Hammerhead Karoo 2 - In Depth Review

Well, I've had it for more than a month now. What's my verdict, do I love the new Hammerhead Karoo 2? Is it better than my Garmin 830 or my Wahoo Elemnt? Well, yeah. Yeah it is. A lot.

[@kingoftf]

I've used both, the Garmin 1030 Plus and the Karoo 2. IMHO the Garmin for hobby riders is an absolutely overkill. Far too much menus, far too much Infos you're really never ever will use. Trailforks absolutely useless here in Spain, at least in Asturias. And still a lot of annoying "turn around " advices when you'll leave the route. Emergency advice to my wife's phone while putting the Garmin on the table. I've send it back to the dealer after a few days. For me personally the Karoo is much better, outstanding Display, just another level than Garmin. Really perfect Re-Routing even far away from track. Battery live more than enough. Clearly visible routing arrows with no disturbing informations. Rock solid Mount. WhatsApp notifications with no issues. And last but not least far less expensive than the Garmin top model. But if you really need drinking/ eating advices, rehabilitation countdown, or probably even on track pizza Order than the 1030plus maybe the perfect companion

[@Tethysmeer]

Nice review.

[@TacomaCyclist]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnlatvenas590]

very much on the fence about this unit, your review put me over the top to get it. You really can't beat that they update it every 2 weeks and listen to the people.

[@ScottPatton44]

I discard test rides all the time, I don’t want to have to delete an accidental start from multiple places, ranting about this is silly

[@antares8281]

Anyone who drinks and enjoys Belgian beers, and buys a glass to advertise that fact, has instant credibility in my book.

[@russrainforth2751]

Loved the review and think the K2 is pretty darn great... or would be if I could get mine to upload rides consistently. My K2 has about a 20% success rate at uploading the first time. So I have to go home, log into the HH dashboard and try uploading from there- problem is, half the time even that doesn't work, so I have to disconnect Strava, sign out of dashboard, sign back into everything and cross my fingers. So far that's worked for all but 2 rides. But while I LOVE the functionality and ease of use, and screen, etc.. I just can't have a head unit that can't upload rides. I've got about 6 more days left on my 45 day trial and have been talking to HH, but so far nothing has fixed this. Ugh. I so don't want to get another Garmin, but I don't see a choice at the moment. (Wish me luck!)

[@solefreak2]

Did you return it in the end? Just ordered one but was on the fence and still am considering I have the 45 day return option. Was initially looking to go with Wahoo or even the Garmin 1030 plus.

[@guskrassevich6373]

My biggest problem with it right now, it’s that I finished my ride and I won’t upload to Strava or Rwgps , I need to get home, connect to my Wi-Fi and try to upload the ride , turn it on and off multiple times until finally it’s. Uploaded, unbelievable frustrating The other downside; it won’t work with my CycliqPlus cameras; Garmin did.... Anyway, the tech support sucks .... I’m sorry but for me from 1 to 10, it’s barely a 3

[@Gallyga]

The reason is until recently the hammerheads have flown under people’s radar. With the Karoo 2 it’s gotten much more popular. Strava has an API on different levels that begins at free which I believe Hammerhead is still using. Basically, right now there are so many users trying to upload data it is hitting Strava’s upload API cap with Hammerhead. So what Hammerhead need to do is renegotiate their API caps with Strava and pay up. Fairly new K2 user here and have experienced the same issues but it will get sorted, or at least it needs to for HH to avoid getting some very bad press after all these YT glowing reviews. Until they do, download the fit file and upload to Strava. Very 2015 I know, but it works. K2 has some obvious bugs to iron out but the screen and navigating is amazing so I’m sticking with mine.

[@flex96]

Will it sync to my iPhone? (Text notifications)?

[@TacomaCyclist]

Yes it will

[@dlevi67]

Well deserved "like" at 2:40.

[@zihaoye2382]

Check out the latest update, the device is so much smooth

[@Gallyga]

Liked your review fella. Where was that path you were riding? It looks like a beautiful route! I like my K2, it’s navigating is first class but there are a LOT of little bugs and issues with it which I hope HH will iron out. I mostly use bike computers for basic data recording, navigating along a prep lanes route and my Garmin lights which the K2 does (mostly) very nicely. And I have more hope HH will address those issues than I do Garmin ever updating the quality and speed of their 800 series screens.

