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New Garmin 1000 Cycling Computer Talks to Di2, Smartphones & Your Friends

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Garmin 1000 cycling computer with mapping software and smartphone connectionWhen the latest Garmin 810 and 510 debuted in January 2013, they introduced mobile syncing to bring live ride tracking, weather alerts and instant uploads. Now, the new Garmin 1000 adds phone/text alerts to the party and pairs with the new Shimano Di2 wireless transmitter to capture your gear selection.

Being a top end Garmin piece, maps are naturally part of the deal. It bundles in a the same complete maps package (with free updates!) as their Touring editions, but lets you plan routes on the go. Punch in your desired ride distance and it’ll suggest up to three cycling-friendly round trip routes with elevation profiles. Should you decide to head home early, just tell it to find the quickest way home (or anywhere else) and it’ll guide you with turn by turn prompts.

And if your route has segments recorded from other Garmin Connect users, it can even time you against those and show real-time results so you know how you stack up.

Add in all the usual functions like time, distance, altitude, heart rate and compatibility with any ANT+ device like power meters, speed/cadence, etc., plus the ability to remote control the VIRB camera, and you have one heck of a digital companion…

Garmin 1000 cycling computer with mapping software and smartphone connection

Left to right:

  • See who’s calling or texting without having to pull over or fish your phone out of your jersey. Works with iPhone 4S and later.
  • Basic data, using customizable fields, is laid over the map.
  • Data view is completely customizable to show the metrics you care about, and only as much or as little as you want per screen.

Garmin 1000 cycling computer with mapping software and smartphone connection

  • Built in workouts help you train for different types of events or goals.
  • Know when a Connect segment starts and ends, how you’re doing along the way, and whether you’re beating your own personal bests. It’ll also do real time pacing from public “courses” shared on Connect or your own saved rides. It’s worth pointing out that these segments are only Garmin Connect segments, not Strava segments. Still no direct method of uploading your workout to Strava.
  • The screen can be rotated and viewed in either portrait or horizontal mode. The touchscreen claims to function with gloves and in the rain. Screen size is 3″ (diagonal) and has an ambient light sensor. Battery life is up to 15 hours.

When you’re done riding, data can be uploaded to your Connect account through the app (iOS / Android), just like with the 810/510 models. But, the 1000 adds Wifi capability, letting you set up one or more hotspots that will automatically pull the data from the device and upload it to your account when in range of the network.

One of the great safety features of the mobile connectedness is LiveTrack’s ability to stream your location in real time. Simply email or share via social media a link to your Garmin Connect page and friends and family can see where you are.

Garmin 1000 cycling computer with mapping software and smartphone connection

Retail is $599.99 and it’s available now on Garmin’s website. Hawley’s also reporting stock on hand. It comes preloaded with Garmin Cycle Maps, an Open Streets based map that carries bike-friendly routing features, POI’s and more. A bundle deal for $699.99 includes their heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor. Both come with standard and out-front mounts.

garmin-1000-cycling-computer-remote-control

Want to mark laps or scroll through pages without taking your hands off the bar? The $49.99 ANT+ remote control does each of those with distinct buttons. There’s also a programmable third button. It runs off a standard watch battery and should last for about a year before needing a new one. It comes with mounts for both road and mountain bike handlebars to put it closer to your mitts.

Silicone covers are also available for $14.99 in pink, white, red, blue, green, yellow and black.

Garmin.com

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Blue Steel
Blue Steel
9 years ago

No one like distracted motorists so why would you encourage distracted cyclists?

ryan
9 years ago

Man the resolution on this thing sucks. For nearly the price of an iPhone you would think they could make it a bit better.

Eyal
Eyal
9 years ago

Garmin is one clueless company and is very afraid of Strava, Whaoo, Cyclemeter and everything Bluetooth 4.1 LE. Good luck selling uber expensive devices that are completely replaced by an iPhone & RFLKT+

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
9 years ago

Alas, bike computers are not completely replaced by iPhone and RFLKT. Perhaps they are for you, but your opinion and needs aren’t universal.

