raqball

This is exactly what I had hoped for as well. Heck even the same sized screen with smaller bezels (thus reducing it's overall size) would have been great.

I had the 820 for a week and could not deal with the crap touchscreen on it. With the 820 it looks like it's a roll of the dice, screen wise, as some have had no issues and some want to toss it in the dumpster. I assume Garmin is using 2 different screen manufacturers and one is fine and one is garbage.

njkayaker

The 820 is slower than the 1000, at least by this benchmark (which might be incomplete).

https://forums.garmin.com/forum/deve...tree-benchmark

Edge 520: 2600
Edge 820: 2793
Edge 1000: 13330

Machoman121

Garmin is tormented by this - “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.”

I like the 1030's size. Otherwise i'll be looking at the 520 or the bolt/elemnt. When i'm riding i want to be able to see clearly and quickly and safely where my next turn off is going to be. A bigger and clearer screen will improve situational awareness.

raqball

Garmin had this before they downsized the 800 series. The 500 series was smaller, the 800 series was mid-sized and the 1000 series was larger. Garmin could solve this going forward by making the next 8xx somewhere in between the the 520 and the 1030.

I think the 1030 is way to big but that's me. I can see where some want a large computer. I'd prefer something the size of the 810 with smaller bezels and a larger screen.

I may still end up getting a 1030 but time will tell how long I keep it due to it's size.

Seattle Forrest

The large screen is useful for maps. The rest of the size, obviously, isn't really useful for the cyclist. Some of it is probably needed for the antenna.

Seattle Forrest

I have a Garmin wrist watch, with GPS and maps. I was afraid to use some of the features together when I first got it, it's a brand new Garmin, let's not confuse the thing. But it's been almost perfect, even right out the door. DCR has said that Garmin's cycling and triathlon products are made by different development teams. I think the watches must work a lot better. (Except for screen size, speaking of the 1030.)

raqball

Based on a somewhat limited search looks like the 1030 has the following bugs reported this far:

1. SD card is recognized but can't be used at all.
2. Rides are not automatically uploading either via BT or WiFi
3. Adding data fields on map page causes crashes

Not bad all things considered. I've not seen any touchscreen complaints thus far which is promising.

WheresWaldo

This was my point, they had it then they took it away. Garmin made the 8xx series the size of the 520 and kept the 1xxx form factor for the 1030.

Just as a comparison the 1030 which is slightly bigger than the 1000 is 58 x 114 x 19 mm and weighs 123g
The 810 was only 51 x 93 x 25 mm and weighed 98g

When looking at the 81x series on the front of the bike it doesn't, at least to me, look like I tried to hang a smartphone on my bike. Not saying I wouldn't enjoy a bigger screen, I have to ride with bifocals anyway, so bigger screens mean bigger numbers, still blurry just bigger, still need the readers.

The 1030 is not really in the same league as current flagship phones, more like two generations back with regard to size and weight. But you would expect the technology to have improved in the 3+ years since the introduction of the 1000 to make an 81x size cyclo-computer with all the 1030 features and still include a bigger screen.

raqball

Yeah I wear contacts when I ride so I have no issues reading even small screen like the Edge 25. Without my contacts in I'd get same blurry images no matter the size of the computer. Just a larger blob of blur...

I am currently looking at getting something. I might score another 820 since it appears as though Garmin has resolved the crap touchscreen on it since last I had it. I *might* be able to score an Edge 1030 for $500 but even at that price I am having 2nd thoughts. I am not really into the ginormous computers. When I had the Cyclo 505, I dug it but the size always bothered me.

I rarely navigate and rarely change screens when riding. I get the larger screen makes swiping and navigation easier but the trade off is having an iPad Mini looking contraption strapped to the front of the bike.

For someone who navigates a lot I can see the 1030 making sense as the super-duper large screen will allow more of the map to be seen and easier movement / scrolling of the map..

I'd really like to see the Edge 1030 features and the better screen sized down to 810'ish sizing.

dim

I don't get it ... I don't worry about the map .... I have my main screen set showing data such as speed, ave speed etc .... when I need to make a turn, my edge 1000 beeps and switches to the map page 200 yards before the turn .... after the turn, it reverts back to the data page

I'd hate riding and having to stare at the map the whole time?

as for switching screens ... use the remote button .... pointless riding at 20mph and trying to switch screens at speed or in the rain .... just press the button (these remote switches should be sold with the Garmins instead of an accesory)

Steve B.

Yes, I should qualify by stating any GPS cycling computer from Garmin, though the 520 seems a hit out of the box.

My Garmin Swim Watch has been terrific.

raqball

The 520 is fantastic! I ended up buying an 820 today from my LBS during their Labor Days sale. The owner hooked me up and I scored it for $300. I'll consider that a killer deal and won't be interested in the 1030 anymore.

I'll still track the 1030 because it's a cool gadget but I'll roll with the 820 until the 830, 840, or whatever they call the next version...

Steve B.

