Bike Computer 101 advice sought
04-19-22, 10:14 AM
#26
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04-19-22, 02:14 PM
#27
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04-19-22, 02:23 PM
#28
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The RWGPS app isn't available for all the devices (it's not available for the 1030+, for one).
There's also GRouteLoader, which does more stuff and runs on many more devices. It's also available as a widget as well as an app (you can use widgets while recording an activity).
Both need a RWGPS account, which lets you pin the routes you are interested in. GRouteLoader lets you download a route using a route number, which is tedious but you don't need an account for downloading public routes).
There's also GRouteLoader, which does more stuff and runs on many more devices. It's also available as a widget as well as an app (you can use widgets while recording an activity).
Both need a RWGPS account, which lets you pin the routes you are interested in. GRouteLoader lets you download a route using a route number, which is tedious but you don't need an account for downloading public routes).
04-20-22, 01:56 AM
#29
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I am in the market for a bike computer as well, and debating between the Karoo 2 and the Wahoo Bolt V2.
I have been using an iPhone SE (for small size) with a stem mount and paired with RidewithGPS as my solution for a few years now. But it is quite far from ideal:
- battery life is bad, even though the battery is new. Need to turn the screen off and back on occasionally to save battery. With screen on, I get only about 2.5 hrs of runtime.
- Screen visibility in direct sunlight is horrible, even on full brightness.
- Touch screens are not easy to use while riding. The button size on a smartphone is designed to be used while standing still. While moving, it is outright dangerous to take your eyes off the road and try and navigate the smartphone. (and no, I am not an old person with poor eyesight or hand/eye coordination).
- Even though iPhone SE is a small phone, it still looks big and clunky on the handlebars or stem.
Seems like a bike computer would solve all these issues. But I am still hesitant, as the reasons for not getting one several years ago still exist:
- Even though very readable in sunlight, the screens of bike computers are generally poor quality (with the exception of the Karoo 2 apparently).
- Sometimes the systems seem antiquated and more of a hassle, if I hear about the loading routes, changing destinations, syncing rides, etc. on a bike computer vs a smartphone.
- every bike computer out there seems to have some major dealbreaker for me:
I have been using an iPhone SE (for small size) with a stem mount and paired with RidewithGPS as my solution for a few years now. But it is quite far from ideal:
- battery life is bad, even though the battery is new. Need to turn the screen off and back on occasionally to save battery. With screen on, I get only about 2.5 hrs of runtime.
- Screen visibility in direct sunlight is horrible, even on full brightness.
- Touch screens are not easy to use while riding. The button size on a smartphone is designed to be used while standing still. While moving, it is outright dangerous to take your eyes off the road and try and navigate the smartphone. (and no, I am not an old person with poor eyesight or hand/eye coordination).
- Even though iPhone SE is a small phone, it still looks big and clunky on the handlebars or stem.
Seems like a bike computer would solve all these issues. But I am still hesitant, as the reasons for not getting one several years ago still exist:
- Even though very readable in sunlight, the screens of bike computers are generally poor quality (with the exception of the Karoo 2 apparently).
- Sometimes the systems seem antiquated and more of a hassle, if I hear about the loading routes, changing destinations, syncing rides, etc. on a bike computer vs a smartphone.
- every bike computer out there seems to have some major dealbreaker for me:
- Garmin: generally the screens seem too reflective, and people seem to hate their software and apps.
- Bolt V2: Biggest contender for me, but seems to be very buggy since launch. Unit seems to struggle with navigation in densely populated areas.
- Karoo 2: Seems to require a SIM card with data plan to change routing on the go? No phone app exists to add/load routes on the fly while out on the road, or to route to a new destination, if I understand correctly?
It seems like all these computers have some sort of glaring flaw that makes it not worth spending 400 bucks on. Am I wrong? Am I missing something here?The Karoo 2 has a SIM card option for those who want to keep it separate from their mobile phones, for whatever reason, or simply not to have a mobile with them and rely totally on the Karoo alone.
So long a you are tethered to a mobile phone, it doesn't need a SIM card.
04-20-22, 04:59 AM
#30
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The Karoo 2 has a SIM card option for those who want to keep it separate from their mobile phones, for whatever reason, or simply not to have a mobile with them and rely totally on the Karoo alone.
So long a you are tethered to a mobile phone, it doesn't need a SIM card.
So long a you are tethered to a mobile phone, it doesn't need a SIM card.
So let's say I have my phone with me, and I have the Karoo2 tethered to the mobile hotspot of my phone. Can I load new maps from RidewithGPS or Strava on the fly directly from the device? Or do I need to go to their "dashboard" website that I have been hearing about? I guess you can load up the dashboard website on your phone as well, but it is one extra step.
As far as I understand it, with the Wahoo Bolt V2, you can open the mobile app, and as long as you are logged into RWGPS, the routes will automatically appear on both the app and the Bolt when you press "sync".
It seems like the Karoo2 requires one extra step (going to the dashboard and syncing), or am I misunderstanding things?
04-20-22, 06:13 AM
#31
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Ok thanks for the explanation.
