Hammerhead Karoo 3 In-Depth Review: Worth the Upgrade?

[@stevos64]

Who noticed as well that on 25:26 the battery time of the new Karoo is compared to a device called "Wahoo Roam V3"? 😁

[@askmeaboutmattweiner]

Yeah but the rest of that file also has ELEMENT_ROAM_2

[@danichro]

Ray just leaked a new Roam..

[@iamwil974]

iN Ray's depth review of roamV2 he mentioned a battery life 17h in 2022 AND today in this review we can see an estimation of 30h of battery life.... I have no doubt

[@iamwil974]

also on the next slide of this review ; roamV2 has a est. battery life 30h...it's not true...

[@ev-ezaye3580]

Just a 'filenames' hiccup!

[@ilikebikes4554]

As a belgian the K3 reference is absolutely hilarious

[@Dcrainmaker]

Mango mango!

[@leandertaelman9252]

@@Dcrainmaker you should have picked 10000 luchtballonnen

[@nrsgiant]

Leuk om al die bekende wegen en plekken te zien in de video. Toch ook maar de Karoo 3 aanschaffen.

[@kestralrider313]

Great video DCRM. I loved the friendly smack talk to GPL. I also learned how Petty Shimano is. Having watched them gobble up market share in the 90s when I worked in a shop, I have no sympathy for them loosing market share each year to an American company. Hopefully they are learning that consumers are looking for and expecting more than fast/smooth shifting. For better or worse, I expect we'll see fast growth of Chinese groupsets in the next decade.

[@mlaw1983]

Ray, you are awesome! Don’t ever change. 🥭🥭

[@theFriebe]

@Dcrainmaker 0:30 eagerly awaiting the comparison video! Wanting to buy my first bike head unit but waiting for your review first…Great Karoo 3 review!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Coming up next!

[@Xyzlor]

@@Dcrainmakeri too am eagerly awaiting. I received the k3 this weekend but with the current drop of price on the 1040 - I’m having serious doubts I have the right unit in my hands :-). I donrun an AXS etap group set but I suspect it pairs to garmin fine.

[@Dcrainmaker]

@@Xyzlor Almost done. Things got out of hand. I kept adding more and more sections...

[@Xyzlor]

Nothing wrong with that :-)

[@theFriebe]

@@Xyzlor same thought-the Garmins are discounted and compelling. For me I’m torn coming down to the UI. The Karoo is taunting me especially sending a location from phone to the bike 🤯 but really interested in gravel and mtn bike ride data feedback which don’t know how Karoo does in that area

[@PBazuin]

Loved watching the small error you had at 20:56 while recording :P Always wondered how you went about recording a video like this, now we know :D

[@Dcrainmaker]

Haha, depending on which device you’re on, said oops is already gone! 🤣

[@runrhi]

Thanks!

[@edittide9842]

The review I’ve been waiting for so thanks Ray. There are some nice touches to the K3. As you note the companion App is the standout for me too. The evolutionary update and the price hike is a bit hard to swallow, but I guess as others have commented that is why the K2 will still be around. Really looking forward to the SRAM Red review too. The integration with the K3 is neat but again nothing that gives you FOMO to spend $4500 and go all in😅

[@LackofFaithify]

K2 is already not around, lol. Well, not new anyway.

[@razvanhalmaciu1]

Another great review! Thanks, Ray. Keep 'em coming.

[@1533willo]

Thanks for review. Looks like very nice riding where you are.

[@kieranbarry8193]

i do like the ability to send a google maps location to the device via the app! Trying to find a map point on the device map is a fool's errand! It is a real shame they are not allowing the app for existing k2 users

[@GroteGeer]

K2's hardware design does not fit for that.

[@ggoben]

Also I think u should mention the Karoo can display multiple strava segments at once. Say your starred an entire climb but there’s also a segment for the very top that u also starred. Garmin will ignore that top segment cause it’s still doing the entire climb segment. It can only display 1 segment a time. The Karoo will pop up a drawer for each segment and u can have multiple going at once. A great feature for sure.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup, I cover it in my comparison video. Both Wahoo & Hammerhead do it.

