So, I have been a Polar user for at least 25 years, and all dandy, great HR/GPS and more lately sleep metrics etc. Never felt a need to do anything else. I have m watch on the handlebars and track cadence and HR there. But now.....I have some power pedals (to more accurately monitor my aging related decline), so i need 10s average power (polar only gives me now power). I need 10s power cos I think i might want (try) to do some of my TR sessions in meatspace rather than cyberspace (when it stops raining, and my power is so spiky outdoors that I probs need at least 15s averages). And i might want some real mapping too if i want to do some longer XC and road loops over the summer.
But what is going to work best for the following criteria:
- Works well w TR to upload and help me run TR sessions outside
- Doesn't require another paid subscription to get useful stuff like mapping (do i really need Garmin+ - and what is the benefit if yes)
- Good battery life for long days.
- Ease of use (including w gloves).
- Good web interface w useful stuff (tho probs still going to aggregate to TR/Strava/Intervals. Will aslo use Polar to track HR and keep my record on Polar too as my life is there)
Thoughts gratefully received. TIA
Coros Dura ?
Only use mine for recording where i ride but it's way superior to my Garmin Edge. Fast to connect, easy to use and lasts for weeks between charges.
I have a wahoo bolt V2 and use it quite often with TR outside. Lots of options for what you show on the screen during an interval, but I particularly like being able to see what my lap average power is.
It's entirely button-based (no touchscreen) so works well in rain/with gloves etc. I've used a few touchscreen head units and hated them all.
All the setup is done on your phone, which I much perfer to digging through menus on my old garmin.
The map is excellent for following pre-set routes (syncs well with komoot, strava etc) but I find it a guddle for any more involved navigation. I still rely on stopping and getting out OSmaps on my phone if I have any complex route finding to do.
I’ve had various Garmins over the years, I now have the Karoo 3 and love it. So easy to set up and mapping is so much clearer.
I used to use a Garmin 800 and now on a karoo 3. I don't really use it for your use case but I've been very impressed with mapping legibility, general screen legibility, accuracy etc... and it had 4 button (5 inc power) navigation as well as the touch screen so works really well in all conditions.
+1 Karoo 3 - superb mapping and re-routing and extremely customisable. Also very regular updates with improvements.
You definitely don't need Garmin+...from your description of requirements Garmin will do all that without the subscription service. Although I've not used other brands but I'd guess they all do this kind of thing well
Thanks All! Feels like there is not a real stand out choice. Everyone likes what they have committed to over the years, but there does seem to be a numeric split here Karoo, Garmin, Wahoo. Interesting that Karoo is getting pick up as a newer entrant to the field, but perhaps you're all so impressed you love spreading the word.
What about battery life with the Karoo folks - is it really only 12 hours?
DC Rainmaker also doesn't seem to have a favorite. On a different forum the response is definitely a Garmin preference.
So I'll have a more detailed look at the different options and make a decision. I suspect I'll end up going some flavor of Garmin or Karoo.......
Thanks All! Feels like there is not a real stand out choice. Everyone likes what they have committed to over the years,
The problem is that once you've committed to one manufacturer, you're kind of tied into that ecosystem, especially if you've got other sensors or add-ons like radar lights as well.
Like buying into Android or Apple - once you're in, it's a pain in the arse to extricate yourself and switch to a different system so most people stick with whatever they buy first.
I'm on Garmin and it's fine - or I don't dislike it enough to want to swap it!
Apologies for the thread hijack but I’m in a similar situation to the OP, happily used wahoo Roam v2 for a couple of years before it suffered a fatal tumble
now looking at something new so had decided on the Roam v3 but concerned about all the not so favourable reviews
currently torn between
Wahoo Roam v3
Garmin 840
Garmin 1040 (last in the running due to size but not being dismissed if it excels over the others)
Is anyone able to confirm / deny the many reported issues with the roam v3 or recommend one of the Garmins over it
It is a personal dislike but I don't seem to get on with touchscreens for a bike computer...happy with buttons and I also think it helps improve the battery life as well.
Out of the 3, if any were touchscreen, I'd be dismissing them.
If all 3 are touchscreen then I'd be going with the 840, but I'm a Garmin user already so I've fallen to my default.
Currently leaning towards the 840 as the reviews for the roam v3 are too many / common to ignore given the price point and the 1040 feels like it’d be too big to not be a distraction
i could (and have) easily done without a touchscreen but there have been instances where it’s easier to whip the phone out for a quick pinch / zoom on the maps to see what’s about so can see the benefits
seems connectivity (from sensors, GPS and Bluetooth) to the garmin is a bit more stable than the new wahoo from what I’ve read
The MANY reviews I’ve read for these units all seem to contradict each other
one says connectivity / display / battery life etc is fine, next one, not so much and it goes on