[@erichattoy8202]

Do you know what SIM cards are compatible? I can't seem to find it. My biggest complaint, other than the battery life, is not being able to upload rides to trainingpeaks and strava without having to connect to Wifi. I also have had some sensor drop outs. I have changed batteries, bought new, still dropping out on/off every ride.

[@peterfraser1001]

I switched from Garmin to the K2 a couple of months ago and find it to be much better. I’ve been riding with both on for approximately 10 rides so it’s easy to compare. The display, ease of use and the maps / navigation are all brilliant. By the way you can also mute the Varia alerts on the move and switch back on again when you need it.

[@drsus0]

A lot of the workout metric missing i usually get from uploading to trainer road anyway but i would be nice to have it on the unit. I do discard a lot of false starts

[@stevebailey7633]

Very good review, very instructive. I love my Karoo after a decade on assorted Garmins. Im not returning after 45 days. Worth it.

[@randytam6563]

Is there any type of group tracking with this if multiple people use this or if friends use Garmin group track?

[@krisbowditch827]

Froomey is liking it, with his new team ISN😃👍

[@kennethxiao]

coz he is the buddy of HH's CEO

[@James-zu1ij]

I liked the glint in your son eye when you said you looked like you had a stroke. You must have some good life insurance lol

[@pallealene2361]

I was in the market for the 1030+ but then I heard about the K2, and your video just convinced me.... I'm buying it!! (I have always used Garmin)

[@TacomaCyclist]

Awesome! I still love mine and have another on order for the Boogeyman

[@michaelglidewell1524]

Never mind I see the answer in one of your replies: There's a cellular chip in the device but don't you have to have a active SIM card in it for it to work? You almost have me sold on this device but what I'm really interested in is how is the mapping/routing features as compared to Garmin and Wahoo?

[@TacomaCyclist]

You do have to have a SIM to get the device to connect to cellular. But it works great using your phone and wifi anyway. As for mapping, it's simply way better than the others. I won't really ever trust any bike computer for full on routing, but for simple things like re-routing you after you miss a turn, this thing works great!

[@wevertonleao]

Hello, Thanks a lot for this very instructive review. Great information. I'm so much on the fence between bying HH Karoo 2 or the New Element Bolt. Navigation and some metrics is my stuff, I really want something reliable on navigation wise and durability wise also. Watching your video, I could understand well your opinion about which onde is the best performance.Thanks for that once more. But I would like to confirm again your opnion about which one to buy. thanks a lot, all the best

[@TacomaCyclist]

I'm quite happy with the Karoo2 and for mapping, I don't think there is anything better, faster, more responsive. I'm 100% in on the Karoo ecosystem!

[@PeterLazar]

I was considering K2 but recently I have just purchased G830. I do bike packing a lot and I was warned that I will have issues with battery life :(

[@MilanSmore]

If you do bike packing you can bring a portable charger though right? 🤔

[@phildelamotte8389]

Would be curious to here more about the SIM card and whether that adds anything useful it couldn’t already do through a mobile phone connection...

[@TacomaCyclist]

That's a great question. In theory, not really. However, it works well for my little trick at the end - opening the garage door. I guess, if you didn't want to or couldn't bring your phone with you somewhere, you could also upload your ride from the device. My take - skip the sim card unless you have an extra one and an extra line already like I do.

[@ketjuariittaa]

I have wahoo bolt and it works fine. Problem is that i dont see it good anymore. Light is dim and its small. #problemswhenold

[@TacomaCyclist]

This is definitely easier to see than the Wahoo.

[@ronin550]

This is one of the best reviews I've seen on this... Nice to here from someone who uses Android

[@TacomaCyclist]

Thanks! I've thoroughly enjoyed mine and now have one for the Boogeyman too.

[@omarlynn2992]

Good review. I ordered one yesterday to see how compares with my 1030 Plus. I really like the bright screen, so I can’t wait for it to arrive.

[@TacomaCyclist]

I'd love to hear your feedback now that you've presumably had it for a bit.

