Wahoo Bolt or Garmin 530
#26
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The problem with Garmin is Garmin. I owned the 820 and now the 830 and the number of problems still astounds me. I could spend the next 30 minutes detailing the issues I have with both computers. I thought purchasing the 830 would fix the problems with the 820 and boy was I wrong. Live Track is hit and miss. Dropped sensors or unable to connect is another issue. Having connection to the phone is again more miss than hit. GPS that has maps spin in circles, so you can't figure out where you are. Pausing your ride when traveling less than 13 km an hour. Problem after problem.
Their firmware is version 8. You would think by now they would have most of the kinks worked out but you would be sorely mistaken. New updates always means new problems. Features that worked before, don't work anymore. Garmin really has to step up at least in the bike computer realm before I could even remotely recommend them.
Try looking at this, 78 pages of problems. https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fit...ing/f/edge-530
Their firmware is version 8. You would think by now they would have most of the kinks worked out but you would be sorely mistaken. New updates always means new problems. Features that worked before, don't work anymore. Garmin really has to step up at least in the bike computer realm before I could even remotely recommend them.
Try looking at this, 78 pages of problems. https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fit...ing/f/edge-530
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Yeah, I didnt think the 530 was touch when first looking at options a few days ago, but Competitive Cyclist strongly suggests it is touch when I saw the sale this morning and I went off that as reference.
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/g...-bike-computer
Clearly I need to still hold each and look at them.
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/g...-bike-computer
Clearly I need to still hold each and look at them.
The 830 is the 530 with a touch screen.
The 830 has some extra navigation feature the 530 doesn't because the 830 has a touch. screen
Last edited by njkayaker; 07-02-21 at 06:08 AM.
#28
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Yeah, I didnt think the 530 was touch when first looking at options a few days ago, but Competitive Cyclist strongly suggests it is touch when I saw the sale this morning and I went off that as reference.
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/g...-bike-computer
Clearly I need to still hold each and look at them.
Thanks all for the comments so far.
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/g...-bike-computer
Clearly I need to still hold each and look at them.
Thanks all for the comments so far.
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The problem with Garmin is Garmin. I owned the 820 and now the 830 and the number of problems still astounds me. I could spend the next 30 minutes detailing the issues I have with both computers. I thought purchasing the 830 would fix the problems with the 820 and boy was I wrong. Live Track is hit and miss. Dropped sensors or unable to connect is another issue. Having connection to the phone is again more miss than hit. GPS that has maps spin in circles, so you can't figure out where you are. Pausing your ride when traveling less than 13 km an hour. Problem after problem.
Their firmware is version 8. You would think by now they would have most of the kinks worked out but you would be sorely mistaken. New updates always means new problems. Features that worked before, don't work anymore. Garmin really has to step up at least in the bike computer realm before I could even remotely recommend them.
Try looking at this, 78 pages of problems. https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fit...ing/f/edge-530
Their firmware is version 8. You would think by now they would have most of the kinks worked out but you would be sorely mistaken. New updates always means new problems. Features that worked before, don't work anymore. Garmin really has to step up at least in the bike computer realm before I could even remotely recommend them.
Try looking at this, 78 pages of problems. https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fit...ing/f/edge-530
refined and reliable, from a company pushing regular and frequent updates and features that work. I like that and will stick with my HH.
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The problem with Garmin is Garmin. I owned the 820 and now the 830 and the number of problems still astounds me. I could spend the next 30 minutes detailing the issues I have with both computers. I thought purchasing the 830 would fix the problems with the 820 and boy was I wrong. Live Track is hit and miss. Dropped sensors or unable to connect is another issue. Having connection to the phone is again more miss than hit. GPS that has maps spin in circles, so you can't figure out where you are. Pausing your ride when traveling less than 13 km an hour. Problem after problem.
Their firmware is version 8. You would think by now they would have most of the kinks worked out but you would be sorely mistaken. New updates always means new problems. Features that worked before, don't work anymore. Garmin really has to step up at least in the bike computer realm before I could even remotely recommend them.
Try looking at this, 78 pages of problems. https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fit...ing/f/edge-530
Their firmware is version 8. You would think by now they would have most of the kinks worked out but you would be sorely mistaken. New updates always means new problems. Features that worked before, don't work anymore. Garmin really has to step up at least in the bike computer realm before I could even remotely recommend them.
Try looking at this, 78 pages of problems. https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fit...ing/f/edge-530
Oh, and the re-routing when off-course is often super dumb. I wish that it was a little smarter with regard to alterations to the course, or at least a little less stubborn; telling me to make a U-turn for the fifth consecutive time, when I've ignored the four previous suggestions, is a bit much. Maybe tell me twice and then take the hint that I'm looking to connect further down the course and re-route accordingly.
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My wife doesn't appreciate my "humor" when I refer to Live Track as Corpse Tracking and when I tell her that the Cycliq video camera is only there so that she knows against whom to press charges.
