Seattle Forrest

How does that work out in practice?

I do this occasionally to update software on my watch. It's painfully slow.

DrIsotope

I haven't tried to use the HotSpot for any sort of firmware update, just for activity uploads-- and FIT files are quite small, so the upload is done in a few seconds.

JohnJ80

Have you tried downloading any maps through the hot spot?

My plan is to use the hotspot while touring in europe to download maps, sync units with the dashboard, and upload rides. My guess is that should work and only take a few minutes.

J.

motosonic

So, I finally got an opportunity to test out my Karoo in the 'real world' on a 500+ mile cycling journey across Texas with 150+ of my fellow disabled Veterans and I have to say it performed remarkably well. I had no issues with it.. it was easy to use, accurate, clear to read in all conditions.. it even survived a 4 hours ride in a severe rainstorm.. I love it.

I was able to use my phone as a wifi hotspot and the upload of my activities only took a few seconds.. and I was even able to apply a software update the same way.
I've got no complaints. Money well spent

DrIsotope

Yeah, rock-solid since the last update, I haven't had a single issue. The updated auto-pause reacts more quickly than my Garmin. I dunno what trickery they're doing with the software, but with every update battery life has gotten better. I've had a couple of rides at 7-8% draw per hour-- and I still refuse to turn adaptive brightness off.

I also have a FreedomPop SIM installed, seems to work fine. I have to leave cellular data off except for uploads, though-- because the "free" SIM uses little tidbits of data constantly, around 1MB of data a day, and I don't think that's an accident. No such thing as free, as they say. Uploads are blazingly fast, though. Worth the 15 bucks.

Elvo

Is there a silicon case?

DrIsotope

I've seen a couple people use things like silicone wristbands wrapped around to act as a sort of bumper-- but I haven't seen any actual direct-fit protective cases.

As a side note, the latest software "update," oof. I've been in the Advanced Testing Group for a few months now, and this latest software is rough.

But they're still at it, and constantly updating, so it's all good. The battery on the "backup" Edge 520 is getting pretty long in the tooth, it's been charged so many times it gets about the same battery life as the Karoo, with 1/3 the screen size, no maps, no SIM, and the backlight off.

motosonic

I haven't seen any cases yet, but here's what I "CAN" Say. I had a REALLY nasty accident back in June and my bike was wrecked and that Hammerhead doesn't have a speck of damage anywhere. LOL I don't know how that happened, but it's still flawless. DrIsotope is right, our latest software update isn't awesome, but in general, the device really is fantastic. I don't regret my purchase one bit and I know they'll iron out the bugs in the next release.. and frankly, I don't care because it's too cold for me to ride outside anyways, lol

DrIsotope

They seem to get the software right about 50% of the time-- whenever something gets added/fixed, something else gets broken. They were doing the work on the ANT+ protocol to allow stuff like power meter calibration, and now all of my sensors drop at some point during every ride, and never pick back up. But the new ATG software comes out tomorrow, so no big deal. They say it's fixed.

Still works as a map, which is what I use the thing for 90% of the time anyway. My ability to do rides where I never put a foot down is 100% courtesy of the Karoo.

JohnJ80

Looks like the new rev will have Android standard ANT+ driver support which should open the door to all sorts of interesting things.

J.

Elvo

What do you guys use the 9 gb of space for? I downloaded the entire metropolitan LA area and it only took like 100 mb.

JohnJ80

The plan is to eventually add an android app store. You can already side load apps using the Android tools. So, for example, I have both Osmand and Komoot for applications, a weather radar application, a podcast player and a communications app (Zello). What you see is the beginning of what had planned for roadmap.

Also, map size varies with quality.

J.

motosonic

Does anyone with a Hammerhead know if the Karoo works with the Shimano di2 wireless Unit?

My current bike has the 9070 and It would be fantastic if I could display battery life, etc. on my Karoo.
Thanks!

DrIsotope

They certainly haven't added it yet, but the most recent software introduced a battery gauge for power meters, which is a step in the right direction.

JohnJ80

If you mean displaying gear position and shifting information, then the answer is"no." It's on the roadmap scheduled for implementation by next year. They have a community forum where this was discussed.

J.

motosonic

Awesome! and yes! I haven't really been on their forums in a while. Been incapacitated from a crash, so just now really getting back into action. Just in time to put the bike away for the winter.

Elvo

This screen protector works perfectly but only covers the actual display and not the entire bezel. I imagine any 3.5" screen protector will work fine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MEMOREX-GPS...53.m2749.l2649

JohnJ80

It's not a standard 3.5" cellphone display. It's kind of square-ish.