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Recent Reviews
This new Garmin 1040 was an upgrade from my old 820, these aging eyes appreciate the MUCH larger screen / display. Also very much like the fact that the display is "ON" all of the time (I've already sold the 820, there may have been an option to have the screen on all of the time on that old unit, and I just didn't know of it). Regardless, battery life on the new 1040 seems excellent. LOVE the many options for data field display, easily configurable. Also, completely seamless and easy transfer of settings and preferences from old unit to new, that was welcomed. Garmin does it right!
It seems Garmin is finally getting better at managing devices as a whole. Settings from previous unit are applied like getting a new phone. The management of maps is much easier, but storage is still too limited. I do like the climb pro for all hills not just when you are on a route. I do not know if I would have bought one just for the sake of it, I liked my 830. But it was a few years old and the new units battery lasts so much longer. I never had issues with the touch screen only on the 830 but it is nice that this one has both touch screen and buttons.
I don't really focus too much on my power output, but I wanted these to have that extra data point and b/c it opens up a lot of data on my Garmin Watch and Garmin Connect. I use it on my indoor trainer and on my gravel bike, and it works great on both. Haven't tried it on the mountain bike yet so I can't comment on the durability when they bash on rocks, etc. A bit expensive, but most accurate power meters are and I wanted something compatible with my current SPD clips that I already have on my riding shoes.
I'd been leery of the price yet consistently blown away by the positive comments on the Varia and finally ordered it a few months back. The positivity is 100% warranted. I've used it in the dark, in the day and during large group rides and have found all the modes pretty fantastic. It may be a placebo effect but I feel like cars give me a wider berth since I've been using it, too. The best part is that you can relax and enjoy the quiet roads even more, knowing you're free and clear. About the same time you can hear tires behind you, the Varia detects the car coming and you can move over.