Decided to keep the solar. Much bigger screen compared to my 530, which I’m going to keep for races. Don’t use the map and like the smaller form factor for races. 72% more map display on the 1040 (quick calculation using pixels). White box is the map (didn’t want to post my home map). Initial setup was super quick, going to take time getting used to a touch screen only but I have Di2 to change pages and do some quick functions (RIP Karoo). And of course, the day I unbox is cloudy and raining, so can’t really test out the solar charging, but will give it some rides this week. Also going to test out the static charging sitting on my windowsill vs on the porch. Side note, the “black” side casing is actually a gray. And the dedicated solar parts of the screen (top and bottom) appear as a red/brown color, which may or may not be as aesthetically pleasing to some.
Also, I have the 1040 that I was going to return. If anybody wants it, I can give you somewhat of a deal. PM me if interested. I know it’s unavailable in Canada, but unsure if the shipping/import would be an issue.
Do you have a pic of the 1040 side like you took of the 1040 solar. Is it that one is gray and one is silver? Thanks for sharing. These pics are great. I can’t get over how much better the screens look.
So from Ray’s video, it’s hard to tell if the 1040 has better glare protection than the 1030+ or if it’s just a better angle. Any insight there? I had an 830 and the reflectivity of the screen always drove me nuts on sunny days.
Really? I have NEVER experienced glare issues on my 530 and I run the screen on the lowest intensity. Maybe it’s the glass needed for the touch screen?
The glare from the 830 really exacerbated some eye issues (polar cataracts which were thankfully recently removed, still-present lamellar holes), so I’m extra sensitive to the reflections. That said, having had the polar cataracts removed I suspect visibility on the 830 would be better than it was when I had one a few years ago.
All that said, I’m still quite happy with my Karoo 2 and won’t consider ditching it for Garmin without ClimbPro for unplanned routes. Now that I’m able to spend a lot more time riding outdoors I’m finding it amazingly helpful for meandering around the local gravel.
Nice and my 1040 solar was delivered but have to wait until Sun to get in Oregon with my bro and going there for the summer. I am looking forward to the bigger screen for sure and while battery life will be amazing I don’t do anything over 5 hours typically but always nice to have to charge things less.
I have the 530 as well and put it up for sale but might just end up keeping it as a backup or give to my daughter when she starts to do more riding with me. It is relatively new as my other one broke while on my mtb and Garmin sent me a new one after 3 years and always have great CS.
I will report back when I ride a few times with how the solar works and the battery life. Where I am from the sun is usually out all of the time so I might have more battery than when I started.
Funny you mention that. I actually returned my Karoo and went with the Garmin because of the screen. The Karoo was downright unreadable in sunny conditions. Had a 530 and never had the slightest issue with the screen. Just wanted a bigger screen. Maybe it’s my sunglasses (Oakley Sutro), but I’d pick the Garmin screen over the Karoo everyday.
530 and never a problem. Day after day after day of cloudless bright sunny days in California. Brightness is fixed and set to 20% right now, and 30% or 40% in the short days of winter when I’m riding near sunset.
I am hating myself right now, changed from 820 (because I hated the navigation and needed a bigger screen), to HammerHead, happy with it … 1040 on it’s way
