Edge 1040 Solar
Where to Buy
Garmin Edge 1040 Solar Review
Tested and reviewed for bikepacking use
Garmin's flagship bike computer features a solar charging lens that extends battery life up to 45 hours in GPS mode. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen displays detailed maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and ClimbPro elevation profiles. Multi-band GNSS provides accurate tracking even in dense canopy.
Who Is the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar Best For?
Serious bikepackers who want best-in-class navigation with marathon battery life. If that describes your riding style, the Edge 1040 Solar should be at the top of your shortlist. It sits in the Navigation & Electronics category alongside 7other products we've reviewed.
How It Compares
At 100g and $600, the Edge 1040 Solar is 31g heavier than the lightest option in this category (the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 at 69g). The most budget-friendly option is the Garmin eTrex SE at $150.
The price-to-weight ratio comes in at $600 per 100g — a premium price point, but you're paying for quality, materials, and design that justify the investment for serious bikepackers.
What We Like
- +Solar charging extends battery life significantly
- +Multi-band GPS for accurate positioning under tree cover
- +Full mapping with turn-by-turn navigation
- +ClimbPro and training metrics for performance riders
Watch Out For
- −Expensive at $600
- −Touchscreen can be finicky with wet or gloved hands
- −Feature-rich interface has a learning curve
The Bottom Line
The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar earns a 4.7/5 rating. It's one of the best options in the navigation & electronics category and a product we confidently recommend. The combination of solar charging extends battery life significantly and multi-band gps for accurate positioning under tree cover makes it stand out from the competition.
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