TwoNav is introducing a new Roc bike computer that it describes as “the smallest GPS with the most advanced mapping on the market”. The device provides Ordnance Survey topographic maps and TomTom roadmaps of Britain alongside OpenStreetMap, while offering the ability to pair with Bluetooth sensors and display multiple performance fields.
It’s the quality of the mapping that TwoNav really wants to shout about here.
“The GPS with the finest cartography for adventurous cyclists provides you with the necessary safety on the most challenging routes, allowing you to overcome any unexpected situations thanks to its screen with perfect visibility, detailed maps, and advanced navigation tools,” says TwoNav.
As well as OpenStreetMap (the free and open geographic database updated by volunteers) and a 3D relief map of Western Europe preloaded on the GPS, TwoNav offers additional mapping dependent on your country. In the UK, you can install Ordnance Survey topographic maps (1:50,000 and 1:250,000) and a TomTom roadmap of the UK and Ireland, for example. TwoNav says that you can “merge the maps for a clear and accurate view of your surroundings”.
It also says, “TwoNav’s digital roadbooks guide you step by step, preventing wrong turns and providing real-time information to keep your route on the right track. Easily see what the next step is, thanks to routes enriched with directions, alerts, photos, or videos as you progress.
“Know the relief of the terrain you are about to face from the GPS. Get more detail on paths and shortcuts.
“Imagine having precise maps on an optimal screen to understand the terrain in detail. Roc stands out for its accuracy and solid reliability, allowing you to venture into stunning landscapes with total safety.”
The GPS can take you to a destination, give you an estimated time of arrival, and calculate the shortest route home.
In terms of size, the TwoNav Roc measures 58 x 90 x 20mm. That’s just a touch larger than Garmin’s super-popular Edge 540 (£349.99), for example (57.8 x 85.1 x 19.6mm).
How does TwoNav claim that the Roc is “the smallest GPS with the most advanced mapping on the market”, then? Because it reckons its mapping is better. The Edge 540 is preloaded with Garmin’s cycle map and you can download topographical mapping of the UK and Ireland (or other countries) for £19.99.
On top of the navigational capability, the TwoNav Roc can display all the usual bike computer metrics, such as ride distance and duration, speed, ascent/descent, averages… you know the kind of stuff. TwoNav says you can track more than 200 performance fields. You can also connect external devices like heart rate and cadence monitors by Bluetooth.
You can pair the TwoNav to your smartphone to receive WhatsApp notifications, calls and warnings on the screen and use the brand’s SeeMe function to broadcast your real-time position for safety. You can also send emergency notifications to your contacts.
The TwoNav Roc’s 2.7in touchscreen (240 x 320 pixels – similar to the Garmin Edge 540, which is 246 x 322 pixels) is made from Gorilla Glass that’s designed to stand up to impacts and has IP68 certification, meaning that it’s dust-tight and protected against powerful jets of water. TwoNav claims a battery life of about 18 hours in normal use.
The TwoNav Roc will be priced at €399 (around £345) when pre-sale opens on 16th October.
5 thoughts on “TwoNav unveils Roc bike computer as “the smallest GPS with the most advanced mapping on the market””
Ok. As someone who upgraded
Ok. As someone who upgraded to both a Karoo 2 and a 1030 for the screen size I would suggest – particularly for mapping/navigation – that the small screensize isnt the selling point they seem to think it is.
Bike computers do seem to
Bike computers do seem to persist with small lo-res screens and disappointingly large bezels. It’s not like they’re any cheaper than smartphones either. £350 will get you a pretty solid phone.
Yup – if small is such a big
Yup – if small is such a big selling point, let’s start with smaller bezels before reducing the screen area proper.
big bezels means a larger
big bezels means a larger battery, low res is about increasing battery life. These are reasons bike computers exist as opposed to just using a phone.
That’s becoming a very dated
That’s becoming a very dated view. My 2.5 year old Pixel phone cost about the same as the Roc bike computer reviewed here. The phone is rated as having a 9 hour battery life (continuous use) and it has a 5.8″ full HD colour panel. That battery life is no worse than most GPS computers I’ve owned while the Pixel display is simply in another league entirely. I’m speaking as someone who likes GPS bike computers and has had many but when I think about it now, the only genuine advantages I can think of for the bike computers is that they’re more robust (I think), they fit my existing set of computer mounts, and bike computers are part of being a ‘proper’ cyclist.
Phone and smartwatch manufacturers increasingly offer features like Ant+ support and cycle-oriented mapping. I think Garmin et al are very vulnerable if they can’t step up their game to make their devices more phone-like because as it stands they’re beginning to look like poor value relics.