Garmin 1040 Solar real-world opinions wanted

[lechatnoir]

I'm looking to buy a 1040 Solar and would like input from people who've used it and can comment on the solar charging capabilities.

Specifically, IS there a thermal cutoff on the solar charging? I've read it was around 30C, which is pretty hopeless in SA - that's nightime sometimes!!

 

thanks in advance

[Furbz]

haven't heard about the thermal cutout thing. 

i do have some firsthand experience with the unit.

I'd say for the moment Solar charging is a gimmick. on a hot cloudless day on a 3 hour ride in JHB i might get 5 minutes extra battery on a unit that last for days regardless of the solar.

The only pro i found with the solar is it measures sun exposure and puts a value to it. its interesting, but once again, who cares? what are you going to do? shorten your planned workout?

we all wear high factor suncream so not much more you can do there.

 

the other issue i had with the unit is its size, its lovely, and gives a super clear image.

but it only fits on its own mount. all my other garmin mounts didn't work as the unit would touch my bars and not allow me to turn it into place, ie they were to short. so if you have multiple bikes be ready to fork out more for extra mounts that are long enough to allow you to turn it in to lock in place. this was really frustrating on 2 of my bikes with their own proprietary mounts. i had no way of getting the unit to fit without resorting to those ugly elastic type mounts on the bars.

finally if your bike has a proprietary garmin mount check with the manufacturer if it will hold the 1040 unit. it is heavy and half of them are not designed for such a weighty unit and will eventually fatigue. 

finally as a unit its excellent to work with. nice bright display that is easy to read. has more functions than you can wave a stick at and it pretty to boot.

apart from the above issues i highly recommend it, or alternatively i highly recommend the non-solar version. just be aware of the mounting issue.

as a side, i am currently riding with a 130 plus unit. and it does everything i need and more. radar, live track, power, HR, hell its even compatible with supersapiens. i never use maps so its perfect. battery in good for 2x long rides on the weekend.

i also have a Hammerhead Karoo 2 that is gathering dust for the moment, until it has better live track i do not see myself using it much. but also an excellent unit.

Edited January 10, 2023 by Furbz

[lechatnoir]

43 minutes ago, Furbz said:

haven't heard about the thermal cutout thing. 

i do have some firsthand experience with the unit.

I'd say for the moment Solar charging is a gimmick. on a hot cloudless day on a 3 hour ride in JHB i might get 5 minutes extra battery on a unit that last for days regardless of the solar.

The only pro i found with the solar is it measures sun exposure and puts a value to it. its interesting, but once again, who cares? what are you going to do? shorten your planned workout?

we all wear high factor suncream so not much more you can do there.

 

the other issue i had with the unit is its size, its lovely, and gives a super clear image.

but it only fits on its own mount. all my other garmin mounts didn't work as the unit would touch my bars and not allow me to turn it into place, ie they were to short. so if you have multiple bikes be ready to fork out more for extra mounts that are long enough to allow you to turn it in to lock in place. this was really frustrating on 2 of my bikes with their own proprietary mounts. i had no way of getting the unit to fit without resorting to those ugly elastic type mounts on the bars.

finally if your bike has a proprietary garmin mount check with the manufacturer if it will hold the 1040 unit. it is heavy and half of them are not designed for such a weighty unit and will eventually fatigue. 

finally as a unit its excellent to work with. nice bright display that is easy to read. has more functions than you can wave a stick at and it pretty to boot.

apart from the above issues i highly recommend it, or alternatively i highly recommend the non-solar version. just be aware of the mounting issue.

as a side, i am currently riding with a 130 plus unit. and it does everything i need and more. radar, live track, power, HR, hell its even compatible with supersapiens. i never use maps so its perfect. battery in good for 2x long rides on the weekend.

i also have a Hammerhead Karoo 2 that is gathering dust for the moment, until it has better live track i do not see myself using it much. but also an excellent unit.

thanks for the feedback. doing a bit of a google and reading some forums and one user got his unit exchanged after reporting the poor solar benefit you mention

[Spinnekop]

Solar is a gimmick.  Been using mine for 6 months now.
The battery on the 1040 is pretty awesome having said the above.  

Screen quality also pretty crap with the solar units vs normal.

And then on one of my rides in December I noticed a hair on the screen......turns out it was a crack from right to left.  
One moment it's fine, next moment it was cracked.  No crashes.  No drops.  Nudda.  In the ride.

Garmin SA's report took 2 weeks and states:  
"Corning Gorilla Glass DX is used for the Power Glass lens and is designed to be scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof. Impact cosmetic mark on the screen has lead to a cosmetic crack. Warranty voided"

So that is that.
Cost me R3400 to repair.  Which feels like a ripoff for a piece of glass.  Even though it has gorilla in it......

Reading on the interwebs, there are a few people around the world that also has cracked solar 1040 units.  Coincidence?  Garmin thinks so.  

So that is my experience on the unit.

Edited January 10, 2023 by Spinnekop

[lechatnoir]

On 1/10/2023 at 9:22 AM, Furbz said:

haven't heard about the thermal cutout thing. 

i do have some firsthand experience with the unit.

I'd say for the moment Solar charging is a gimmick. on a hot cloudless day on a 3 hour ride in JHB i might get 5 minutes extra battery on a unit that last for days regardless of the solar.

<snip>

I eventually ended up with a solar unit. this past weekend, managed a 4.5hr ride and (reportedly) got 1hr's worth of charge. perhaps Garmin needs to take a look at your unit?

Enjoying the new toy so far. seems a big upgrade from a 520, in more ways than one.

[Mongoose!]

R15k 👀