As a Roam user, one of my favourite things about it is having everything synced. I can pull my phone out mid ride, plan say a detour or new route if needed on the Komoot app. It then pushes to Wahoo and I can upload it to my Roam from the Elemnt app. (Provided mobile data is available, which it usually is)
Really great review. Your comments are rooted in real experience and make a lot of sense. Also, I appreciate the concise review. Other tech reviewers, take note: not everyone wants an hour long exhaustive review of every minute detail.
Great review Dustin. There’s so much to like about this unit, but some of the downsides are deal-breakers that should never have seen the light of day; e.g. that useless charger port cover. Upside is that HH seem super-engaged with customers to keep updating so it feels like they’ll get there.
No app is no bueno. Also the route uploading sounds painful. I’ll stick with my Wahoo Roam where I can just save a route on Strava/Komoot/RideWithGPS and it automatically syncs.
Good review. I had issues with water ingress on the first generation and went through 3 units. I bailed and haven’t looked back. Nice to see loading routes is still a head ache. Hard to beat what Wahoo has on the market.
The unit conceptually looks great, but you nailed the downsides which are real turn offs. Yes, I want easy integration with RideWithGPS. I don't want to go through additional steps. I want a standardized mount that works with Garmin (or Wahoo). I want port covers that don't fall off.
K2 owner here and you totally nailed it! Battery life.. meh, routes management... meh, screen.... beautiful, and navigation.... awesome(when you have an internet connection). WHERE's the app!?! Thanks for the great video, hopefully, Hammerhead/Sram keep improving.
Spot on review. The no app thing is not a deal killer for me. Yes, it’s a pain in the ass the first few times but it becomes second nature, and the pay off is you’re using the best head unit available. They roll out updates every 2-3 weeks with meaningful features and fixes. I’ve had mine for 6 months and most of my gripes so far have been addressed in updates. I came from an ELEMNT unit and haven’t missed it one bit. You can also add apps as it is an android os under the hood. Rad.
I only know people have them because they’re sponsored by Hammerhead. Otherwise, they have a Garmin or a Wahoo. I have a Roam and absolutely love it! All the cons you talked about on the Karoo 2 are not issues with the Bolt 2 or Roam. Great video! Thought I’d give my two cents.
Love my Karoo for road/gravel. Wish it had Trailforks for MTB and I've posted this on their forum. But with Outside buying every outdoor connected property in sight except apparently Hammerhead, who knows. Re the plug, you can find USB-C rubber doohickies in bulk on the internet, but I just went with a Tusita bumper/case per a Reddit recommendation. It's a bit loose but it works pretty well for both the karoo out front mount and the quater turn Garmin mount I use on the top cap of my other bike.
I also just want a bike computer for live maps. Don’t necessarily need routing, just a way to move the map around to see the trails ahead. Lots of these head units are just too complicated.
No app is a deal breaker. Also - why don’t all these computers have a true sleep mode though. My Wahoo Bolt sites there sucking battery while I’m drinking a beer or having lunch. Someone needs to design a computer for non-road/race cyclists. Anyways this makes me confident in my Bolt 2 purchase for now.
You literally don't need that, just link your accounts with the head unit and hit the refresh button in the dashboard and your routes will be instantly available on the unit 👍
Fantastic review!! Love your stuff still love my tour de pain cave (California shirt) still hope to run across ya ridding around skyline or somethin 😉🤙
Thanks for the review Dustin! Perhaps a fairly detailed comparison between the Wahoo heads and the Hammerhead is in the future? From a recovering Garmin user. :)
Well done, this channel never disappoint. Already knew about battery life but that route upload thing is NOT cool. Still rocking the Wahoo Bolt V1 and was looking for a replacement. I just know that the MINUTE I buy an edge or roam they're going to release a new unit so I might wait.
I had enough issues w it that I returned mine and went back to my 1080plus. I did love many things about it, just too many SMALL shortcomings compared to seasoned units.
