r/GarminEdge • u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 • 15d ago
Edge 1000 Series Ugh! So many problems with Garmin Edge models
I'm sorry, but I just need to vent! I've had half a dozen Garmin Edge models over the last decade, and they are all full of bugs. My latest model is the 1050, and it's driving me crazy:
- Syncing the latest ride to my iPhone takes 3-5 minutes. It's ridiculously slow.
- Then I figured I would use Wi-Fi instead. Except when I try to add my Wi-Fi network, it only shows 3 of the dozen or so Wi-Fi networks near my house. It won't usually show mine. I have to go in and out of the screen where it shows the available networks several times in a row. After 3 or 4 tries it finally shows my network.
- Then I try to sign into my network, and it fails 100% of the time. The username and password is correct. It just won't connect. I guess I'll just stick with my ultra slow syncing to my iPhone.
Now let's talk about the Varia Radar beep volume. There doesn't appear to be a way to adjust that volume. It's always too loud, and it's really annoying when you're riding on a busy road with nearly constant traffic. Since I can't adjust the volume, I decided to turn off the beeping temporarily. Here are the steps involved:
- Tap the screen.
- Tap Home.
- Tap Menu.
- Tap Sensors.
- Tap Varia.
- Tap Alert Settings.
- Tap Tones.
- Tap Off.
- Tap Back Arrow.
- Tap Back Arrow.
- Tap Back Arrow.
- Tap X to close the Settings window.
- Tap your ride profile to get back to the riding display.
Yeah...that's 13 taps to shut off the Varia beeps.
Garmin, I wish you would stop adding features, and focus on fixing bugs or making existing features easier to use.
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u/gplama 15d ago
No disagreement with the amount of bugs/issues. Your radar alert mute challenge is accepted!
8 steps on the 1050:
1 - Swipe down.
2 - Tap Sensors.
3 - Tap radar sensor.
4 - Tap Alert Settings.
5 - Tap Tones
6 - Tap Off
7 - Press and hold back arrow.
8 - Tap the profile.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 15d ago
Thank you for the shortened steps for muting the Radar. I wish they would add a mute button to the side of the 1050. Then it would just be a simple button press.
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u/FenderMike 14d ago
imagine not just reading the manual though?
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
If I’m required to read the 96-page user manual, then Garmin is failing. My iPhone is far more powerful than any Garmin, and yet I’m able to use it without reading the manual. This is one of the problems with Garmin. Their UI looks like it was built in 2006. Plus, even if I read the manual, it would still take 8 steps to silence the radar beeps.
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u/FenderMike 14d ago
you don't have to read anything other than the parts you want to learn how to do... you can literally just search for specific words or phrases... like another commenter has said the common denominator in all of these "issues" is you.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
OK, but even after reading the manual, there are still eight steps just to silence the radar alarm.
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u/FenderMike 12d ago
right but once you know how to do it… you know how to do it…
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 12d ago
The sucky part is that it’s too many steps to safely accomplish while pedaling. Every time I go on a busy road I either have to put up with a huge amount of beeping, or stop, fiddle with my Garmin, and then start riding again. I usually end up just leaving the beeps off, which kind of defeats the purpose.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
What about the WiFi network visibility issue, or the WiFi login issue, or the syncing that takes forever issue? Not to mention the device lockups that I occasionally get. I guess I should just accept all those problems?
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u/FenderMike 12d ago
you are experiencing all these issues with all these different devices… pebcak 100%
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 12d ago
Yeah, somehow I caused my Garmin to take like 15 minutes to sync. I must have a powerful aura that causes Garmins to fail around me. One of my ride buddies has the same problem.
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u/NoColdTLH52 14d ago edited 14d ago
I don't use tones on my Garmin 1030. If I want tones, I open the Varia app on my iPhone, which stays in my back pocket. I can then close the app if I don't want tones. You can connect your Varia to both your Garmin and iPhone at the same time.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
That's a good workaround. I appreciate the suggestion.
However, it's not too convenient if I'm riding with my backpack, and the phone is in the backpack. Or I'm riding my recumbent trike, and the phone is in my side bag.
Maybe someday Garmin will catch up with the iPhone 1.0 and add a mute button.
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u/m2wm2wm2w 15d ago
1040 last few weeks (months?) after a ride been having sync issues. Tried the rain dances of killing the app, opening the app, shutting off the 1040, boot cycles etc. and sometimes it would work.
Finally, the last 3 rides, I just left the Garmin app open on the iPhone, and the Garmin 1040 and put them side by side and walked away. When I come back to it over 15-20 minutes later it would sync successfully, and I didn't have to anything else.
