Garmin Edge 1050 Review: iPhone Money for a Bike Computer?

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I bought the Edge 1050 to see if it lives up to the hype. At $700, I was skeptical—and still am. Paying so much for a bike computer seems absurd.

But how does the Edge 1050 perform compared to other bike computers? I tested it side by side with the Edge 1040 Solar and will also tell you how it compares to the competition. Let’s get to it!

My Edge 1050 rating at a glance:
Battery Life 4/5 | Ease of Setup 5/5 | Display 5/5 | Ease of Use 5/5 | GPS Accuracy 5/5 | Maps & Navigation 5/5 | Price 1/5 | OVERALL 4.3/5
More about this bike computer scoring.

NOTE: I tested the Edge 1050 with firmware versions 9.11 and 10.18.

Garmin Edge 1050 Pros and Cons

These are the main pros and cons of the Garmin Edge 1050 I found during its use.

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What’s New Compared to the Edge 1040 (Solar)?

The Edge 1040 (Solar) was Garmin’s flagship cycling navigation for about two years. Yeah, time flies, as the 1040 was introduced in 2022 already. It had basically everything you could wish for in a bike computer, and it also introduced Solar technology to a bike computer.

The claimed battery life decreased from 35 (45¹) to 20 hours (E1040 vs. E1050). This is one of the biggest surprises because the past trend was increasing battery life. The decrease is mainly caused by the new screen, which has a higher resolution and brightness (480×800 vs. 282×470px) of up to 1000 nits.

I appreciate that Garmin is trying to do something about its UI. They redesigned it again. You will find out later how I like it.

On the other hand, the Edge 1050 doesn’t have the same side buttons as the Edge 540 and Edge 840. I will discuss more new features throughout this review.

In the Box

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Initial Setup

Setting up the Edge 1050 is the same as with previous Garmin bike computers. If you’ve used an Edge device before, your settings (including data fields) will be automatically downloaded from your Garmin Connect account. This is super convenient as you don’t have to pair your sensors or spend time adjusting the data pages. The only settings I adjusted were the widgets and their visibility.

You can watch the following video that illustrates the entire pairing process.

The new UI also introduces a new way how to adjust your data pages and data fields. It’s closer to the one on Karoo 2, but it’s not animated, which is a shame.

My Experience with Garmin Edge 1050

Let’s now dive deeper into individual features.

Display

Garmin kept the 3.5-inch display but increased its resolution. It’s a “liquid crystal” LCD, which provides better color representation and brightness but also leads to faster battery drain (more about that later).

Surprisingly, the pixels per inch (PPI) on Hammerhead Karoo 2 and Karoo 3 are higher than Edge 1050 because Karoo 2’s display is only 3.2 inches, but the same resolution. For comparison, look at the following chart for screen sizes of other popular bike computers.

The display is now bright enough to be easy to read even in direct sunlight. However, it’s difficult to capture it on camera. The screen brightness appears differently depending on the tilt of the bike computer, so below, I have included the entire gallery of different light scenarios and a comparison with the Edge 1040 Solar. I think the photo from the dark is the most representative.

Here is another comparison, this time with other bike computers. In reality, Karoo 3 is the brightest, with Karoo 2 and Magene C606 closely behind. ROAM and E1040 Solar are the least bright.

Thanks to the E1050’s display size, the fonts are large enough, so you will appreciate this if you have poorer eyesight. It’s just a shame that the maximum number of shown data fields is limited to 10.

Check out this in-depth comparison of the Garmin Edge 1040 vs. Edge 1050 for more details.

Battery Life

The Garmin Edge 1050 has a dramatically lower battery life than the Edge 1040. Garmin claims it can last up to 20 hours of “demanding use.” This means that when you pair it with multiple sensors (HR, radar, power meter) and use the highest possible accuracy and brightness.

