Incorrect and fluctuating values in "Grade" data field

4864655

I recently bought an Edge 1040 Solar and have taken it for two rides. The “Grade” data field shows incorrect values. When riding on a flat section of road, it usually shows -1%, often changing to -2% or even -3% or -4%. This happens on roads leading through the forest (paved ones, so the sky is not blocked by branches). In open spaces, the values in this field seem correct and in line with my feelings, but it is enough to pass a few trees growing by the road (or buildings) for the value in the “Grade” field to change to -1% or -2%.

When I'm not riding in completely open space, Garmin stubbornly “claims that I'm riding downhill,” even though the ‘Ascent’ field counts the meters of elevation gain. The values in the “Grade” field change very quickly and abruptly, e.g., from -3% to 0% even though the road is flat.

The device has the latest software 29.22. I have the satellites set to auto-select. I calibrated the compass and set the altimeter calibration to automatic. I also did a soft reset. It didn't help.

In addition, the battery is draining faster than I expected. It loses 9-10% in 2.5 hours of riding (backlight at 10%, 3 sensors and a phone connected, LiveTrack enabled). What else can I do or check?

  • 0

    10% battery in 2.5 hours is not too bad.

    That's 25 hours for a full battery.

    You can try to set backlight to "auto".

    The grade problem is known and many have complained already.

  • 0

    As   has said, your battery drain isn't unusual. It varies a little, I find, and the battery meter is not, in any case, very accurate. I don't recharge more than once a week, have done a 300km and a 400km ride in recent months with at least 60% of my battery (apparently!) left after the rides, and have never come near running out of power. Battery life is unlikely to be an issue for many with the 1040, even if the quoted "forty hours" is a bit of a best case scenario. 

    As has also been said, grade is a long term issue. It's irritating, but the workaround is to install the Sensible Grade IQ app. This results in readings that make sense. Why Garmin can't understand this, and fix it, is beyond me. 

  • 0

    with backlight "Stays On" this consumption is ok, if you set it "15sec" (and wiith "auto brightness") then it will be lot better, the Stays On needs only in dark/night (with the minimal 10% or with auto brightness), during the day it is unnecessary with 1040/x40. 

  • 0 in reply to Luko79

    Yeah, but I ride mostly after the sunset, so "Stays On" is a must-have. At least for me. True, during the day I turn the backlight off.

  • 0 in reply to Cristox

    25h is nearly the same as my previous Edge - 830. But I'll observe the battery drain as 2 rides is not much, indeed.
    I don't trust the auto backlight function at all. It was a real battery killer in 830. But maybe I should give it a try.

  • 0 in reply to simondaw

    Thank you for answer, I see that you understand my concerns. What you wrote about battery life over longer distances is important to me because I do some ultra-distance rides from time to time. I'll keep an eye on it.

    And thanks for the tip about the Sensible Grade field, I'll try it out. I used the Climb+ field on my 830 and downloaded it on the 1040 as well. The readings are very different from the stock field. It's a pity that Garmin doesn't get it.

    EDIT: So changing the auto-select setting in "Satellites" to any other won't make a difference in terms of the Grade field, am I right?

  • 0 in reply to 4864655

    yes, the (change of) gnss setting is not improving the grade field , unfortunately (i am using the multiulti aka best but i have same negative grades on flat and unrealistic numbers on climbing, sometimes it is close, sometimes it is totally off, like a random number generator (even on clear skyview, but if a user's ciq app can display very good values from the same raw datas, then something is not good at Garmin's coding team...)

  • 0

    Ok, so I did a longer ride last Saturday and it proved that the battery in my 1040 works well, as you all claimed. I started with 100% of the battery and finished with 71%, riding for 14h and having the backlight set to 10% for 45% of this time, with sensors, phone and LiveTrack set as I mentioned in my first post.

    I noticed that the backlight really drains the battery (even set to 10%) and this explains why I worried about battery life having my first rides in the dark, with the backlight on. Overall, I'm very happy with the battery, especially that the solar gain was actually none (+6 minutes) and the temperature was low (average 3°C).

    I also tested the Sensible Grade data field and it works so well! It does great job, displaying values perfectly corresponding to my "leg grade sensor". This data field has really restored the fun emerging from purchasing a new Edge. I couldn't stand what the stock field was displaying, yet I can't imagine riding without any grade indication.

    Thanks everyone for answers and hints.

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