Anyone else interested in richer speed/cadence visuals?
The K2 is my first bike computer and I've been thrilled with it -- navigation has been spot-on, importing routes from Komoot + Google Maps + GPX files has been seamless, and maybe I got lucky with updates but pairing with my Magene sensors was plug-and-play out of the box.
The visuals for average cadence/power and HR zones look really neat, but I was wondering if anyone else would like something similar for real-time speed and cadence.
Part of the reason I wanted the nice screen and Android sideloading was to use a new app that had easy-to-read analog dials/gauges for speed and cadence -- only to find out after placing my order that it used Google Play Services, and I haven't worked up the courage to jump through hoops to make that work.
I figure that with a nice screen, an analog (or at least color-coded) view would be quicker to read at a glance than a small white number. I feel kind of bad for the dev of that app to make a feature request here (that basically replicates what he did), so here's another, separate example (a Garmin app):
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That’s nice. I’d like graphic displays a lot. Some may not care as much and would prefer to pack more data on the screen. Perhaps users could have the option to display readings numerically or graphically. Having said that, whatever keeps the K2s operating well and dependably is what I prefer. Garmins are too slow, wonky, and unreliable.
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It's a nice look, but too cluttered and takes up too much space for my tastes. 4/5 of the screen to show me speed, Cadence, and HR. I like to have speed, Cadence, hr zone, and gears at the top of all screens, with a map below on the first, gradient and distance related on the next, and detailed HR on the third. I tried those app widget things when I had a Garmin but didn't get along with it.
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Good points -- though the screenshot was just a rough example, I think Hammerhead did a great job with the visuals on the workout screens, which are more minimalist and don't take up much space at all. Even just a splash of color or a mini-dial or circle, if tastefully done -- as long as it helps me know if I'm in my targeted cadence zone or something -- could go a long way, at least for me!
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I like the current K2 HR with the coloured circle for zone graphic. Hammerhead did a great job on that. But there's no need for it to span two data fields. A single data field version of that graphic would be terrific for displaying HR data - HR rate with zone ring around it changing colour would get Rate and Zone in one data field, with a splash of colour to it.
I love the gears graphic, but can't justify the two data fields it occupies so I just use the single field with numbers.
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Too much going on there for me in the example, but I prefer a cleaner look because I don’t want spend a lot of time staring at the computer and I can quickly change between data screens with DI2 buttons. But I do agree a few visuals can be pleasing. We just can’t end up like we have with the Strava Live Segments update where it is now too difficult to read on the go.
The screen just isn’t that big!
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@Mark - I've not been out since the update but the revised SLS screen looked promising more legible than the previous version. Is it? I like the little gradient curve for the segment with the targets (PR, Wolf, KOM, etc) tracking along it, but I'd really like the bubbles with target icons to be bigger to make it easier to see what you are chasing - larger but in an inverted tear drop shape so you can see where they are.
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@graham In short, for me and others in another thread: no it isn’t!
Functionality over for pretty visuals all day long for me...
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Mike - I think Hammerhead is missing out by not (at least to my knowledge) creating something like the Connect IQ store for people to create and sell their own custom screens like the one you describe in your comment. The custom screens for Garmin are just so so because of the poor resolution and vibrancy of their screen. They would work much better on the Karoo 2 because its screen is much brighter and can display vibrant colors.
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Perhaps I wasn’t clear. I don’t know if the software is robust to handle customizations. Memories are too fresh with historical operating nightmares. Right now they work fine. The journey to get here was long and taxed patience. K2 in my opinion is way better than Garmins which continue to be plagued with problems. If the software team determines that the rich displays don’t affect operations, they should consider it. I just want a unit that’s reliable when I need it.
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I have had numerous Garmin Edge devices over the past 10 years. They do have their issues, but they are hands down better than the K2. I bought the K2 because it had the promise of addressing some of my main concerns with Garmin, specifically the dull screen and the poor touch control. But the K2 is so lacking in features I need that I barely use it and instead I went out and bought the Edge 1030 Plus, despite its ridiculous price. Maybe by the K4 they will have a legitimate challenger to the Edge. For now, the K2 is a “pretty face” with no substance.
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What I don't like about Garmin Edge: low screen resolution display, colors in the display are not vibrant, touch screen is not very responsive, setting up data screens can only be done on the device and is a chore, device is not as responsive as it should be.
What I prefer about Garmin over K2:
- Very long battery life
- I can live track my rides (for safety purposes) with my phone (not a separate sim card)
- Garmin stays paired to my phone; does not randomly disconnect like K2
- Garmin controls my lights and radar based on speed and conditions
- Garmin buttons give good positive feedback and are located on the bottom rather than the sides (K2 buttons are too finicky, esp. with gloves)
- Garmin gives me "smart" reminders for nutrition and hydration based on my effort
- Garmin automatically identifies and tracks climbs on a route (how long the climb is, the grade, how far to the top, etc.)