I squeezed around 14.1 hours from the Edge 1050 (around 15 hours if I also count the about 1-hour cake stop when I forgot to turn the screen off). This is honestly a bit of an underwhelming result, as I expected at least 17 hours. Maybe future firmware updates will optimize the battery life. I rode with a connected Wahoo TICKR, Favero Assioma DUO, Garmin Varia RTL515, Shimano Ultegra Di2, and iPhone 14 Pro. I set the brightness to auto and rode in summer temperatures.

For comparison, the following chart shows the claimed battery life of the best bike computers on the market.

Let me make one more comment on battery life. I criticize the E1050’s battery life compared to the Edge 1040 Solar, but it is still much longer than smartphones (which some use as bike computers) or Hammerhead Karoo 3. So, as always, it depends on what you compare it to. By the way, you should not miss my Karoo 3 vs. Edge 1050 comparison.

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Control & User Friendliness

The new user interface is better than the previous one. I think Garmin is a step closer to an ideal. Yes, I am getting more familiar with the individual features of the Garmin ecosystem, so it’s easier for me to navigate through the menus, but the E1050 UI seems more refined. The system also reacts almost instantaneously. I can’t stress this enough. Sure, it’s not the same as a 120 Hz smartphone, but we are not far.

Another thing I noticed is that the beeps are not as annoying as in the previous generations. Instead of “beeep” you get “brmprm”. Ok, so maybe it’s not “brmprm” but you get the idea. However, when the bike radar is connected, the audible warnings are less pronounced, which is a disadvantage.

Going through the data pages, widgets, maps, etc., is much easier than before. I also tested the ability to control the display when wet. Again, it reacts pretty well, but not always 100%. I recommend wiping the water off once it accumulates.

The problem with full-finger gloves is that they have to be snug enough to press the area you want. For this reason, I prefer button-based bike computers. So, it’s a shame that the Edge 1050 doesn’t have the control buttons like the Edge 840 or Sigma Rox 12.1 Evo.

Maps & Navigation

One of the big improvements in the Garmin Edge 1050 was in maps and navigation. Needless to say, the Edge 1050 can navigate you almost anywhere and has the same features as the Edge 1040. The maps finally look like maps, and thanks to the built-in speaker, you can get audible instructions and alerts. That’s pretty cool; you don’t have to take your eyes off the road, which could lead to an accident.

The following photo compares the same area. The roads on the E1050 are much thinner, and I like this.

GPS Accuracy

Thanks to the multi-band GNSS, the Edge 1050 is one of the most accurate bike computers. When I test bike computers, I ride one particular segment in the forest, record my ride there, and then compare the recorded route with the actual route and my past tests.

As expected, the Edge 1050 with the Multi-GNSS Multi-band system was the most accurate. It can also recognize when you zig-zag across a narrow road, e.g., on a steep hill. On the other hand, standard GPS extends battery life, but it is less accurate. Take a look at the following screenshots for further reference.

And here are a few rides tracked on other bike computers.

ClimbPro

ClimbPro is finally a little more polished. You can customize the data page more and make the map smaller. So, instead of 2 custom fields, there are now 6. However, it is a pity that there are no data fields, e.g., “Average power during this climb.” That would be very useful.

At the same time, I also noticed that in side-by-side testing with the E1040s, both usually finish the climb within 5 seconds, but the start sometimes differs. I have used both of these models in multi-band multi-GNSS mode.

Real-Time Stamina and Power Guide

In short, thanks to Real-Time Stamina, you will see how long you can ride at the current pace and how much you have left in the tank. Power Guide suggests the power zones for your planned route based on your FTP.

When reviewing the Edge 1040, I tried out the Real-Time Stamina feature. Honestly, that was pretty much the last time I used it. I already know what to expect from my body and how to pace my efforts. However, I understand that it can be quite useful for beginners, especially if you have a Garmin smartwatch and a lot of collected data, so the algorithm can provide more accurate suggestions.

However, Power Guide got a big upgrade. It can now account for Stamina and also wind data. This means that if you ride into a headwind or your Stamina drops faster than expected, the Power Guide will adjust the target power zones. I appreciate this improvement. It makes me excited to see what other metrics Garmin adds in the future to improve the accuracy even further.

Gimmicky Bell?