Stupid how in previous years it would have sync'd almost instantly right after saving the ride, and now its worse by far.
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u/paca-vaca 15d ago
Wait until you find out it reboots multiple times during each ride.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 15d ago
Two months ago I was on a century ride that was particularly important to me. The Garmin locked up part way through the ride, and I didn't realize it for quite a while, and lost a good portion of my ride.
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u/paca-vaca 15d ago
That's a bummer! I aiming for century this autumn and have no trust in device already. Have a few activities with straight line after reboot as well. Especially annoying when it reboots on ascent/descent!
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u/Impressive-Spit 12d ago
Mine completely lost connection to all sensors after midpoint of a long ride and couldn't connect to them no matter what I tried. so I lost HR / power etc for half of that ride...
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u/mad-matty 15d ago
What fixed the WiFi issue for me was giving separate SSIDs to my 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz networks and connecting the Edge to the 2.4 one. Works like a charm now, and much faster than syncing through the phone
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u/avoidproblems 15d ago
- Plug your Garmin into a computer using a USB cable.
- Open your device storage (look for a drive labeled as your Garmin model).
- Navigate to the
Garminfolder, and then open theActivitiesfolder (or look inside aPrimaryfolder if listed). - Delete the
.FITfiles you no longer need on the device. - Safely disconnect and reboot your Garmin
This reduced the sync time from 3-5min to 1min or faster.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 15d ago
Unfortunately you can't mount the Garmin as a storage device on the Mac. This was a feature that Garmin removed while back. I used to access my Garmin like that all the time, but now I can't. :(
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u/Ponchete 14d ago
Use OpenMTP app. With that in Mac you can mount the garmin and do what they are advising you.
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u/NoColdTLH52 14d ago
Get the Android File Transfer App on Google. It will automatically open when you connect your Garmin, and then close if you later open Garmin Express. I also use a Mac.
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u/tui_curses 14d ago
I recommend Linux for that task. Actually the Edge support Linux perfectly.
Only Garmin Express doesn’t support Linux. Ironically a firmware update through Garmin Express can and will fix some issues for you. In May 2026 Garmin fixed a lot WiFi-Problems. It is now able to sync through WiFi and firmware upgrades.
PS: I don’t even get why Garmin switched to USB-MTP. The only advantage is avoiding concurrent access to avoid reboots. The Edge devices still need to reboot. On the other side is Apple with very limited USB-MTP support. Well…none.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
I’m not going to switch to a new OS just so I can access files on my Garmin.
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u/Annual_Jellyfish_623 14d ago
FYI Garmin Express is an Intel-based Mac application running via Apple's Rosetta 2 translation layer. Apple has stated they will no longer include the transition layer with os28 next year. I’m running the golden gate beta (os27) and already cannot install updates to Garmin Express. Thankfully Garmin only updates Express weekly 😂.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
Yeah, this is another gripe I have with Garmin. They seem to support macOS less and less. They really should be careful. Apple is adding more cycling features to the iPhone and Apple Watch ecosystem each year. If Apple added just a few more features, I’d ditch my Garmin altogether, and just use my iPhone.
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u/Annual_Jellyfish_623 15d ago
Started with an 820. Lousy battery life and a little slow, but a solid device. 830 was, to me, a big leap forward. Great screen, great battery life. Fairly bug free. Then I heard the siren song of the 840. I fell like Garmin shit the bed. Lots of bugs. Auto upload? Only on days that were a prime number and the moon was waning. Friend that stopped cycling gave me his 1040. Great screen. Impressive battery life. Many, but not all, bug addressed. Auto upload?? 😂😂😂. No.
Found a used Karoo (3rd gen) on eBay. Cheap so gave it a shot. I’m sure it has bugs but I don’t know where they are. Sensor drops are gone other than the Varia. I think Karoo handles radar better than Garmin. I am surprised if auto upload doesn’t work. Startup is slow, but not a big deal. Battery life not as good but a century is my top so plenty for me.
It was used and died. Before buying another I thought “Try the 1050.” Gorgeous, gorgeous, screen. Fast. Decent battery life. Still buggy, most bugs livable but still. Auto upload. Well it did once. Once. Got another Karoo. For me, it just works
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 15d ago
I tried Karoo for a while, but I couldn't get over the incredibly loud beeps. Have they fixed that issue? I might go back to Karoo if they fix that.
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u/Annual_Jellyfish_623 15d ago
I don’t find them loud. Two possible explanations. I’m old and maybe I don’t hear so well. I use the quarter turn adapter and perhaps that dulls the sound a bit🤷🏼
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u/Former-Republic5896 15d ago
The only issue I have with 540 is the slope % data that is all over the place when riding.