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#32
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This kind of stuff is interesting to hear because of how much it differs from my experience so far. I get the occasional "Radar disconnected," but that resolves itself in literally one or two seconds. Other than that, I haven't had any connectivity issues with my phone (two phones, three versions of Android), power meter, speed sensor, light network, or HRMs. A month or so ago, my wife told me that there were a couple days where the corpse tracking wasn't working right, but that's about the extent of my problems.
Oh, and the re-routing when off-course is often super dumb. I wish that it was a little smarter with regard to alterations to the course, or at least a little less stubborn; telling me to make a U-turn for the fifth consecutive time, when I've ignored the four previous suggestions, is a bit much. Maybe tell me twice and then take the hint that I'm looking to connect further down the course and re-route accordingly.
Oh, and the re-routing when off-course is often super dumb. I wish that it was a little smarter with regard to alterations to the course, or at least a little less stubborn; telling me to make a U-turn for the fifth consecutive time, when I've ignored the four previous suggestions, is a bit much. Maybe tell me twice and then take the hint that I'm looking to connect further down the course and re-route accordingly.
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Yeah, BT is subject to interference and it all adds up. There are areas where I'm much more likely to get a drop, usually most noticeable with my headphones getting choppy; I know that microwaves definitely wreak havoc with BT.
#34
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But when my phone is in a pouch in my back rear pocket and the buds are 3' away, they will periodically cut out if I turn my head to the right.
It's really quite funny. Look ahead- good. Look left- good. Look right- cuts out here and there.
Tech is goofy.
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Hmmm. I don't get these phone connection problems with my 530. In general, I've heard that *if* you have the choice between an ANT+ device/connection and a BT device/connection, Garmins seem to work better with ANT+. I have a power meter and HR belt that use ANT+, so my only BT connection is my phone (which I keep in my pocket in the middle of my back). Maybe that's why I've been lucky. But I'm not about to run out and buy a BT power meter and BT HR belt and BT speed/cadence sensor just so I can check.
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Sure Bluetooth interference can be an issue. Funny that it's only a widespread issue for Garmin Edge computers. Never had a problem with my Bolt. The only explanation must be that Wahoo's invented an anti-Bluetooth interference field.
The Karoos are a different beast because AFAIK they don't use it for connectivity, instead relying on WiFi or mobile data. So unless you want to shell out for a SIM card and data plan just for your bike computer (or rip it out of your mobile phone when riding), live track functionality (and whatever else requires a network connection) only works if you turn your phone into a hotspot.
The Karoos are a different beast because AFAIK they don't use it for connectivity, instead relying on WiFi or mobile data. So unless you want to shell out for a SIM card and data plan just for your bike computer (or rip it out of your mobile phone when riding), live track functionality (and whatever else requires a network connection) only works if you turn your phone into a hotspot.
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My decision to go Garmin was due to the data that Garmin Connect makes available at no extra cost. With Wahoo, you’ll need to find an external source to hold your ride data (like Strava) if you want to see this data from a computer.
I agree that setting up a Wahoo is easier, but once that’s done it becomes a moot point. Moving from one Garmin to the next is now easy as the Garmin phone app will move the data over to your next computer.
I agree that setting up a Wahoo is easier, but once that’s done it becomes a moot point. Moving from one Garmin to the next is now easy as the Garmin phone app will move the data over to your next computer.
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My son has a Bolt. He's had problems with BT connectivity. I've never had a problem with my 530. I'm not sure Wahoo's anti-BT interference field is working for him.
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But in all seriousness, if he uses your 530, do you expect the Bluetooth issues to go away? I have direct A/B comparisons on the same phones (yes, multiple) over a period of more than a year on each of my 520 and Bolt (1st gen), not to mention that the trend is clear in this thread and everywhere comparisons come up of the directionality of defects.
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You might want to check whether he glows in the dark.
But in all seriousness, if he uses your 530, do you expect the Bluetooth issues to go away? I have direct A/B comparisons on the same phones (yes, multiple) over a period of more than a year on each of my 520 and Bolt (1st gen), not to mention that the trend is clear in this thread and everywhere comparisons come up of the directionality of defects.
But in all seriousness, if he uses your 530, do you expect the Bluetooth issues to go away? I have direct A/B comparisons on the same phones (yes, multiple) over a period of more than a year on each of my 520 and Bolt (1st gen), not to mention that the trend is clear in this thread and everywhere comparisons come up of the directionality of defects.
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I had to check that the Wahoo devices users FB group actually covered the Elemnt, because there are so few complaints about the Elemnt compared to every other product that every product group I joined has. In that case, I'd really have to go looking hard to find a trend opposite to the one that's pretty obvious.
#42
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I have a Garmin 530 that was a gift. If it wasn't for that fact, I'd have taken it back and gotten a 830 or 1030plus with a touch screen. Otherwise the 530 itself is a great device. But getting down to some of the useful features you might want to use while riding might be a little clumsy with button pushes and traffic zooming all around you.
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Wouldn't you know it, decisions about whether to spend $250+ to replace a defective Garmin head unit often comes with some investigation. The Internet happens to be seeded by those who've had to do the same thing.
