Garmin recently released a new flagship cycling device – the Garmin Edge 1030. With the Garmin Edge 1000 being so capable it would be fair to ask if it is worth upgrading to the Edge 1030…? Hopefully this article will help you decide.
First up we’ll discuss what is new on the Edge 1030, followed by similarities between the Edge 1030 and 1000 devices, before finally discussing the features that set the 1030 apart from the 1000.
New Features on the Garmin Edge 1030
- Revamped main user dashboard
- New FirstBeat Recovery and Training Status metrics
- New External Battery Pack Option: You can now attach a secondary battery pack to the bottom of your bike mount.
- Longer battery life
- Trendline popularity routing – below you’ll find more info on Trendline
- Support for Bluetooth Smart sensors
- New Garmin Connect Mobile Course Creator
- New Garmin Connect Mobile Workout Creator
- Rider to Rider Messaging
- Real-time Strava Segment listings
- New Strava Routes Connect IQ App (pre-loaded): This app allows you to upload your saved Strava Routes directly to your Edge 1030 device
- TrainingPeaks& Best Bike Split Connect IQ apps pre-loaded
- Updated Workout Functionality: Software now lets you restart a structured workout step, for instance if you get stuck at a red traffic light.
- New out-front mount: Places unit level with handlebars, instead of above it.
Similarities between the Garmin Edge 1030 vs 1000
- High-end training metrics and data
- High-end maps and navigation, including turn-by-turn notifications
- Customizable screens
- Connectivity via ANT+ with multiple devices and sensors, such as heart rate monitors and power meters
- Smart notifications, phone call and text message alerts, real-time weather
- Large, colour touch-screen
- Access to both GPS and Glonass satellite systems, for instant GPS sinal acquisition
- Will record your bike rides and wirelessly transfer your data to Garmin Connect (and Strava)
- Strava segments
- Live tracking – which means your partner (or other designated person) can track where you are
- Group Track (keep track of the rest of your team)
Features that are Different in the Garmin Edge 1030 vs 1000
GENERAL | Edge 1030 | Edge 1000 |
Big picture | Bigger screen and improved battery life. Improved Strava functionality & other new features | Great for training and navigation. Premier bike computer, with colour, touch-screen, making it easy to view and navigate maps |
Weight | 123 g | 114.5 |
Unit Size | 5.84 x 11.4 x 2.1 cm | 5.1 x 9.3 x 2.5 cm |
Display resolution, Width x Height | 282 x 470 pixels; colour | 240 x 400 pixels; colour |
Touchscreen
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Yes – improved. Much better in rain and for use with gloves | Yes |
Landscape mode available | No – landscape discontinued as it was not used much | Yes |
Battery life | Up to 20 hours | Up to 15 hours |
Additional external battery | Yes, Garmin Charge power pack increases battery life from 20 hours to 44 hours | No |
Is the screen responsive to level of ambient light? | Yes, it will brighten when ambient light darkens | Yes, it will brighten when ambient light darkens |
CONNECTIVITY |
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Incident alert? (to tell your spouse/friend if you have an accident) | Yes | No, the 1000 does not have a built-in accelerometer to detect incidents
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Message other cyclists directly? | Yes, as long as they also have a 1030 | No |
Smart phone Connected features | Yes – Live Tracking, send/receive courses, workouts and training plans wirelessly, social media sharing, smart notifications (texts and calls). | Yes – Live Tracking, send/receive courses, workouts and training plans wirelessly, social media sharing, smart notifications (texts and calls)
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BlueTooth Smart (BlueTooth 4.0) | Yes | No |
Accepts SD cards | Yes, including optional memory card in the micro-SD slot. Improved weather protection for the card | Yes, including optional memory card in the micro-SD slot |
Cycling Features | ||
TrainingPeaks & Best Bike Split Connect IQ apps pre-loaded | Yes | No, but you can download it from the App store |
Stress score (requires HR monitor) | Yes | No |
Garmin Connect Real-Time segments | Yes | Yes |
Strava Real-Time segments? | Yes, the unit will now use your phone to show you actual Strava segments nearby as you ride along (not just pre-loaded ones), along with real-time data on those segments (If you have Strava premium) | Yes, if you have Strava premium |
Automatically download new routes created in Strava to the unit? | Yes | No |
MAPS AND NAVIGATION | ||
New feature: Trendline popularity routing – When creating routes, it’ll leverage all the data from Garmin Connect to find the best cycling routes across road, mountain, and gravel categories, meaning that it’s going to leverage where people actually ride.
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Yes | No |
Navigation | Yes – once you pick a location, it will guide you to that location. Improved because it uses popularity routing | Yes – once you pick a location, it will guide you to that location |
Turn-by-turn guidance | Yes – just like a car GPS, it will warn you a turn is coming, and tell you when to turn (with text and a beep). Also now has alerts of upcoming sharp turns | Yes – just like a car GPS, it will warn you a turn is coming, and tell you when to turn (with text and a beep) |
Preloaded basemap | Yes, preloaded and IMPROVED Garmin Cycle Map with bike-specific navigation so it can give you turn-by-turn navigation instructions | Yes, preloaded Garmin Cycle Map with bike-specific navigation so it can give you turn-by-turn navigation instructions |