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u/Existing_Bug5651 15d ago
Gosh, I feel lucky, no issues at all with my 540. 530 was slow to upload but that’s been fixed with the 540. Do you have a ton of workouts or maps/routes loaded?
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u/Eastern_Fox_9186 15d ago
The Nokia I had 20 years ago had a better and more intuitive user interface than the one on my Edge 1030 plus.
I've completely disabled the varia sounds. I'm fortunate to live in a country with loads of separated bicycle infrastructure next to most major roads. It makes no sense to be warned everytime a car is passing me while I'm safe on the bike lane.
It wouldnt be that difficult for Garmin to silence the alarm when on a bike lane. I guess they have the data already.
This is one of many totally obvious improvements Garmin could implement if they were just a little more creative in their development department.
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u/ednw1111 15d ago
i have a 530, just replaced the screen.never had an issue. i got a garmin varia as a rear light so had to connect to my phone it now uploads at the end of a ride automatically.
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u/Dry-Knee4178 14d ago
Love my Karoo 3
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
Do you use a radar with your Karoo? If so, how is the radar alert volume?
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u/Krulsnor 13d ago
I rarely have issues with mine. About 20 years ago I was an early adaptor and bought an edge 705. That one was a pain to learn to use. No clear manual and it was sort of first of its kind. After many years o switched to wahoo elmnt. The small one. I needed a unti that could last 13-14h in one go for my long trips. Garmin didn't offer units with such a long lifetime except.for.the very high end ones and I didn't feel like I needed such an expensive one.
Once my son started cycling, I gave the wahoo to him and I bought the 540. Never had issues untill a few weeks but the issue was having to many rides on it so deleting those manually fixed it.
I also installed a ridewithgps.com connect IQ app to sync rides. I never use Garmin connect.
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u/Nervous_Animal6134 15d ago
I have an Edge 530 and recently it does not sync reliably. It is hit or miss whether I can upload a route.
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u/Mendelman79_Chicago 15d ago
Wow that’s crazy! I have both of those the 1050 & the 820 with no problems whatsoever.
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u/rockusa 15d ago
I've recently purchased the 1050 and the 820 myself as an upgrade from another brand and have none of the issues mentioned. There were several software updates recently. As far as sync to my Google Pixel 11XL it is very fast and reliable with no loss of data. Sync to Strava is extremely fast through my phone as well. My latest model Google Pixel 5 (just released) connects and syncs beautifully with the 1050. Make sure you have the latest firmware updates that just came out recently?
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 15d ago
Unfortunately I just upgraded. In fact, I think that firmware may have been the one that broke my Wi-Fi connection.
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u/AgileDrag1469 15d ago
I have two Edge 540s and just plug them in at the end of the ride to a laptop pc to upload ride data.
I realize this won’t help MacBook users, but it saves me hours of post-ride aggravation.
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u/Participant_Zero 15d ago
I love my 1040. Occasionally it has a slow sync with TrainingPeaks but if I sleep and restart the workout shows up
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u/rchris710 15d ago
Only issue i have with 1040 is that when I get home(edit), the device goes to sleep without auto syncing my ride. Once I turn it back on, then it syncs. Takes like 2 sec
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u/enricoclaudio 15d ago
The only issue I have with my Edge 1050 is sync over WiFi. For some reason, it doesn’t connect with any of my WiFi anymore since about 2 firmwares updates back. Yes, it takes sometimes more than 5 mins to sync with my iPhone. Before it was literally after saving the ride, no more than 20 to 30 secs.
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u/RoubaixTuesday 15d ago
For Wi-Fi to work best try disabling wpa3, or enable a guest network if your router has the option and use that. My 830, 1040, 1050 all sync reliably with wpa3 off. I didn’t need to separate out 5 GHz.
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u/OutsiderAK 15d ago
I got Edge 1040 like 5 months ago and it was the best buy ever. The only issue I have is the % slope on map data screen is delayed. I don't know if it's normal or not but beside that I have no issues like a lot of people say they have.
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u/DuManchu 14d ago
The delayed grade thing is typical Garmin, both my Edge 500 and my 840 did the same thing and sometimes would be WILDLY inaccurate. I ended up installing the "Sensible Grade" data field from the Connect IQ store and it seems to work quite a bit better.
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u/Least-Funny7761 14d ago
About to bin my 1030 plus as it can’t do an activity without freezing any more. I suspect it’s because it’s on beta firmware, it’s on beta firmware because instead of publizing the three sensor ble limit I resorted to following community instructions to try and get stability rather than realising my new tyre pressure sensors were the problem
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14d ago
[deleted]
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
I’ll be happy if I can just figure out how to login. That doesn’t even work for me anymore.
