After 100 Days: Is The Hammer Head Karoo 3 Perfect?

[@mlegrand]

Best Place To Buy: dialedcyclinglab.com/product/hammerhead-karoo-bike-computer-new/ Try discount code: matt_legrand Or Amazon: amzn.to/3Cqqzu5

[@bonn1771]

Amazing editing and review Matt.. The company changed a lot since the kickstarter. Happy training and enjoy rising before the winter

[@mlegrand]

Thank you! Hope you are doing well buddy!

[@krotersaiz5855]

Fantastic review. Nice video edition!!!

[@mlegrand]

Thank you Kroter! And thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@ianp7048]

Thanks for a great review. I also find the beep to be irritating. It would be wonderful if the volume were adjustable and it could be selected on or off for various functions. One issue that is very frustrating with the Karoo 2 is the requirement for Wi-Fi. For touring that means creating a route on a tablet or a cell phone and then finding a Wi-Fi source in order to load it onto the Karoo. I believe a route can now be loaded directly to the Karoo 3 from a cell phone.

[@mlegrand]

I agree. Even now that there’s a mobile app, it still feels a bit lackluster to me. I wish it did a bit more. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@patas67]

I am coming from Wahoo Roam V2, true an easy device to manage however, some features on HH Karroo V3 make me swap the device, your review point some interesting aspects, since I did not see you talking about the compatibility with PowerMeter like Favero Axioma and HH is missing to integrate all the dynamics from Favero I will said. I know all brands are in a race against each other, but, at the end, all of them will need open their minds and their codes to integrate all dynamics from different vendors to their devices or not? Shimano seems to be refusing to do so, anyway. Hoping the futures code updates enhance the battery life and provide some dynamics from favero or other vendors, meanwhile I am happy with the unit. Nice review by the way.

[@mlegrand]

I haven’t tested this with the Favero power meter. I don’t own one but have heard that they’re excellent. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@balexandre]

3:06 I would love to point out that there are also arm heart rate bands (like Coros and Polar) in case you don’t like the strap-to-your-chest feeling 😊

[@mlegrand]

Good point! Arm bands are extremely accurate in comparison to wrist based optical heart rate sensors. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@ON3S3V3NTHR33]

Great review. Curious as to whether you pair a HRM or do you prefer a smart watch?

[@mlegrand]

I typically like to pair a chest strap. But I also wear watches when riding. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@mvhan911]

Thanks for the video and information. Does the Karoo 3 also provide training functions like the Garmin devices?

[@mlegrand]

I'm not sure what you mean by training functions but the Karoo 3 is missing a lot of the training metrics and recovery data that you get from a Garmin. (Training Readiness, body battery, etc.)

[@stefanivanov8587]

You can pair it with your smart trainer and import workouts from TrainerRoad or something to the karoo and it will control the trainer or import the workout and go outside. (I think the only drawback was that you can't create them from the karoo itself)

[@mvhan911]

Thanks. Yes so i understand for Training Purpose the Garmin offers more native functionality but for Karoo there are work arounds with additional software. I assume this will add additional monthly costs or are there for free training platforms ? Really hard to decide What is better compromise? Better screen and user friendly but drawbacks in training functionality- Karoo / or the opposite- Garmin. Most reviews focus primarily on the screen and navigation but not much on training so thanks for your answers. But I am still not sure 🤪

[@stefanivanov8587]

@@mvhan911 Just looked into it you can make a free training peaks account and sync it with the dashboard. (that should be free and still have your workouts I use zwift and do my workout there so I am not sure how it works with other apps you can upload it like a FIT or ZWO file too I use that method to do outdoor workouts)

[@mlegrand]

I guess that would depend on which monthly apps you’re interested in. If it’s a coaching platform you’re looking for, I really like TrainingPeaks.

