[Closed] Edge 1030 Plus - Overkill or orsum?

I would hang on & see what the karoo2 is offering. Can't hurt to wait. Potentially even better screen & mapping.

I have a Edge 1000 and it now has the known issue of the blue halo round the screen. It is out of warranty and Garmin offered me a reconditioned 1030 for £128 and was going to take them up of the offer but then I heard about the Hammerhead Karoo 2 but can't find any release dates. My friend has a Karoo 1 and very impressed with it. So I might just hold fire on another Garmin until I have seen the Karoo 2. I did look at the 1030 plus but at £530 it is bloody expensive if it only lasts just over 2 years like my 1030 has. I generally like Garmin and have a Fenix watch too and like having all my activities in one place with Garmin Connect.

I believe Karoo 2 will pre-order this week.

Edge Explore?

I had an edge 1000 and now have a 1030. The difference in battery life is astonishing. I got a max of 7 hours from my 1000 and that was at night with low screen brightness, I’ve ridden for 7 hours this week on the 1030 and I’m still at 70%.

I’d say the Bluetooth is more flakey than my 1000, but the GPS pickup is much faster.

Would I be buying it for the battery life and big screen?

Yes.  I think there are few people that use all the functionality, if it has the things you do want nailed it doesn’t really matter that you aren’t using the rest.  Too big for me so I have a 530 and it is a massive improvement in speed and battery life over my previous Garmin 800 and 820.

I would stick with Garmin cant you go for a cheaper model.

I think I might be ready for a new on bike puter. My current 810 might just be about to be launched into space because of its unreliable bluetooth connection to my phone. Not sure if the phone or the 810 is at fault - was not always like this.

I bought into Garmin big time with a fenix 5x watch too so loathed to move brands but not feeling the Garmin love just now.

Plus one on battery life for the 1030. Not sure what the plus does but the 1030 I have is good. The syncing up etc is not great and Garmin software is shit but that’s kind of par for the course...

I believe Karoo 2 will pre-order this week.

A lot of that 'should' be there at launch... Doesn't inspire confidence.

Edge Explore?

For a good screen and navigating, it's ideal. It doesn't have the training features of the more expensive models, if that matters to the OP.

My Edge 810 is still going strong, but I’m getting fed up of having to use the laptop to load routes. My wife has the edge explore and the ease of route loading is very appealing. I like the 1030plus for its battery life and included maps, but the struggling to justify the price against the edge. I don’t use the training features, but the explore would still do heart rate which I do like. Currently trying talkytoaster maps on the wife’s explore before deciding.

I like the 1030plus for its battery life and included maps, but the struggling to justify the price against the edge. I don’t use the training features, but the explore would still do heart rate which I do like.

If you don't use the training features then I really can't see the advantage of the 1030 over the Edge. As you say, you can connect a HRM (and speed/ cadence sensor too). I have found that the battery life on the Edge has reduced somewhat with the latest software updates. About 8 hours if navigating.

I have the 1030 plus, love it, I had an 820. Battery life is fantastic. I much prefer the bigger the screen as eyesight is fading. Lots of features I like. Touch screen is very sensitive, had it set to medium (default) rain likes to change the screen. Now set on least sensitive option. The selling point to me was the screen size. perhaps may of been cheaper to get prescription oakley's