Shimano Di2 Integration on Karoo
I bought the Karoo 2 in April because I wanted to upgrade from my older, unsupported Garmin. I liked many of the computer's features, especially the fact that it would be compatible with my Garmin sensors. However, three months later, now my Karoo no longer works with my Di2 set up as the result of a request made by Shimano. I am a bit perturbed about this. Although It's not a major function for me on the computer as all my other sensors work, but this computer is seriously expensive and to have a function removed with hardly any explanation is annoying. I've already contacted support to see if this issue will be addressed soon or if I can get a refund so I can just buy a new Garmin, which I was thinking about at the time.
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Same problem here.
Sure the Karoo still works but 2 major things I will miss as soon as I update:- low battery alert for the di2 which is important to me since I never check for the battery % on the shimano app
- can't use the hood buttons to navigateI also thought about contacting hammerhead and ask for a refund. It was advertised as being functional with di2 and only improving over the time. This is now clearly not the case anymore.
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Hey Fabian. Yeah, I definitely miss those things as well.
I got an email back from support and I was told that Hammerhead is asking Shimano to change their mind, that I could email Shimano on behalf of Hammerhead, and that no refund was possible. I've only had the computer three months, so that really sucks. Plus, I didn't like that answer about the refund or being told I should interact with Shimano.
I like the computer, but the newer Garmins are just as nice and less expensive. I think I'll just get a Garmin and Ebay the Karoo.
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Well yeah there will be more and more bikes with di2. All those people will not buy a Karoo 2.
Also who buys a headunit? Probably people who also spend more money on their bike so they are likely having a di2.
I was also told that a refund is not possible because "The Di2 integration was one small part of the Karoo 2 and it was an external sensor that we connected to. It was never advertised as a key feature on the unit."
I have to disagree on this. Sure it is "only" an external sensor. However it was advertised as compatible. And also to say it is a small part is just not the case for my use case. I never, not once, used the buttons on the device or the screen to navigate the pages. I only use the buttons on the hoods.
So I really hope HH is working on a solution. -
It's really a stupid excuse and Hammerhead must realize they are going to lose customers if they don't get this problem fixed. Obviously, the company is making enough money because they are launching new products, so if it is a money matter, they should just pay it and keep their customer base happy.
Interesting note, if you look at the information about the Karoo 2 on Hammerhead's website, they've pulled all their support for Di2. If I would have known this, I would have never bought the computer. And since I can't get a refund, I guess I'll hold on to it for a little while and hope against hope HH might bring this back through a firmware update. Fortunately, I still have my old Garmin, which works fine but lacks some of the features I like (and have adapted to) on the Karoo.
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Just as frustrated, and have refrained from updating my unit since the announcement. At some point though, I'm going to have to update the unit and lose the Di2 functionality, or swap out the device. I've had mine for over a year so I don't expect a refund, but just disappointed in this whole situation.
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I added brifters with buttons on the hoods on my 2017 Di2 Specialized Roubaix just to take advantage of changing pages during a ride. Keeps both my hands where they should be. Now add the fact that I don't have gear ratio's displayed, Di2 battery status, and many more functions that we have lost..... sigh
i emailed Hammerhead and this was their response. Notice that a large portion of the email seems focused on how they properly notified me of the update. I wanted to back out of the update.
We are equally disappointed by this change. However, we remain hopeful that Shimano would want to resume these settings back on the Karoo 2.
I am sorry that you may not be able to roll back to the previous version as the software updates are Over the air, and can't be done by connecting to a computer. This is a reason why we sent out the email regarding this change 1 week ahead of the actual release that took out this functionality. We wanted our users to chose and make necessary changes by turning off the automatic update from settings.
There were also notable pop ups available before the update to warn the riders of this change. We tried all the possibilities to keep our users informed of what they might be losing.
I really wish I could have done something for you here, but there's no option for me now to make the change on your Karoo 2.I called Shimano.
The tech I spoke to really had no comment. It was like carrying on a conversation with a piece of drywall.
Bottom line? This is Hammerheads responsibility to find a solution, not the customers.
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@Doug,
Heading the same direction. I've finally accepted that this isn't going to get resolved, so I either never update it again, which is a poor solution, or I lose the Di2 integration (another unacceptable solution).
I started watching DCR reviews to see what's the latest alternative and purchased a discounted 1030+, but I'm leaning towards returning it and getting the 1040 Solar instead.
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I guess what you could do is reverse-engineer their protocol? I mean they have the right to take the specs away from you since they're private, but they can't prevent someone from reverse-engineering it. https://github.com/kwakeham has done some work in this direction, but his wiki and youtube video seem to have been taken down.
Such a shame what Shimano has done.
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I'm with you Chris, my K2 is "frozen in time" from mid-May and will stay that way into eternity if necessary.
Can anyone confirm 100% that if I need to do a "factory reset" the currently installed firmware will not be altered? I have automatic updates "off" of course, but will a system reset override that user setting and do unrequested updates? Ali or Hari, do either of you have any feedback on my concern?
I want to hope that Ali's words "as soon as things change" in his comment above is a veiled positive sign, no matter how faint.
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I wonder why people still mad with HH and not with Shimano...after all was Shimano who obligated HH to remove di2 functions! Why don´t you refund your di2 setup? Some want to take advantage of this case because aren´t happy with Karoo devices or bought them by mistake...bad luck for you!
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I am not mad at HH. I know Shimano is the one to blame. But HH is the one who should try everything to fix this again.
K2 was sold with Di2 functionality that had to be removed by request from Shimano. So yes the K2 does not work as advertised once I update. My Di2 does work like a charm nothing changed here.I am really happy with my K2 except for 2 things: Di2 compatibility and battery life (later can be "fixed" by adding a power bank for the long days).
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The perceived competition (SRAM v Shimano) I guess is the reason as folks state - Definitely has made me change from generally positive about Shimano (I have it on all my bikes) to really hating on them - such a chickensh#t move. Can't see how it's going to meaningfully affect their bottom line, but definitely alienated a group of us. Such a pity.
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