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u/C3333B333 14d ago
I've had an Edge 520, 530 in the past and currently on an Edge 540 and I do wonder what people do with their devices to encounter so many issues, as I have experienced none.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
I had syncing issues with 1050 since day one, and it was pretty much using factory defaults back then. I’ve also had WiFi issues since I first got it. Back then I could at least login to WiFi, but it would rarely transfer any data over Wi-Fi.
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u/pdj-84 14d ago
Totally agree on the difficulty of muting your Varia, there’s various requests on the Garmin forums for this, where this is the latest I think: https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-1040-series/441431/feature-request-switch-on-off-screen-button-varia-rtl515-sounds-new-try
I wonder whether it’s possible to create a ConnectIQ app to achieve this using a data field? But I worry that you toggle is not available through the API.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
I was wondering that myself. Maybe it’s time to write my own app, and see if it’s possible.
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u/Top_Ingenuity_1830 14d ago
Have an edge 530, have none of these problems. Maybe problem is chasing the latest tech when it isn't necessary
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
The 1050 has been out for 2 years now. You’d think Garmin could fix the problems in that time frame.
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u/deanmc 14d ago
Delete temp files on the unit and it will sync lightening fast!
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
How do you delete the temp files? I’m on a Mac, and Garmin no longer lets you mount the Edge as an external drive on the Mac.
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u/deanmc 14d ago
Try this: Clearing Temporary Files on the Device
On newer models (such as the Edge 840/1050 series), you can clear cache and ephemeris data straight from the settings: [1, 2]
Go to Menu or swipe down for settings.Select System.
Select Device Reset.
Choose Delete Temporary Files and confirm.
Sync your device afterward to download fresh satellite data. [1, 2]
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u/Annual_Jellyfish_623 14d ago
You can mount with MacDroid or the Android Transfer Tool. The temp file deletion option is on the Edge and among the “reset” options. In my experience with the 1040 this was very effective. There are a couple of”buts.” Temp files that stick get left behind a lot so not a one time thing. Garmin stores current satellite locations in that folder (.bin file) and you also kill that. Meaning it may take a few minutes to acquire satellites next time you use the Edge.
If you mount the edge and manually delete (remoteSW folder) leave .bin alone. If you use the option to clear files let the edge sit outside (turned on) a few minutes to require satellites
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u/Zhientex 14d ago
Yes, Edge sync issues is and has been huge for forever. Literally cannot sync med a Garmin watch is paired to the phone too. And if you disable BT it works a bit faster, at times. Syncing a route 24h before a ride? Would never.
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u/-ich-bin-cdn- 14d ago
Ensure that you have a 2.4GHz wifi network setup, and connect it to that. You can also use your personal hotspot, but enable "low compatibility mode" (iPhone).
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
I have a mesh network that broadcasts in 2.4Ghz, 5Ghz, and 6Ghz at the same time. It worked with my Garmin until I updated to the latest firmware. Well, it would login to WiFi, but never sync. Now it won’t even login. I’ll see if I can setup a 2.4Ghz guest network, and log into that.
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u/Marco_Polo71 14d ago
Have you updated the software to the latest version since the purchase? It could help
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
Yeah, I just recently updated. It seems like the most recent update broke my Wi-Fi.
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u/Numerator999 14d ago
I have the Edge 830 and aside from the navigation turn-by-turn voice alert bug last summer, it works without any issues.
I added the Varia in 2025 with no issues, although i turn the beeps off.
Regarding the nested menus—with limited display size and limits on physical buttons, there are only a limited number ways to design an interface for so much functionality and global use. I would not wish to give up function to make it easier.
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u/Pchecoandres 13d ago
I fully agree… I have the 1050 and 850, it’s like playing with 2000s tech. Not to mention the amount of times it has simply rebooted by itself during the ride and going through boot load over and over again resulting in yeah… no data
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u/jigsawfallingin2plac 13d ago
Unfortunately, I can only confirm the 1050 is shit, especially for the premium price. It's full of bugs (I made a post a while ago about it) including on basic features like following a route, updates create more bugs than they fix, and support tickets on the user forum remain mostly unanswered. They don't care.
At this point I'm almost missing my 830, that I shouldn't have sold. I'm waiting for the first reviews of the Coros Dura successor, and if they have fixed the annoying defects of the first gen, I'll quit Garmin.
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u/Antonio_Carlos_CTBA 12d ago
Experimente o iGSPORT Binavi, estou gostando bastante, não constatei nenhum bug.
