Review: Garmin Edge 1000 GPS

The latest wave of GPS cycling computers are almost unrecognizable from the primitive devices that were on the market just a decade ago.

In the 1990's, a cycling computer that displayed basic measurements such as speed and distance were considered advanced. If the Garmin Edge 1000 GPS is any example of what's to come, we've nearly progressed to a fully functional computer mounted right onto our handlebars.

The type of bike computer you need depends largely on what kind of cyclist you are. Here's a look at the good and bad of the latest cycling technology to help you decide if it's right for you.

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The Good

If you're a cyclist who wants the latest and greatest, the Garmin Edge 1000 has just about everything you need. Here's what we liked from our testing:

Easy screen navigation.

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1. Ease of use. Without reading the directions, navigating from screen to screen to upload personal data and preferences was a cinch.

2. LiveTrack, which lets family and friends track your progress during training or racing is a cool feature absent from other models. During long training rides, my wife is able to in check on my progress without having to call my mobile.

3. The ability to receive texts and phone call alerts on the screen is something you won't find in other GPS models. This means no more pulling off to the side of the road to see what the buzzing in your pocket is all about.

4. The Edge 1000 is compatible with Shimano Di2, which will let you see what gear you're in and how much battery life you have left.

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5. Navigation maps that include preloaded destinations to help you find food or medical treatment facilities provided accurate and safe directions. I tried the alternate routes feature a few times to see where the Garmin would take me and I was never led down any closed or bad roads. This feature worked well for mixing up commonly used routes.

 

6. The bundle items (speed sensor, heart rate monitor, cadence sensor) are all of high quality and extremely accurate. They were all easy to mount too.

7. The Edge remote, which can be mounted on the handlebar, allows you to switch screens without removing your hands from the handlebars. It has three buttons that let you control almost every feature on the device.

8. Garmin Connect lets you track how you rank on a particular course or section of road. Think Strava with real time rankings. Pretty cool.

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The Bad

If you're the type of cyclist who doesn't like a lot of gadgets, here's what you probably won't like about the new Edge.

1. The screen is 7mm longer than the Edge 800, which creeps close to the size of an iPhone.

2. Other Garmin mounts such as the Barfly for Fi'zi:k, won't fit the Edge 1000 because of the additional length (K-Edge has come out with the XL, ideal for the 1000 model). Garmin does provide an extended mount, but as of right now you won't have a lot of other options. If you want to mount the Edge on your stem, it'll depend on the length—100mm or shorter probably won't allow it.

3. To access all of the features, you'll need to link up your cell phone with the device through Bluetooth. When my cell phone was in my jersey pocket, the connection could be skittish at times.

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4. For a GPS, the $600 price tag won't be for everyone. If you want the bundle package (cadence, heart rate, and remote), it'll cost you another hundred. But if you've got the money for Shimano Di2 components ($4,500 and up) and a set of Garmin Vector pedals ($1,700) for power, this unit was made to work with those other technologies.

The Low Down

Most buyers will fall into two groups: those who embrace new technology and the philosophy that more is always better and those who say it's just getting out of hand. For some, the large smartphone-like screen will be a turn off. If you don't mind the size or the price, prepare to be amazed by all this GPS can do. In three weeks, I still haven't used all of the features.

 

New thin profile of the Garmin Edge 1000.

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The Garmin Connect features and the LiveTrack app were some of my favorite upgrades. The mapping functions are every bit as good as what you'll get on your smartphone or other GPS device for your car. The unit is also waterproof and well built, and I'd much rather have this on the front of my bike than risking damage to my iPhone. The battery life will last much longer than you can ride, and the alternate route features are excellent if you want to switch up a commonly used route.

All in all, this comes down to how serious you are about your cycling data. If you want the latest and greatest to get every edge possible, this uncomplicated feature-rich unit is for you. So if you're in the market for a new GPS and you want the best, this major upgrade from the Edge 800 is one that won't disappoint.

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