User submitted reviews
Review by LastOstrogoth
I had owned a 1030 for about three years before deciding to upgrade to this computer. An accident which damaged to the old computer screen provided an excuse to make the change. The reviews I read were iffy about whether there were enough modification to justify the upgrade. Having done it, I do feel quite happy with the change. It is a better computer, faster and more responsive than that 1030. An additional $100 would have gotten me the 1040, but I live in the Pacific Northwest, solar batteries added to bike computers and, indeed, my Fenix watch are of little value, and reviews of how well they perform shows little benefit even in a sunnier environment. This computer has a very long life between charges. My usual ride is about 3 hours in duration. I have a speed sensor, cadence sensor, Varia Radar, and Garmin headlamp, as well as a heart rate monitor all connected to the computer on the rides. I have never seen the computer battery drop below 70% even on my longest rides. That is very reassuring. There is no question that the endurance of its battery far exceeds mine. The touch screen works really well even with gloves on. Having a big screen also allows me to monitor all of my desired parameters without having to change screens. One other thing I have noticed as a real improvement over my old 1030 is that at the end of the ride the ride is automatically uploaded to my iPhone, something that was less dependable with the 1030. It also recharges much faster when connnected to my computer. All in all, it is a much better computer and certainly worth the price. If you are in the market for a new computer and are trying to choose between the 1030, 1030 plus, and the 1040, I would definitely recommend the 1030 Plus.
Review by Brad
I was pleasantly surprised with the ease of setting up the 1030 and all of the features available. Picking up sensors etc was super easy. Operates superbly and extra features are very useful as I build up after surgery!
Review by KMKSBY
I use it for road cycling and for my smart-trainer workouts. I like the larger screen and all the options and data it can capture and provide. It is relatively easy to set up but has so many options that you really have to dig in and learn how to use them.
It does have some things I don't like: 1) the lap and start/stop bottoms are on the side edge instead of on the face. I find them harder to find and push; 2) It does have a "bike" profile that I could find. My older Garmin had a bike profile that I could specify the various options for each of my bikes so that I didn't have to reset/turn things off/on as I switched between bikes. (Maybe it does, and I just haven't gotten that far with it yet! :-) )
Western Bikeworks had an amazing price and discount on it and that made it an even better bargain.
Review by Ron Stout
This is the best Garmin that I have used. I have used it for a while now and it is far superior to my older 820. The battery lasts longer than I do buy a lot. I can turn it on and it lasts through a physical therapy appointment and a three hour ride and still has about 60% left. The display is larger and easier to read by these old eyes. I'm not going to worry about the battery for centuries next year even when using the navigation function. Well worth the extra price.
Review by Anonymous
I bought it to replace a failing Garmin 1000. The addition of emergency notification is a must!!! Seriously don't think about anything else. I crashed horribly, went down at HIGH speed. Shattered clavicle, split hip socket and pelvis in half, broke sitting bone. Before my body stopped I could hear the garmin alert sounding that my emergency contacts were being notified. If you are unconscious you will have help on the way. While I was conscious (although I wish I was not due to pain) and my phone with me through crash, if it was not I would have struggled to move well enough to find them. Serious stuff people. It's not worth a couple grams and little $ to get a lower functioning unit.
Review by Sharpbakers
I had previously purchased the high end Stages bike computer. Trust me get the Garmin 1030 instead. The software and functions are just simply better. 1st Garmin has a touch screen. 2nd-data screen edits are easier to create and modify. Very simple. Small software features are also just better for example- the Garmin allows you to set a stop data recording at a slow/almost stopped speed. The Stages does not even have that function. You have to be completely stopped.
The actual mechanical mount is also way better on the Garmin� The Stages mount barely works..
Battery life is also excellent on the 1030.