[@nilscalasanzio]

Right now in germany the 1040 is 429€ and the karoo3 335€, I am still unsure though. My current 820 battery only lasts 2 hours, so I am definitely ready to upgrade. It seems that karoo has better strava live segments view, which is nice. I am into garmin ecosystem, but maybe I could simply record the ride with my forerunner watch to have the garmin training load and use simultaneously the Karoo to navigate. I guess the Karoo would be a better value than the 1040

[@mlegrand]

Tricky call. I don’t have a ton of advice for you. I think they’re both great devices. Battery life would be better on the 1040. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@aaronedgeart]

I'm considering switching from Wahoo to Hammerhead but finding it hard to see if the turn by turn direction font can be increased? Ex: "Turn right on Smith Street in 300 meters". My eyes aren't what they used to be. Thanx in advance, if anyone here knows?

[@mlegrand]

You can change the font size on a Hammerhead Karoo, navigate to the "Settings" app on your device, then scroll down and select "Display" - within this menu, you can adjust the font size using the slider.

[@aaronedgeart]

@@mlegrand Hey thanx!!!

[@aaronedgeart]

@@mlegrand From Hammerhead tech rep this morning: "Currently, we do not have the option to increase or change the font size of the Turn by Turn instructions on Karoo".

[@mlegrand]

@@aaronedgeart Ah, so you can change font size but not on the turn by tun screen. Got it. Thanks for posting this!

[@aaronedgeart]

@@mlegrand Seems so, right on.

[@Pogaczar]

I have a Wahoo Bolt V2. The Karoo 3 seems to be the most interesting option at the moment. Question - is there any lag after the latest updates?

[@mlegrand]

Not that I've noticed. Loading up seems to be slow. But you're used to that if you've had the Bold v2.

[@Pogaczar]

@@mlegrand Thanks - that's good news! I ask because I've heard from friends that the first version of the software had a lot of lags.

[@mejdrichj]

There’s a hardware issue with the power button and the battery cover…. I am on my second unit and it is still not resolved…. Many have also had this problem…

[@mejdrichj]

Great video…

[@mlegrand]

Thanks for posting about the hardware issue. I haven’t had any issues yet luckily. Hopefully it gets resolved for you somehow. 🤞

[@GroteGeer]

The usb-cover and power-button are placed next to each other. It can happen by a few devices that the space between the two is just to little. When pressing the power-button it's possible that the button remains pressed. The fix is - open the usb-cover and you can release the power button. HH is aware of this design issue. If your device has this struggling - contact them HH - they will send a new device.

[@KevinKeys]

Useless without hillshade or contour lines for mountain biking / gravel.

[@mlegrand]

I don't know if I'd go as far as to say 'useless'.

[@michaelbattin]

I hate how loud the alarm is....... that's my only gripe.....other then that I enjoy it

[@mlegrand]

Agreed. I wish they could update that via software somehow. 🤔

[@bazyee]

9:13 ayooo

[@mlegrand]

And I blame it on another guy I was riding with. I'm surprised that was caught on camera. 😳

[@williamdownie2105]

Shame hammerhead after sales is not existent if unit fails out off warranty you need to bin it and buy new to replace they don’t like to take about this though.

[@mlegrand]

Customer service is something that I’ve always wanted to test on this channel. I think it’d be interesting to see how each major brand compares. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@mariosimas]

and finally HH released the SDK!!!!!!!!!

[@mlegrand]

Yeah! I've seen some people have already been playing around with it and have made a drink/eat reminder app. Looks promising. Hopefully there will be a little community of helpful apps soon. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@cyclingwillcotn1103]

the touch screen is horrible. I find myself touching the screen multiple times before it activates. looking for the 1050 solar next...hopefully

[@mlegrand]

I think only the 1040 comes with the Solar option. But I've been testing the 1050 and it's a very nice cycling computer. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@SpikeSpiegel-3859]

Never had this issue. It's been perfect. The people that designed this are miles ahead of the competition.

[@Joiedevivredesilives]

I have had K1 ,k2 and now K3 not once have I had an issue with the screen I have had the Garmin from the 705 , 1000, 1030 and they all had faults mainly freezing and convoluted menus The only complaint I have with k2 was battery life with sensors connected I never got more than 4 hours with a dimmed screen