Why is Karoo's map rendering vastly inferior to other devices using a similar Android OS and OSM maps?
Answered
I initially assumed that the poor rendering of the maps on my Hammerhead Karoo that made features, roads, etc., harder to discern at a quick glance while riding than on my Garmin Edge 1030 was due to a limitation of the Android OS and OSM maps. It's the lack of color use and lack of obvious distinction between road sizes that annoys me the most. Slight variations in the widths of white lines cannot be discerned when quickly glancing down while cycling; roads colored based on importance would make it so much easier to absorb information from a quick glance.
While doing research for a review article of all large-screen bike GPS computers, I've learned about the Sigma Rox 12.0 and Bryton Rider 860. These both have screen sizes similar to the Garmin Edge 1000, but use an Android-based OS and also have OSM maps. The map rendering on these devices looks FAR superior to that on the Karoo.
When can we expect to benefit from the high-resolution screen of the Karoo and see the maps rendered in a more beautiful and easy-to-read way? Without this, that massive, power hunger screen is being completely wasted. All of the extra bulk that must be the batteries for that big screen are pretty pointless when the main reason for a high-resolution screen, the maps, is executed so poorly.
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I completely understand your point and we are already working on a bigger project to enhance our mapping and Routing. Your feedback has already been forwarded to the Product team. We constantly strive to meet the customer's requirements. You can definitely expect more refined features in the upcoming updates.
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Thanks for your response. I hope that this is on the top of your list of priorities because even if map rendering is not receiving the most customer requests, beautiful maps should be a core feature of this product that could drive a lot of future sales - it seems that is what the hardware is ideally suited for.
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Thanks Maks By, it looks like installing Osmand is my best option for using this screen to it's full potential. I'm not an expert at such things, but I've now found a handy how-to guide here: https://github.com/JohnJ80/Karoo-App-Sideloading/wiki/Improving-Karoo-through-the-use-of-Android-Apps-and-how-to-get-started. That's all designed for a Mac user, which I'm not, so I may have to borrow my wife's Mac for a couple of evenings and try not to swear at it too much as I struggle though. Are you aware of any simple guides designed for PC users?
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After a morning of playing around with installing new Android apps, I finally have some incredible-looking maps on my Karoo. Thanks for pointing me in this direction, Maks By!
This post gives enough info to figure most of it out if you're not too scared of computers. Fortunately, the instructions don't need to be changed too much for PC users - just find the "Command Prompt" under "Windows System" in the Start menu, navigate to the folder where adb is installed and run the adb commands that he describes with that.
The rest of the instructions are all about what to do on the Karoo itself, so getting decent maps using the free OsmAnd app is then pretty easy.
I decided that I also wanted the contours and shading (I live in a mountainous region), so I had to pay a minimal fee for OsmAnd+ and the contour plugin. That's where it got complicated again because I had to install Firefox, get the permissions set correctly, then install the Amazon App Store, and then find the OsmAnd stuff and pay for it through that. I then also needed to install DropBox and make an account for that so that I can transfer GPX route files to OsmAnd. I found lots of wrong ways to do all of this, but eventually passed each hurdle.
I can now even have a route displayed without the Karoo trying to navigate for me and I can switch between routes without stopping ride recording. Fantastic!
I can finally see just how good this hardware can perform when some good software is running. Hopefully the Hammerhead guys will make this a much simpler process or upgrade their own software soon. Until then, I'll be very hesitant to recommend the device to anyone else. I'll also have to see how badly all of this impacts battery life since I'm basically now using a phone instead of a Garmin. But at least if all this works reliably then I'll no longer regret buying the Karoo.
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I think there have been lots of improvements on the mapping already. Plus you can always tweek the xml rendering rules yourself. Try that on the Sigma or Bryton...
Comparing to the Sigma, I think Sigma map rendering really sucks. That was one of my biggest disappointments when using it.I also noticed in my own behaviour that although initially I try to get the 'best looking maps'. I quickly turn the level of detail down when tuning the xml so that when I'm riding I can focus on what is really helping my navigation.
And about: "I can now even have a route displayed without the Karoo trying to navigate for me and I can switch between routes without stopping ride recording. Fantastic!"-> You can actually change the route, inride, very easily nowadays. And stopping TBT instructions can also be done, although a little more dificult.
Can't comment on the Bryton really but the Sigma is a closed environment, no room for tweeking.
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I will add, long time ago I had Locus and Osmand installed and needed to use it for navigation. But they have long gone from my Karoo since I really feel the standard tools are perfectly fulfilling my needs.
That doesn't mean everyting is perfect. I'm still finding some issues in the rendering but nothing that would cause me lots of issues on the road. -
Are you sure that tweaking rendering rules is something that the average is going to do? As delivered, the map is below par. I would have thought that they would have made the best tweaks the default settings after two years of updates.
Before I give up on the Karoo interface, please explain how you tweak these settings.
Concerning now being able to switch routes in-ride, this is another thing that annoys me about the Karoo - half of the information posted online, even from only a few months ago, is no longer valid and it's impossible to know what is current and what isn't.
Again, Hammerhead need to make a device that works well for the average user and is easy to troubleshoot. The Karoo is not ticking any of those boxes IMO.
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@ Chris White Karoo is a project in development.
Recently there is a website "Getting Started with Karoo" wth the latest usefull information https://www.hammerhead.io/pages/getting-started
If an option is not yet possible; during the route - change route ..
- For now - save the route and choose or create a new route.
- There is also a possibility to make an offline route while cycling - How To ->
https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/articles/360037899933-Offline-Route-to-Destination
And a collection of manuals for topics ->
https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/categories/360000708414-Using-KarooThere is also a blog https://blog.hammerhead.io/
Detailed explanation of the released updates can be found here. Like the recently implemented Maps update - with samples.That this information helps you - using your Karoo.
Because that's what you want - having fun ! -
Chris White you could change the XML file which the Karoo used to dress up your map.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hammerheadkaroo/permalink/2510269442350734/
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It does appear that Hammerhead are listening. Since the latest firmware update, many minor roads and tracks are now shown as red dashed lines instead of white lines that looked almost the same as regular roads. In addition, medium-importance roads now appear to be shown with a small black outline, which I don't think was there before.
So, they're slowing getting somewhere with the map rendering; the newer version is already looking much better, thanks, but there is still a long way to go before the beautiful screen is put to full use like with the OsmAnd app.
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