I think it's important to remember longevity of devices battery. If today you get 7-8hrs on Karoo 2. In 12 months you'll be lucky to get 6-7, in two years 5-6. The more you need to charge your devices the shorter the lifespan. Nothing worse than doing a long event for the battery to deplete before the end of it. I used to think a slimmed down Android would be best for wearables future but when you see the way Garmin smashes Apple Watch and Android watches out of the water when it comes to battery life it makes it a no brainer for my use case. Do you need to take a phone call, read an email from your running watch or Bike computer? It might be handy once in a while but I get everything I need from my Fenix watch and Garmin Edge. The new OLED displays Garmin use in the Venu2 and Epix look great and with the simpler OS Garmin use. Is that the sweetspot? For me personally all things being equal I would still always go for battery life. All the same, it is good to see what follows the Karoo 2.
I mountain bike and road bike about the same, almost 50-50 and I went with a Garmin for their integration with Trailforks for my off-road routing which is really important on some of the trails I ride, it can be very easy to get lost. I'm hoping that since SRAM purchased K2 that in the next version, they will make the computer more mountain bike friendly :).
Good stuff, Jon. I use the K2 (and, use my old Garmin Fenix 3 watch) on my rides. I don’t care about notifications or Strava segments, and the only “peripherals” I connect are Favero Assioma pedals and Wahoo Tickr X HRM. I do set the display brightness to about 25%. As a result I easily get more than 10 hrs of ride time out of a full charge - two to three days, usually. I’d like to see HH dev some pedaling dynamics analysis data/graphics (ala Garmin’s) for display. Other than that, I don’t miss anything from the Garmin computers.
I just switched from being a dedicated Garmin user of 10+ yrs to the K2 and I agree, that while it’s not perfect , it has the potential to being an equal if not better than the flagship 1030, and I have yet to wish I had replaced my 1030, that died, with another one.
Could you please elaborate on this comment? on how you use both to equal effectiveness. The reason I ask is cos I have been thinking about the same combo as well :) Thank you, in advance
@@neodro4831 I just paired all my sensors to both units and start a ride on both. Hammerhead has since made the dashboard 100% better but still lacks fitness metrics
I switched from Garmin 1030 Plus to the Karoo 2. The reason for me was the buggy navigation on the Garmin. I would get 4-5 bogus turn alerts on a previous recorded Garmin route, a main 2-4 lane route with dedicated bike lane. Working with Garmin support for several months providing photos, I never got a solution. Nor did they ever suggest returning it under warranty. A total time waster. Also, the switch to firmware blocking it from working in countries not supported from where you purchased it! I travel occasionally from Canada to Singapore to ride. With the Karoo 2, you simply click on the country where you want to cycle, and it quickly and for free downloads the maps.
Great video Jon. I have the K2 and I use it basically for the mapping and a few other features. The one thing that annoys me is the phone notifications. They come up and when I select to read, for some reason I have difficulty getting that screen to go away. Maybe it is just user error and I need more practice on that and which buttons to press. I don't do epic rides so I have no issues with battery life. Your past evaluations of these devices pointed me in the right direction For this I thank you very much. It was a wise purchase.
I use the 530 edge, does everything i need. Not really bothered about navigation but do love the idea of using a different device and would definitely consider in the future. Great video Jon 📹 👍
I have a BIG issue with Garmin navigation go to the start of the route. It keeps sending me in circles. Otherwise I prefer the Garmin and it's extra functions.
I just switch from Wahoo Element Roam to the Hammerhead K2 and I love it 🚴🏽♂️🔥💨👍🏼 With the time they are going to improve specially with the every 2 weeks update and be part of SRAM. Thanks for your videos
Love your channel but try getting a warranty replacement in Canada. Bad enough on delays when they said ship immediately. But paying duty again of $85! Features is one thing but warranty support is just as important that all reviews never get into.
