I'll stick with my current Hammerhead. As a long distance tourer, a few extra hours is little bit nicer but really not nearly as nice as I would hope for. I still carry a 30,000 mAH battery for remote riding away from recharging places. For long day rides I carry a 10,000 mAH battery if the battery poops out. Much cheaper to carry a spare battery than a $700 CDN outlay for a new bike computer with a few more hours of charge. Compare this with the Garmin 1040 solar which gives heaps more battery life - which means I wouldn't have to carry an extra battery at all for most of my riding (see Joe Pavlik's post below). Next point of course is that the computer is $50 CDN less expensive in the US. This is the same for Australian Dollars as well where the unit is $50 AUD cheaper in the US. Do they have something against Commonwealth countries? I'll wait till a solar charging Karoo with an even bigger battery comes out - which would simply catch up a bit with what Garmin already has. As I don't race, better battery life is far more important than shaving a few grams. Either that, or I'll simply go to Garmin.
It's more of an update than a new device and I find a 25% price increase for Europe quite harsh, so I'm deciding against it! I'm looking forward to the review of the Igs800
Great review Shane. I really like my Karoo 2 to the extent my Garmin was handed down to the daughter. Given the short battery life, slow startup and lack of non wifi connectivity surprising how much this unit has become a definite favourite. The 3 looks like it will be better down the track when it’s better processing and memory power will support improved UI but for now staying with the 2.
I had the karoo 2 a while back, at first before it was known of srams involvement. The di compatability was great, they liked weekly updates and suddenly one week the release notes was were removing all involvement with shimano di2. I soon got rid and went for a garmin 1040 which is fantastic. Never understood why a head unit would associate themselves with one brand. Seems a bizarre move Great video as always Shane . Thanks
@Millicente yeah I get that when it became public, but they kept it quiet for a couple of months with users guessing what was going on. When They finally announced the relationship with sram it all became clear to why shimano Di2 got removed. Not knocking the headunit just needed it at the time to work with my groupset 👍
Love that you're calling it Karoo 3 instead of Karoo, but to be honest it looks like it should be called the Karoo 2S. My biggest gripes with my K2 are the laggy UI and the battery life, and it looks like both have been improved only marginally. BTW, you don't need to go through all the steps you went through to drop a pin. You can just long press straight onto any part of the map to drop a pin and start navigation there.
Another great video, Shane. Looks like a good computer and the Android OS gets two thumbs up from me. I'm deeply into both the SRAM and Garmin ecosystems. Most of SRAM's acquisitions have been great for both SRAM and the company they purchased (ie Zipp), but I'm questioning this one. Of course things are bound to improve, but this computer appears to be struggling with so many things that we've come to expect from Garmin Edge comps and the $475 is too damn close to the 1040 $600 cost to make me give it a try as a second computer. Honestly, my 1030 works so well and reliably that I've felt no need to upgrade to the 1040 and I may ride it until it bites the dust. That zwift feature at the end was pretty cool.
I expected to get a better map like I had with my old Garmin 1030...more details/differences between trails, little roads, pavement...everything is still a dashed line. I will not upgrade from my actual Karoo2 which is very okay for the half price i paid here in Europe...Thanks for the review!
I really wanted to want this, as I edge deeper and deeper into the SRAM eco-system. But I think maybe I am staying with Garmin, more's the pity. I share your hope that there is more to come
@@pe3117when you’re a distant 3rd in the market and have major design flaws (screen tech and battery life) you need to charge way less than the market leader.
I was looking at upgrading from Garmin Explore 2 to a Garmin 1040/1050 to address frustrating navigation issues, and Karoo 3 is substantially cheaper than the 64GB Garmin option (which wouldn't even address my to main usability gripes -- map management with the buggy AF Garmin Express PC app and difficulty quickly rerouting to a new location mid ride).
Great video as always. But I think it is IMPORTANT to mention that the SDK is NOT enabled or installed for those who want and need to make some 3rd party developers application to work. For example, I have Type 1 Diabetes, and the developers at INFLITE developed a great and simple application that allows you to add key data fields related to blood glucose management information. For us Type 1 diabetics, being able to have our glucose levels field visible on the GPS computer is as important if not more than any other GPS native data fields. Please, put pressure on Hammerhead (or SRAM) developers to re-enabled SDK such that we can get this vital application working again. Thank you!
