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Buy 1040 Solar/non-Solar - or wait for a possible 840?

7176483
over 2 years ago

Hi all

Thanks for reading.

I've got a Fenix 6 Pro, very happy with that one, and also a Wahoo Bolt. While I'm happy with the computer itself, I am considering a complete move to the Garmin eco-system, to avoid having to track fitness status and the rest of the metrics we all love.

From my reading about the 1040, the functions that sort of stand out (in addition to the more usual stuff) is the analysis aspects that the 1040 brings over the current 830 plus.

So - some level of speculation, of course - I can get the 1040 for around 520 USD, and the Solar for 580 USD. Pretty decent deals, for sure.

What would you do - and why?

Will the 840 be launched, say before Easter? Does Solar equate to 60 dollars more in value?

I'm all about road cycling - in addition to Zwift for the rather long in-door season in the northernmost part of Norway..

Thanks for your input!

BR

Tore

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I would suggest the non-solar version. The battery life is fantastic even without the marginal gains from the solar. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I'm not a fan of a phablet on the bars so am looking forward to an 840 coming out, which I assume is going to happen sooner or later.  Perhaps it'll have benefited from the 1040 bug laden launch and come out of the gate more solid, though I'm not holding my breath given Garmin's record.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to looigi

    For what it’s worth, I feared the 1040 would be too big and “phabletly” but it’s so sleek that hasn’t been a problem at all. The bezel is slim, the screen looks great, and the updated GUI makes fantastic use of it. If you can try one you may find you don’t mind it’s size at all. That said I have lots of friends holding out for the release of the 840.

    Also I sort of wish I’d gone solar. The battery life is great but like, why not at the price point? Less charging hassle for those summer days of long and back to back rides.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to looigi

    Calling any of the 1000 series a "phablet" is silly. (They are all smaller than a iPhone 5, which was a smallish smartphone.)

    The bigger format could be a bit more useful for navigation.

    The size of the 830 still works fine.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    As well as the solar charging you get double the storage and a case. The solar does make the screen slightly dimmer. I have solar but would also be ok without it. It’s a close call  

    fwiw 840 is likely later this year, probably the next few months as there are a few rumours surfacing already. 

    Garmin could do more with the bigger screen on the 1040 than they do. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to jgforrest

    Wow, they really don’t highlight the storage and case. I would’ve sprung for it had I known that.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to dpawlyk

    Calling it a phablet is hyperbole, exaggeration emphasizing that it is significantly larger than I would prefer for my use on road and mtb. Even the 830 is bigger than I'd like, and much of it is bezel rather than useful display. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to looigi

    Calling it a phablet is useless too.

    It's not likely the 830 will be made any smaller since that would reduce the size of the battery too.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I bought the regular version and I'm more than happy with the battery life. I'm riding everyday and still have to recharge rarely. Never missed the additional storage. I mean, for what? It stores the complete EU map and still has plenty of storage left. The 1040's size fts my mountainbike perfectly and is much better than the 530 I had before for navigating. The UI togehter with the size makes it also easy to use even with winter MTB gloves on.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to dpawlyk
    dpawlyk said:
    Calling any of the 1000 series a "phablet" is silly.

    Hell, silly or not my eyes sure do appreciate the larger font. I have never needed glasses but, at 47, my eyes are starting to fail me ever so lightly. Sucks getting old.