[@jamessalter5330]

I bought the Karoo after watching this video. I am very impressed. I also have the Roam and the Bolt. But now I can understand why many cyclists stick to this brand and model. I particularly like its presentation of Strava Live Segments.

[@joshualindenthaler8468]

My favourite option on the Karoo 2 nad 3 is that you can set as many or as little training zone. Your not locked in to a minimum of 5-7 of the various other brands.

[@frantzs1077]

''Mango, mango, coconut, papaya,.. .bananananananaaa... ''. Man that is a lot of mangos.... Great review, got some info I didn't know I needed.

[@notime2stop]

K2 is awesome but has trouble with elevation most of the time. There are some days the elevation is counting up on flat segments or you have 5-10% error in elevation. My workaround : use Strava data to correct Elevetion data every time - so you can compare all rides.

[@aliancemd]

2:04 the major change is actually the price, holy sh*t

[@danielakerman8241]

Still cheaper than a Garmin Edge 840

[@ev-ezaye3580]

​@@AStamp3r😂

[@droneanddirtdiaries]

Just as a matter of interest you can definitely turn phone notifications and actually choose what to show and what to mute very helpf

[@gasken2182]

Ray - The man with watch tan lines on BOTH wrists

[@NickM86]

I saw that new shape in SRAM's video and thought something was up. Upgraded from a Wahoo Bolt V1 to a K2 last year, I love the display. Not sure if the K3 is worth the upgrade, but I like the fact that there is a companion app now.

[@Acyclistandhockeysnob]

Unfortunately the Compsnion app doesn’t work with the K2 due to “hardware limitations” yet other mfgrrs still have their older models working with their companion apps. Just another company trying to get their consumers to spend $475+ on a new unit when in all reality all it takes is a simple firmware/software update for it to work on the K2.

[@RestlessGambler14]

The main improvement I hoped for was extended battery life. My K2 drained battery too quickly, especially with multiple sensors in use and max settings.

[@ttalonso]

+2h = +500$ powerbank 10$ +20H

[@SvenfromKiel]

Thanks for the review. I expected to see a better map here on Karoo 3 compared to 2 which differs between small ways and trails, little roads, like I had with my earlier Garmin 1030. I am now on Karoo 2 and don't see a reason for an upgrade...upgrade too expensive for me...I paid 230€ for the 2. Nevertheless I like Karoo much more as it is more user friendly and easy-to-use for me.

[@ralphcole674]

It's a new device review. I'm not going to replace my K2 or 830 with a K3 anytime soon.

[@SvenfromKiel]

@@ralphcole674 I also didn’t sell my 1030 because of the map and battery for long trips in unknown areas. For navigating on tour I don‘t like the Karoo. But if I only do follow-the-line with a planned route, I like it much more…especially rerouting works great.

[@christoph_wattever]

Got the Karoo 2, switched from Garmin and I love it. Definitely gonna get the Karoo 3

[@qwer55555555]

is it better? How? I am in a m market for a new bike computer and thinking about Karoo 2/explore 2 OR 1040 maybe

[@christoph_wattever]

@@qwer55555555 by far imho. Just a LOT smoother, better menus, better routing, better strava live segments even, funnily enough even better Garmin Radar control which should be better on Garmin. So all-around better for me

[@qwer55555555]

@@christoph_wattever Thank You!

[@kartografist]

@@qwer55555555 you can find h2 for 150-200$ which is a bargain. For this price it is ahead better than 840 if you ask me. Only the battery is an obvious cons for h2. You need to charge it after each training.

[@ev-ezaye3580]

​@@qwer55555555get yourself a Garmin 840 or a 1030 plus... you'd thank yourself later

[@jeffsancricca7041]

As long HH keeps supporting the 2, I don’t see enough to spend $500 for the upgrade. Thanks for the great review!

[@MitjaBonca]

Exactly. There is nothing in the new verison that would be worth of 500€.

