Sending routes without WiFi connectivity
Just received my Karoo2 today. I'm setting it up and doing some short rides to get accustomed to it. When my Karoo2 doesn't have an internet connection, how might it receive a route that's been uploaded to my Karoo dashboard? I am not going to add cellular service to the unit. This seems to be corner case where having an app on the phone to communicate with the unit via blue tooth would be nice.
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Posted similar question about phone app/connectivity. Answer is not HOTSPOT....many plans don't have this....adding another $20 a month cellular connection is not the answer either. Yes those are nice to have...some probably would love to just have the unit on cell service....others may have hotspot included in their current plan. I likely will be sending my unit back within the 45 days unless I hear some thoughts on future plans for an APP/Connectivity, or am so WOW by the unit that I would put up with this seemingly elementary functionality.
I mean maybe the APP is literally just for this connectivity and there is no other functionality in the beginning. I get that they are new to the market so to speak....
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So both the Wahoo Element and Garmin 530 which I own get their internet connection through the phone app. They connect via Bluetooth to the app and acquire internet access via the phone (I already pay for it and it's there!) Yes a lot of times we will have WiFi around...but I'm not going to want to connect my headunit to every random coffeeshop wifi etc for this connection. Why in other posts I have asked about future plans for a phone app for this connectivity. For me I will not be keeping my K2 (which admittedly I do not have yet, but has been shipped) If I don't see a roadmap for this in a timly fashion. 45 day return...yep! I really want to love the K2, it seems like a great device, I love the fact that Hammerhead is an up and coming company trying to chisel at the "big guys". I'm fine if there is a roadmap for this....just be honest and upfront. If it's a year out, hmmm....
Sorry I digress. Each of the other units connect to the app and those apps have connected access/permissions to say RWGPS or Strava for routes. I really like how a URL can be submitted to HH and it magically pull it in....but we need to magically get it to the device, right!?! lol.To be honest the HH unit would smash the other alternatives if we just had good access via a dumb phone app. The other options require you to STAR a route, sync to the app etc.... Pasting in a URL and syncing on K2, would be amazing!
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Hi Trey,
I agree that HH would nail it, if it was possible to add a route or destination without internet connection, by the use of the phone app (which uses bluetooth)
But I am not sure if you understood the hotspot workaround that Derbyshire mentioned.
This does not involve seeking hotspots in local coffeeshops or whatever, but setting up your smartphone to function as a hotspot to connect your Karoo to the internet.
Surely every modern smartphone can set up a hotspot connection?
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Yes, I like the hotspot solution for downloading a route when I'm not at home. I've tried it and it works flawlessly. I think the issue is that some of us don't have access to our mobile phone's hotspot feature because the carrier charges extra for that service. It's definitely an extra charge with my service.
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Yes, HOTSPOT from carrier is typically an additional charge on lower end plans. It's a shame that this will be needed, and possibly the reason I return mine when I receive it, if I don't hear a roadmap of how this will be addressed. Super we have a sim card option, many may want to pay an additional $20 a month just for their headunit. Not sure why, I ride with my phone, and both my Garmin and Wahoo units stay connected during my ride, transmit live tracking data and can talk with the internet all via the APP. So we already have a HOTSPOT with those units, they just don't require a HOTSPOT plan, because those integrations have an APP. I've said it in another post, HH should literally just make an app that allows the K2 to connect and receive internet connection. Further integration and feature rich development could come at a later date. I bet on GitHub I could download source code to do this in less than an hour.
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That's not what I will be doing. My preference would to be to have an Android/IOS app that can communicate to the head unit via BT. The app would be even more compelling if it can (a) configure many of the head unit's settings, (b) serve as a collector for stats/metrics for my individual ride and my overall riding on a weekly, monthly, and an annual basis.
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So here is the issue. My wife and I go on tandem river cruises all over the world. We get the route updates early each morning on chips. Sometimes I have wifi on the phone, but is some places, like Cambodia or some of the Greek isles, not enough cell coverage to support a remote hot spot.
There has to be a way to load a route without cell phone coverage.
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