The new, accelerometer based sensors Garmin is releasing, sensors that should work with older Garmin computers, are pretty interesting.

DCRainmaker says the 1000 isn’t a replacement for the 810 but rather a higher end offering.

Vincent
9 years ago

Well i used to have a garmin (forerunner, edge, oregon…) on my handlebar and a phone in my bag (just in case).
Since the waterproof phones (samsung S4 active), i sold the garmin.

What i would buy from them is a watch with optical hear rate that would stream to the phone and can be used as a standalone for races (ie triathlon) and a classical watch / day tracker

Dlow
Dlow
9 years ago

Sorry Eyal, but the crappy battery life of any cell phone/Iphone seals the deal for me. Imagine doing an epic 8-12 hour ride only to find out you didn’t record half of it because the battery died.

D-Low
D-Low
9 years ago

Yes Wahoo is up and coming, but I recently got the kICKR and there are growing pains no doubt. Weak battery power seals the deal for me…garmin is still the way to go. Ever try reading your iPhone in direct sunlight by the way?

Gunnstein
Gunnstein
9 years ago

No smartphone beats the allways-on screen of the Garmin. For that alone it may keep it’s niche, and also for the battery. Good luck using navigation for 10 hours on a smartphone battery.

Too bad the Strava users are left out, and Android/Winphone users get no call/text notification. If those issues where fixed I’d consider upgrading the Edge 800.

Also interesting that Garmin is using Openstreetmap officially now. I’ve been using it personally for years – no need to buy official maps when (sometimes better) OSM maps are available for free.

Myke
Myke
9 years ago

I always find it fascinating and quite idiotic that people are willing put the one device that could save their life on their handlebars. To each their own I suppose.

Winncity
Winncity
9 years ago

I’m using the edge 305 now and really don’t see a reason to upgrade until this, the virb cam, and a high-output front light are combined in one unit. I give it a couple of years.

ari Bronsztein
ari Bronsztein
9 years ago

Hawley has no QOH. There is not ETA from them.

Fattylocks
Fattylocks
9 years ago

Yep. Likin’ the 15 hour battery life.

Michael M.
Michael M.
9 years ago

Strava users aren’t left out. You can easily sync Garmin Connect to Strava via https://tapiriik.com. If you pay $2 then it will even autosync for you.

ride rambler
ride rambler
9 years ago

The Touring Plus is great for recording my rides. . .but it sucks at following routes. Mine always wants to find it’s own way and can’t seem to stay on the pre-recorded route. If I want to follow a specific route, I want to follow that route. I don’t want alternates, detours or anything else. Just give me turn-by-turn to the exact route I’ve loaded. How hard is that?
I still use mine as a ride recorder but that’s it. I use that legacy, old-school technology known as “paper cue sheets” to follow routes. But hey…this is brand new technology so what’s the hurry, eh? Yeesh.

Chris P.
9 years ago

I agree with Eyal.

Smartphones will getting better because the software is vastly superior. Garmin looks like they have graphic designers from the Palm Pilot days. Hideous. On almost every ride I’m with people who can’t get their garmins to work (because it’s too complex and not user friendly) to garmins just stop working.

It is interesting that Garmin is using open maps. Which is a free open source system. So of course map updates are free. Garmin isn’t paying for them themselves. Paying for maps in today’s world is ridiculous.

I use an iPhone 5 with Wahoo RFLKT, heart rate, and SC sensors. Add a 6000 mAh battery and I can go 15 hours with the screen on. maps can be downloaded for offline access. My wife can track me very accurately with Find My iPhone. I use the Find my Friends to track others on a long ride. Throw my phone in a life proof case with a rokform bike mount and I’m set for any weather.