I have a 1030 plus…like it…now I bought a Wahoo Roam v2 and didn’t like at all and went back to Garmin…but now I think I have a good excuse to try the Karoo 3
32 bit subsystem was 10 years beyond its kill date, no developer would waste their time on that DOA OS. With a 64 bit subsystem and minimum CPU RAM support this will open things up now that is CAN LEVERAGE mainstream developer tools and off the shelf supporting class libraries that work with Android 12 and beyond.
I'm a bit disappointed they ditched the SMS card, where SIM data are cheap it's a good feature to have without carrying your phone or using phone battery. A suggestion to you is to try on the Karoo 3 if the re-routing is still drain a lot of energy as on the Karoo 2, should be a bit better because of the new hardware and light sensor but I think it's worth to test it.
Is the updated GPS likely to help with a faster GPS fix? It always takes a few minutes with Karoo2 to get the position (and exiting autopause) after exiting the underground car park when starting a ride.
Does anyone else struggle to know/remember what the physical buttons do on k2? I was also often pressing extra buttons in error... E.g. thumb on bottom left to press that, but forefinger inadvertently presses the bottom right one as I grip the unit.
Read on the HH community forums that until HH enables SDK on this device apps like Ki2, Xert etc cannot be installed. Therefore the K3 is less relevant for Di2 users
That’s on auto brightness. Visibility is always difficult to capture due to camera exposure. What is obvious is the K3 being a lot brighter than the 2.
Not much to get excited about, what's the saying - more evolutionary than revolutionary. Here in Canada I can pick up the 840 (non solar) for $100 less than the Karoo 3, or am I missing something and SRAM is positioning this against the 1040?
@@askmeaboutmattweiner You're right, was 2021 for Bolt 2 and 2022 for the Roam 2. The Roam 3 is coming though, I spoke with some Wahoo reps at the Dirty Reiver last month. They wouldn't divulge any more info though! Hopefully they'll refresh them both at the same time.
@@Lacking_somethingyou can pair the K2 to the app but there no real functionality at the moment, I suspect that will change unless it’s a K2 limitation with the old android software
Hammerhead increased the battery size to 3300 mAh on the K3 vs 2500 mAh on the K2, an increase of 32%. And now the battery lasts 30% longer. So essentially the Hammerhead dev team has done jackshit to improve the battery efficiency, they just gave it a bigger fuel tank. That's an absolute joke when you think about the 1040 having an 1800 mAh battery and lasting 40+ hours. Bought a 1040 during Black Friday last year, been overall very happy with it (coming from a Wahoo Elemnt). Hamerhead is squeezing a whopping 12-13 hours out of the K3? I'm regularly getting 40-45 hours out of my 1040 (with HR, power meter, Di2, radar, speed sensor, and sometimes navigation and/or music). Heck, my Elemnt with 40,000 km on it was still getting 12+ hours out of a charge. No, my rides don't require a full charge, however, I also don't feel like charging once a week, and having the thing crap out mid-ride if I head out with 15%. That's unacceptable for a product just released today. You also have to factor in that the more charge cycles you go through, the more wear and tear your battery is being subjected to, so while my 1040 should still be going strong in 5 years, that battery in the K3 is going to be suffering after 2-3.
@@gplama I saw dcrainmakers forum for this but for some reason couldn’t get it to work. It would be cool if one of you guys made a how too video for this especially for the new unit. Can’t figure it out for some reason.
I don't like the pin navigation on the K2 and still don't like it on the K3 - even with the help of the phone. Wahoo on this matter has the lead with the fantastic Element smartphone app. Again : didn't like too much the laggy feeling of the K2 and it seems that if there is a boost, it's still there on the K3.
I have 1030. Serves me right on audax rides. But i have to make use of the garmin external battery for 300-600 km rides. Looks like 1040 solar is the right option. 1050 appears to be similar to karoo 3 in terms of battery life. No solar option. But, someone is selling me a karoo 3 bnew and sealed at 426 usd. Go or no Go?
Not a single word on the ANT+ protocol ? Does it mean that he doesn't exist anymore ? (was still working with Android 8.1, got removed from later versions of Android)
Which computer has the easiest readable screen in sunlight? (especially on map). This is a problem I really struggle with on my Garmin Edge 1040. From ruclips.net/video/jVLyTi4lpfw/видео.html the Hammerhead 3 seems a clear winner?
I've been calling them Srammerhead since day one of the takeover. This device is a load of nothing over the K2 in it's initial release. My gut still tells me the K2 will be the on and only Srammerhead device I ever purchase, and that's their loss.
Man the software bloat is real, boot up and UI is incredibly slow and laggy compared to a 530, a device which came out 5 years ago and costs half as much...