Hi Jon, thanks for your comprehensive explanations. Question: I've been a user of a Wahoo Elmnt since a couple of years now. I like to plan rides which I ride solo. This summer I'm going to the Alps. The problem I have with the Elmnt is that it can't replan on the fly which can be a problem if you don't know the area as specially with mountains. It can also be a bit laggy. Would you advise the K2 or the Garmin? Routes are the most important to me. Like to hear your opion. Greetings from Holland
Most update are to reduce the number of bugs. The bottoms are way too heavy to press and often you have to press more than once, and that is a no go. Just finishing a ride can be quiet funky! The screen is not so bright as often stated and after 7 hours is game over. Sorry, after seven hours stays the 1030 at 70%! I own the K2 now for 2 month but this device doesn’t convince me. Software updates don’t help if the bottoms are too heavy to press and don’t work!
IT is unfair to compare the Karoo2 with a Garmin product that is more than 2X as expensive. So I will tell you about a fair comparison between the Karoo2 and a similarly priced product, the Garmin edge 530. I bought a Garmin edge 530 2 months ago. It never worked (the elapsed time measurement was totally wrong, so all the stats were off). The Garmin customer service was atrocious. No contact possible either by telephone or by email during the entire month of August (it is well known that cyclists never ride in August, so they think they can get away with no customer service in summer...). In addition, the ergonomics of the edge 530 are absolutely rubbish, worthy of the 90s. The visibility of the data is poor for someone who has poor eyesight like me (screen too small, insufficient contrast). So after this disastrous experience with Garmin, I returned the product to the sender and tried the outsider that no one talks about (except in the US), the Karoo 2 from Hammerhead. It's a completely different approach, built on the Android platform. Result: screen 10 times more legible, 2020s ergonomics (touchscreen), very frequent updates. I particularly appreciate the main screen which combines map, speed, navigation and climbs as soon as there is one listed. The navigation is much more user-friendly than on the subpar Garmin screen and makes fewer errors (I have the impression that the Karoo GPS chip is more precise). In short, a real pleasure to use for under $250!!! I only see 2 small flaws: Battery life is limited by the very bright screen to around 10 hours (more than enough for me) The device is significantly heavier (+4oz) and bulkier than a Garmin edge 530, therefore less suitable for competition (again not a problem for me). If the reliability is there (it's too early to judge but it is solidly built and did not miss a beat in the rain last Sunday), it is the deal of the century compared to Garmin GPS, which in comparison look totally obsolete and way too expensive.
I think it's important to remember longevity of devices battery. If today you get 7-8hrs on Karoo 2. In 12 months you'll be lucky to get 6-7, in two years 5-6. The more you need to charge your devices the shorter the lifespan. Nothing worse than doing a long event for the battery to deplete before the end of it.
I used to think a slimmed down Android would be best for wearables future but when you see the way Garmin smashes Apple Watch and Android watches out of the water when it comes to battery life it makes it a no brainer for my use case. Do you need to take a phone call, read an email from your running watch or Bike computer? It might be handy once in a while but I get everything I need from my Fenix watch and Garmin Edge. The new OLED displays Garmin use in the Venu2 and Epix look great and with the simpler OS Garmin use. Is that the sweetspot? For me personally all things being equal I would still always go for battery life.
All the same, it is good to see what follows the Karoo 2.
great points, thanks for sharing!
I mountain bike and road bike about the same, almost 50-50 and I went with a Garmin for their integration with Trailforks for my off-road routing which is really important on some of the trails I ride, it can be very easy to get lost. I'm hoping that since SRAM purchased K2 that in the next version, they will make the computer more mountain bike friendly :).
thanks for sharing!!
I was able to sideload trailforks fairly easily on to the Karoo. If you are in to that sort of thing.