I do also love the K2, but there is one small thing that bothers me 🤔…I am probably one of the few people who use TyreWiz 🤷🏻♂️ to keep tracking the wheels pressure and unfortunately the K2 doesn’t offer this feature. Over 2+ Hammerhead knows about it and didn’t have yet find a solution, which is very funny because Wahoo & Garmin did….
The battery life is a no go for me, I spend long days in the saddle, sometime 12 hours in single ride, I use the wahoo elemnt bolt and its great, but I'm considering the elemnt bolt version 2 for better navigation, the hammerhead is really nice, it's just too bad about the battery life and not being able to display the touch functionality of the screen, and I don't anyone who would want to use a sim card with a head unit.
As I was never blessed with 20/20 vision which only got worse as I have gotten older, I asked Hammerhead if they had plans on making labels and field more visible. I didn't get the feeling my question was fully heard... My complaint would be partially mitigated if the unit had buttons, as my Wahoo does, which allow a user to zoom a field. And yeah, give us an APP, it is annoying having only the web-site as a means of entry. One hopes Hammerhead will at least hear Dustin's complaints!
@@TheOkinawaBoy Interesting that you would say people would want the opposite when I wished for the ability to adjust label and field size for better viewing. To answer your question, I wished for an app to configure the various screens, not for reviewing ride data. Although, that would be nice...
@@earlwebster5351 If you look to Hammerhead community page you see many requests there. If you find one is important, just add your voice. I'm missing recovery advisor ( which I never took seriously) and W'bal data field. I understand your concern as my vision last month went down. I need bigger font.
it's not that much of a pain. Just add your route planning account to dashboard and it's done within 2 mins whilst your on the toilet pre ride. You DO NOT need to copy past links to get it added. Had way more issues with the damn Wahoo Roam when uploads didn't work automatically...
@@EverythingsBeenDone Hey, thanks for that. After using various Garmins for 12 years, I expect a bit of a transition. I'm more of a touring head than a Hammerhead but I decided to switch because a friend works in Hammerhead's software department and because of their generous trade-in policy. That might be worth highlighting since it expires in a few weeks.
I was able to make a bookmark and to put it on my front page of my phone. It works kinda like an app.... Maybe this possibility is just an android thing...
Feature rich and very pretty but fails on Accessibility when it comes to reading the screen. Fonts used are very pretty but very small and slimline. If you have less than perfect vision good luck trying to read the data on the screen if you want to display more than 3 fields. The data doesn't even occupy 50% of the area allocated to each data field. I guess features are more profitable than the ability to actually read the screen....
I really never understood these devices. I always have my smartphone with me on a ride for emergency reasons. I think most people do. So instead of the weight of these bike computers I simply have a light powerbank in case I even need it. This solution weighs the same and I can do everything just a hundred times better on a smartphone. You praise the fact of being able to move the map on the fly… well…Google maps on a smartphone since like 2007 or so? Importing maps?…don’t need to. And so on. Hell it’s even waterproof nowadays. I never understood why I have to worsen my whole life with these crappy tamagotchis. :D
I've had this conversation with people so much it's kind of lost any meaning. Once you've used a dedicated headunit you start to wonder why you ever bothered with a workaround. Some casual riding and a smartphone is fine but try to do anything serious and it's incredibly frustrating.
I did the same, then my phone tumbled to the pavement and broke when a rumble strip bit me. The touch screen on the phone really had issues with sweat and rain. I now keep the phone in a bag where I feel like it's there when I need it, and use a simple GPS (eTrex) on the bar, which seems almost bombproof in comparison. None of this tech is where I'd like it to be. Compromises...
Shall we Instagram🤳?: bit.ly/DkleinIG
🧑🏻💻
As a Roam user, one of my favourite things about it is having everything synced.
I can pull my phone out mid ride, plan say a detour or new route if needed on the Komoot app. It then pushes to Wahoo and I can upload it to my Roam from the Elemnt app. (Provided mobile data is available, which it usually is)
Really great review. Your comments are rooted in real experience and make a lot of sense. Also, I appreciate the concise review. Other tech reviewers, take note: not everyone wants an hour long exhaustive review of every minute detail.