At first, I considered the electronic bell a gimmick. But the more I think about it, the more I think it’s one of the smartest features ever. Many roadies don’t want a physical bell on their bikes because it messes up the bike’s looks. Some may even claim the bell will worsen the aerodynamics.

I don’t use the bell as often because bike paths here are pretty empty. But I can imagine using it more often in cities. I only have two complaints:

• The speaker is positioned so the bell is not as audible, especially in headwinds.
• Pressing the bell button requires one extra tap. It would be nice if Garmin gives us the option to show the bell button on the top (I believe the screen has enough real estate for it). However, I can’t forget to mention that you can pair it with Shimano Di2 or SRAM AXS buttons. Damn, I wish shifters had as many buttons as gaming mice, haha.

Shared Road Hazards

On the other hand, sharing risks on the go, like what we know from Waze or Google Maps, is mega cool. Unfortunately, it will flounder for a while due to the low number of users who can submit these hazards. But, if Garmin opens this to other manufacturers or pushes this to older head units (UPDATE: Edge x40 devices also got this feature), the network would be much bigger, allowing many more people to share the hazards. I am curious to see the future development of this feature.

GroupRide, Challenges, and Awards

GroupRide has received several improvements. For example, the first is that if the E1050 detects a crash, it notifies others in the group (with the GroupRide feature on). This is brilliant. I am surprised we didn’t get this feature sooner. Imagine how useful this feature will be in fast descents.

The Challenges are similar to Strava live segments. You can compete with your friends to see who can climb the upcoming climbs faster. Yes, this feature has only worked for climbs in ClimbPro so far. This is Garmin’s way of giving you another reason to choose the Garmin bike computer and lock you into their ecosystem.

And the Awards are just Garmin’s way of leveraging additional gamification elements. You get rewards for your power output, speed, etc.

Connectivity

There are no connectivity changes. The Edge 1050 still offers Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ support so that you can connect it to sensors or your smartphone. Of course, it can auto-sync activities, etc. 

When it comes to syncing activities, sometimes they sync almost instantly; other times, it takes a little longer. I store my bike in the basement, where I still have a WiFi signal (albeit weak). Sometimes, the rides sync while I’m still in the basement, and sometimes, after I get to my apartment.

I also tried to download some apps from the Connect IQ store, and then this happened:

This is disappointing as I expect nothing but the best from the most advanced Garmin Edge.

Garmin Edge 1050 Alternatives

Garmin Edge 1050 Technical Specifications

Below, I summarized the technical specifications of Garmin Edge 1050.

My Verdict

To be clear, the Edge 1050 is far from being for everyone because of its price, which is the same as the iPhone 14. And to be honest, if I wasn’t doing reviews, I would probably never even consider buying it (because of its price). But the fact is that Garmin has raised the bar a little bit again. The more I use it, the less I want to go back to the Edge 840. This is not because the Edge 840 is a bad bike computer but because the responsivity of the Edge 1050 is almost instant, and it’s so easy to use.

While it’s a shame that battery life has suffered significantly, it’s not surprising because of the brighter display. For example, the Karoo 3 has a brighter display but a battery life of 25% shorter. In addition, the Edge brings an in-built speaker, allowing the implementation of features such as an electronic bell or voice prompts. And, while it’s super difficult to admit, the bell is a genial feature (although it has flaws due to the speaker’s position). When do you think the competition will copy these features? Let me know in the comments below.

I honestly can’t wait for the smaller form factor (E850) with these features. Those bike computers will be a hit. But I am worried the price will again be a bit too high.

Anyway, I hope you liked this review and find it helpful. If you are considering buying the E1050, please use the links below. It’s the best way to support this website, and it won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks a lot in advance.

Also available at amazon.com, competitivecyclist.com and tredz.co.uk

Recommended Accessories

Below are some recommended accessories for Garmin Edge 1050.

Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar

Garmin Varia RCT715 Radar with Camera

Garmin Edge 1050 FAQ

1. 45 hours compared to Edge 1040 Solar ↩︎