Good stuff, Jon. I use the K2 (and, use my old Garmin Fenix 3 watch) on my rides. I don’t care about notifications or Strava segments, and the only “peripherals” I connect are Favero Assioma pedals and Wahoo Tickr X HRM. I do set the display brightness to about 25%. As a result I easily get more than 10 hrs of ride time out of a full charge - two to three days, usually. I’d like to see HH dev some pedaling dynamics analysis data/graphics (ala Garmin’s) for display. Other than that, I don’t miss anything from the Garmin computers.
thank you for sharing, appreciate it
Thank you! I am just getting back into cycling and was trying to decide on what computer would work for me and this helped a lot.
Nice!! glad to hear
Have K2 and love the frequent updates. I think every 2 weeks. Always look forward to the new stuff.
thanks for the comment!
Karoo 2 is now in August 2023 a perfect navigation system - they removed all the bugs out of it. I am so much satisfied.
I just switched from being a dedicated Garmin user of 10+ yrs to the K2 and I agree, that while it’s not perfect , it has the potential to being an equal if not better than the flagship 1030, and I have yet to wish I had replaced my 1030, that died, with another one.
thanks for sharing!!
Best of both worlds. I use K2 and wear a Garmin Fenix. I like the fitness metrics of Garmin but love the K2 screen
Nice!
Could you please elaborate on this comment? on how you use both to equal effectiveness. The reason I ask is cos I have been thinking about the same combo as well :) Thank you, in advance
@@neodro4831 I just paired all my sensors to both units and start a ride on both. Hammerhead has since made the dashboard 100% better but still lacks fitness metrics
I switched from Garmin 1030 Plus to the Karoo 2. The reason for me was the buggy navigation on the Garmin. I would get 4-5 bogus turn alerts on a previous recorded Garmin route, a main 2-4 lane route with dedicated bike lane. Working with Garmin support for several months providing photos, I never got a solution. Nor did they ever suggest returning it under warranty. A total time waster. Also, the switch to firmware blocking it from working in countries not supported from where you purchased it! I travel occasionally from Canada to Singapore to ride. With the Karoo 2, you simply click on the country where you want to cycle, and it quickly and for free downloads the maps.
thank you for sharing your experience, appreciate it
Appreciate your thorough user-oriented evaluation, looking forward to Karoo3 so I can jump off the dull and clumsy Garmin user interface!
I have the K2 paired to my iphone, no app exists for iOS, so I just need bluetooth on in order to receive notifications.
Nice!!
Love the comments and feedback! Still debating between the 3 computers (Garmin 1030+, Wahoo Roam and the K2!)
thank you
Hi Jon.🙂great video 😀can you tell me if you can turn off notifications on the k2?cheers.
Great video Jon. I have the K2 and I use it basically for the mapping and a few other features. The one thing that annoys me is the phone notifications. They come up and when I select to read, for some reason I have difficulty getting that screen to go away. Maybe it is just user error and I need more practice on that and which buttons to press. I don't do epic rides so I have no issues with battery life. Your past evaluations of these devices pointed me in the right direction For this I thank you very much. It was a wise purchase.
thank you for sharing!!
I use the 530 edge, does everything i need. Not really bothered about navigation but do love the idea of using a different device and would definitely consider in the future. Great video Jon 📹 👍
thank you
Every time you talk about the K2 I think "this is the time he'll convince me to buy one" and every time you convince me to wait for the K3.
LOL
Can you show us how to side load apps. I can’t seem to figure this out.
Yes, I will do a video soon on this
Thank you 🙏🏾
How can I import my RWGPS Maps to my Karoo 2??? Thank you..
I managed to trade off my Edge 520 to Karoo 2. Happy so far
Nice!!
U forget the climbing feature put u always to a great job 🙏🙏🙏🇦🇹🇦🇹✌️✌️
thank you
how is the K2 with mountainbike routes? equally as other brands? I now use a Bryton Ryder 860
I have a BIG issue with Garmin navigation go to the start of the route. It keeps sending me in circles. Otherwise I prefer the Garmin and it's extra functions.
thanks for sharing!
