This is my 3rd edge in the past 8 years. I had the 810 last, for about 5 years and had minor problems with it, mainly operator error. The 1030 is easier for this computer idiot to navigate the system on and set up the sensors. Using STRAVA courses on this one is even a breeze that is opening new doors for me. Very happy with the product.
So phone mapping with apps is always getting better, but this is good to have a dedicated device that can sync with all your sensors, is waterproof, and actually works well in the rain using the touchscreen. Uploading routes to the device is super easy and with the bluetooth and wifi network, automatically syncing your activity when you are done is a breeze. It's also nice that you can map a ride say with RidewithGPS that focuses on bike routes and then upload that to the device and it will give you turn by turn directions. The color screen is good and being able to zoom in and out is super handy if you miss a turn. There are a variety of handlebar and stem mounts and I had to get three different ones because each bike has a slightly different handlebar. I do think it's a bit on the expensive side, but going from a phone to this with the garmin sensors, bluetooth, wifi, turn by turn directions, and stable gps signal, it's nice to have a device that's simple to use and if you want to gather more metrics, it will do it for you.
The Edge 1030 has worked well so far and I've not had any issues with it. Buttons on the bottom are easy to reach on the provided mount and were also reachable on my old SRAM out from mount I used for the 510. The screen is much clearer in daylight than the 510 although it is a bit duller when dark & it is using the backlight.
Battery life is good - it goes through 6-7 % per hour while navigating, around 5 % per hour while not navigating. Coming from a 510, I noticed the GPS is slightly more accurate (9 ft compared to 16ft). I've not seen that mentioned in reviews.
Giving 4 stars because I agree with the other review, swiping left and right between screens is not reliable. I've also had a few issues getting it to pair with sensors (ANT Speed, cadence, heart rate) when turning on. Usually that is resolved by navigating to the sensor and telling it to connect although I've had to repair a couple of times so far.
Not an improvement of the Edge 1000, actually a step back (In my opinion). One of the improvements was to be the touch screen and it supposedly works great when it's wet. I guess it's great that it works so well when the screen is wet. I live in Arizona and it rarely rains and even if it did, I wouldn't ride in the rain. Anyway, paging between data screens is terrible. I almost have to beg it to work. I've tried the different sensitivity settings and that makes littleno difference. I wish I would have kept my 1000. Not a total waste though, maybe I'll pay more attention to the road than my computer now.
I am an enthusiast cyclist with access to several trails near my home and it really gives me good insight from other riders, It also gives me alternate routes off the trails which is great.
Aside from a little larger display, the Edge 1030 is also faster at locking into satellites. It also seems to work in areas where the Edge 1000 did not receive a signal. Two features that I really like are the emergency alert feature, that will text a contact of your choice, with your location, should you need assistance. The second feature that I found, but don't ask me how I found it, is the alert system that beeps when you approach a sharp curve or bend in the road.