[@omarlynn2992]

@@TacomaCyclist the screen and graphics were excellent! The turn by turn navigation was on point, similar to a car’s or Google’s. But the unit needs a SIM or to be tethered to your phone if you want to navigate on the go. If you download a route to the unit it works great. But if you’re on the go and want to navigate, you’ll need a connection. So I returned it and went back to my 1030 Plus, it doesn’t need an internet connection to navigate. Plus all of my friends have Garmin so we create Garmin Weekly Challenges

[@elguntor]

The content when you talk about the unit is great. The fluff isn't. Please remove the meta talk such as how hard it is to do videos, sprint cycles, etc.

[@Rockthespaceship]

I use a Garmin Edge 1030 plus. I tried the K2. It wasn't for me. The trouble is, it feels too much like a beta product looking for beta testers that are willing to fork out hundreds of dollars for the privilege. Battery life is also an issue. I use the 1030 plus without having to worry at all about battery life. Not so for the K2. Why on earth would I leave a product that pretty much guarantees 24 hours of uninterrupted use for one that barely makes 10 hours? I will skip this version and look forward to the Karoo 3.

[@dirragon1]

I'll 100% agree with you on the battery life, no question. A device this large should have 15+ hours, hands down. But I have to say, people used to say the same thing about Garmin beta testing on their consumers. They would release devices that were buggy as hell, and only after a couple of months of updates would they have a device that was reasonable. I used to use Garmin devices and I have to say I've had a ton of issues with them. That said, that was some years back, and if they've gotten their shit together, then that's great. But you can't fault a small company for trying to do something different and making meaningful changes to their device over time, largely based on customer feedback. Hammerhead doesn't have the luxury that Garmin does of all the $$ and years and years of being in the market, and honestly that says something great about them that they have a device this good already. That said, I returned my K2, simply because I didn't like a couple of things for personal reasons; I think it's a pretty fantastic device, certainly better in many, many ways in comparison to my Elemnt Roam. I applaud the commitment of Hammerhead to continually improve their product to make it the best it can be, for us. Hopefully they will help drive the market forward into a more innovative space where we'll start to see things change for the better market-wide.

[@Rockthespaceship]

@@dirragon1 like you, I love what Hammerhead is trying to do, but unfortunately, I don't think they're quite there yet. If or when I leave Garmin, it must be to a Karoo that is at the very least at par with Gamin. The K2 is not. As I say, I will very much look forward to the Karoo 3. Fingers crossed. Touch wood.

[@TacomaCyclist]

I like the discussion! I haven't had the same issues with "beta" feeling of the Karoo2. I did with the Garmin. I will say, if you want to get 15+ hours out of the Karoo, you absolutely can. Keep the display brightness down, turn off wifi, turn off sensors that you don't need (BTLE, etc.). I'm getting over 10 with those things all on to their max and having no issues.

[@Gallyga]

I have a Garmin 830 and it’s rock solid for me - first G product I will say that about having owned 800,810 and 820 also. I also got the K2 as I primarily focus on navigating and save for a few bugs it is hands down the best cycling computer for navigating I’ve ever used. The clarity of the screen and map and routing is first class and the rerouting is SO much faster and more accurate (G always wants me to u turn). Panning the map, loading the routes and searching for cafes etc is more like a smartphone than a bike computer. At 59% the screen is bright, clear under very condition I’ve thrown at it so far. Having said all that, I still agree with you! It does feel beta in many respects, sensors drop (although pairing G lights was quicker than the 830) unintuitive UI (although G’s settings menu is a mess as well) and the current issues with Stravas API limits causing upload frustrations. G’s radar isn’t as rock solid as it is on the 830 and my main criticism of the mapping is the location marker is too far up the map (should be at the low end of the map when following a route). Despite this I’m keeping mine, the navigating alone is worth it for me and I can only hope the frequent updates will make this a real killer product. But yeah, for someone wanting a rock solid bike computer for data recording, I would say the ‘30 series Garmins or Wahoo Roam are still the ones to get.

[@kingoftf]

Why do you need more than 10 hours battery life, are you doing rides that long? Using my Karoo2 for 4h rides, battery life more than enough for me.