I could go on and on but you get the point. Don't waste your time go with the gold standard of Garmin
Review by JM
Replaced my 1030 with the 1030 Plus solely for
Replaced my Edge 1030 with the 1030 Plus solely for the louder alerts. I can now hear my Varia Radar taillight in
I replaced my 1030 with the 1030 Plus solely for the louder alerts. I can now hear my Garmin Varia radar taillight alerts at higher speeds and on busier roads. The improvements with the touch screen and navigation are nice but the clear alerts is the feature that was most important to me.
Review by Kirk
Mostly use the HR and Cadence features to monitor my output during the ride. The mapping feature works great as well and shows a graphic of categorized climbs when you hit them. There many other features I'm still exploring, but this is by far the best cyclometer I've used in my 30+ years of cycling.
Review by Ozemog
Really happy with it. Big touch screen makes it easy to use. Would definitely recommend.
Review by Wesley
I upgraded from a Garmin 520, and I couldn't be happier. It synced very easily with my Garmin radar, Garmin Connect, power meter, and cadence sensor, and I really like the touch screen and easy ability to set up the computer. And added bonus is the way it displays the radar when cars are approaching... Very cool, including a beep instead of just a visual warning.
Review by Anonymous
It was difficult to justify buying this when I already had a 1030. Then I thought about all those radar warnings I was not hearing. This unit's radar warning is at least twice as loud. Your life is worth it. There are other subtle improvements, but nothing Earth shattering. If you're not using radar, the 1030 is probably going to be just fine.
Review by Neil
There is nothing to not love. I came from a Garmin 510 and this is just in another league. It is easy to read, and give me way more informatinon after my ride. I love it. It has not failed me in any way and connectivity is stellar.
Review by Tony from Philly
Touchscreen much, much better than original 1030. Button placement is the same and totally wrong - even with the extended mount it is a tight fit for fingers between bars and the buttons and fogettaboutit with winter gloves. Endless list of features, many of which actually seem useful and intuitive. All operations seem faster than the original 1031. 5 stars except for the darn buttons.
Review by Anonymous
I was originally nervous about pulling the trigger on this purchase due to it being pretty pricey but it has been fantastic. Easy to setup and the battery life is awesome.
Review by wwb1262
Excellent
Review by wwb1262
Excellent
Review by Tim
The 1030 is used mainly road The enhanced screen size and font makes its integration with the Varia much more readable and user friendly -very well done
Review by Anonymous
The 1030 plus screen size is easy to read, a plus for older eyes. The touch screen works great in all weather. I was able to switch screen with winter riding gloves without an issue. Wet weather did not appear to impact performance.
Indoors the 1030 plus paired with my trainer without issues.
Outdoors the map features are a pleasure to use.
Pairing with sensors and phone is simple.
Using the workout suggestions both indoors and out is a great feature. The graphic screen is great when doing zone training.
I would recommend this unit to anyone looking for a new bike computer.
Review by bumpermeat
Bought the Edge 1030 for a new road bike. It's big, a LOT bigger than the Edge 130 I have on another road bike.
PROS: Big display, easy to read (when the sun hits it or if its dark and the backlight turns on), LOTS of data, and long battery life. And a laundry list of features, more than I'm likely to use more than a few times a year if/when I explore new routes.
CONS: It's big. I mean HUGE! It makes the older Edge 130 on my other bike look tiny. So, be sure you want this big of a computer hanging off the front of your bike.
SET UP: Standard Garmin set up. Takes a bit of time to get the data screens to show exactly what you want (if you're really picky and choose not to use their default data fields).
Review by Kmac
I haven't used a lot of high tech bike computers. I wanted a better mapping option so moved from the Edge 130 plus to the 1030. It's like the difference from video game Pong in the 1970's to the latest version of Xbox or Play Station.
The 1030 offer so much adaptability it's frankly a tad overwhelming and requires a bit of patience to work though it all. The screen is clear and the color is very crisp. The movement through screens is intuitive and quick. I use a mapping software that integrates seamlessly. Love this bike toy!! I would encourage anyone who's interested in accurate data and mapping needs to purchase this all day!