Thank you for this! I was nervous that this one was pushing it in length.
I am not even Hammerhead-curious and I found this compelling and watchable. Great work.
You just made my day!
Oh and the port cover... Not needed. The USB C port IS waterproof... I chased my unit for 10 yards down a stream... Was absolutely fine 👌
This is music to my ears! Thanks for the Intel!
Great review Dustin. There’s so much to like about this unit, but some of the downsides are deal-breakers that should never have seen the light of day; e.g. that useless charger port cover. Upside is that HH seem super-engaged with customers to keep updating so it feels like they’ll get there.
Completely agree!
No app is no bueno. Also the route uploading sounds painful. I’ll stick with my Wahoo Roam where I can just save a route on Strava/Komoot/RideWithGPS and it automatically syncs.
Great and thorough review. And thanks for not persuading me to replace my trusty Garmin Edge 520 Plus.
Good review. I had issues with water ingress on the first generation and went through 3 units. I bailed and haven’t looked back. Nice to see loading routes is still a head ache. Hard to beat what Wahoo has on the market.
I use and like the Karoo 2. I work with Hammerhead on the Advanced testing group and they strive to get better and better.
please tell them 6-8 battery life is ridiculous, no one will buy them
I also have the karoo 2 and I didnt know that it had that many customisation. And I find it a very good headunit.
Thanks so much Dustin. You're the best. Clear, concise, & weird...I mean funny...
But in a good way thou...
🤣😂😛
The unit conceptually looks great, but you nailed the downsides which are real turn offs. Yes, I want easy integration with RideWithGPS. I don't want to go through additional steps. I want a standardized mount that works with Garmin (or Wahoo). I want port covers that don't fall off.
K2 owner here and you totally nailed it! Battery life.. meh, routes management... meh, screen.... beautiful, and navigation.... awesome(when you have an internet connection). WHERE's the app!?! Thanks for the great video, hopefully, Hammerhead/Sram keep improving.
I have a feeling they will address these soon. I hope!
Spot on review. The no app thing is not a deal killer for me. Yes, it’s a pain in the ass the first few times but it becomes second nature, and the pay off is you’re using the best head unit available. They roll out updates every 2-3 weeks with meaningful features and fixes. I’ve had mine for 6 months and most of my gripes so far have been addressed in updates. I came from an ELEMNT unit and haven’t missed it one bit. You can also add apps as it is an android os under the hood. Rad.
I only know people have them because they’re sponsored by Hammerhead. Otherwise, they have a Garmin or a Wahoo. I have a Roam and absolutely love it! All the cons you talked about on the Karoo 2 are not issues with the Bolt 2 or Roam. Great video! Thought I’d give my two cents.
Thanks for sharing! I think it helps the community as a whole.
Thanks DK!
Love my Karoo for road/gravel. Wish it had Trailforks for MTB and I've posted this on their forum. But with Outside buying every outdoor connected property in sight except apparently Hammerhead, who knows. Re the plug, you can find USB-C rubber doohickies in bulk on the internet, but I just went with a Tusita bumper/case per a Reddit recommendation. It's a bit loose but it works pretty well for both the karoo out front mount and the quater turn Garmin mount I use on the top cap of my other bike.
I also just want a bike computer for live maps. Don’t necessarily need routing, just a way to move the map around to see the trails ahead. Lots of these head units are just too complicated.
This one might actually a good match for you. Their live maps are very good!!
@Dustin Klein, I like your style. More computer reviews, please! I'm in the market for a GPS computer ahead of CrossWA this year.
No app is a deal breaker. Also - why don’t all these computers have a true sleep mode though. My Wahoo Bolt sites there sucking battery while I’m drinking a beer or having lunch. Someone needs to design a computer for non-road/race cyclists. Anyways this makes me confident in my Bolt 2 purchase for now.
