The new Garmin Edge 1040 and Edge 1040 Solar cycling computers were announced today. These are the flagship models in Garmin's cycling computer series, and while no one expected them to be cheap, they are still a very significant investment for most people. The non-solar model is priced at £519.99 / €599.99 / $599.99 / $999.00 AUD, which, to Garmin's credit, is no more expensive than its successor, the Edge 1030 Plus. The Edge 1040 Solar, however, has a top price of £629.99 / €749.99 / $749.99 / AU$1299.00. [I can't personally afford it at that price, and I'm rather excited about the Edge 1040's two key features - huge battery life and Garmin's guidance on how to train for an event - but the fact that you can get most of the Edge 1040's features for a much lower price No change.

This is especially true considering that the Edge 1030 Plus is currently available for 23-25% off. This is the best computer Garmin has offered to date.

Of course, as with any purchase, there is a balance to be struck. What is your budget? What do you need to purchase? As your budget increases, so does the size of the list of features that can be included, but how far that budget can go is also a balance with another thing: the price the retailer wants to set.

If you can afford Garmin's latest and greatest cycling computer, don't let me stop you from buying it - in fact, here I make it easy for you (open in new tab) - but if you If you need one and, like me and many others, can't stretch very far into this price range, here are the best alternative options currently available online, many of which are discounted.