Let's be honest very little people do rides that exceed 8 hours and that "pairing" between Google and Karroo is another nail on the coffin of Shimano and Garmin. I say this when I would never buy something from SRAM when their only goal is to rip everyone of their money!
The battery life isn’t only about single rides. It’s about the charging frequency. The last Edge units can go two or more weeks of riding without needing a charge. The Karoo (all versions) are plugged in at least once a week here.
I have actually been testing the unit for a month now and I can confirm the UI is butter smooth with the new hardware upgrades. It’s snappy with the response.
Ah yes, the old party trick where you make your users pay for the priviledge of testing your hardware, with the promise of future improvements. Might as well make it subscription based already.
Compared to an Edge unit the *claimed* battery life is very poor. And that's probably only with ideal conditions in the lab. My old Karoo 2 burns around 15% per hour, and from 30% it drops to zero in less than an hour. So I'm currently looking at 6 to 7 hours max. riding time. Only 30% increase here will not make me buy a K3 at this price.
My experience from Karoo 2 was degraded by battery life, screen visibility and UX. For a long ride I always had to switch screen off which was very annoying when riding. I sent it back to wait for next iteration. Karoo 3 don’t seem to have really upgraded all of those perfectly and have added a big price increase.
@@telcotec Yeah, when I went back to actually buy Karro 3 it was 750. I wonder what would have happened had I bought it at the wrong price earlier. Maybe the correct price would have been shown at checkout.
Sad to see no change in the mount. My K2 mount only lasted 60 days, one of the reasons I just went back to the 1030/1040 series - really wanted this unit to succeed
Thanks for the review 👍 Based on this, I think I need a new pair of shoes more urgently so will be looking for those first and from what’s left maybe a Chinese nav unit.
It feels like a 2.5 update rather than a full new unit. I get the price hike, but from a consumer POV, it's not worth it for the upgrade, and it's dangerously close to the 1040. I somewhat wish I had jumped at the K2 for $410 Canadian, now that the K3 is $700 Canadian (and the 1040 is 780).
they're canabilising the one USP they had which was the SIM independence feature. I was honestly expecting more on the line of an application market place too. I love my K2, wouldnt bother with the K3.
SO an extra £90 in the UK for what exactly? a slightly better better life?! At that price it's stepping on the toes of the Edge 1040. What have they been doing for the past 3+ years because it's a pretty weak upgrade. Maybe there is a plus model coming later...the price would worry me now I've seen the k3 price of £450
@@MrSaxmania All the feedback I've heard is that it is faster than a k2 but still laggy. Yes, a better display than the 1040 but then the k2 has a better display.
@@Roger101Watson All I'm responding to is Karoo stepping into price zone of the Edge 1040. Seems that the new Karoo is better than or at least just as good as Edge 1040 in everything, except the battery life. So the increase in price is justifiable.
Why can none of the head units allow adding waypoints or via points to an existing route? If I have a route from A to B, no matter if just pinned on the device or pre-planned, adding a point as detour stops the current ride instead of making the route A > B > C. I just don't get it why is that so complicated for an algorythm.
A quick note for potential buyers regarding pin drops through the companion app: This *only* works with an established internet connection, bluetooth alone is not enough. Finding this out after buying the new K3 was a bummer for me since it's a feature for example Garmin units have had for quite some time. Most people probably won't find this too big of an issue since it's rare to not have signal but I still feel like it's a handy bit of information/limitation worth mentioning.
I just want to know what they are smoking that it costs more than an edge 840. They'd be better off going the choros vs garmin route. You got to have all the functionality at an undercutting price to pry me out of the garmin ecosystem.
agreed, had two Garmins, finally gave up and got the first Karoo. Bulky and the garmin mount was not robust enough for the size but it was (and is) still miles ahead of the buggy, shiny screened, rarely updated and just basically old tech Garmins. Will never buy a Garmin again. Will get one of these over the next 12 months.
Maybe I missed it but what exactly is the innovation here? Is putting a slightly bigger battery in the device called an innovation nowadays? Crazy times 😅
Effectively all-new hardware (and OS) but with the same UI/UX. They really missed the chance to throw everyone a bone with an overhaul of the maps / navigation / something.... as it stands and as I mention a lot in the video, it feels VERY much like the K2 at the moment.