- I can control my Garmin with di2 buttons
- The Garmin device is secure in the quarter turn mount, not loose and wobbly
- Garmin offers many more data field options than K2
- Connect IQ store lets me use third party data fields, widgets, etc.
- Swipe down from top of screen gives me more control options than on K2
- Navigation prompts on screen are better
- I can receive navigation prompts through my earbuds or through my phone's speaker if I'm not using earbuds; same for lap summaries
- I can end a ride without being forced to save it
- Scrolling from screen to screen has a "page turn" effect (with K2, it's sometimes hard for me to tell if a swipe actually changed the screen)
- Garmin can show me my gear ratio based on my chainrings and cassette rather than just my gear "position"
- Option to set screen brightness automatically based on conditions
I could go on. K2's functionality is too limited for me. The battery life is inadequate. It won't stay paired to my phone. Hammerhead JUST rolled out "light mode," which I will try, but before that I found the device unreadable in sunlight. The proprietary mounting system is too limiting. And they have failed, in my opinion, to leverage the benefits of the Android operating system, such as opening up to third party developers, allowing all configuration to be done on your phone or a web browser, allowing users more customization options, etc. I had hoped that K2 would be the "Apple" version of a cycling computer but it's just not.
Garmin devices sucked bad for a long time, but they've finally gotten to where their devices are not great, but good enough (despite flaws inherent in their old and kludgy OS, poor support, etc.). This is not ideal, especially given their pricing. Hopefully, Hammerhead will reach a similar point and then surpass Garmin (which I would greatly appreciate). But they aren't there yet. Not even close.
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Sounds like you love Garmin! Everyone has different needs but if you switched to K2 but love everything that Garmin does except for the screen then the Garmin ecosystem is for you surely!
Not to jump at the defence of this product which I also believe is a long way off from being perfect, you’re never going to get all the same features when you jump from brand to brand. I am not expecting K2 to be Garmin but I do want and expect from a company that says that they are evolving to have a more feature rich device, and being a smaller company one that can quickly roll out new functions.
To be fair, Hammerhead have been updating more frequently than Garmin but you’ve got two companies at totally different stages of development and product ranges.
I’ve kept my edge 1030 whilst I still ride exclusively with a K2. My K2 is very secure in the mount and I can and do control my K2 with DI2 buttons.
For the 10 quid it cost me to put a SIM card with 1000mb of data, tracking is now all the time whether or not my phone is connected to the K2.
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I don't love Garmin. In my comment, I described Garmin as merely "good enough." I also mentioned that, in addition to its poor screen, it is overpriced, has a kludgy operating system, and has poor support. That doesn't sound like "love" to me. I would "love" to move on from Garmin to a device that has a modern operating system, phone-like screen in terms of resolution, brightness and responsiveness, 12 hr battery life, and flexibility through third-party apps. At this time, K2 checks some of these boxes, but not enough.
I get that Hammerhead isn't going to offer every feature that Garmin offers. However, if K2 enabled third-party apps, then third parties could develop apps providing additional features like the ones I mentioned in my original comment.
Thanks for pointing out that di2 control works. I'll have to check that out.
I am not going to buy an additional SIM card. That's extra cost and bother that I don't want to deal with (and should not have to deal with). Hopefully, Hammerhead will address the phone connection reliability issues and enable tracking and mobile uploads through a tethered phone.
Regarding the mount - The K2 mount works fine, but I have a lot of bikes and am not going to replace all the mounts with K2 compatible mounts, so I am using the Garmin adapter. The connection with the adapter is loose, and this is exacerbated by the placement of the buttons on the side - pushing the button rotates the K2, which is bad when the connection is loose to begin with.
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Healthy discussions. I am sure the Hammerhead team is taking notice. James, you're suggesting K2 becoming like an iPhone with third party apps which is awesome. As a nascent technology I wonder if K2 is scalable to handle third party functionality. So far K2 meets my needs, especially reliability, my main reason, but I am sure great ideas from folks like you will keep expanding the features.
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Isn't "working like a phone" kinda the whole point behind using the Android operating system? You can side load apps onto K2 now. I have played around with that, e.g., by sideloading the Pocketcasts podcatcher. DC Rainmaker has a YT video on how to sideload apps onto the K2. The K2 (more likely K3 or K4) could really be a game changer if Hammerhead fully integrated third-party apps.
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You're waaay ahead of me on that, buddy. Glad you're onboard to open our eyes to possibilities. I am just an early adopter and a Karoo consumer. I am generally underwhelmed about cycling computers but I am hanging my hopes on Hammerhead who constantly works with our community suggestions. That's a lot more than I can say about others. Best wishes to you.
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