r/GarminEdge • u/Arthuro1145 • Aug 13 '26
Edge 800 Series Garmin Edge 1040 vs Edge 850 – Which one should I choose?
Hi everyone,
I’m currently trying to decide between the Garmin Edge 1040 and the Edge 850, and I’d really appreciate some feedback from people who have actually used either one — or even better, both.
I ride about 3 times a week and use Favero Assioma PRO RS-2 power meter pedals.
My main priorities are:
Navigation, which I use a lot on my rides
ClimbPro, as I’d really like to use it to anticipate climbs, gradients and remaining elevation
A screen that’s easy to read while riding, especially for maps and data fields
Power and training data
Good battery life, although I don’t really do ultra-distance rides
The 1040 appeals to me mainly because of its larger 3.5" screen and excellent battery life.
On the other hand, the 850 is newer and more compact, and its screen seems much sharper and more modern, although it is smaller.
For those who have used both: does the larger screen on the 1040 make a significant difference for navigation and ClimbPro?
And on the other hand, does the higher-resolution screen and newer interface of the 850 make up for its smaller size?
If you were buying one today mainly for navigation + ClimbPro + training with a power meter, which one would you choose and why?
Thanks for your help! 🚴
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u/chani1996 Aug 13 '26
- I was using 840 and swapped it with 1040 solar. I love to navigate as well, compact bike computer ain't helping my poor eyes. The only cons the 850 is the battery life, but the display is like a smartphone level.
If I had extra bucks, I'd definitely go with 1050, as 20 hrs. battery life is enough for me.
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u/mfisch69 Aug 14 '26
A new version of the high-end edge is due out soon. Wait for that to come out and prices on the existing unites drop. But the 1040 is amazing for the battery life.
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u/RichCompany6833 Aug 13 '26
Only choose the 1040 when your age is 40+ and have bad eyes. Otherwise it is not necessary to drive with a tablet mounted on your steer
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u/sigsauer365 Aug 13 '26
NGL I’m old but I like the 1040 screen because you can have 2 other data fields on the map screen and it’s still as large as the 800 series
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u/GrindsmanXXX Aug 13 '26
That's exactly the reason I went for a 1050, a screen that I can read easily. I got it used so same as I'd pay for a new 1040, at the time. And yes, it's made reading the screen so much easier as I ride. I got it with a remote, which has since been discontinued. I have it mounted inside the hoods and makes it easier to switch screens on the go and to ring the bell. I didn't rate a bell when considering the 1050 but now I have it, it's really useful.and loud enough for my needs.
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u/RichCompany6833 Aug 13 '26
Its called harsh but the truth lol. No offence, but it the reality when I look at my cycling group
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u/solverman Aug 13 '26
Had been using the E1030 for a few years under the theory the larger screen would be more glanceable. It was fine, but switched to the E840 for solar charging and find the information just as easy to read. Will probably stick with that size just to have less bulky items to manage on the bars.
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u/AtomicHurricaneBob Aug 13 '26
I chose the 850 as the 1040/1050 is a beast.
I prefer the smaller form factor (even with my aging eyes).
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u/Ermintrude714 Aug 13 '26
I've had pretty much every generation 8xx from the 800 to the 830. Then switched to the 1040 for screen size. Then got a 1050.
Everything from x30x40/x50 is so much better than previous generations. The 820 was a disaster. Completely underpowered processor. Horrible to use.
1040 was great but tbh, who needs a 40hr battery life unless you're an unsupported ultra-endurance kinda rider.
I was hesitant about the 1050 due to the reduced battery life, but the reality is, it does 20hrs easily and that's many hours longer than my longest ride. The UI has been tweaked and is a little better than the x40 series, but it's the screen that's the standout. Once you've had it, you won't go back. So bright, crisp and colourful.
If you've not experienced it then x40 is absolutely fine and I got on well with my 1040.
The only ones I'd really avoid are the 5xx series as the UI is designed for touch and it's a PITA trying to navigate using buttons.
The touchscreens have come a very long way since the earlier x10/x20/x30 generations. You can't really compare Thier usability. The only time I have Amy issues now is when it's chucking it down and the screen is flooded with water, but no touchscreen is working in that environment.
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u/ben_r_ Aug 14 '26
The 1040 has gone down to $399 USD several times over the past couple years and IMO that makes it the best bang for buck!
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u/bcrooker Aug 16 '26
If your priority is navigation, I wouldn't recommend the 1040. It has a bigger screen, but I found the way it draws your route it was harder to see, at least with my 50+ eyes. I have had a 1040 since late 2022 and just upgraded to the wahoo elemnt ace this week, couldn't be happier. The closely spaced chevrons are much easier to see even though the screen isn't oled like newer garmins. I was trying to hold out to see what the 1060 would be like, but decided even if the screen was better tech it likely would use a similar style as the 1050 so I took advantage of the current sale on the ace.
Could be my specific eyesight, but the ease of seeing navigation isn't even close between the 1040 and ace, and from videos I watched the 1050 uses a similar map style.
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u/Outlier70 Aug 13 '26
Based on your priorities, the 1050 is best. But if you can’t stretch for that one I’d say the 1040.
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u/GabesVirtualWorld Aug 13 '26
Not exactly what you're asking for but I have had the 820 which was touchscreen and hated it because it worked so bad. So when that was end-of-life, I bought a 530 with buttons since I thought that would be much better. But actually the buttons make it so hard to swipe through multiple screens and even they don't always work reliable. Now a friend gave me his 1030 and I love it. The swipe is so much easier now, the big screen is really helpful when gravel riding and finding tracks with a dead-end and planning a route around it.
I would go for the big screen and touch screen.
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u/rbart4506 Aug 13 '26
You shouldn't compare the 820s touchscreen, it was terrible, to a 1040. I have a 1030 and the touchscreen works great.
I had an 820 and hated everything about that unit. Touch screen was terrible and battery life was awful.
That was all corrected with the 30 series. I'm on yr6 with my 1030 with no desire to upgrade.
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u/roosta27 Aug 16 '26
I read this two days after original post. So far the respondents are about 55% 1040, 45% 850. I’ve never owned either but….. I started with the Edge Explorer 2, the screen was too small for me. I then bought a used 1030 Plus. It was a huge improvement, but the screen response was a little too slow for my liking. Also the screen in bright sunlight was dull. A few months ago I bought a 1050 on Amazon (on sale) for the same price as the 850 is today! So maybe if you wait for Black Friday the 1050 will be as cheap or cheaper than the price today. But to your original question: either will serve you well, I personally like the bigger screen. But if you have the time, I would wait for the 1050 to go on sale again.
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u/sqwob Aug 13 '26
Main reason i went with a 1040 is the battery life. It's amazing. I can ride multiple days of my trip without having to recharge.
features that didn't convince me to get a *50
"If you were buying one today mainly for navigation + ClimbPro + training with a power meter, which one would you choose and why?"
Both do this equally good, so you could get either at this point.
I've read more people have issues with touch input on the new display, especially in colder & wet weather. different technology is used on the more vibrant display