I had to check that the Wahoo devices users FB group actually covered the Elemnt, because there are so few complaints about the Elemnt compared to every other product that every product group I joined has. In that case, I'd really have to go looking hard to find a trend opposite to the one that's pretty obvious.
I had to check that the Wahoo devices users FB group actually covered the Elemnt, because there are so few complaints about the Elemnt compared to every other product that every product group I joined has. In that case, I'd really have to go looking hard to find a trend opposite to the one that's pretty obvious.
On the other hand, Gatorskins are clearly ****.
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I have had some issues with my Bolt in terms of BT connectivity. It started after an update. Another update seem to fix it, but it does occur occasionally. Most of my rides start and end at home. When I upload the Bolt on the home WiFi, it does fine. My 520, I am never at home when I upload. It hasn’t had an issue.
#45
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In my day job we use self-selected samples to uncover questions and form hypotheses -- but we don't use "convenience" samples to test those hypotheses. That means that I try not to use my kid's and my own personal experiences to generalize to the entire universe of head units, even though our experiences are about as convenient as we can get. Which isn't to say that sometimes when the statistical analyses are all done the initial convenience samples weren't valid -- often they are. But often the underlying reasons why something happens isn't as clear or as simple as you'd think when you first begin looking at a problem.
#46
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Wouldn't you know it, decisions about whether to spend $250+ to replace a defective Garmin head unit often comes with some investigation. The Internet happens to be seeded by those who've had to do the same thing.
I had to check that the Wahoo devices users FB group actually covered the Elemnt, because there are so few complaints about the Elemnt compared to every other product that every product group I joined has. In that case, I'd really have to go looking hard to find a trend opposite to the one that's pretty obvious.
I had to check that the Wahoo devices users FB group actually covered the Elemnt, because there are so few complaints about the Elemnt compared to every other product that every product group I joined has. In that case, I'd really have to go looking hard to find a trend opposite to the one that's pretty obvious.
As far as online chatter, have you looked at how the volume of complaints might reflect market share? Have you also considered that Garmin has forums where it's convenient and sensible for people to congregate and kvetch? Did you look at the number of unique kvetchers for both?
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You don't think that replacing a defective unit would lead to a position of bias looking to be confirmed? Cyclists should understand confirmation bias, because BMW drivers are *******s, amiright?
As far as online chatter, have you looked at how the volume of complaints might reflect market share? Have you also considered that Garmin has forums where it's convenient and sensible for people to congregate and kvetch? Did you look at the number of unique kvetchers for both?
As far as online chatter, have you looked at how the volume of complaints might reflect market share? Have you also considered that Garmin has forums where it's convenient and sensible for people to congregate and kvetch? Did you look at the number of unique kvetchers for both?
I can easily list a dozen issues on Kickrs that are reported in the same FB group that covers Elemnts (even Tickrs and Headwind fans get more complaints) as well as on DC Rainmaker and yet really have to dig for any pervasive flaws reported on Elemnts. And while there are fewer Elemnt users out there, there's still 1,500 comments on DCR's in-depth review, nearly the same number as the 520 and the 530.
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I can easily list a dozen issues on Kickrs that are reported in the same FB group that covers Elemnts (even Tickrs and Headwind fans get more complaints) as well as on DC Rainmaker and yet really have to dig for any pervasive flaws reported on Elemnts. And while there are fewer Elemnt users out there, there's still 1,500 comments on DCR's in-depth review, nearly the same number as the 520 and the 530.
#49
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Sure Bluetooth interference can be an issue. Funny that it's only a widespread issue for Garmin Edge computers. Never had a problem with my Bolt. The only explanation must be that Wahoo's invented an anti-Bluetooth interference field.
The Karoos are a different beast because AFAIK they don't use it for connectivity, instead relying on WiFi or mobile data. So unless you want to shell out for a SIM card and data plan just for your bike computer (or rip it out of your mobile phone when riding), live track functionality (and whatever else requires a network connection) only works if you turn your phone into a hotspot.
The Karoos are a different beast because AFAIK they don't use it for connectivity, instead relying on WiFi or mobile data. So unless you want to shell out for a SIM card and data plan just for your bike computer (or rip it out of your mobile phone when riding), live track functionality (and whatever else requires a network connection) only works if you turn your phone into a hotspot.
And note that I am not necessarily recommending the Karoo 2 over a Bolt or 530. It's priced $100 more for one thing, not sure that's in the OP's budget. I personally think HH does a lot of things better than Garmin though there are still some missing features, like TrailForks, and additional map types (topo). It's a better device than an 830 for sure at the same price and almost as good as a 1030 Plus for $200 less.
Last edited by Steve B.; 07-02-21 at 12:25 PM.
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And why wouldn't the grass be greener for Wahoo users reporting that they're moving to Garmin due to Bluetooth issues? Your unspoken null hypothesis seems to be that the rate of Bluetooth errors should be the same, so shouldn't we be able to find plenty of Elemnt complaints? Is it because there are too few Elemnt users who are so quiet that they don't make a fuss online unlike Garmin users? The numbers I pointed out don't back that up, neither does the evidence that other Wahoo product owners have no qualms about complaining of their issues.