@@gplama so it’s basically buying the device and hoping, that they can use the new hardware for some great features. Honestly I expected some of this new features already for the launch. The karroo is still missing a lot when it comes to workouts or analyzing training data. Would have been nice to see something new there…
Yeah the battery life on the 1040 solar is a strong consideration, but the battery life on the Karoo is similar to my current Garmin Explore 2, which I work around with an external power bank on long rides, which I'm used to. Upgrading to the 1040 solar would be much more expensive than to the Karoo 3, and the navigation related usability issues I have with Garmin would remain, while being addressed with the Karoo.
I'll stick with my current Hammerhead. As a long distance tourer, a few extra hours is little bit nicer but really not nearly as nice as I would hope for. I still carry a 30,000 mAH battery for remote riding away from recharging places. For long day rides I carry a 10,000 mAH battery if the battery poops out. Much cheaper to carry a spare battery than a $700 CDN outlay for a new bike computer with a few more hours of charge. Compare this with the Garmin 1040 solar which gives heaps more battery life - which means I wouldn't have to carry an extra battery at all for most of my riding (see Joe Pavlik's post below).
Next point of course is that the computer is $50 CDN less expensive in the US. This is the same for Australian Dollars as well where the unit is $50 AUD cheaper in the US. Do they have something against Commonwealth countries? I'll wait till a solar charging Karoo with an even bigger battery comes out - which would simply catch up a bit with what Garmin already has. As I don't race, better battery life is far more important than shaving a few grams.
Either that, or I'll simply go to Garmin.
It's more of an update than a new device and I find a 25% price increase for Europe quite harsh, so I'm deciding against it! I'm looking forward to the review of the Igs800
Im also looking at this.. looks promising so far
Chinese electronic products charge less money and more of your soul
Best wait for the price drop will be interesting to see if they offer a part ex
The updates are nothing essential I want as K2 is fine
@@MS-bw7yt Correct. Why would you buy chinese crap? Stop buying from an enemy.
Thanks Lama! Always love your reviews! So satisfying
I’m a size medium for the “SRAM-A-HEAD” t-shirts
Great review Shane. I really like my Karoo 2 to the extent my Garmin was handed down to the daughter. Given the short battery life, slow startup and lack of non wifi connectivity surprising how much this unit has become a definite favourite. The 3 looks like it will be better down the track when it’s better processing and memory power will support improved UI but for now staying with the 2.
I had the karoo 2 a while back, at first before it was known of srams involvement. The di compatability was great, they liked weekly updates and suddenly one week the release notes was were removing all involvement with shimano di2. I soon got rid and went for a garmin 1040 which is fantastic. Never understood why a head unit would associate themselves with one brand. Seems a bizarre move
Great video as always Shane . Thanks
It's because SRAM bought hammerhead. Shimano then removed compatibility with the computer. You can add it back with sideloading though
@Millicente yeah I get that when it became public, but they kept it quiet for a couple of months with users guessing what was going on. When They finally announced the relationship with sram it all became clear to why shimano Di2 got removed. Not knocking the headunit just needed it at the time to work with my groupset 👍
Love that you're calling it Karoo 3 instead of Karoo, but to be honest it looks like it should be called the Karoo 2S. My biggest gripes with my K2 are the laggy UI and the battery life, and it looks like both have been improved only marginally.
BTW, you don't need to go through all the steps you went through to drop a pin. You can just long press straight onto any part of the map to drop a pin and start navigation there.
Another great video, Shane. Looks like a good computer and the Android OS gets two thumbs up from me. I'm deeply into both the SRAM and Garmin ecosystems. Most of SRAM's acquisitions have been great for both SRAM and the company they purchased (ie Zipp), but I'm questioning this one. Of course things are bound to improve, but this computer appears to be struggling with so many things that we've come to expect from Garmin Edge comps and the $475 is too damn close to the 1040 $600 cost to make me give it a try as a second computer. Honestly, my 1030 works so well and reliably that I've felt no need to upgrade to the 1040 and I may ride it until it bites the dust. That zwift feature at the end was pretty cool.
They should make an absolute crazy capacity battery to be competitive. I bet most of thier clients are long distance gravels
I want to see wireless charging support and an optional battery pack with compatible mount. Now that would be a unique offering.
@@gplamawireless charging wastes loads of energy. Just make the battery life 300% better.
I get about 5-6 hrs with the Garmin Explore 2 and have an external power bank to get me through a long day
I expected to get a better map like I had with my old Garmin 1030...more details/differences between trails, little roads, pavement...everything is still a dashed line. I will not upgrade from my actual Karoo2 which is very okay for the half price i paid here in Europe...Thanks for the review!
no upgrade option this time, too bad. But based on the review, it doesn't look like there is really that much more that I'd want to upgrade
I really wanted to want this, as I edge deeper and deeper into the SRAM eco-system. But I think maybe I am staying with Garmin, more's the pity. I share your hope that there is more to come
Can’t tell if it’s just turned up but the screen looks night and day brighter than the other two
The prices are insane. $700 CAD? LMAO! Good luck, Hammerhead/SRAM 😂
Why people think everything must be cheap?