Of course if someone didn’t already an iPhone a Garmin would be a cheaper option long term. But how many of us already have a smartphone? Why not get more use out of it.

Capt. Holeshot
Capt. Holeshot
9 years ago

How much does this puppy weigh?
My Edge 500 is plenty light.

pornitswhatlwouldratherbmaking
pornitswhatlwouldratherbmaking
9 years ago

my polar cs600 needs replacing and my android has no mounts worth a darn. and the battery is sucky sucky long time. All l need now is money.

Myke
Myke
9 years ago

Chris the software is not even close to superior. Garmin and other bike computer companies have been making computers for ages. The engineering expertise behind them is hardware and software. some pretty UI with a bunch of half baked features and math is useless. And when you add the lack of robust hardware you quickly will come to failure. Go look at a GPS plot from your phone and then compare it to a dedicated gps. Time the sat lockup. You will soon realize software is only one step. People have come to expect everything for $0.99 app download. It’s a flawed mentality and the demonstrates that people is become cheap and scour incremental upgrades in tech. Your phone is jack of all trades and does a tone of crap you used pay a arm and leg to do. Just because you can now do all those doesn’t mean it’s a master of them.

bogus
bogus
9 years ago

For anyone who has had a smart phone in the past 5 years will find the Garmins to have the most user hostile interface ever invented. When used on mtb rides the maps are worthless. Better to use an iphone w downloadable maps application and a couple spare external batteries.

Dave
Dave
9 years ago

So in a month or so CatEye is going to introduce it’s new Strada Smart. An $80.00 retail Blue Tooth 2.0 computer that will show everything that you need as it will piggyback your phone.

The maps are nice on the Garmin and so is the color but do we really need a $699.00 bike computer any more. I had a Garmin and rarely if ever did I use most of the functions that were on it.

And I see people constantly putting their phones on handlebars and think, ” I hope you never crash” Stop and think how much information you store in your phone and what a pain it is if it ever breaks or gets stolen.

The simpler the better.

SketchyD
SketchyD
9 years ago

No comments on what a terrible, flat, car and FIB infested route that’s mapped out on that thing?

Sardinian Rider
Sardinian Rider
9 years ago

WHATTAF*** I ‘ve just told my wife I want a 510 and I know she is already browsing for one….

Tomi
Tomi
9 years ago

This garmin vs smartphone debate is getting old. I don’t know of any smartphone that can handle +7h of gps tracking without any sort of external battery or dynamo. And glossy smartphone screens are useless in direct sunlight.

Granted I’m using my smartphone for gps tracking but it stays in the pocket and I don’t care for the occasionnal battery failure and ride record lost. But if I was serious about it and wanted a screen on my handlebar or navigation I would definitely look for a dedicated tool instead of a useless iphone/smartphone attached to the handlebar by one of those smartphone launching mounts.

Maddogeco
9 years ago

The gear tracking is just about worth the upgrade from my 810. I know they could do if with a software update. Also the 1000’s higher res screen would be nice

David
David
9 years ago

Although Garmin is using an OpenStreetMap based map, there may be some other proprietary data mixed in with it. Since they are including elevation data, that would come from a different source. They are possibly also including addressing and POIs not on OpenStreetMap. And since the appearance of the maps is fully customizable through the mkgmap tool, it could look considerably different than many of the other OSM maps out there.

In some areas OSM is changing fast, it will be interesting to see how frequently Garmin provides new maps. If I make a change to OSM by about 4 pm CST, I can generate a new map for my province with those changes around 8 pm the same day.

CX Hotdog
CX Hotdog
9 years ago

Everybody is missing the most important issue here, It’s not very attractive!

Reynard
Reynard
9 years ago

Smartphone loses. You can’t download detailed power data from a power meter to WKO+ or other power analysis programs on a smartphone.