[@aliancemd]

The changes are so minor - looking at the tech they used, it looks like they actually did a few costs cuts compared to the release of Karoo 2 and slapped a $500 price tag on it.

[@MitjaBonca]

@@aliancemd indeed, this is definitely not worth $500€

[@LifeCycle1978]

I suspect they will separate the Karoo 2 and 3 in the coming updates. There is a fairly big difference between android 8 and 12.

[@ralphcole674]

This is all for new device shopping. I'm not going to ditch my K2 for a K3 .

[@JeffBudden]

Great, thanks Ray

[@murphychris314]

@dcrainmaker great review as always. FWIW there's a few edit cuts that seem incorrect.

[@smauller623]

Wow you live on the Canary Islands? I visited there for a day and thought how awesome it would be to cycle theee!

[@ericanderson8332]

When the K2 was released, Hammerhead offered an upgrade/trade in program for the K1. Any indication if that will be the case this time?

[@juliandivett4244]

My main problem with the Karoo 2 is the button feel and placement especially when you've got gloves. I like that they've moved the power button elsewhere.

[@Dcrainmaker]

It's definiteley a lot better with the Karoo, in terms of teh buttons are clearer/sharper edges.

[@stevesmith9082]

Be interesting to see how the battery actually goes, had 2 karoo 2's and both at 25% battery only lasted another 15-20 mins before shutting down

[@ericanderson8332]

How easy is it to upload routes to the companion app? Now, when I get to a group ride and the ride leader sends me the gpx file, I have to save it to my phone, upload it to the dashboard, and hotspot my K2 with my phone so it syncs to the dashboard. A real PITA.

[@jamessalter5330]

I didn't really understand what the caveat was with live tracking ??

[@szagii_9447]

when are you planning post the video comparing the wahoo roam vs garmin vs karoo3?

[@LackofFaithify]

I actually pity whoever the person is that has a mind that saw Karoo 3, and somehow became terrified that it would be associated with that group. They must be at 110% stress at all times in their life.

[@pillows4338]

People go crazy about this kind of things these days unfortunately. I do rather they name it Karoo 4, less confusing

[@kisong1960]

​@@pillows4338they are a loud minority. Most are not like that.

[@JesseStarrPhoto]

Wonder if Hammerhead can improve the elevation data recording through software.

[@Ianjeffery2500]

So, if I load and follow a planned ride but decide to abandon it part way through and go “off route”, will the whole ride still be recorded as one complete ride (part planned, part free ride) or will it be two separate recordings that does not show the full ride? Help please.

[@ralphcole674]

If i were shopping for a new head unit, the Karoo 3 wins hand down. Good review.

[@AREMPEE]

Any idea how long the battery will last with the battery save on with Varia, HR, AXS, PM and nav connected?

[@bobzuidema3560]

Great review you're killing each and every time! So the two extra buttons on RED can be programmed to swap pages on the Karoo3 does this als go for the wireless BLIP buttons? Already ordered a K3 so certainly no deal breaker for me but it would be a nice extra on descents and in winter with thick gloves on although the K3 buttons work alot better than those on the K2 I'm sure. Big deal maker for me was the screen, battery (just for peace of mind), the improved buttons and the companion app. What also helps is that I love new tech lol.

[@davidstempnakowski]

Thanks for this. Hammerhead's page for the new Karoo is terrible if you're looking for the kind of information you just provided.

[@DuaneBall-s9f]

HELP. how do you change the metrics for the live tracking (what people see)

[@danielwill8934]

Can you please tell me what data gets synced to Strava?

[@kac78]

Hello, I have a question whether roam v2 works with ebike?I can't find information anywhere whether it will connect to my bike. I'm fed up with Garmin and want something new.

[@NishantKoyande]

Hey how did you get that spotify and another icons in menu in karoo 2 please tell me

[@spinnekopje]

choose which sensors to use in a profile.. Garmin, are you listening? Please add the option to select per activity..