I'd be looking at the Elemnt. It's the size of an 820 yet has the ability to easily zoom in/out of the data screen so you can set the display to a size that's comfortable for your eyes. REI sells these so you could boot one up and play with the unit or just buy one and return it if you don't like it.

I think in general folks have a huge variety of the uses of the maps on a bike computer. Some don't really need to see the map but want to navigate, thus only need turn by turn. A 520 probably does this best. Others might want to be able to see some form of map to maybe pick an alternative road. An 820, Bolt and Element (and others) do this reasonably well. Others might need a better or larger map display and will want a 1000/1030. Sometimes it's only for use on paved road where the base maps as installed on the Wahoos and Garmin 820/1000/1030 will work. Other times it might be for extensive off road use where you might need to install topo base maps to keep from getting lost in woods. I think only the Garmin's allow you to install the Topo OpenStreetMaps for this kind of use.


For giggles I used RWGPS to generate a route in the Adirondacks, on dirt roads in the Fulton Chain of lakes regions. The RWGPS online map gives an option of displaying a topo map (as does Garmin Connect), but the saved route as sent to my Bolt only shows a route in a green background, so obviously the Wahoo base map file has no topo or off road display capabilities, this might be an issue if using this unit when riding among roads that do not show up on the unit map. How it generates turn by turn in this instance is a puzzle, if it does it at all. So this becomes one consideration as to choosing a unit.

EDIT: Never mind, just saw your reply

raqball

I had the Bolt (twice) and both times I had yellow splotches in the bottom corners.



They were very visible when in direct sunlight and the replacement was even worse and had the splotches in all 4 corners.. My main worry was the screen detaching as one user actually had that happen. Also when pressing the bottom row (left and right) buttons the splotches would get larger.

Maybe I got bad units but I didn't want to try again. It is a fantastic computer however.

Steve B.

Defective units. These splotches don't show up on my unit. The photos I posted show no splotches.

But best of luck with your 820.

raqball

Didn't even mess with it until it updated. Maps took 2 hours then all was updated and current. So far the touchscreen is MUCH better than the 1st 820 I had when it was released.

1st ride with it tomorrow but so far it's snappy and responsive. Knock on wood! LOL

raqball

Yeah the remote is awesome! I had it with my Edge 1000 and loved it. Super easy to use and effective! I'll probably order another remote to use with the Edge 820.

Another area where the remote is nice to have is if you have oily fingers, like I do, or sweat a lot. After a long ride in 100 degree plus temps, my touchscreen would look like a smeared and smudged hot mess from interacting with it. With the remote you would rarely have to touch the screen so it keeps it cleaner.

Seattle Forrest

I realize everyone needs to make a living. But I think $600 is way too much for a computer that's only useful on a bike. Some of the features like training load and status will not work properly for anyone who does other forms of exercise.

WheresWaldo

There are times I ride that I almost exclusively use the map screen. Every once in a while I just ride to discover new places to ride, not a training ride, not a cool-down ride, not part of a training regimen. I have found a lot of interesting places looking at the map and saying to myself, this road seem to go through let's find out where it goes. That is one reason I like Garmin, I can load much more detailed and newer maps than those supplied by Garmin. I really like the 810 form factor and wished that Garmin would see there might be a need for something between 820 and 1030.

It was odd, or at least I thought so, that Garmin was resizing the 8xx series and then didn't do the same for the 1xxx series. I left a post for DCRainmaker and he just said he thinks the old 8xx form factor is dead.

raqball

That's a bummer. So 520/820 size or 1030 size going forward?

I can deal with the 520/820 size but was hoping for the old 810 size to make a comeback.

WheresWaldo

My understanding from Ray's response was that he seemed unaware if Garmin was going to bring back the 800/810 form factor. My assumption was, if anyone outside of Garmin would have an idea, it would be Ray.

raqball

Kudos to Garmin. Looks like the Edge 1030 has already received a firmware update.

Link: https://www8.garmin.com/support/downl...s.jsp?id=12335

allan6344

I've been using it for about a week and so far am happy with the upgrade from a 1000.

taz777

I like the aesthetics of the Edge 1030. It looks like a more upmarket product than the Edge 1000. However, in terms of functionality, there's not much more than an Edge 1000, with the latest software updates, already does. I've had my Edge 1000 for a while now and it's taken at least a couple of years of software upgrades for the Edge 1000 to turn into a very capable and highly functional cycle computer. As with most things tech, I imagine that the Edge 1000 will be less catered for in future upgrades with the Edge 1030 moving further ahead in terms of features.

raqball

So after all my hate on the Edge 1030 I went ahead and ordered one to 'maybe' replace my Edge 820... It will be here tomorrow and if I can have FedEx hold it for pickup, I can snag it in the AM when they open, and ride with it tomorrow.

If it stinks, then back it will go but I am willing to give it a run.

My concerns are still the same:

1. It's ginormous! Could be a plus for map viewing and swiping the screen
2. Bugs, bugs, bugs oh my! Been reading the Garmin forums and they appear to be minimal at this point
3. Price. It's ridiculous but what the heck, we only live once