Super solid and easy to learn if you are an experienced Garmin user like me. I found the HR less accurate than the chest strap - seems to be slow to respond to fluctuations. I like having the smart watch functions that give you read outs on total calories, steps, sleep quantity, and quality, etc. It's also nice to use in a pinch for ride if you don't want to mess with a chest strap or a separate computer.
Riding on country roads, cars can kind of sneak up on you. Especially the quiet hybrid and electric types. The radar, synced with an Edge 520, does a great job of giving a heads up on cars and trucks coming from behind. The light is super bright and has a bunch of different flashing sequences. It can be a bit finicky to get the radar working sometimes. I have to turn it offon along with the 520 to get it to sync up properly sometimes. Kind of annoying when youre trying to get going, or dont notice until cars are passing with nary a beep. But when its working properly, it is totally worth it.
I replaced my Garmin 520 (which I really liked) since the battery would not stay charged. I also wanted better map capability since the 520 was not adequate. The 1030 battery is light years ahead of the 520. I'm not wild about the appearance of the 1030 since it is so much larger but the payoff is how much easier it is too read. The 1030 also manages my Bontrager ION front light. The 1030 is also giving me a lot more ride data. All in all I would buy this again.
