Garmin Announces New Edge 1000 Computer

With instant uploads to social media, live tracking, on-the-go upload and download of data from Garmin Connect, bike-specific navigation, a new bigger, better screen, a remote control, and wireless connectivity via every protocol under the sun, the new Edge 1000 promises to be Garmin’s best-ever effort to create the ultimate cycling computer.

Some of those features may sound familiar, and they are — live tracking, navigation, and a slew of other features are already available on the Edge 810. But the 1000 takes these excellent legacy features, turns them up a notch, and then adds another heap of new features on top. Here’s the scoop on Garmin’s latest.

Wireless Connectivity

The Edge 1000 will talk to just about anything you’d like it to. It’s ANT+ compatible, syncing easily with most power meters, as well as Shimano’s new ANT+ Di2 dongle, which means you can get gear and power information, and even your Di2 battery level, on-screen.

The 1000 is also WiFi compatible, allowing for easy uploads to Garmin Connect without having to plug into a computer. Sitting in a coffee shop with WiFi post-ride, for example, would be a perfect spot to use this particular feature.

Bluetooth connectivity is included as well, just like the 810, so the 1000 can talk to Bluetooth power meters and your smartphone, providing incoming call and text message alerts.

Navigation

The Edge 1000 will come with preloaded maps and points of interest, including parks and trails. It will be able to guide cyclists back home, or calculate a direct route and provide turn-by-turn directions to another point.

Perhaps the most intriguing new navigation feature is a sort of built-in tour guide. A rider can enter a desired ride length and the Edge 1000’s software will provide three cycling-friendly routes, along with elevation profiles for those routes. Just pick one and set off.

New screen

The 1000 is bigger than the 810, and thinner, a bit more like a cell phone than the previous models. It has a new three-inch high-resolution screen, which is a marked upgrade from the 810 and 510 models, and features an ambient light sensor for riding at night or through changing light. The new screen is able to turn its orientation by 90˚ for horizontal viewing.

The new screen also allows for dramatically improved navigation — again, more akin to checking a map on an iPhone than on an 810 or 510.

As before, the screen is a touchscreen, designed for easy use with gloves and in wet weather.

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Remote Control

The Edge 1000 will be available with a small remote control, similar to the one Garmin introduced with its VIRB action camera last year. One button scrolls, a second marks laps, and a third is programmable.

Taking on Strava

Along with the introduction of the Edge 1000, Garmin is revamping its Connect site to include Strava-style segments and leaderboards. But, unlike Strava, Garmin can connect these segments directly to your Edge computer, notifying you in real time if you’re coming up on a segment, and marking the start and finish of that segment. Strava does the same thing, but only in its mobile apps.

Automatic segment warnings are coming sometime later this year; for now users will have to upload the segment they’re chasing into the 1000 before setting off.

Availability is set for spring 2014, with a retail price of $600 for the computer itself and $700 for the computer bundled with heart rate and cadence sensors.

Keep an eye out for a full review once we’ve had a bit more time to play with the new Edge 1000.

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