@@pe3117 did he say everything must be cheap? English isn't that hard.
@@pe3117when you’re a distant 3rd in the market and have major design flaws (screen tech and battery life) you need to charge way less than the market leader.
I was looking at upgrading from Garmin Explore 2 to a Garmin 1040/1050 to address frustrating navigation issues, and Karoo 3 is substantially cheaper than the 64GB Garmin option (which wouldn't even address my to main usability gripes -- map management with the buggy AF Garmin Express PC app and difficulty quickly rerouting to a new location mid ride).
Another great review
Great video as always. But I think it is IMPORTANT to mention that the SDK is NOT enabled or installed for those who want and need to make some 3rd party developers application to work. For example, I have Type 1 Diabetes, and the developers at INFLITE developed a great and simple application that allows you to add key data fields related to blood glucose management information. For us Type 1 diabetics, being able to have our glucose levels field visible on the GPS computer is as important if not more than any other GPS native data fields. Please, put pressure on Hammerhead (or SRAM) developers to re-enabled SDK such that we can get this vital application working again. Thank you!
It was assumed they’d enable it on launch, so I didn’t mention it. If you’re across my posts on Reddit you’ll know my stance on this.
Cadence app - worth a look!
I'd love to see a video focusing on the workout features.
I have a 1030 plus…like it…now I bought a Wahoo Roam v2 and didn’t like at all and went back to Garmin…but now I think I have a good excuse to try the Karoo 3
32 bit subsystem was 10 years beyond its kill date, no developer would waste their time on that DOA OS. With a 64 bit subsystem and minimum CPU RAM support this will open things up now that is CAN LEVERAGE mainstream developer tools and off the shelf supporting class libraries that work with Android 12 and beyond.
I'm a bit disappointed they ditched the SMS card, where SIM data are cheap it's a good feature to have without carrying your phone or using phone battery.
A suggestion to you is to try on the Karoo 3 if the re-routing is still drain a lot of energy as on the Karoo 2, should be a bit better because of the new hardware and light sensor but I think it's worth to test it.
Also they should update and expand the SDK that it's really minimal right now
Real life battery seems to be around 12 hours. Not enough for me. :/
Is the updated GPS likely to help with a faster GPS fix? It always takes a few minutes with Karoo2 to get the position (and exiting autopause) after exiting the underground car park when starting a ride.
Maybe.
Does anyone else struggle to know/remember what the physical buttons do on k2? I was also often pressing extra buttons in error... E.g. thumb on bottom left to press that, but forefinger inadvertently presses the bottom right one as I grip the unit.
Read on the HH community forums that until HH enables SDK on this device apps like Ki2, Xert etc cannot be installed. Therefore the K3 is less relevant for Di2 users
Bought myself KAroo 2 last year. Not going back to Garmin ...
Why?
It's on sale for 400€ at Bikeinn atm. Thats more of an acceptable pricepoint...
5:51 is that Garmin on power saving mode or something? Can't see the screen almost at all as it's so dim
That’s on auto brightness. Visibility is always difficult to capture due to camera exposure. What is obvious is the K3 being a lot brighter than the 2.
Not much to get excited about, what's the saying - more evolutionary than revolutionary. Here in Canada I can pick up the 840 (non solar) for $100 less than the Karoo 3, or am I missing something and SRAM is positioning this against the 1040?
Thanks, great vid once again! What is not clear to me whether it is now possible to program the extra buttons or blips to swipe the screen of the HH?
Yes, that’s possible.
Any chance you could sideload Trailforks? If that works, can you run it alongside the native activity tracking software while recording a ride?
Still going to hold out for the Roam 3. Come on Wahoo get it released!
Did the 2 come out last year? If anything we'd see a new bolt first
@@askmeaboutmattweiner You're right, was 2021 for Bolt 2 and 2022 for the Roam 2. The Roam 3 is coming though, I spoke with some Wahoo reps at the Dirty Reiver last month. They wouldn't divulge any more info though! Hopefully they'll refresh them both at the same time.
Great review! Any word if the companion app will integrate at all with the K2 (minus some of the hardware enabled features)?