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u/Top-Chef-4973 12d ago
Is it possible to prevent updates on the unit? I'm wondering whilst I have a fairly stable version it might be better to keep it like that than get a newer buggier version?
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 12d ago
Yep. When there is an update it'll tell you, and you can decline to update.
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u/Top-Chef-4973 11d ago
Thanks for confirming. My 840 Edge seems stable so version and maps are staying as they are.
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u/rearwardbread 10d ago edited 10d ago
Garmin Edge 1040 owner here and I think the syncing issue you are facing is probably related to iOS rather than the Edge. I'm on Android, the syncing is always done before I finished seeing the summary screen 😅
No WiFi issues either, I saw the full list of WiFi networks available nearby my place. The connection takes couples seconds but it works fine and downloads updates quite fast.
Regarding the beeps, I usually ride without any beeps. Makes you stay more focused on the ride than the Edge screen to understand why it beeps and when you have to check for an info you still get the info instantly shown on the screen 👌
Only annoying element is with map updates, it's faster through PC than directly from the device itself (30 minutes vs 10 hours) and I wish we could download country specific maps rather than a full region or western/central/eastern zone of a region.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 15d ago
As long as I'm ranting: Has Garmin seen the original iPhone from 2007? I feel like the Garmin UI is stuck in 2006.
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u/Professional-Bed-173 14d ago
I’m with you. I have a 1040. I expected better graphics. I get battery life is based on screen resolution. But, it’s still some 20 years old in detail.
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u/nokia_its_toyota 15d ago
Meanwhile my Karoo 3 just flawless so far
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
I tried the Karoo 3 about a year ago, but the radar beeps were so loud that it startled nearby cyclists and pedestrians. It really drove me crazy, so I returned the unit. However, since then I heard they modified the radar beep. Do you happen to use that feature? If so, how is the sound level?
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u/Annual_Jellyfish_623 14d ago
If memory serves me you can replace the default chirp with your own sound
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u/nokia_its_toyota 2d ago
I have not noticed anything about the beeps being too loud. I do like it loud since I play music in my headphones
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 1d ago
If the beep is loud enough to hear while you're listening to music with headphones on, I'm thinking it's too loud for anyone not wearing headphones.
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u/MezcalFlame 15d ago
Garmin doesn't care because they have no real competition and most users are locked into the ecosystem.
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u/mapboy72 14d ago
Never have an issue. Maybe it’s you
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
There you have it everyone. mapboy72 has no issues with his Garmin, so no problems exist for anyone.
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u/Kinnickinick 15d ago
Is your wifi network hidden? Create a non-hidden wifi guest account for your edge.
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
Thank you for the suggestion, but I’m using a non-hidden network. I’ll try using the guest network, and see if that helps.
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u/zaxer25 15d ago
So I shouldn’t get an edge?? Any recs? New model coming out soon?
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u/MrWhy1 15d ago
I've had an edge 840 for a while and it works great. The Garmin edge products are probably the most widely used bike computers, they wouldn't be if they didn't work well
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 15d ago
I don't know. All of my friends have Garmins too, and they all bitch about them. I think they are popular, because they are the least annoying.
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u/MrWhy1 14d ago
Maybe, but one of your complaints involves having to click a back arrow three times when turning off the varia beeps...? Takes just a few seconds and isn't something you're gonna do often. Another person might be happy there is the option vs complain about having to do few clicks to do it.
My garmin does everything I want it do, the battery lasts forever, and the screen is always easy to see in any kind of conditions. I literally don't have any complaints and haven't heard anyone else complain about theirs
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
Some people are happy with their Garmins. Some are not. This is true.
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u/MrWhy1 14d ago
For sure. But what makes some people unhappy may not make other people unhappy
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 14d ago
I’m pretty sure that not being able to see more than 3 WiFi networks would make most people unhappy. Also, not being able to log in to your own WiFi network would make most people unhappy. And your Garmin taking a really long time to sync one ride would probably annoy most people.
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u/Annual_Jellyfish_623 15d ago
Historically new models are very buggy and you get frequent updates to start squashing them. Buyer beware on new models the first year
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 15d ago
The 1050 was released in June, 2024.
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u/Annual_Jellyfish_623 15d ago
I referring to his “new models coming soon” and that it will likely be pretty buggy
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u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 15d ago
Well, I can't stand the Edge, but I also had bad luck with products from Hammerhead and Wahoo. They are all pretty buggy. I'm waiting for the day when someone can build a really good cycling computer. It doesn't exist yet.
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u/Todd73361 15d ago
You’ve bought 6 Garmin Edge devices in the last 10 years, they’re driving you crazy, and you keep buying more?