A few remarks about the Karoo 2 from a new user
Hi all,
New user here and let me start with saying that I think the Karoo 2 is a great device and can beat all the competition. I have some suggestions to get at that point a bit faster. I saw some of the points in this forum. I did not read all posts, so I apologize if am just impatient.
- Make the distance/speed work. It's strange that I need a Garmin to calibrate the Karoo because the speed and distance are way off when you use a cadence/speed sensor. I saw that this is a known bug, but come on, how hard can this be? And how many people pay 400 euro for a bike computer and do not use a cadence/speed sensor?
- I saw that POI are on the list. Maybe it's a good idea to add a parking place on the homescreen. When you ride a tour you start the computer on the startline, so return to start or home do not work to find your car back. And after a long day you don't want to search for your car for a long time. Of course you can use the phone, but hey, we got a navigation device mounted on our bikes.
-Ditch the left/right popups on a datascreen. They don't work. Even in my own neighbourhood I can't understand what they mean to often. I would not be able to cycle a tour just using this. Give me a map and I understand what I have to do. And I would suggest to just show the page with the maps. Not a mini map. Easy to program and clear enough. When I cycle a route, I don't mind if every now and then the data screens disappear. And I don't mind deciding for myself if I have to go right or left when I can see a map. Close to my home the Karoo totally misses a left turn. A very clear left turn. So it's not only about roundabouts and unclear situations.
-Ditch the big coloured backgrounds that cover half of my screen. And the symbols that don't add extra information. Keep it as small as possible.
-Data via bluetooth is in the making I understand. It works with my Garmin watch so it should be possible to work with a modern bike computer.
-Make it less rely on an active internet connection. All info is on the computer/phone. I should be able to look for a bike shop without the internet. Some data plans are not sufficient.
Thanks for listening,
Ruben
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2) The "Route to Start" option allows you, at any point in your ride, to be routed back to the position where you began your ride 🤓
https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/articles/360058800714
3) Popups - there is a thread about: https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/community/posts/1260802605970-Navigation-popup-from-top-
4) I like the Data field symbols. If it's a high need, could be part of personal settings.
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I would say: Adding Point(s) Of Interest (POI)
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Not very user friendly: you only can ad a poi while creating a route. I just want to mark the spot where my car is. And when I'm at home I don't know where that will be. And I have a device that knows my parking spot. It can't be very difficult to add a 'push here to remember' screen. Garmin knows how it works ; -)
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I do agree that for a device which is amazing for navigation (and the rerouting speed is best in class imo) it lacks in a couple of areas you mention.
Too much reliance on preparation before you head out, with the emphasis being on what you do on the computer before you even get on your bike. Not being able to simply press and hold on the map, name it and save it as whatever you want should require no connection, and I would assume very little development. Anything you save can always be turned into account level POIs once you do get home to your computer / connected to internet.
Having to pair the K2's internet connection with a mobile hotspot isn't a massive deal breaker, but it's a messy, inelegant solution in 2021 where competing devices get shared connection thru the BT connection. It probably requires a lot of work on the app side?
Can't agree on the pop ups, not sure why they aren't working for you but in Manchester and Cheshire they have been spot on.
I believe HH released a bug fix for the sensors, like Cadence / Speed sensors, that put out multiple data last Thursday.
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No it's about having maps that works better for me.
The last update has my map with an oversensitive touch screen that is harder to direct, inability to leave 3D, scrolling either moving to new screen or moving out of proportion when trying to move beyond edge of map, no POI, or address look up, and popups in several features that obscure.
The maps on the Karoo handles only my basic needs: location and general orientation. If I have to stop and fiddle with it, it is an impediment not a resource. Mapping on the phone simply works worlds better.
We all carry phones. Other than ANT+ sensors and some better integration of features, bike head units are letting phone apps catch up. It's not worth $10 a month to have the features that phone in my pocket has natively. Other than the fact I don't want the $$ phone hanging out there. I think Ruben's observations(OP) are appropriate.
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