Do you know if Hammerhead plans on supporting MTB features? That’s the main reason I switched from K2 to edge 530.
I am sure they have it in the work, nothing yet though
So Karoo or garmin ? 😁 new in to this and trying to figure it out!
I like Karoo but Garmin 1040 is coming soon I might really like it
I just switch from Wahoo Element Roam to the Hammerhead K2 and I love it 🚴🏽♂️🔥💨👍🏼 With the time they are going to improve specially with the every 2 weeks update and be part of SRAM. Thanks for your videos
thanks for tuning in!
A suggestion from my side: Don’t compare official prices take the street prices.
true
Love your channel but try getting a warranty replacement in Canada. Bad enough on delays when they said ship immediately. But paying duty again of $85! Features is one thing but warranty support is just as important that all reviews never get into.
good point, thanks!
Are we not expecting a 1030 plus replacement anytime soon??
1040 coming this month I think?
@@jonmaloneycycling7593 I'm patiently waiting as I really need a new bike computer.
Hi Jon, thanks for your comprehensive explanations. Question: I've been a user of a Wahoo Elmnt since a couple of years now. I like to plan rides which I ride solo. This summer I'm going to the Alps. The problem I have with the Elmnt is that it can't replan on the fly which can be a problem if you don't know the area as specially with mountains. It can also be a bit laggy. Would you advise the K2 or the Garmin? Routes are the most important to me. Like to hear your opion. Greetings from Holland
Thanks man, I would go with k2. The mapping and nav are awesome on it
@@jonmaloneycycling7593 Thank you Jon, just ordered one :)
Please consider adding timecode bookmarks to your videos.
great idea, thanks!
Who da fuq wants notifications on a ride??
just to let you no another update has dropped today on the Karoo 2 i think it could be good for you
thanks for the note!!
Nice one ❤
A NEW UPDATE ON THE K2 TODAY
What is it
nice!!
Most update are to reduce the number of bugs. The bottoms are way too heavy to press and often you have to press more than once, and that is a no go. Just finishing a ride can be quiet funky! The screen is not so bright as often stated and after 7 hours is game over. Sorry, after seven hours stays the 1030 at 70%! I own the K2 now for 2 month but this device doesn’t convince me. Software updates don’t help if the bottoms are too heavy to press and don’t work!
IT is unfair to compare the Karoo2 with a Garmin product that is more than 2X as expensive. So I will tell you about a fair comparison between the Karoo2 and a similarly priced product, the Garmin edge 530.
I bought a Garmin edge 530 2 months ago. It never worked (the elapsed time measurement was totally wrong, so all the stats were off). The Garmin customer service was atrocious. No contact possible either by telephone or by email during the entire month of August (it is well known that cyclists never ride in August, so they think they can get away with no customer service in summer...). In addition, the ergonomics of the edge 530 are absolutely rubbish, worthy of the 90s. The visibility of the data is poor for someone who has poor eyesight like me (screen too small, insufficient contrast).
So after this disastrous experience with Garmin, I returned the product to the sender and tried the outsider that no one talks about (except in the US), the Karoo 2 from Hammerhead. It's a completely different approach, built on the Android platform. Result: screen 10 times more legible, 2020s ergonomics (touchscreen), very frequent updates.
I particularly appreciate the main screen which combines map, speed, navigation and climbs as soon as there is one listed. The navigation is much more user-friendly than on the subpar Garmin screen and makes fewer errors (I have the impression that the Karoo GPS chip is more precise). In short, a real pleasure to use for under $250!!!
I only see 2 small flaws:
Battery life is limited by the very bright screen to around 10 hours (more than enough for me)
The device is significantly heavier (+4oz) and bulkier than a Garmin edge 530, therefore less suitable for competition (again not a problem for me).
If the reliability is there (it's too early to judge but it is solidly built and did not miss a beat in the rain last Sunday), it is the deal of the century compared to Garmin GPS, which in comparison look totally obsolete and way too expensive.