I believe it only works with k3
@@Lacking_something I think you’re right. DCRainmaker wrote that in the K3 article on his site.
@@Lacking_somethingyou can pair the K2 to the app but there no real functionality at the moment, I suspect that will change unless it’s a K2 limitation with the old android software
The mount...why? Just why?
Hammerhead increased the battery size to 3300 mAh on the K3 vs 2500 mAh on the K2, an increase of 32%. And now the battery lasts 30% longer. So essentially the Hammerhead dev team has done jackshit to improve the battery efficiency, they just gave it a bigger fuel tank. That's an absolute joke when you think about the 1040 having an 1800 mAh battery and lasting 40+ hours.
Bought a 1040 during Black Friday last year, been overall very happy with it (coming from a Wahoo Elemnt). Hamerhead is squeezing a whopping 12-13 hours out of the K3? I'm regularly getting 40-45 hours out of my 1040 (with HR, power meter, Di2, radar, speed sensor, and sometimes navigation and/or music). Heck, my Elemnt with 40,000 km on it was still getting 12+ hours out of a charge. No, my rides don't require a full charge, however, I also don't feel like charging once a week, and having the thing crap out mid-ride if I head out with 15%. That's unacceptable for a product just released today. You also have to factor in that the more charge cycles you go through, the more wear and tear your battery is being subjected to, so while my 1040 should still be going strong in 5 years, that battery in the K3 is going to be suffering after 2-3.
did you say over shift warning?. And the new sram red is $ 3,000.00 USD, just what I would want to see for that kind of money.
How did you do the screen recording?
Side loaded a screen recording app.
@@gplama I saw dcrainmakers forum for this but for some reason couldn’t get it to work. It would be cool if one of you guys made a how too video for this especially for the new unit. Can’t figure it out for some reason.
For 439€ with discount i would Go for the Edge 1040 or for 240€ the Edge Explore 2.
Edge explore 2 cant do Di2 for half of the Price 😫😫😫😫
Is it possible to turn off rerouting on this new model?
Garmin 1040 is still king!
I don't like the pin navigation on the K2 and still don't like it on the K3 - even with the help of the phone. Wahoo on this matter has the lead with the fantastic Element smartphone app. Again : didn't like too much the laggy feeling of the K2 and it seems that if there is a boost, it's still there on the K3.
@gplama tried to pair Karoo 3 with di2 12 speed R8100 using ki2 version 6.0, it can't find it. Maybe ki2 only able to find di2 11 speed?
Ki2 hasn’t been updated to support the Karoo 3 yet.
Any plans for similar test for IGS800? PLEASEEEEEEEEE :D
Soon 👌🏼
About time, I was sweating it out thinking I'd have to go Garmin.
Have they said if the companion app will work with the Karoo 2?
Karoo 3 only.
Everyone: Please give us more battery.
Karoo: Gotcha, here is 2 more hours of battery and the ambient light sensor.
I have 1030. Serves me right on audax rides. But i have to make use of the garmin external battery for 300-600 km rides. Looks like 1040 solar is the right option. 1050 appears to be similar to karoo 3 in terms of battery life. No solar option. But, someone is selling me a karoo 3 bnew and sealed at 426 usd. Go or no Go?
Not a single word on the ANT+ protocol ? Does it mean that he doesn't exist anymore ? (was still working with Android 8.1, got removed from later versions of Android)
The Karoo 3 supports ANT+ sensors. If it didn’t that would have been a key feature/change I would have discussed.
11:20 quick mention of thr only thing a roadie might be interested in ... 🤣 Integrration with training platforms.
What proximity sensor are you using?
Varia Radar. Also the Trek CarBack during my testing of the new Karoo.
Better than the 1040?
No. And I’ve used both extensively.
@@gplama and - fot the EU at least, the 1040 is cheaper.
Breton 800 S 40u versus 15u bat. for Hammerhaad
Any chance we see 1040+ this year?
Will the companion app be usable with the karoo 2?
No
Thats a real shitty move
@@jamesinrok I suspect the older Android 8 and older hardware on the K2 won't allow it.
@@gplama I am able to upload routes from RwGPS to my Karoo 2 using the companion app, but uploading rides to Strava through the app is not working.
Does to companion app work with Karoo 2?
No
The mounting system is terrible. I ditched my 2 and went back to Garmin 840 because of it. I'm not seeing any reason to change again.
EUR 500??? Oh come on. That's double what the 2 was going for recently.
Hey! Everything doubled? At least they are being consistent with the economy 😂
battery still piss poor then! nothing much to tempt people here to update i feel
It's a little better. It's not what people were expecting though.