Rob
Rob
9 years ago

You actually can capture ANT+ and Bluetooth Sensor Data on an iPhone and automatically have it uploaded to many of the web sites that track or consume this data. Iphone 4/s users could use a 32 pin ANT+ dongle to capture. iPhone 5/s and many other non ios devices can take advantage of bluetooth. While most power meters are still ANT+ stages can broadcast one or the other. There will be more on the market that will do the same in the next year. Check out Wahoo Fitness for ANT+ dongle and Blue Tooth Speed And Cad Sensors as well as HR Straps.

DRC
DRC
9 years ago

Only works with iphone? Seriously? Garmin just brushed off 60+% of their potential customers with one single move.

And I agree that Garmin is basically the only electronics company that hasn’t upgraded their displays in the last 5 years.

lonefrontranger
lonefrontranger
9 years ago

I’m torn.

I HATE the display and user interface on my Garmin 800. Seriously, 2003 called and wants its crappy hardware back.

I LOVE the ant+ functionality, the seamless pairing with my PT hub and (non Garmin) HRM pickup, the agnosticism of uploading files to Strava and TrainingPeaks. I love the flexibility of changing the screen to show exactly what I need, customized exactly for the bike / interval / workout structure I’m currently using (I have 6 different bikes, some with power, some without, and work with a coach and TrainingPeaks). The turn-by-turn routing / tracking features and functionality seriously saved my husband’s and my asses dozens of times on a 2-week riding tour of Switzerland.

I refuse to mount a fragile $600 smartphone to my bars, the battery life is hideously short especially in the mountains where I ride when pulling GPS tracking data, and the form factor is too large.

This costs too much as pointed out above. And when I race I frequently just toss the thing in my rear pocket to avoid becoming distracted by the display.

Whomever comes up with a small, attractive, stylish wrist mounted (with functional & attractive options for bar mounting) band type device that pairs to and/or seamlessly interfaces all of the GPS, ant+, text, music control and scrollable / customizable screen features of a smartphone, GPS device, running watch, “fitbit”, helmet cam AND cycle computer will have a real killer piece of hardware on their hands. I really don’t care to think about what that sort of integrated device would cost, though.

Mark Farrell
Mark Farrell
9 years ago

What ever happened to just fun riding!! Too much data & drama!!!

Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson
9 years ago

I agree with Mark, just go ride your bike. Have fun and lets all quit worrying about all the numbers.

Kenny
Kenny
9 years ago

When you say “direct method of uploading your workout to Strava” do you mean no direct upload from Garmin Connect website? Because with the Garmin Communicator Plugin my Edge 510 can upload directly to Strava just fine. It would be crazy if the 1000 could not do this.

sean
sean
9 years ago

@ Mark and Matt

Im with you both on that idea. I used to be all about getting every possible piece of data I could on my rides but now I just use a non GPS Cyclops Joule so that I dont have to worry about a battery dieing or really even having to look down at my computer during the ride.

Rixter
Rixter
9 years ago

I want smaller not bigger. I am hoping for some Edge 550 that’s the size of the 500 but thinner. Who needs a phablet on their handle bar?

Andy
Andy
9 years ago

@Matt & Mark:

Whatever happened to not caring what other people like and worrying only about yourselves?

Don’t want the data? Cool. Want the data? Cool.

None of us represent the desires of the entire cycling community.

Roger Home
Roger Home
9 years ago

Anybody notice how much crap you have to charge and carry these days? Di2, headlight, taillight, phone and now computer? Can’t anyone make a simple computer with 10 digit b/w display like the Garmins have and store the rest in memory for later like a calculator? I’d like to have a 1000 but I need it to run for 8 months on a CR2032 battery like my bontrager node 2. How ’bout a week? Then I could schedule a plug for it at night! I guess the 510 is the best they could do? I got rid of Di2, so I’m not watching that scary bat light anymore on my centuries, but maybe I better chuck the ‘puter like the other guys before I learn to depend on the data and get hit by a semi.

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