Test Garmin Edge 1050 – Great bike GPS but a few shortcomings

Test video summary

My summary

How do I use the Garmin Edge 1050?

The Garmin Edge 1050 is a high-end GPS computer for cyclists. With its high price tag and advanced training features, it’s best suited to regular sportsmen and women wishing to track and improve their performance, or to lovers of cutting-edge technology. Its long autonomy will be appreciated by long-distance enthusiasts, and its group functions make it ideal for the social cyclist who likes to ride in a group. It’s also ideal for cyclists who want to look up from their handlebars, thanks to its built-in microphone😉

Features

• Dimensions: 60.2 x 118.5 x 16.3 mm
• Weight: 161g
• Display: color, touch-sensitive, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), 88.9 mm (3.5″), 480 x 800 pixels
• Water resistance: IPX7
• Autonomy: up to 20 hours in intensive use, up to 60 hours in energy-saving mode
• Built-in loudspeaker
• Internal memory: 64 GB
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
• Price: 749.99 euros

Our full review of the Garmin Edge 1050

Design and ergonomics

The Garmin Edge 1050 sports a new, more angular design. It retains similar dimensions to its predecessor, the Edge 1040, but comes with a slight increase in weight. It still features 3 buttons for easy navigation between the various display screens, but the rear mounting bracket is once again made of replaceable plastic, guaranteeing better repairability and avoiding damage to the GPS mount.

Screen

The mostobvious improvement on first use is the high-resolution 3.5″ TFT-LCD touchscreen, which is much brighter and more colorful than those of its predecessors. This ensures optimum readability in all weather conditions. Thanks to its ambient light sensor, it automatically adapts its backlighting to optimize GPS battery life.

The curved edges of the screen make it difficult to fit a protective screen, but the glass has been strengthened for greater impact resistance and reduced glare.

The touch is responsive, even with gloves on or in the rain, but I found it sometimes lacked precision with thicker gloves for those who ride outdoors even in the coldest conditions.

Autonomy

The Garmin Edge 1050’s battery life is shorter than that of its predecessors, due to its much brighter, energy-guzzling display. However, the battery life, between 20 and 60 hours depending on the mode of use, remains more than sufficient for most users. Only long-distance enthusiasts and bicycle travelers will regret the absence of the Solar version, which extended battery life thanks to solar power. The additional Garmin Charge battery can still be connected to extend GPS autonomy.

A revamped interface

I really like the new interface, which has been redesigned to deliver a better user experience. It’s more user-friendly and intuitive, with simplified menu navigation. However, the menus are still complex, with functions found in various menus that you have to open by sliding your finger up, down or from one side of the screen to the other – it’s easy to get lost!

But with a little practice, you get used to it , and the main functions are now highlighted on the home screen, with the latest downloaded workout and route, for example: very practical! You can also customize the menus for easier access to the functions you use most often.

GPS, mapping and route tracking

Despite its connectivity to the main satellite systems and an accurate signal in most cases, I occasionally experienced an unpleasant loss of signal in relatively isolated environments. The GPS no longer knew which path it was on, jumping from one path to another and pointing me in the wrong direction. I had to get out my smartphone to guide me.

The computer comes with Garmin Cycling Map and Trailforks (mountain bike trail map) preloaded. One of the major benefits of Garmin mapping is the display of POIs such as toilets or supermarkets, particularly useful for cyclists on the move. Map backgrounds have been enhanced with distinct colors for different types of road surface, making the map easier to read.

But the new feature I was most looking forward to was the ability to download new maps via WiFi, a feature previously only accessible via a computer. Much more practical now!

Built-in loudspeaker

The Edge 1050 incorporates a speakerphone that lets you receive voice instructions for navigation or coaching during a workout. It may sound like a gadget, but it comes in very handy when you don’t want to have your nose constantly on the screen. I avoid using it on group rides, however, as it can be chatty and therefore annoying.

The loudspeaker also enables the meter to offer a virtual doorbell that can be activated by pressing a button on the screen. Although this method is not ideal, it can be configured to activate by pressing a joystick for those equipped with an electronic unit.

Connectivity

The Edge 1050 has triple Wifi, Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, making it compatible with a very wide range of accessories and sensors. While it’s fast and fluid in most cases, I’ve experienced random connections between the Garmin Connect app and the GPS meter, sometimes forcing me to restart the device several times before it synchronizes.

As with its predecessors, you can receive notifications and control your phone’s music on the screen. The latest addition to the range is the ability to pay with your GPS meter, thanks to Garmin Pay.

Sports activities and training

The Garmin Edge 1050 is the ideal tool for cyclists who want to progress and analyze their data. It offers a comprehensive range of functions , including dynamic power monitoring, pedaling stroke analysis and downhill smoothness evaluation.

And, as with previous Garmin GPS models, personalization is a central element of the experience , enabling you to adapt the GPS to your expectations and needs, depending on the type of outing. Indeed, while the GPS is highly specialized in cycling, it is possible to set up several profiles with different data and personalized screens or alerts depending on your type of riding (mountain biking, road, indoor…).

You can also synchronize your training program with the device, or create one free of charge with Garmin Coach.

Community functions

The Garmin Edge 1050 offers a host of community functions. Among them, a new feature that will also be found on the brand’s older computers via a software update, is a route hazard alert system. This enables the user to signal the presence of an obstacle and alert other cyclists with compatible Garmin computers.

Cyclists who like to ride in a group will appreciate GroupRide’s new features, which enable the peloton to locate each participant, send instant messages, challenge each other on climbs on the course or send an alert to the group if an incident is detected.

Garmin Share also lets you share routes and workouts with other compatible devices in your vicinity.

Conclusion

The Garmin Edge 1050 is a technological jewel designed for cyclists who like to analyze their data. With its high degree of customization and good battery life, it will appeal to the majority of cyclists ready to invest in top-of-the-range equipment, its high price being commensurate with its technological performance… Even if we’d like to see the few remaining faults corrected!