TOP 10: Feature Requests / Punch list items
Based on my own personal experience, forum input, and conversations with other users in the field here is a summary of the top 10 (in no particular order) most talked about feature requests / punch list of items for Hammerhead:
- Bluetooth tethering to phone so Karoo 2 can use phone's data. (specifically for live-tracking and crash alerts). Remove SIM card / phone hotspot requirement.
- Must get a windspeed/direction data field (from Hammerhead or third party).
- Third party integration for new/unique/specialized data fields.
- Device set up, formatting, layout to be done via an app or online dashboard, not only on the device itself.
- Improve dashboard route creation tool. Everyone I know uses Garmin/Kamoot and then imports to Hammerhead.io. Either remove the route creation tool or improve it.
- Auto-scroll between profile data cards while riding. Instead of having to swipe or push a button to see additional cards with different fields, create an autoscroll option while in ride.
- Adjust screen brightness with a simple button push while in ride rather than having to go into settings.
- Have more profile data card options. Specifically, have options with smaller boxes, allowing for three small across the top/bottom.
- Improve the mount. (Is Garmin's mount proprietary? If yes, ok. If no, copy it.)
- Delete rides with out having to save them first.
I know some of these don't matter to some of us. Or there are some items missing from this list. Just my two-cents here.
Happy pedaling everyone!
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@Edgar - As I wrote in the post - List created by my personal experience, from other forum users, from those using the Karoo 2 in the field (my friends and bike-mates).
Note last paragraph: "I know some of these don't matter to some of us. Or there are some items missing from this list. Just my two-cents here."
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@JV USA - thanks for mining all of the requests and putting them in a single list. #4 has probably been my number 1 issue for some time. To me, the dashboard provides me one purpose, to allow me to import a RwGPS route to my device. I would love to have the ability to use the dashboard to setup my various data cards.
Never thought about the autoscroll option. For some rides, this could be a great idea.
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@Edgar - those are known bug issues and necessary fixes to currently existing features. Those are not requests for features that don't exist (feature requests). This is a top 10 list for feature requests, granted the mapping issue is not a true new feature request, but it's close since the mapping tool is so bad. :)
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Good list. I could add a little or a lot to this list (e.g., option for automatic screen brightness adjustment), but I think this is a good start.
To the naysayers who say "I don't need that" and other similar things: As the saying goes, "that's why they make chocolate and vanilla." If features are added, that's a good thing. If a given rider finds a feature unnecessary, then the obvious reply is "don't use it." Of course, it goes without saying that the addition of features should be done in a manner that "works," i.e., does not introduce bugs, instabilities, etc.
Let's not forget that the ability to evolve the featureset of the K2 is part of Hammerhead's own marketing pitch for the device. So, let them put up or shut up.
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@Benno - seems like you should start a new post labeled "Top 10 Feature Improvements" or "Top 10 Bug Fixes" - since this post was clearly titled, and explained in post body, and re-explained in follow up comments as a post specifically about "Feature Requests", which are requests for new features. Certainly bugs need to always be addressed first, but feature requests should always be considered. Especially when Hammerhead specifically asks for feature requests.
The swipe down to adjust brightness is difficult with fully winter gloved fingers (for those of us riding in cold temps), also touchy in the rain. A simple button push that moves the brightness 5% is much easier than swiping and/or sliding a scale.
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The Karoo mount is nice for what it is, but too limiting. It is only available in one format (i.e., a mount that attaches to the left side of a round handlebar) and it is incompatible with all other cycling computers. It's fine for someone with 1 or 2 bikes and only a Hammerhead bike computer. But if you have lots of bikes and have a lot invested in the Garmin quarter turn infrastructure (including lights, camera mounts, etc. that all work with Garmin quarter turn), it's not practical to rely solely on the Karoo mount. It's good that Hammerhead came out with a Garmin adapter. Now, if only it wasn't such a piece of junk ....