So let's say I have my phone with me, and I have the Karoo2 tethered to the mobile hotspot of my phone. Can I load new maps from RidewithGPS or Strava on the fly directly from the device? Or do I need to go to their "dashboard" website that I have been hearing about? I guess you can load up the dashboard website on your phone as well, but it is one extra step.
As far as I understand it, with the Wahoo Bolt V2, you can open the mobile app, and as long as you are logged into RWGPS, the routes will automatically appear on both the app and the Bolt when you press "sync".
It seems like the Karoo2 requires one extra step (going to the dashboard and syncing), or am I misunderstanding things?
So let's say I have my phone with me, and I have the Karoo2 tethered to the mobile hotspot of my phone. Can I load new maps from RidewithGPS or Strava on the fly directly from the device? Or do I need to go to their "dashboard" website that I have been hearing about? I guess you can load up the dashboard website on your phone as well, but it is one extra step.
As far as I understand it, with the Wahoo Bolt V2, you can open the mobile app, and as long as you are logged into RWGPS, the routes will automatically appear on both the app and the Bolt when you press "sync".
It seems like the Karoo2 requires one extra step (going to the dashboard and syncing), or am I misunderstanding things?
I do get all my message notifications though my Karoo 2 via it being tethered to my iPhone and when my ride is done, it uploads directly to Strava and Training Peaks using the phone's connection to the internet.
Read DC Rainmaker's review. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/12/...th-review.html
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2021/02/...1-karoo-2.html
It is the most comprehensive out there and will likely answer your questions.
Last edited by AlgarveCycling; 04-20-22 at 06:28 AM.
04-20-22, 06:28 AM
#32
Senior Member
Short answer from me is: I've not tried anything like that. I've never used the Nav functions on any of my bike computers and I've not tried to upload apps to them.
I do get all my message notifications though my Karoo 2 via it being tethered to my iPhone and when my ride is done, it uploads directly to Strava and Training Peaks using the phone's connection to the internet.
Read DC Rainmaker's review. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/12/...th-review.html
It is the most comprehensive out there and will likely answer your questions.
I do get all my message notifications though my Karoo 2 via it being tethered to my iPhone and when my ride is done, it uploads directly to Strava and Training Peaks using the phone's connection to the internet.
Read DC Rainmaker's review. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/12/...th-review.html
It is the most comprehensive out there and will likely answer your questions.
Navigation is one of my primary functions I would use, so I will look further into it.
From what I have read so far, you need to use the Karoo "dashboard" website for everything related to routing. And you cannot even sync all your routes from RWGPS or Strava, you need to input them one by one with a link or .GPX file. That would be a major dealbreaker for me. It surprises me that most reviews say "navigation is one of the strong points" of the Karoo. Getting the route planned is a major part of the navigation experience.
On the Wahoo Bolt, AFAIK it just always pulls the latest list of routes from RWGPS or Strava automatically, when paired with your phone.
Thanks
04-20-22, 06:57 AM
#33
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I have used Garmin head units and Garmin Connect for years. I agree that Garmin isn't the most intuitive to set up, but thankfully, there are a lot of online videos that will help walk you through setting up multiple data screens.
As far as routing goes, I've found Connect to be very easy to use, and have planned many rides and routes with it. Add in Garmin Express, and uploading your created route to your computer is simple.
I have a 1030+ with Varia radar (don't leave home without it!) with multiple data screens set up that I can scroll through with a press of my Di2 hood buttons. My 1030+ is also paired to my cellphone, and has Incident Detection and Live Track activated - something my wife insists on since she got a call from the hospital a few years ago after I had been hit by a car while out riding.
As far as routing goes, I've found Connect to be very easy to use, and have planned many rides and routes with it. Add in Garmin Express, and uploading your created route to your computer is simple.
I have a 1030+ with Varia radar (don't leave home without it!) with multiple data screens set up that I can scroll through with a press of my Di2 hood buttons. My 1030+ is also paired to my cellphone, and has Incident Detection and Live Track activated - something my wife insists on since she got a call from the hospital a few years ago after I had been hit by a car while out riding.
04-26-22, 06:31 AM
#34
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I have had both. Garmin has more features, but the learning curve is steep. Think about when you got your first smart phone. Like that. Wahoo is much easier, but not as many features. Both work well with ridewithgps and once you learn how to upload routes, it is almost automatic. Just understand that you'll have to spend some time learning.
04-26-22, 08:06 AM
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You have an option of using the RideWithGPS iQ app, or RouteLoader. Either will show you a list of the routes you've created in RWGPS, you then select and download. These are on the Garmin iQ store, note that with some of the Garmin devices, the Edge Explore comes to mind, there is no tested iQ app for that device. Pretty sure for the more recent Edge device, so the 530, 830, 1030 and 1030 Plus, these apps can be installed.
04-26-22, 08:11 AM
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You have an option of using the RideWithGPS iQ app, or RouteLoader. Either will show you a list of the routes you've created in RWGPS, you then select and download. These are on the Garmin iQ store, note that with some of the Garmin devices, the Edge Explore comes to mind, there is no tested iQ app for that device. Pretty sure for the more recent Edge device, so the 530, 830, 1030 and 1030 Plus, these apps can be installed.
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04-26-22, 08:36 AM
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You can also get a watch that will do what you want. The screen will be smaller and on your wrist, though.
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