge 1050 evaluation: Testing Garmin’s flagship biking pc

The final Garmin biking pc I used was my much-loved Garmin Edge 520. Finally, it died on me about 90 miles right into a 100+ mile experience and I practically threw it off the highest of a big hill. 

Quick ahead a number of years and Garmin’s new flagship mannequin the Edge 1050 arrived for me to check. Two issues turned obvious virtually immediately. The primary is that in a comparatively brief house of time, the very best bike computer systems have moved on in leaps and bounds. I knew this anyway, however my psychological comparability between the 520 and 1050 hammered the purpose residence. 

The second was that the Edge 1050 is a monster. I’ve been testing it for a number of months and I nonetheless have not utterly explored the whole lot it has to supply. It’s packed filled with options and tech. 

Garmin launched the Edge 1050 in late June, claiming it was the model’s ‘brightest and smartest biking pc ever’. We lined the brand new launch in our information piece if you’d like a number of the tech particulars. 

The Edge 1050 has a price ticket of £649.99 / $699.99 / €749.99. I consider this makes it the costliest sensible bike pc available on the market proper now. That is Garmin’s flagship mannequin and it’s little question aimed toward elevating the bar when it comes to display screen high quality, tech and options. I’ve been testing it for months and have ridden near a thousand miles with it while testing it and making an attempt to discover the whole lot it may do. When you purchasing for a brand new pc or contemplating investing within the 1050, I’ve tried to unpack as a lot of it as I can right here to assist your shopping for determination.   

 Design and Aesthetics  

Aesthetics first; the 1050 is a handsome unit, predominantly black with gray plastic sides and a white Garmin wordmark on the entrance. It has three buttons, the on / off button on the left-hand facet, and lap and begin buttons, the contact display screen controls the whole lot else. The charging port sits in between the lap and begin buttons and is effectively protected by a sturdy plastic and rubber cowl. I’ve to say the display screen, it’s extremely shiny, virtually mirror-like. It feels high-end and splendid and makes the 1050 really feel bang up-to-date and fairly particular. 

Within the field, there’s a good, stable Garmin outfront mount, hex keys, and varied rubber bar shims, in addition to a regular mount and a choice of o-rings to connect the unit to your stem or bars. There’s a tether for the pc to maintain it protected, a charging cable and a guide. 

The size particularly are 60.2 x 118.5 x 16.3 mm, I’ve included an image comparability additional under so you may get an concept of the bodily measurement in comparison with different models available on the market. What it is not as large as is the brand new Wahoo Elemnt Ace we just lately examined, which is now comfortably the largest pc available on the market.

Battery life is quoted at between 20-60 hours relying on what you are doing, what number of sensors and so on you will have paired and the way you might be utilizing the pc. That 20-hour determine is for demanding use, all of the sensors paired, utilizing the whole lot and so on. On paper, down barely on the Edge 1040, presumably because of the improved high quality display screen. Garmin has a useful battery utilization desk which offers a useful breakdown. I’ve tried to maintain the battery in a wholesome vary and cost it when wanted, however it’s each a number of rides comfortably. My longest rides final yr had been 10 and 15 odd hours. The 1050 would not have been troubled.

I believe actual world, for many riders, that is going to be ample for normal driving. It definitely is for me. When you’re on a monster experience and want over two fixed days of battery life, then first, energy to you, the battery life is there, however energy banks/recharging and so on are going to return into the combination. Alternatively, if battery life is essential to you, you possibly can look to the Garmin 1040 solar-powered choice and even one thing just like the Coros Dura which has an enormous battery life. 

So to the brand new bits, for those who’re a Garmin consumer or personal a 1040 you’ll be aware of the system, there hasn’t been an enormous overhaul there, although issues have had an replace. 

There is a first rate record of what is new to the unit, some are updates and revisions to current options. Here is the topline; The unit is barely longer than the 1040 however solely by a contact and has a brand new LCD display screen show. It has the identical water resistance score and reminiscence, however battery life with ‘heavy use’ is barely decrease. 

I would say the important thing speaking factors when discussing the Edge 1050 are the actual fact it has a brand new speaker, a built-in bike bell which you’ll hearken to under, and Garmin Pay contactless tech. Second to this can be a replaceable mount tab (torx bolts), a highway hazard logging function, Garmin GroupRide (extra on this additional down) and the power to create routes on the system. 

Garmin make a degree concerning the 1050 being the ‘brightest and smartest’ pc and that display screen is shiny, let me let you know. It is crisp and you’ll alter the brightness to your desire with a slider bar. I are inclined to run it between 50-80% brightness and by no means felt the necessity to go anyplace close to max brightness aside from simply to check it and I like a pleasant shiny display screen typically. 