"Someone needs to design a computer for non-road/race cyclists." Amen, brother!
Been waiting for this review from your perspective
Dude! This makes my day!
There is a chrome extension called Karoo grabber that I use with my HH. Sends routes from strava, rwgps, etc with one click To the unit.
You literally don't need that, just link your accounts with the head unit and hit the refresh button in the dashboard and your routes will be instantly available on the unit 👍
This works ONLY a desktop. I need mobile maneuverability
@@EverythingsBeenDone the thing malawi describes also work's mobile ;)
Thanks for all the info Player‼
Fantastic review!! Love your stuff still love my tour de pain cave (California shirt) still hope to run across ya ridding around skyline or somethin 😉🤙
Thanks for the review Dustin! Perhaps a fairly detailed comparison between the Wahoo heads and the Hammerhead is in the future? From a recovering Garmin user. :)
Thanks! I’ll wait for 3.0.
I'm all for Sublime with Roam ❤️
Great review man. So many good points covered!!!
Well done, this channel never disappoint. Already knew about battery life but that route upload thing is NOT cool. Still rocking the Wahoo Bolt V1 and was looking for a replacement. I just know that the MINUTE I buy an edge or roam they're going to release a new unit so I might wait.
Always/ Awesome great job 👏 !and the amount of Sarcasm is just additional form of Passion
I appreciate this!
You can disable the screen! Press buttons on both sides!
Thought they decided to include the garmin mount 🧐
Garmin adapter comes with Karoo2 BTW
Crisp, clean review with some humor peppered in. Noice
Glad you enjoyed it! I consider this a seal of approval!
Thank you! In the market for sort of computer thingy and this was very useful
Music to my ears! Glad it helped. Thanks for the feedback.
I had enough issues w it that I returned mine and went back to my 1080plus. I did love many things about it, just too many SMALL shortcomings compared to seasoned units.
What a good review!
No App?!?! That is a big deal breaker for me.
I do also love the K2, but there is one small thing that bothers me 🤔…I am probably one of the few people who use TyreWiz 🤷🏻♂️ to keep tracking the wheels pressure and unfortunately the K2 doesn’t offer this feature. Over 2+ Hammerhead knows about it and didn’t have yet find a solution, which is very funny because Wahoo & Garmin did….
I own Karoo 1 and I like it. V2 unit is much smaller, but I don't understand why they changed the mount adapter.
Not for me thanks. At least not yet. Best review of that product I’ve ever seen tho..
Truth! Thank you.
You are so welcome
You'te the man! For reviews that is😜
That battery life is THE deal breaker. Garmin Edge 1080+ gives you like 24 hours!
Dropping bars at 5:35!
The battery life is a no go for me, I spend long days in the saddle, sometime 12 hours in single ride, I use the wahoo elemnt bolt and its great, but I'm considering the elemnt bolt version 2 for better navigation, the hammerhead is really nice, it's just too bad about the battery life and not being able to display the touch functionality of the screen, and I don't anyone who would want to use a sim card with a head unit.
Excellent review, thanks Dustin. Nothing sub-ideal about your insights 😂
Paul I appreciate your positive feed back!
I will keep them coming.
I’m old , this is too much tech for my old brain to handle. Do you have any suggestions for a basic GPS unit that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?
This one would be your best option right now, plus it looks like its one sale: bit.ly/3mmoggS
Cool bit of gear, I do Not need any more apps!
As I was never blessed with 20/20 vision which only got worse as I have gotten older, I asked Hammerhead if they had plans on making labels and field more visible. I didn't get the feeling my question was fully heard... My complaint would be partially mitigated if the unit had buttons, as my Wahoo does, which allow a user to zoom a field. And yeah, give us an APP, it is annoying having only the web-site as a means of entry. One hopes Hammerhead will at least hear Dustin's complaints!
there are so many requests, sometimes people want opposite. As for the app- why do you need this? Ride data can be analysed in other apps.