[@orrinkelso9295]

My Karoo2 is wildly inaccurate for elevation gain. It will often read double the actual gain. It reads 4000 ft when it should have showed about 2000 ft.

[@pluckerpick]

It’s a known issue, hammerhead will swap it out for you

[@karsten4689]

Cadence app for the win!

[@cantonrc4126]

The new companion app works with the Karoo 2 to connect it to a phone with Bluetooth

[@Dcrainmaker]

Sure, but only for notifications (just like before). Not for route sync/etc...

[@Tethysmeer]

That there is no option to push routes via Bluetooth on the device makes it unusable for remote gravel and bikepacking. It's really awkward.

[@Dcrainmaker]

@@Tethysmeer You can push via Bluetooth (I show it in the video), but it requires internet connectivity as it syncs it briefly with backend servers.

[@jamessalter5330]

I dont really understand the charging cable. Is this a new standard? How do I connect to the electricity supply, do I need to buy a specific adaptor?

[@GroteGeer]

Any adapter will work. But to be sure - I do this with any device and a not used before power adapter - after 5 min a will do a temperature check with mij hand 😊

[@jamessalter5330]

@GroteGeer OK thanks!

[@vishalkarna3763]

DC Rainmaker, which one would you suggest to purchase : Garmin 1040 solar for 350 USD discounted price or New Karoo 3 discounted price of 350 USD ? Usage: It is for weekend 2 to 3 hours ride.

[@zdravo4]

Interesting device but I am used to Bryton and my 750 SE is the best option for me in the moment. I hope they will make some new models soon.

[@aaronedgeart]

Great review-and, perhaps I missed it-but, is there any chance that the turn by turn direction text size can be made larger (for us older folks)?

[@qwer55555555]

7:37 it's not 7 miles, but 7*340m (speed of sound), 2,3k

[@Dcrainmaker]

Ahh...so roughly divide by 5 for miles, and by two for kilometers (with a fudge factor). Huh...well...guess it got a bit close.

[@peterkuiper5363]

The louder beep is actually very important for me. And a selling point.

[@ttalonso]

really?

[@peterkuiper5363]

Yes

[@peterkuiper5363]

Have a bad hearing. I use the Karoo combined with a Garmin Varia. I always have to keep an eye on my Karoo, not to miss a car from behind.

[@voegelm]

Soria Climb is so great!

[@hadl3133]

Great review, does Karoo auto save workout to apple health as well, thanks!

[@vishalkarna3763]

Hello DC Rainmaker, thanks for the review on new Karoo. There are few questions : 1) Does this new Karoo allow to type in address directly on the GPS unit and start navigation similar to Garmin 840/1040 ? 2) Does this new Karoo has feature to find POI (points of interest) like coffee shops, bike shop, etc using the bike unit directly without phone ? 3) Does this new Karoo provide name of the road on which we are riding ? thanks !

[@ev-ezaye3580]

The typing-in of addresses has been a staple of Garmin. From the Edge 705 onwards...

[@Dcrainmaker]

Sorry, missed this. It does allow an address typing in - but it requires an internet connection. It also provides the exact name of the road.

[@FL50ssp]

Nice review. However, you may have downplayed or overlooked the future software enhancements supported by the improved/new CPU, memory and storage.

[@rickeverett3304]

I’d like my display to include: heartrate, incline, map directions, speed and Time of day, is that possible?

[@drsus0]

the notification thing is a real bummer ... enough to make me wait to see if they fix that before thinking about buying it.

[@ceeskes412]

I wait for a couple of months

[@ceeskes412]

Is that a real issue the notification thing or was i once ?

[@yllekkram]

Think there is a small error @2.30. video skips a bit there

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks, will tweak!

[@zacharybishop]

Does Karoo 3 allow for any Mountain Bike specific mapping? In particular, Trailforks or MTB Project? There are some (OLD) posts in reddit where users stated side-loading these apps gives an error as they could not obtain the needed GPS permissions on the device. This is why I still use Garmin.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Sadly not.