By way of the unit being ‘sensible’, utilizing the touchscreen is smartphone-like, it is tremendous quick and highly effective, you possibly can scroll by the menus, make adjustments and discover settings in a short time, and there isn’t any lag or ready round. Utilizing bike computer systems from yesteryear was extra of a gradual, cautious plod, that is like utilizing my iPhone. 

Edge 1040 and 1050 models, as talked about, now have GroupRide, a improvement of the prevailing GroupTrack function. Creating a gaggle experience utilizing a code with different buddies with Garmin models lets you ship messages, and use group incident detection and there are post-ride awards and challenges to get pleasure from. I do not experience with anybody else with a 1040 or 50 unit to check this out with. And while it is good, I am not so certain many cyclists will go for it. My private driving would not want it, I both be a part of a longtime group or membership experience that meets in the identical place on the identical time or organise a experience with buddies utilizing my cellular, often WhatsApp. I’ll search for and add in GroupRide experiences sooner or later although. 

 Efficiency 

Out of the field, setup was very simple on the 1050, my Garmin Join account had lain dormant for some time and I used to be a bit anxious about potential points. Organising the unit could not have been simpler although, with a easy QR code scan my profiles had been transferred and the 1050 was synced within the app. Linked to the unit to my residence WiFi was additionally a breeze, as you’d count on. 

There’s an terrible lot of tech packed into the 1050, try the full spec record right here. I’m going to focus primarily on the brand new additions to the unit within the efficiency part of the evaluation, in addition to looking at issues like navigation and total consumer experiences and navigating the system typically. 

The unit activates shortly and takes you to the house web page the place you possibly can choose an exercise profile if you wish to experience straightway. Or, entry the principle menu settings, navigation or coaching tabs. Sliding down on the contact display screen brings you to a different menu with extra choices for GPS, sounds, telephone connectivity and battery. There’s extra, one other bar on the backside of that web page permits you to scroll alongside climate, notifications, strava dwell segments, strava section and climb discover in addition to controls. Beginning to get the image? 

The Hazard logging tech is helpful for my part, you possibly can log varied hazards in order that different Garmin customers are alerted to them while driving. This might realistically assist preserve riders safer on the highway. After all, it relies on the place you might be and if there is a wholesome quantity of Garmin customers within the space, however I just lately obtained a lot of updates about potholes driving in a single a part of the nation and it did make me sit up and concentrate. I take declaring potholes critically on rides, it is probably the distinction between somebody getting damage or not. The Hazard function can solely be factor, and it might effectively simply assist preserve customers that little bit safer.  

The bell operate is fairly cool and is a pleasant built-in security function, you possibly can even management it along with your AXS or Di2 controls. I’ve included a button down under the place you possibly can hearken to it, it has a shiny and cheerful ding. Driving companions are all the time considering it and it is a enjoyable function that would clear up handlebar house for those who like to suit a bell. I had an opportunity to make use of it correctly just lately on the Tub to Bristol bike path and it was helpful in alerting walkers and different cyclists to our group’s presence, a pleasant security function and a novelty that hasn’t fairly worn off for me but. Might all computer systems have a built-in bell in a couple of years?

Navigation has been good for me on acquainted and new terrain. The principle navigation tab offers you entry to the whole lot and you’ll select a course to experience or navigate to a selected location, I examined this by routing to an area store and it labored very effectively. I’ve additionally grown keen on the distance-to-turn data which I discover helpful and prevents mistaken turns. You too can now use the course creator choice to make a route on the system. Sending a route from my laptop computer was additionally simple and quick. The 1050 can be so quick that you do not get slowed down or pissed off doing these items. 

Total, I discover the mapping and navigation not fairly nearly as good because the Hammerhead Karoo that I reviewed earlier within the yr. The route plotted by the unit on the highway usually sits simply subsequent to the precise highway on the display screen and niggles at me barely. I discover routes simpler to observe on the Karoo and like the map design itself however that is simply me. The 1050 hasn’t missed a trick and navigation is stable throughout the board. 

The 1050’s capacity to assist Garmin Pay is definitely a cool function and the power to pay in your espresso and even emergency meals and drinks utilizing your head unit may probably get you out of hassle, in addition to simply being a cool function. Nevertheless, the record of banks within the UK that presently assist Garmin Pay outright is comparatively small, and most main names aren’t on the record. If you wish to use the function, it might imply a brand new bank card account or downloading and utilizing Curve, a model partnered with Garmin to supply a protected workaround.

