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Hi,
In general, I am exceedingly content with my Karoo2 and find it difficult to comprehend the at times exaggerated demands and criticisms in this forum. The manner of communication is occasionally unacceptable. I have experience with both Garmin and Wahoo devices, each possessing their own strengths and weaknesses, yet no other forum is as cooperative and prominent as that of Karoo.
Unfortunately, there are a few points I wish to address regarding the latest two updates, 1.389.1526 and 1.386.1509.
In the update 1.386.1509, it appears to me that something has been altered in the rerouting functionality. Up until now, I considered the rerouting feature to be highly intelligent, calculating a return path after deviating from the route. However, this has changed over the past four weeks. Multiple attempts are made to execute a U-turn, often at locations where a car could turn around. The fact that this poses no issue for a bicycle is not taken into account. After a maximum of 500 meters, it should be evident that the route has been intentionally abandoned (due to construction sites, road closures, or other obstacles) and an alternative route should be calculated. In this screenshot, one can see that the rerouting directs me 50 meters away from my home, which is the destination of the route, only to redirect me another 2 kilometers to rejoin the original route, ultimately leading me back home...
Another point that caught my attention in today's update, 1.389.1526, concerns the use of the Garmin Radar. The car icon is partially white. It remains distinguishable against a red background, but on a yellow background, the icon becomes indiscernible. However, it is not consistently white but occasionally reverts to the customary black. I have been unable to determine the trigger for this white color. I have also attached two screenshots. Unfortunately, this is dangerous as one can no longer rely on the radar, and the white icons can be overlooked in sunlight. Urgent bug fixing is necessary before any mishap occurs.
I must also express my disappointment with the new user interface, as it represents a regression. The smaller the display, the more valuable the space becomes. Filling this limited space with frames, borders, and static two-line explanations is not sensible. I am over 50 and must honestly admit that I now require reading glasses. I do not wear them while cycling and thus need the information on the display to be as legible as possible. I find the pictograms accompanying the explanations (such as the speedometer needle) entirely redundant. They are barely discernible during the ride, at least in my experience, and in the latest update, they are even green, further worsening the contrast.
Regarding the user interface, I have found Wahoo's interface to be the most appealing thus far. Why not draw inspiration from it? After all, others have also incorporated ideas, such as the climbing feature without a designated route.
Although the battery life is not remarkable, it suffices for my usual rides of 75 to 150 kilometers. If I intend to ride further, I connect a small power bank that also charges my iPhone. I require this for the Strava Beacon because, to be brutally honest, the tracking feature of Karoo is a complete joke. You may remove it, as I do not personally know anyone who utilizes it.
I hope that someone takes these lines to heart and improves this already good device to an even better one.
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Official comment
Hi All,
We’ve fixed the issue where the Radar car icons were not displaying the correct color.
Thank you!
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agree to the comments regarding the new user interface. I'm under 50, but suffer from slight ametropia and I was content with the user interface as it was. The new one appears a unnecessarily squeezed to me, moving closer to Garmin 540. Feels a bit like wasted display space. Could just be a matter of taste.
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Constructively giving my input that I also do not like the UI changes. I looked to make sure I was not able to REVERT or NOW, CHANGE certain aspects of the UI, giving us more choices...but it seems that this is the new DEFAULT and ONLY look. It does seem like a very strange choice in my opinion. I've always felt like Hammerhead has always had a good UI design and direction, this one is not IMO. Either revert back, or give us an option to USE the old UI as an alternative/setting, if this one is loved/enjoyed by others. It's always hard to have everyone agree on one thing :)
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If after all the comments (even DC Rainmaker has made an article), karoo does not reconsider giving us the option of having the previous theme, or evolving the current one with proposed solutions... they have definitely lost me as a client forever, and I have just I bought 2 units of karoo for me and my wife, but I don't care, I'll get rid of them.
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@Lee I'm actually coming from a Garmin 1040, and I'm hoping Hammerhead rectifies and listens to or option users. It was already difficult for me to make the screen jump from 3.5" to 3.2" (I'm 47 years old with presbyopia), and this new field design doesn't help at all. At Garmin we have the IQ #DIY plugin where I could create my interface to my liking, fields, sizes, everything. Karoo wins in navigation, he was very happy until the last update to be honest.
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From the known bugs: „Car icons on the Radar lane switch between white and Black instead of showing white all the time: No Known workaround yet. We will be fixing this issue in one of the upcoming updates.“
Please don’t go for white on yellow due to visibility reasons with direct sunlight. The contrast between white and yellow isn’t that great.
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