[@chrismoore1182]

I use FatMap by Strava to find Strava routes for trails and then upload them to Karoo 3 webpage dashboard. Works perfectly.

[@NishantKoyande]

How to add third party app in karoo 2 like spotify please tell me

[@jamessalter5330]

I dont think that exists in the Karoo. Only Wahoo have it.

[@CarlosHernandez-zr5cz]

Do you guys think a used K2 for $150 is a good deal today?

[@mauromoretto6579]

Having the Karoo 2 but daily using the Roam 2 because of its great drink-food reminder. Karoo 2 and presume 3 is still not listening to the market needs.

[@ralphcole674]

I normally have physiologic reminders for refueling and rehydrating. A timer would suffice for race reminders.

[@deejayepidemic]

Can the karoo Sync to Apple Health? Other Computer Wahoo and Garmin can this

[@Dcrainmaker]

No, not at this point.

[@petealyu]

does it connect to garmin rear light radar?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup

[@LovingMidLife]

Just curious, do you know if the phone companion app is opening the door to allow an Apple Watch to be the heart rate sensor?

[@Dcrainmaker]

They could absolutely do this. Whether or not SRAM chooses to go through that door, I don't know. But yeah, it'd be nice if they did.

[@marcelgreiner2844]

Am I the only one missing a power data field on the Climb Pro/Climber? I mean, isn't the beauty of seeing the gradient so that you can pace yourself accordingly? If they would change it, seems like every feature is better working than on my 1040 ...

[@Mistadonthecyclist]

DC can you show a screen recording tutorial?

[@The.Cycling.Therapist]

Best feature IMO is the larger speaker. I couldn’t hear it before and lost many miles to not starting the ride because the prompt beep was too soft.

[@ttalonso]

buy some speakers and subwoofer and pair it via bluetooth on the karoo 2 for less money

[@tomnanD3]

It's good they got rid of that horrible matt glass cover.

[@ceeskes412]

Notification thing is a real bummer for me .....pleas update the karoo 3 please

[@lee1987923]

Do you have same issue GPS signal picks up few mins later right after booting? I just received mango mango and it stays pause for 3 to 5 mins even after starting ride if it is right after booting. :(

[@tonyg3091]

Hope this will push Garmin to improve on the Edge and yeah, release the 1050 already

[@BikesBlades]

7:27 7 seconds is about 7000 feet, or 1.33 miles. I don't think you can hear thunder at 7 miles; that would be a 37 second delay.

[@stevehayes8867]

@DCRainmaker is the Karoo 3 worth upgrading from the Karoo 2 ?

[@tbone-ip5fi]

8:36 Haha, this had me laugh out loud. Genius poke at the overzealous fear of acronym associations

[@pillows4338]

Hello DCR. Thank you for the detail video about the New Karoo. I do have a question about the data pages. For the data page with the map display, can you only select 2 data at the top, or can you add more? I always want to have Spd, Cadence, and HR displayed, but have to settle to 2 of them only on my Edge 530. Side question, I live the US and it will be my dream to ride in Netherlands and Belgium one day. Do they accommodate cyclist well in hotel/Air B&B? Or are they going to show you a nasty face? (That could also be being an American…)

[@tankredworst]

Does swiping the page with the new SRAM red axis "bonus buttons" also works with the Karoo 2? (I have a Karoo 2 and consider getting a SRAM.)

[@marvinlangert271]

Cycling Dynamics with Favero Assioma MX-2 ???

[@Dcrainmaker]

No cycling dynamics (for any units).

[@hamilton237]

Title typo intentional?

[@mlegrand]

I'm only here for K3 Mango Mango content. I am so very very disappointed in this cycling computer talk.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Mango Mango!!! 🥭🥭

[@stephanstieglair5234]

Still waiting to buy a bike computer with borderless screen. Will there ever be a manufacturer doing this...?

[@cathalkenneally1614]

A lot of people downloaded the companion app without realising it’s only compatible with the new Karoo 3.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yeah - I was pretty clear here it only worked with the Karoo 3 (aside from the previous version which assisted for text messages).