My very own TSB bank card would not assist Garmin pay, so worry not, I downloaded the Curve app and examined it out for you. When you use a Garmin smartwatch this can be acquainted floor already to you, however for bike computer systems it is new. First off, Curve is regulated by the FCA (Monetary Conduct Authority) so is protected to make use of. Obtain the app, register after which create a curve card. This takes only a few minutes.

Curve then creates a Garmin-compatible card to make use of in your Apple pockets that makes use of your current card particulars. I simply used my regular bank card account. You possibly can then register your new Curve card to work with Garmin Pay and your 1050 unit within the Garmin Join app. It labored a deal with and simply to be crystal clear, utilizing this digital card will invoice your chosen account. It simply offers a workaround for Garmin Pay. There are additionally Curve-specific advantages to benefit from if and whenever you do use the cardboard. As soon as arrange, Garmin Pay labored completely for me and I’ve discovered it to be fairly fast. Once you cease and suppose it is fairly wonderful that we are able to get pleasure from options like this now. And whereas more often than not for me it is only a cool social gathering trick on the cafe, each on occasion, it may probably get you out of actual hassle. 

There have been a couple of niggly issues for me, and in all honesty, some had been simply on account of me getting used to a brand new system and never having issues arrange precisely as I wished. Nevertheless, I’ll point out the helpful new built-in tutorials, which assist get you up to the mark at first. It sounds fundamental however for some time, I had the mistaken experience timer choice chosen from many, which meant my experience time zeroed after 60 minutes, which left me aggravated. One energy setting choice additionally advised me my energy was too low throughout sure factors in a experience. I solely used this as soon as earlier than altering it. Being advised this while over threshold clinging to the wheel in entrance in a single line on my native chain gang was not welcome on the time. These factors aren’t any criticisms of Garmin, there’s simply a lot to select from, and it’ll take a while to get issues the best way you need them.

One thing else I’ve not discovered but is the actual fact the unit tells me I’ve set a brand new distance PR after each experience, it would not matter if it is 14 miles or 55. Once more this can be a setting I’ve missed, however I’ve requested Garmin about it as I am unable to work it out. No large deal although.

Lastly, I believed the unit had died on me just lately and it would not activate or cost, a day or two later I attempted once more and it charged, turned on and has been positive ever since. I am maintaining a tally of this, however the recommendation from Garmin was to attempt holding down the facility button for 30 seconds, while related to energy. So do that transfer first, for those who ever expertise an issue.

Worth 

£649.99 / $699.99 / €749.99 is a critical amount of cash for a pc. It continues the development of manufacturers’ flagship fashions getting dearer. There are definitely a lot of different elements or bits of package you could possibly spend your cash on as a substitute.  

At instances ‘for those who can afford it’ feels just like the reviewer’s get-out-of-jail card, however it rings true right here somewhat bit for me. Computer systems are unimaginable now, I turned on that outdated Edge 520 while scripting this evaluation and my phrase, the distinction is putting. 

The Edge 1050 is brighter, sooner and extra succesful than the 1040 and advantages from the bell, contactless funds in addition to the opposite aforementioned new options. It is one other refinement and enchancment however is any of it game-changing, must-have know-how? 

As talked about, I desire the navigation and mapping of the Hammerhead Karoo personally, Is the 1050 $224 higher than a Hammerhead Karoo? For me, I am undecided the additional spend could be justified, however I do not personally want the whole lot the 1050 does. 

Expertise consistently improves and the 1050 is nearly as good because it will get in areas for cycle computer systems proper now. I am unable to stress sufficient how a lot there’s to select from, customise and benefit from within the unit. If this feels like a little bit of you, you’ll not remorse investing in a single.

Verdict 

The Edge 1050 is a massively succesful sensible pc. It is nice wanting, packed filled with options and the color contact display screen is implausible as is the speedy processing velocity.

Garmin has made one thing that basically feels designed that can assist you in all points of your biking, from security, coaching, navigation, and even paying for espresso, the record goes on and on. 

It is an costly unit, there isn’t any two methods about it. If I had been giving a pal shopping for recommendation I would counsel that first, for those who’re proud of the worth, select the 1050 if you wish to embrace all that a pc like this will provide. Need to use the pc to coach with and to an extent as a mini coach? Need to usually create your routes and observe maps? Need to customise the whole lot to the nth diploma? Then the 1050 is not going to disappoint. 

In case you are a rider who needs navigation however would not use it on a regular basis and is aware of a whole lot of your routes off by coronary heart or are proud of simply your key experience metrics, velocity, energy, distance, and so on it might be overkill for you, in that case I would counsel a have a look at the Edge 540.

Like I stated firstly of the evaluation, computer systems have come a great distance, the very best bike computer systems are unimaginable instruments to have mounted on our handlebars, and the Garmin Edge 1050 is main the cost.