I asked for the radar light to move across years ago they just dont get it....
I’ll keep asking!
Thats the only way the more people who ask will get results
Karoo 3 or iGS800?
K3
A shout out to DC Rainmaker for the altitude data graph would be nice.
Sorry? That I used his tool for the analysis? It was my data. I also pay to use the tool. 🤷🏻♂️
@@gplama apologies. I misunderstood the situation.
Which computer has the easiest readable screen in sunlight? (especially on map). This is a problem I really struggle with on my Garmin Edge 1040. From ruclips.net/video/jVLyTi4lpfw/видео.html the Hammerhead 3 seems a clear winner?
I've been calling them Srammerhead since day one of the takeover. This device is a load of nothing over the K2 in it's initial release. My gut still tells me the K2 will be the on and only Srammerhead device I ever purchase, and that's their loss.
how to I install the lanyard?
Man the software bloat is real, boot up and UI is incredibly slow and laggy compared to a 530, a device which came out 5 years ago and costs half as much...
499€ for a bike computer??? 😂😂😂
Let's be honest very little people do rides that exceed 8 hours and that "pairing" between Google and Karroo is another nail on the coffin of Shimano and Garmin.
I say this when I would never buy something from SRAM when their only goal is to rip everyone of their money!
The battery life isn’t only about single rides. It’s about the charging frequency. The last Edge units can go two or more weeks of riding without needing a charge. The Karoo (all versions) are plugged in at least once a week here.
@@gplama isn't it the norm these days?
Reach home charge phone, charge this charge that...
@@nelsonsilva6842 It's not for bike computers. Reducing that requirement should be a priority.
€500 euro and without heartband and sensors?😢
the system interface is still laggy from the look of it. new processor does not look any better except startup time been reduced. Very disappointed
I have actually been testing the unit for a month now and I can confirm the UI is butter smooth with the new hardware upgrades. It’s snappy with the response.
Not butter here. More crunchy peanut butter in most cases.
500 Euros? No thanks
This is coming up as £245 in the UK, seems to be a good price compared to other units.
Karoo's battery is twice as strong as 1040's but 1040 lasts thrice as long. LOL.
Yep. But I wish had the karoo 3 screen on my 1040, as the garmin is dull at best
@@Madtriboy solar or normal?
@@neutronshiva2498 I've got a non-solar 1040. Just ordered a karoo 3 today. Best of both worlds
Ah yes, the old party trick where you make your users pay for the priviledge of testing your hardware, with the promise of future improvements. Might as well make it subscription based already.
Compared to an Edge unit the *claimed* battery life is very poor. And that's probably only with ideal conditions in the lab. My old Karoo 2 burns around 15% per hour, and from 30% it drops to zero in less than an hour. So I'm currently looking at 6 to 7 hours max. riding time. Only 30% increase here will not make me buy a K3 at this price.
I was looking forward for this Karoo, but the price jump from US$400 to US$475 is really steep! The lack of battery improvement is not good as well.
Well the Karoo 3 goes for 470 AUD from Karoo. Garmin egde 1040 goes for 999 AUD.
@@rwo5402 in the EU you can get the 1040 for 474 EUR. Easy choice I think...
I’ll keep rolling with my Wahoo Roam… 🍻
My experience from Karoo 2 was degraded by battery life, screen visibility and UX. For a long ride I always had to switch screen off which was very annoying when riding. I sent it back to wait for next iteration. Karoo 3 don’t seem to have really upgraded all of those perfectly and have added a big price increase.
great review unfortunately very disappointed about the pricing for the Karoo 3
470 AUD, about the same what the Karoo 2 was selling for.
@@rwo5402 that was a mistake on HH's behalf. Price was updated to $AUD750 the day after release.
@@telcotec Yeah, when I went back to actually buy Karro 3 it was 750. I wonder what would have happened had I bought it at the wrong price earlier. Maybe the correct price would have been shown at checkout.
Far too expensive for a speedometer...
Sad to see no change in the mount. My K2 mount only lasted 60 days, one of the reasons I just went back to the 1030/1040 series - really wanted this unit to succeed
Thanks for the review 👍
Based on this, I think I need a new pair of shoes more urgently so will be looking for those first and from what’s left maybe a Chinese nav unit.
