Hammerhead

3mkru73 wrote:

I've had my Hammerhead Karoo since December last year. Initially it was a pretty basic unit, but the regular (at first almost weekly, now bi-weekly) updates have meant I now have a unit which I'm proud to use. Two major issues though that may turn some off (didn't turn me off) 1) there is no audio chip so no beeps or other audio cues and 2) it's BIG. The screen size works for me as it's been great for routes, the maps are clear and turn by turn instructions fantastic. The display is awesome, nice and bright and works in all light conditions. Battery life is spot on me for me too (have done a few 10 hour plus rides with stll over 25% battery left at the end). I like how you can turn the screen off too, to help battery life and also avoid any distractions.  

I got to test one for a month early this year. Overall I quite liked it. There was some massive issues with the software and holes in what it could do, but nothing that couldn't be patched. Indeed, it looks like most of the issues on that front that I had have now been patched through the regular updates (although from what I've been told by a few friends recently it still has a number of areas that desperately need attention). Batterly life was good and I loved the screen both for interacting with and just being able to see detail well. The massive size (and substantial weight) would almost certainly put racier types off, but for most of my use it was hardly a major issue. 

The lack of audio cues was a dealbreaker for me though. I live in central london and spend a lot of time riding in heavily built up areas (both in and out of london). If I have to look at the screen all the time to be able to follow a route then I'll end up under the wheels of a car. No matter how good the routing software and how clear the mapping, for me that whole side of things was ruined by the lack of something that would warn me when I needed to look at the unit to see a turn.

I normally spend very little time actually looking at my head unit when riding. I take very quick glances every now and again or when it beeps to warn me that I need to do something. That's one of the reasons why a really clear big screen that the Hammerhead has would have been a good thing for me (helps really quickly see the information i want), but i just can't live with it without the audio signals

timmyotool wrote:

My 810 is total dogs**t

I was lucky that I realised this well into the waranty and sent it back.  Total loss of confidence in any company who can release something as bad as the edge 810.  BTW I agree.

alansmurphy wrote:

You need to get out more. What issues? I've had it 4 years and it froze once? All tech will fuck up occasionally. The hammerhead and element computers are still so new and relatively small in sales volumes, the issues will more than follow...

I get out more. As do my cycling friends. Let's see... my friend has an 820 which crashes repeatedly and has an unusable screen. My 810 (now sold) has crashed more times than I can remember, losing rides and getting me lost. Another friend has a 520 which crashed losing his Mont Ventoux attempt. I'd go so far to say I don't actually know someone who hasn't had a Garmin Edge crash. 

Big difference with Wahoo is that they have a responsive customer support team and actually fix issues... They are far from perfect (just look at the forums) but it's the responsiveness that gives people more confidence. Anything you raise with Garmin, meanwhile, falls on deaf ears.

alansmurphy wrote:

I hear good things about Garmin units. Been going for years, many different price ranges and only a handful of complaints considering the many millions of units sold...

Strange, it feels like I don't know anyone who has one that hasn't had issues.

wycombewheeler wrote:

alansmurphy wrote:

I hear good things about Garmin units. Been going for years, many different price ranges and only a handful of complaints considering the many millions of units sold...

Strange, it feels like I don't know anyone who has one that hasn't had issues.

Waves.