Originally Posted by
Seattle Forrest
When you have time time, I would love to hear more about how it compares to Garmin. I'm going to continue using a Garmin watch to record my rides, I seem to be coming into the market for a bike computer to (1) show my power info, and (2) for mapping. What does the K2 bring to the table over a Garmin, or using an old and expendable phone on the bars?
Two features I would like to have are terrain shading based on steepness, and the ability to see my critical power chart and how my current effort fits into it. Can the Karoo do either of those? Does it have any kind of popularity heat maps? What other cool stuff that I haven't thought to want is it going to make me smile with?
I'm not in a hurry, I'll be grateful to hear your thoughts whenever it's convenient for you. Thanks!
Some thoughts after a weeks and multiple rides and after multiple years on a Garmin 810, 1000, Wahoo Bolt and a Garmin 1030.
Battery life is not as good as Garmin. Im seeing the rated 12 hrs with no navigation. Less with nav or when connected to my Di2 system. But at worse it would get me thru a century, at least 8-10 hrs use and I'm OK with this.
If you are using RWGPS or Strava to create routes, its actually easier to access those routes. Once you setup a link to one of those systems, the routes are shown on the route screen of the Karoo. Its easier and faster than using the RWGPS iQ app on a Garmin.
I don't use an power functions, so cannot comment.
You can configure the data screens to be white text on black, or the reverse, the screen resolution is a
huge improvement over a Garmin, though due to the text size on Garmin screens, I never had issues reading data or a map on the Garmin. The Karoo screen is just much crisper and cleaner.
so's the map. The yellow chevron and course screen on the map is easier to see than a Garmin pink line.
TBT is also very good and i find the Karoo processes stuff like very fast turn info, like a left, immediately followed by a right. The processor on a Garmin is so slow it often lags on fast turns, the Karoo reacts faster to position and directions.
The Karoo is very easy to get setup and everything connected effortlessly. Hammerhead is also MUCH better at pushing updates than Garmin, who sucks, i still have buggy BlueTooth issues with my 1030 that Garmin will never fix. Hammerhead gets around this by skipping the BT connection to a phone, instead using Wifi directly, That means a requirement for a WiFi connection via a cellular SIMM card, or local WiFi or a hotspot tether to your phone (which works effortlessly). I actually understand the avoidance of doing a phone BT link as thats a connection out of Hammerheads control and is an issue that has plagued Garmin and is a constant source of issues,
No good off road and mt. bike mapping or nav. as yet. They need to intergrate with TrailForks, though I'm told that Kamoots has decent off road and mt. bike mapping, so maybe thats an option.
The device re-routes quickly, but offers no options as to what route it'll give you. They need to improve this area, including adding a return to start, follow current track, that Garmin offers.
Im very pleased with the devise so far, will keep it and am somewhat glad to be away from Garmin.