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@James Grosser If you are so invested in the Garmin ecosystem then why did you buy a Hammerhead Karoo? (Just an honest question) Also, the K2 does not have a sensor for auto-brightness, I think I read somewhere that Hammerhead found that it was draining a lot of battery on the K1, thus they removed it from the K2.
@JV USA Point 5, what exactly is wrong with the tool? I agree that it is not perfect, however, I use it all the time and I think it works as it should. For me personally, I can easily change or create a route. -
@Tijmen - my issues with the mapping tool aren't huge. I'm probably being a little picky. The Garmin system is just easier to use, probably mostly a preference thing. Here's my beef with Hammerhead's mapping:
1. No option to choose freehand. If you want to force a route to go somewhere, you can't. It only follows the road/path, and sometimes that is not good.
2. Popularity routing in Garmin is awesome. The OCM option in Hammerhead is ok, but not as accurate as Garmin.
3. Waypoints from imported maps don't appear. Maybe I am messing this up, but I can't see them.
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Tijmen:
The Garmin Edge has many flaws. The operating system is like something from the 1990s. The screen is terrible. Their customer support is notoriously bad, and their prices are absurd. So, I would LOVE to find an alternative and was willing to take a chance on K2.
I was attracted to K2 by the screen, which is much, much better than any Garmin Edge screen, and by the potential inherent in using the Android operating system. There are some things I like about K2. I am very pleased that they rolled out a "light mode," but that does not wipe away the stink from the fact that they rolled out a device that was essentially unreadable in bright sunlight.
I started souring on K2 when, during a ride, it kept disconnecting from my iPhone. I have a family and need to be able to receive text messages when I am out for 5 hours on a ride. Then, when I investigated sim cards for the device, I learned that the sim cards Hammerhead recommended as compatible were either NOT compatible or not available.
I have been surprised by the bugginess of K2. I have been disappointed by the lack of so many features that I consider essential. Auto-brightness is a good example. The notion that K2 can't combine auto-brightness with decent battery life is a bit galling.
I find it odd that this forum seems to be dominated by apologists for Hammerhead. All too often, I see comments like: "It's good enough" or "I don't need more features." Well, I for one expect more from a company selling a $400 luxury device. And let's not forget that the whole point of this support forum is to air gripes, discuss feature requests, etc. This is a support forum, after all, not a Facebook fan page.
As the saying goes: "If you come at the King, you best not miss." Hammerhead will not be a serious contender until they come up with a device that makes Garmin and Wahoo users jealous. At this time, K2 is not it.
At least K2 doesn't cost as much as the Omata....
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It would be great to have an online session to have the devs discuss things like this and the challenges in each. Some are a big lot of work and have collateral impacts like battery life. That would be rewarding.
We all have personal likes and wants. Most all want reliable basic core functions. Make Android pay off.
I like the way they answer with a video that is shorter than the boot up, and tips on cutting your t-shirt so that it weighs less, is more aero and is the height of fashion. Now THAT'S attention to he kind of elevation we need displayed accurately.
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For me, the most important missing feature is Trailforks integration. I only use Trailforks (pro) to look up nice mtb/enduro trails and then I manually download the gpx files and import them into the hammerhead dashboard.
I don't use strava or komoot, don't care about them like most mountainbikers I guess.
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The route creation tool is fine for me. I don't use Strava or Garmin. Why should I when what Hammerhead have produced is fast and easy as it is. Nobody stopping you from carrying on with your system, but if Karoo did not support their own native navigation then I suspect many would not buy it. Not everybody lives in Garmin/Kamoot eco system and when I did look at Kamoot I found its offering pretty poor for the cost.
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Hi y'all - pls throw all your votes on a single thread / feature request, otherwise it will be diluted in votes and never be considered, I'm afraid. This is what past HH practice has shown, unfortunately.
Thread with highest votes to finally integrate Trailforks (after 3+ yrs begging for it!) > https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/community/posts/1260802074889-Really-hoping-Trailforks-gets-added-to-the-K2
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