[@mllobetc]

question.... might be a dumb one, but I'd appreciate someone (or @DCRainmaker himself? :) ) anwering it. If one has a Garmin smartwatch and gets this New Karoo model, is it possible to use it for the Garmin bike workouts, etc.? or is this something only available and specfic to Garmin GPS bike computers?

[@JohannesBergsma-fe7tf]

Thannks for the video, question regarding the shimano topic, so you cant see your shifting as of now but can you connect to the power meter so you can see how much watt you're doing?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Correct.

[@CRcyclist]

Not even six minutes into this video and I'm smiling, thinking "DC Rainmaker's reviews are anything but dry." 😄 A minute later: okay, very literally not dry! 😆

[@cdw2023]

Thanks, Ray. Great stuff! - Does the Karoo 3 also offer something along the lines of Garmin Power Course? I.e., I go for an endurance ride in the Alps. I wanna cycle according to predefined power intervals based on Best Bike Splits. So, I hit a a climb and the device gives me the target power for that interval and compares to the actual power.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Unfortunately nothing like that.

[@WszystkoKrytykuje]

H3 or 1050 for maps?

[@teunluijbregts2533]

Thanks for the review 👍 Based on this, I think I need a new pair of shoes more urgently so will be looking for those first and from what’s left maybe a Chinese nav unit.

[@hoehenflugsaar]

What stem mount are you using for the Karoo 3 (in the quick overview)?

[@Penalist]

That S-Works, thats not maybe a new Venge-like bike, is it? 11:54

[@Penalist]

Roubaix SL8 Gloss Taupe/Gunmetal Strata/Charcoal

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup! Specifically: S-Works Roubaix SL8 - SRAM RED AXS: www.specialized.com/us/en/s-works-roubaix-sl8--sram-red-axs/p/4275485?color=5432474-4275485

[@ak4good]

It seems like maps can be loaded on the Karoo directly on the unit itself? This is far better than I've been dealing with using the buggy ass Garmin Express PC app. Also the 64GB of storage on the Karoo is far better than the measly 16GB on my Garmin Explore 2. Unless Garmin can improve map management, it's time to switch to Hammerhead.

[@lidarman2]

I'm with you on the Karoo 3 being faster but just to ask the question. Could low battery make the 2 throttle back? 7% is really low....Also you might have been joking but it is 5 seconds per mile for thunder so that strike was just over a mile.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Nah, I tried with both full battery and not. Same results.

[@freshestmanonearth]

Hey Hammerhead we’re smart. We see through the marketing-bs. It’s definitely Karoo 3

[@klaxxon__]

They really need to add volume slider. I already disabled radar beeps on K2 because I sounded like a ticking bomb when riding around in the city.

[@ralphcole674]

Crickey, I always want my K2 to be louder. Can't hear varia alerts especially at speed, due to wind noise.

[@martinvoss7925]

just to be sure... does this mean that third party is open from Sram side now ? meaning that i can control my edge unit with axs blippers ?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yes, correct. Wahoo already released theirs, and Garmin is coming very very soon.

[@glenntpc7848]

Please tell me the rides now upload to Strava without having to hook up to my phone’s wireless hotspot? That’s my biggest pet peeve about the K2. Can you turn off the K3 without completing a ride (which I do at work after commuting)?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Correct, as long as you have the companion app on your phone, it'll just use Bluetooth.

[@PrzemekCT]

@@Dcrainmaker It didn't want to send it via Bluetooth. After turning on the hotspot it worked in a moment

[@Dcrainmaker]

@@PrzemekCT It should have worked just fine, assuming everything is paired/setup/etc correctly (or, that the HH app is working happily at that moment). Of course, as always 'Should' is the operative word there.

[@PrzemekCT]

@@Dcrainmaker ok thanks, I'll take a look. maybe it wasn't paired via bluetooth but only via wifi. yesterday was my first ride with this counter. I had the same problem with varia support. the radar works but I cannot change the light from the counter. the front ion light works flawlessly.