Hands-on: Hammerhead’s new Karoo GPS Bike Computer
05-02-17, 10:06 AM
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Hands-on: Hammerhead’s new Karoo GPS Bike Computer
05-03-17, 02:31 AM
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No intention of buying the hardware, but the free app (Hammerhead) with no hardware required is quite impressive for navigation. Can even export/email created as .gpx (to be opened in Cyclemeter, etc.)
Heatmaps/bicycle routes are really really good!
Heatmaps/bicycle routes are really really good!
05-03-17, 07:01 AM
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Interesting.
It's a really-small Android cell phone.
You can also have the Garmins calculate a route to a dropped pin (dcrainmaker implies that they don't).
It's a really-small Android cell phone.
You can also have the Garmins calculate a route to a dropped pin (dcrainmaker implies that they don't).
05-06-17, 06:37 PM
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i'm not interested in any GPS that doesn't allow the user to update maps with OSM. For example the Magellan Cyclo 505 has not had a map update since 2015.
If i ever do buy another gps unit - it'll be a garmin where I can upload any OSM maps.
If i ever do buy another gps unit - it'll be a garmin where I can upload any OSM maps.
08-26-17, 10:51 AM
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Fredly
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Pretty sure I saw something recently about replacing garmin maps with osm
08-26-17, 10:57 AM
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I was considering the Karoo until I saw it's size. Might as well strap an iPad Mini to the bars and pedal on. In other words, that thing is GINORMOUS!
Also consider if you want to use all its features that you'll need a SIM card for it. Most carriers here in the US will charge anywhere from $20-$30 a month to add a device to your existing shared data plan. Yes I know it can be used without a SIM card, but to get full feature set, you'll need one.
Also consider if you want to use all its features that you'll need a SIM card for it. Most carriers here in the US will charge anywhere from $20-$30 a month to add a device to your existing shared data plan. Yes I know it can be used without a SIM card, but to get full feature set, you'll need one.
08-26-17, 12:29 PM
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Several people on BF have pre-ordered it already.
-Tim-
He got ya there Tim
08-26-17, 09:39 PM
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LoL.
It's been that kind of day.
It's been that kind of day.
08-31-17, 09:09 PM
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I would be interested in exactly the feature difference with or without a sim card?
R
R
09-02-17, 08:55 PM
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09-02-17, 10:23 PM
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I do not think there is any difference IF you have a cell phone with you. It's my understanding the SIM card just allows connected features and routing options via the SIM cards data connection.
I could be wrong but that's the way I understood it.
I could be wrong but that's the way I understood it.
09-02-17, 11:42 PM
#14
Non omnino gravis
Correct. The SIM just allows the unit to be standalone-- it doesn't need to pair to anything with Bluetooth to upload rides, etc.
...and there's a 99% chance I won't be messing with any of the SIM stuff. I don't ride without the phone on me. Add to that, here in the hellscape that is an at&t family plan, it would be a $25 activation fee, and $10 monthly. Unless connecting the computer to it's own wireless adds some insane, dramatic performance increases (which I don't see how it would, as it will only work where the phone will work) it's simply not worth $10 a month to me. But that's a few months off at any rate. Who knows, there might even be the option of getting the Karoo it's own wireless from somewhere super cheap. I have awhile to investigate.
...and there's a 99% chance I won't be messing with any of the SIM stuff. I don't ride without the phone on me. Add to that, here in the hellscape that is an at&t family plan, it would be a $25 activation fee, and $10 monthly. Unless connecting the computer to it's own wireless adds some insane, dramatic performance increases (which I don't see how it would, as it will only work where the phone will work) it's simply not worth $10 a month to me. But that's a few months off at any rate. Who knows, there might even be the option of getting the Karoo it's own wireless from somewhere super cheap. I have awhile to investigate.
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09-04-17, 08:48 PM
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You can swap your cell phone sim into a lot of devices that take sims and go. I've done it with a large number of them on multiple networks.