No companion app for Karoo 2 is bull. When the 2 first came out, they said it had the hardware to do Bluetooth data transfer
It feels like a 2.5 update rather than a full new unit. I get the price hike, but from a consumer POV, it's not worth it for the upgrade, and it's dangerously close to the 1040. I somewhat wish I had jumped at the K2 for $410 Canadian, now that the K3 is $700 Canadian (and the 1040 is 780).
Well, it is faster than Garmin 1040 though, and also has a much better display.
they're canabilising the one USP they had which was the SIM independence feature. I was honestly expecting more on the line of an application market place too. I love my K2, wouldnt bother with the K3.
SO an extra £90 in the UK for what exactly? a slightly better better life?! At that price it's stepping on the toes of the Edge 1040. What have they been doing for the past 3+ years because it's a pretty weak upgrade. Maybe there is a plus model coming later...the price would worry me now I've seen the k3 price of £450
For SRAM ownership
It is faster than Edge 1040 and has a much better display.
@@MrSaxmania All the feedback I've heard is that it is faster than a k2 but still laggy. Yes, a better display than the 1040 but then the k2 has a better display.
@@Roger101Watson All I'm responding to is Karoo stepping into price zone of the Edge 1040. Seems that the new Karoo is better than or at least just as good as Edge 1040 in everything, except the battery life. So the increase in price is justifiable.
Why can none of the head units allow adding waypoints or via points to an existing route? If I have a route from A to B, no matter if just pinned on the device or pre-planned, adding a point as detour stops the current ride instead of making the route A > B > C. I just don't get it why is that so complicated for an algorythm.
A quick note for potential buyers regarding pin drops through the companion app: This *only* works with an established internet connection, bluetooth alone is not enough. Finding this out after buying the new K3 was a bummer for me since it's a feature for example Garmin units have had for quite some time. Most people probably won't find this too big of an issue since it's rare to not have signal but I still feel like it's a handy bit of information/limitation worth mentioning.
Appealing but way too expensive. An Edge 1040 sells for 450€.
What a let down..
I just want to know what they are smoking that it costs more than an edge 840. They'd be better off going the choros vs garmin route. You got to have all the functionality at an undercutting price to pry me out of the garmin ecosystem.
I really liked my Karoo 2. It’s too bad Shimano and SRAM are being children.
Thank you for the video, I’m looking forwards to getting my hands on one so that I can throw my Garmin crap in the bin!
I’m considering upgrading from the Karoo 2, is the upgrade to the Karoo 3 worth it?
Would I switch from a Bolt am not really sure at present 🤔 More likely go for a Roam for these old rider 👀
my karoo 2 had serious elevation issues had to grab the new one , pretty good so far
Garmin 1040 can be had in the UK for £450. This will struggle
Garmin is outdated garbage. 840 user.
agreed, had two Garmins, finally gave up and got the first Karoo. Bulky and the garmin mount was not robust enough for the size but it was (and is) still miles ahead of the buggy, shiny screened, rarely updated and just basically old tech Garmins.
Will never buy a Garmin again. Will get one of these over the next 12 months.
Wahoo gang
@@RachelSchloer :-) ....would happily go Wahoo rather than back to Garmin.
what about igpsport?
Maybe I missed it but what exactly is the innovation here? Is putting a slightly bigger battery in the device called an innovation nowadays? Crazy times 😅
Effectively all-new hardware (and OS) but with the same UI/UX. They really missed the chance to throw everyone a bone with an overhaul of the maps / navigation / something.... as it stands and as I mention a lot in the video, it feels VERY much like the K2 at the moment.
@@gplama so it’s basically buying the device and hoping, that they can use the new hardware for some great features. Honestly I expected some of this new features already for the launch. The karroo is still missing a lot when it comes to workouts or analyzing training data. Would have been nice to see something new there…
Your comments are exactly how I sum this release up at the end.
Wow, I'll never ditch my 1040 solar. While bikepacking I can get at least 5 days at 12 hours of ride time and navigation out of it with good sunlight.
Obviously it doesn't make sense to go for a cheaper different category of gps
Yes but the Garmin still has touch lag, slowness, ridiculous software. I speak as an owner 🙃
@@dottorfox3689 and the much dimmer display.
Yeah the battery life on the 1040 solar is a strong consideration, but the battery life on the Karoo is similar to my current Garmin Explore 2, which I work around with an external power bank on long rides, which I'm used to. Upgrading to the 1040 solar would be much more expensive than to the Karoo 3, and the navigation related usability issues I have with Garmin would remain, while being addressed with the Karoo.
Finally, a Karoo replacement. Er... Karooo?
PLEASE continue to use 'srammerhead' for the rest of your youtube career.
Can do. 🫡