dalava

Picked up the bundle from REI over the weekend. This unit itself is definite a step above all previous Garmin efforts, and the new sensors are pretty neat and much easier to install. There are a lot of reviews out there already, so I am not going to repeat them, but for me, here are some glaring issues you may want to think about before you buy it:

1. The Bike Profile feature is missing. No more odometers for each of your n bikes. Not sure why Garmin deleted this feature, but they did. I emailed them and asked for it back. We will see.

2. Landscape mode does not work, yet. I heard it will be later with software updates, but so far, nothing can be displayed in Landscape mode.

3. None of the existing Garmin quarter-turn mounts will fit this. I had the old Garmin Out-front, K-Edge, and SRAM. All of them are too short. The mount included in the box works but pretty bulky and fugly. The only one currently will work with this is the K-Edge XL which is about $45.

4. To get the most out of this unit, you need to run Garmin Connect Mobile app on your smartphone all the time, including text message/call alerts.

coppercook62

Wait until you get the screen locked bug. That one sucks.

Nebby10

Or the funky elevation difference....
Garmin 800 vs Garmin 1000 with iBike gradient reference - YouTube

Pug

IMHO, this is ridiculous. Also just makes me more reliant Strava instead of Garmin Connect. If the 1000 doesn't track bikes, do you need to re-pair it with speed/candence sensor each time you use it on a different bike?

merlinextraligh

The Bike profiles thing could be an issue with a power meter. On my 800, on one profile, it looks for my Quarq, on another profile, it looks for my Vector.

Without, seperate profiles, does it automatically pair with the right power meter for the bike it's on?

dalava

There is now separate section about Sensors where all the sensors you ever paired with are listed (but with cryptic numbers), and the Garmin 1000 will automatically connect to the nearest ones. I have not tried to confuse it yet by turning it on near all my bikes with multiple sensors in close proximity. I suspect it won't be happy and probably will lock on the wrong one.

Pug

Oh boy. I hope it doesn't automatically detect the sensor belonging to some person who just happens to be riding next to me! Anyway, thanks for the PSA on the 1000. I'll be sticking with my 500 for the forseeable future.

dalava

I am hopeful that Garmin will add the Bike Profile back in.

The landscape thing would be nice, and I am sure it will be used in future software updates. In fact, I would love to use it in landscape mode all the time.

The problem with the mounts actually is more an issue for me because I have 5 mounts now I have to replace, and they are not cheap.

BTW, I did experience the screen lock bug, but it wasn't that big of a deal. I didn't test this against others for elevation data, so I can't speak to that. From my experience, all elevation data from Garmin devices (510, 800) are estimates to begin with. The altimeter in these things are not very accurate.

Genaro

I think the 1000 is an excellent piece of gadgetry. Anyone with an 810 needs to run out to buy one and sell your 810 on craigslist for $200. Offer it up to me before you post on Craigslist though.

rangerdavid

I'm sticking with my 810. No issues at all so far.

merlinextraligh

this could be a major problem on a tandem.

dalava

Good point. I never thought about that.

Looigi

With Garmin, you "upgrade" from one can of worms to another can of worms.

merlinextraligh

^ it took some work getting 2 sets of Vector pedals to pair with two seperate garmins (an 800 and a 500). After the initial set up it works ok. Sounds like it could be more difficult with the 1000.

MikeDVB

It seems like Garmin is taking steps in the wrong direction. Disappointing.

dalava

I would say this, tho: before the Edge 1000, Garmin's hardware have all been "utility"-focused, and their design and fit-and-finish left a lot to be desired as a consumer electronics. This may have a lot to do with their background in making professional GPS gears. But the Edge 1000 is definitely a better consumer device, e.g. a Sony.

Garmin's software, however, are still a mess, and nothing really changed for the Edge 1000. I wish they hire some real application software designer and engineers with usability and human-computer interface experiences. I am in the mass consumer-facing application software industry, and I could never quite figure out how a relatively large company like Garmin couldn't do something my team of 10 probably could knock it out in less than 12 months.

john.b

Does the Garmin 1000 touchscreen work with gloved fingers?

dalava

Haven't tried that yet since I am wearing summer gloves. I will give that a try and report back. The old 510/800 worked with gloved fingers.

kleng

I really don't like the size of the 1000, might as well put the iphone up front.

Is the screen really much bigger than an 810, the large back border looks like the full screen size is not being utilized in most of the photo's in DC Rainmakers review. ?

First look at the new Garmin Edge 1000 | DC Rainmaker


I'm liking the new speed and cadence sensor, the install looks easier to put on and take off.

Also great that they are backwardly compatible to the 810

achoo

Or heaven forbid your buddy wrecks and you let him borrow your PowerTap for a race while you're on your Quarq.

Garmin not be thinking...

I'm still trying to resurrect my 705 so I can get accurate elevation data. Sheesh.

achoo

How often did you put on and/or take off the speed/cadence sensor in the first place?

kleng

I have a few bikes and wheelset combinations, so rather than semi- permanently mounting the sensors unit on each frame with zipp ties, it's great you can swap them from bike to bike easily, when you move the garmin 810 head unit. You then don't have to adjust al the wheel and cranks magnet positions for the slight frame and wheel differences for each setup. The existing sensors have a tight tolerance to work well, so the setup has to be spot on.

achoo

Oh, lovely. Rubber-band mounted sensors. Guess they're planning on selling a lot of replacements.

coppercook62

I dont think so . I have sensors on both bikes. In the sensor settings i named each sensor by the bike. So its sort of like profiles. It asked me which sensor the other day when pairing it. So the crumpton i named the speed and cadence sensor "crumpton" and cervelo "Cervelo". I also got the di2 dongle and did the same thing. The feature i liked on 800 was that it kept mile totals for each bike the 1000 doesnt. Hope that helps

dalava

The size of the screen is bigger, but that's not as important as the improved resolution. Now the map navigation function is quite usable. I left it on the map screen during one of my rides and I can clearly see the road I am on as well as a few roads and intersections coming up, much like a car navigation device. And this is also one of the reasons I would like to see the landscape mode working soon.

The new sensors are very easy to put on and take off; it takes me no more than a couple of minutes to move them from one bike to another. The cadence sensor uses the included 3-band rubber band and it feel quite secure on the crankarm. The speed sensor, however, is in a rubber housing with a wrap-around band snapped to a tab. When mounted to my front wheel hub, it's not very tight. So far, a few hundred miles in, it's still there, but I am still a little worried.