{"id":49455,"date":"2023-05-15T14:00:47","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T12:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=724817"},"modified":"2023-05-15T14:35:38","modified_gmt":"2023-05-15T12:35:38","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-the-garmin-edge-1040-840-and-540-cycling-computers","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/whats-the-difference-between-the-garmin-edge-1040-840-and-540-cycling-computers\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the difference between the Garmin Edge 1040, 840 and 540 cycling computers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What does Garmin offer with its latest bike computer range? <\/p>

By Paul Norman\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 15 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

The latest updates to the Garmin cycling computer range are the Garmin Edge 540 and Edge 840.<\/p>\n

The new bike computers<\/a> join the Garmin Edge 1040 in providing Garmin\u2019s latest functionality and the option of solar power collection to increase their battery life.<\/p>\n

But how else do these three Garmin computers compare? In this article, we explain everything from the differences in solar charging to why you would choose one over the other.<\/p>\n

Screen size, touchscreen and buttons<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Edge 1040 (left) is the largest Garmin bike computer.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Garmin Edge 1040 is the brand\u2019s range-topping cycling computer. It has a huge 3.5-inch touchscreen and a profile on your handlebars to match. Most functions are controlled via the responsive touchscreen, although there are two buttons on the base of the case and an on\/off button on its side.<\/p>\n

The newer Edge 540 and 840 are much more compact, both having a 2.6-inch screen. The Edge 840 has a touchscreen and an array of seven buttons, so that most functions can be carried out with either, while the Edge 540 is controlled by its seven buttons alone.<\/p>\n

A screen that solar charges the computer is an option for all three units, with a thin solar coating over the data area and brown-coloured zones top and bottom that collect solar power more efficiently.<\/p>\n

Unit size and weight<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar next to the Garmin Edge 1040 \u2013 solar charging increases weight by a rather negligible 4g.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The smaller Edge 540 and 840 are both 85.1x<\/span>57.8\u00d719.6mm in size. Their weights are slightly different: 80.4g for the Edge 540 and 84.9g for the Edge 850. Adding solar charging increases the weight, in each case by around 4g.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Edge 1040 is 32.5mm longer and also slightly wider and deeper, with a case size of 117.6\u00d759.3x20mm. It weighs 126g, with solar charging adding an extra 7g.<\/p>\n

Battery life<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Garmin uses PowerGlass for the screen to enable solar charging.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Claimed battery life without solar charging is 26 hours for the Edge 540 and 840, and 35 hours for the Edge 1040. With solar charging, this can be extended to a claimed 32 hours for the smaller units and 45 hours for the Edge 1040, although see our caveats on solar charging later in this article.<\/p>\n

Use power save mode and the Solar units\u2019 battery life is claimed to be increased to 60 hours and 100 hours respectively.<\/p>\n

Memory<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Memory size ranges from 16GB to 64GB.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The memory size differs between the three computers: 16GB for the Edge 540, 32GB for the Edge 840 and 64GB for the Edge 1040. They all store the same amount of ride data, but the larger memory capacity is used to enable a larger map area to be stored.<\/p>\n

Garmin Edge 1040, 840 and 540 summary comparison<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s a summary of the Edge 40-series computers\u2019 physical dimensions, Garmin\u2019s claimed battery life, other features and prices.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
Edge model<\/th>540<\/th>840<\/th>1040<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Unit size<\/td>57.8×85.1×19.6mm<\/td>57.8×85.1×19.6mm<\/td>59.3×117.6x20mm<\/td> <\/tr>
Screen size<\/td>2.6 inch (66mm)<\/td>2.6 inch (66mm)<\/td>3.5 inch (88.9mm)<\/td> <\/tr>
Screen resolution<\/td>246×322 pixels<\/td>246×322 pixels<\/td>282×470 pixels<\/td> <\/tr>
Weight solar<\/td>84.9g<\/td>88.9g<\/td>133g<\/td> <\/tr>
Weight non-solar<\/td>80.4g<\/td>84.8g<\/td>126g<\/td> <\/tr>
Touchscreen<\/td>N<\/td>Y<\/td>Y<\/td> <\/tr>
Claimed battery life solar<\/td>32 hours<\/td>32 hours<\/td>45 hours<\/td> <\/tr>
Claimed battery life solar, power save<\/td>60 hours<\/td>60 hours<\/td>100 hours<\/td> <\/tr>
Claimed max solar gain per hour<\/td>25 min<\/td>25 min<\/td>42 min<\/td> <\/tr>
Claimed battery life non-solar<\/td>26 hours<\/td>26 hours<\/td>35 hours<\/td> <\/tr>
Memory<\/td>16GB<\/td>32GB<\/td>64GB<\/td> <\/tr>
Price solar UK<\/td>\u00a3449.99<\/td>\u00a3519.99<\/td>\u00a3629.99<\/td> <\/tr>
Price non-solar UK<\/td>\u00a3349.99<\/td>\u00a3449.99<\/td>\u00a3519.99<\/td> <\/tr>
Price solar US<\/td>$449.99<\/td>$549.99<\/td>$749.99<\/td> <\/tr>
Price non-solar US<\/td>$349.99<\/td>$449.99<\/td>$599.99<\/td> <\/tr>
Price solar Europe<\/td>\u20ac499.99<\/td>\u20ac599.99<\/td>\u20ac749.99<\/td> <\/tr>
Price non-solar Europe<\/td>\u20ac399.99<\/td>\u20ac499.99<\/td>\u20ac599.99<\/td> <\/tr>
Price solar Australia<\/td>AU$749<\/td>AU$879<\/td>AU$1299<\/td> <\/tr>
Price non-solar Australia<\/td>AU$599<\/td>AU$749<\/td>AU$1049<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>