- Global GPS leader, Garmin, has introduced a new cycling head unit.
- The Edge 1040 combines many features that Garmin users value, with a sophisticated new screen and powerful positional tracking.
- For a market like South Africa, with generous year-round sunlight and UV radiation, the Edge 1040 could become a must-have product.
Like all digital devices, cycling computers evolve apace. And with an increase in functionality, batteries are required to work harder.
Two issues always balance the buying decision for any
cycling computer purchase: battery endurance and navigation accuracy.
With cycling computers harvesting more data than ever, battery life needs to be monitored. And with many cycling head units fulfilling a core navigation function, running out of battery in the middle of nowhere is problematic.
Solar technology is a theme of contemporary life and the energy transition. South Africa has immense solar energy potential, and with Garmin’s latest Edge 1040 Solar, riders can benefit from that.
Perfect for those big Karoo adventure rides
Garmin’s product engineers have given the Edge 1040 a redesigned screen, with embedded solar absorbing sensitivity. This enables the Edge 1040’s 100-hour riding endurance.
Is the solar novelty worth it? Garmin’s Edge 1040 Solar should run for 42-minutes longer than a non-solar version on a sunny day. Considering the potency of South African sunlight, the Edge 1040 Solar should never underperform its specification.
Aside from the solar screen benefit, which should perform true to claimed endurance in South African conditions, the Edge 1040 Solar has powerful location tracking technology.
It will guide you through canyons
Multi-band GNSS powers the Edge 1040 Solar’s navigation.
How is GNSS better than traditional GPS? With GNSS the Edge 1040 Solar calculates rider position and navigational accuracy using a constellation of international satellites, with more significant resourcing than conventional GPS.
Garmin’s Edge 1040 Solar becomes the first cycling head unit to integrate multi-band GNSS navigation. If the fear of signal drop-off has constrained your Karoo or Limpopo adventure riding ambitions, this could be the device to ease those doubts.
Device convergence
The Edge 1040 Solar has great user interfacing too. Migrating all your settings, rider data and preferences between devices, can be annoying. With Garmin’s software, everything is migrated and prepopulated.
Activity cycling safety radar and power meter pedal technology, from Garmin, also seamslessly pair with the Edge 1040 Solar.
What does it weigh? Only 135g. Pricing for the Edge 1040 Solar is R14 999.
