Garmin Edge 1050: A Bright Idea That Falls Flat (Literally) As a long-time Garmin user, I had high hopes for the Edge 1050, expecting an evolution from the reliable 1030. While it's true that everything works and functions perfectly in terms of its core features, the critical flaw lies in its display – or lack thereof, in real-world conditions. Garmin's decision to switch from the reflective screen of the 1030 to a new display technology on the 1050 is a massive misstep. In direct sunlight, the screen becomes completely unreadable. It's as if they've adopted an "iPhone concept" for the display, leading to the same frustrating inability to see anything when the sun hits it. To make matters worse, there's a baffling "timeout" feature for the backlight that, when triggered in sunlight, plunges the screen into total blackness, rendering it utterly useless. This isn't just an inconvenience; it's a significant safety concern when you can't see your navigation or data. Beyond the screen, the physical design also feels like a downgrade. When the Garmin is laying flat on the computer, it no longer has the crisp, readable angle that the reflective backing of the 1030 provided. This makes an already unreadable screen even harder to glimpse. And finally, at a hefty 161 grams, the 1050 feels like the clunkiest and heaviest object on my bike. In summary, while the underlying functionality of the Edge 1050 is sound, the critical issues with screen visibility in sunlight, the poor viewing angle, and the increased weight make this a disappointing upgrade. Garmin needs to revisit its display technology and design philosophy for outdoor use.
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