@@TheOkinawaBoy Interesting that you would say people would want the opposite when I wished for the ability to adjust label and field size for better viewing. To answer your question, I wished for an app to configure the various screens, not for reviewing ride data. Although, that would be nice...
@@earlwebster5351 If you look to Hammerhead community page you see many requests there. If you find one is important, just add your voice. I'm missing recovery advisor ( which I never took seriously) and W'bal data field. I understand your concern as my vision last month went down. I need bigger font.
You can set screens for each bikes, but you cannot assign sensors for each bike. Karoo2 will be searching for all sensors every time.
whats the garmin ecosystem compatibility
why not a garmiin mount and use usb for data and route transfer
Ay, I just ordered a Karoo II a few hours ago but probably wouldn't have if I had seen what a pain it is to load routes and the short battery life.
You will still be stoked on it.
Now you know what your getting into AND how to upload. Keep me posted with how it is for you.
it's not that much of a pain.
Just add your route planning account to dashboard and it's done within 2 mins whilst your on the toilet pre ride.
You DO NOT need to copy past links to get it added.
Had way more issues with the damn Wahoo Roam when uploads didn't work automatically...
Routes can be auto synced from komoot and ridewithgps etc. No url pasting nessecary
@@EverythingsBeenDone Hey, thanks for that. After using various Garmins for 12 years, I expect a bit of a transition. I'm more of a touring head than a Hammerhead but I decided to switch because a friend works in Hammerhead's software department and because of their generous trade-in policy. That might be worth highlighting since it expires in a few weeks.
battery life & convoluted route storing are a deal breaker 4 me
Anyone who doesn't use Wahoo is missing out
Did Hamerhead take your recommendations on board?
I hope so!
the no app is a deal breaker
Can you connect it to your phones network? That would be rad!
Yes - through your phone's hotspot network
You can add a SIM-card
@@astoriffic Thats what I was thinking! No need for a separate SIM, awesome!!
Amazing!!! Amazing!!!
Can we get an update to this video?
Hammerhead out and Garmin 1030 in!!
I was able to make a bookmark and to put it on my front page of my phone. It works kinda like an app.... Maybe this possibility is just an android thing...
I also did this with my Iphone, but silly work around IMO.
Computer...nah!.....I don’t even use a phone...just go get lost 🤗✌🏻
I’m out, sticking with Garmin, it’s a different freaking set of issues.
It seems like they spent more time on making it flashy than actual development. I’ll stick with the Roam 👍
Yes it is.....!!!!
Feature rich and very pretty but fails on Accessibility when it comes to reading the screen. Fonts used are very pretty but very small and slimline. If you have less than perfect vision good luck trying to read the data on the screen if you want to display more than 3 fields. The data doesn't even occupy 50% of the area allocated to each data field. I guess features are more profitable than the ability to actually read the screen....
Only wahoo!!💪
“Some guy”
out. no app
I’m still not buying a cycle gps
I don’t think it’s worth it. What does it do?
I really never understood these devices. I always have my smartphone with me on a ride for emergency reasons. I think most people do. So instead of the weight of these bike computers I simply have a light powerbank in case I even need it. This solution weighs the same and I can do everything just a hundred times better on a smartphone. You praise the fact of being able to move the map on the fly… well…Google maps on a smartphone since like 2007 or so? Importing maps?…don’t need to. And so on. Hell it’s even waterproof nowadays. I never understood why I have to worsen my whole life with these crappy tamagotchis. :D
I've had this conversation with people so much it's kind of lost any meaning. Once you've used a dedicated headunit you start to wonder why you ever bothered with a workaround. Some casual riding and a smartphone is fine but try to do anything serious and it's incredibly frustrating.
I did the same, then my phone tumbled to the pavement and broke when a rumble strip bit me. The touch screen on the phone really had issues with sweat and rain. I now keep the phone in a bag where I feel like it's there when I need it, and use a simple GPS (eTrex) on the bar, which seems almost bombproof in comparison.
None of this tech is where I'd like it to be. Compromises...
old issues now that its OCT 2022..move along