I was considering the Karoo until I saw it's size. Might as well strap an iPad Mini to the bars and pedal on. In other words, that thing is GINORMOUS!
Also consider if you want to use all its features that you'll need a SIM card for it. Most carriers here in the US will charge anywhere from $20-$30 a month to add a device to your existing shared data plan. Yes I know it can be used without a SIM card, but to get full feature set, you'll need one.
Also consider if you want to use all its features that you'll need a SIM card for it. Most carriers here in the US will charge anywhere from $20-$30 a month to add a device to your existing shared data plan. Yes I know it can be used without a SIM card, but to get full feature set, you'll need one.
09-05-17, 02:37 PM
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Are there any data only sim card plans that don't work on a monthly cycle? The Karoo is only 3G, so I can't imagine that it's using a ton of data. If it's possible to get a SIM car with a Gig of data and no time limit, then I'd bet it would last for a year.
I just looked and I can't confirm anything in three minutes of Google searching. There is a company called Tello that will sell prepaid data @ 2 cents per MB that seems like it could work. They'll also do 200MB for $5/month.
I'm very curious about the Karoo, but the size is intimidating. Make me wonder if just buying a second hand android phone and using Bluetooth sensors would be almost as good a way to go.
I just looked and I can't confirm anything in three minutes of Google searching. There is a company called Tello that will sell prepaid data @ 2 cents per MB that seems like it could work. They'll also do 200MB for $5/month.
I'm very curious about the Karoo, but the size is intimidating. Make me wonder if just buying a second hand android phone and using Bluetooth sensors would be almost as good a way to go.
09-05-17, 07:44 PM
#19
Non omnino gravis
I don't think any of the big carriers have any plans to do that-- only at&t has shut down it's 2G service, the others will have 2G until 2019/2020. Most of the carriers still use 3G for voice, so no chance of that getting shut down any time soon.
And the more I'm looking at it, the more the $10 a month to add it to my current plan is looking good. It seems like every service has some sort of monthly access fee, and extra data blocks are purchased by time, not by amount-- like, they expire. For something like the Karoo, I'd love the ability to buy like 1GB of data that is good until it's all used up, without some sort of monthly line access fee. As it is, I'll just wait on getting a SIM for it until at&t sends me another email saying I can add a device without an activation fee.
And the more I'm looking at it, the more the $10 a month to add it to my current plan is looking good. It seems like every service has some sort of monthly access fee, and extra data blocks are purchased by time, not by amount-- like, they expire. For something like the Karoo, I'd love the ability to buy like 1GB of data that is good until it's all used up, without some sort of monthly line access fee. As it is, I'll just wait on getting a SIM for it until at&t sends me another email saying I can add a device without an activation fee.
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09-05-17, 08:59 PM
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And the more I'm looking at it, the more the $10 a month to add it to my current plan is looking good. It seems like every service has some sort of monthly access fee, and extra data blocks are purchased by time, not by amount-- like, they expire. For something like the Karoo, I'd love the ability to buy like 1GB of data that is good until it's all used up, without some sort of monthly line access fee. As it is, I'll just wait on getting a SIM for it until at&t sends me another email saying I can add a device without an activation fee.
A cell network connection should only be required for tracking.
It might be possible to use teathering.
https://www.freedompop.com
09-05-17, 09:04 PM
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It's really just an Android phone with a dedicated setup/app.
There are apps that will do similar things but, maybe, not quite as conveniently.
09-13-17, 01:54 PM
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Rod & Judy
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[QUOTE=njkayaker;19843213]The Karoo should work without a cell network. Losing the network is common enough that the device should handle the loss.
A cell network connection should only be required for tracking.
Guess I'll just wait and see, all this makes sense, but how is it really, since we don't have a real live up to date test yet.
R
A cell network connection should only be required for tracking.
Guess I'll just wait and see, all this makes sense, but how is it really, since we don't have a real live up to date test yet.
R
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