Hammerhead Karoo Review: A smartphone-like consumer expertise

Hammerhead has as we speak launched its new Karoo laptop. The Karoo follows on from the Karoo 2 as Hammerhead’s third-generation providing however is to be recognized merely because the Karoo going ahead.

Sram acquired Hammerhead on the finish of 2021, and in consequence this partnership means extra Sram AXS compatibility than ever earlier than. Sram has additionally launched its Red AXS group as we speak, itself an instance of this new partnership as the brand new groupset will embrace a Karoo laptop and sure top-end Red AXS-equipped bikes can even include a unit. 

The Karoo 2, which was featured in our greatest bike computer systems information, enjoys a popularity as a premium good laptop with a unbelievable contact display screen and consumer expertise however did draw some flak for its decrease battery life in comparison with different items. 

The Karoo has acquired a full overhaul based on Hammerhead. It’s now slightly lighter and has acquired new {hardware} and new options in addition to new AXS compatibility, which I’ll discover intimately beneath. The new Karoo unit is priced at $474.99 / €499.99 / £449.99 which suggests it is greater than Wahoo’s Roam and Bolt fashions, however cheaper than a number of the top-end Garmin Edge fashions, in all probability the 2 greatest gamers relating to the competitors for the Hammerhead. 

I’ve been testing a pattern of the Karoo since March and am prepared with my full overview. Read on to see if Hammerhead has provide you with a winner. 

Design and Aesthetics 

Visually the Karoo is completely different from the Karoo 2. It is not an enormous departure design sensible however the distinction is obvious. The new unit makes use of a tapered form and has a squared-off, diagonally formed entrance, which I want in comparison with previous mannequin; it simply seems sharper. There are two new buttons on either side of the pc now which have plastic texturing and make a transparent ‘click on’ really feel and sound when pushed. The charger port is roofed, and there may be additionally a devoted new on/off button to the fitting of this cowl. 

There is a ‘HAMMERHEAD’ brand on the entrance of the pc together with an ambient mild sensor and a silver brand once more on the base of the entrance of the unit. The mannequin title ‘Karoo’ options in white on the underside.

The display screen is similar measurement of three.2″ because the Karoo 2 however makes use of a Gorilla Glass system as an alternative of the previous ‘DragonTail’ glass. The decision seems related although, actually on a par. The SIM card slot from the Karoo 2 can be now gone, which in all probability wanted to occur – it is one thing that appears a bit dated now. Without WiFi beforehand you had to make use of a SIM card to add a map or use your telephone as a hotspot which is one thing Hammerhead instructed me wasn’t effectively adopted by riders usually. 

Specification 

The Karoo has acquired some {hardware} adjustments over the outgoing mannequin, which is now listed as bought out on the Hammerhead web site. 

Internal storage has elevated from 32GB to 64GB a sizeable leap. Hammerhead additionally now claims an elevated 15+ hour battery life. The Wahoo Roam V2 boasts a said 17 hours of battery life and 32GB of reminiscence for comparability. The Karoo can be mentioned to have twice the processing velocity of the Karoo 2 and it actually appears very quick in use. 

The common show and display screen structure have not actually modified, I in contrast notes on this with tech editor Josh Croxton who has had a Karoo 2 for years. The touchscreen response itself appears fairly related and it is extremely good and smartphone-like. This is a becoming description for the pc I really feel. There’s lots of customisation accessible with regard to display screen structure and show, and you may even now select your house journey display screen show picture, such as you would in your telephone. The Karoo makes use of the Android working system, for reference.

Hammerhead does now have a brand new companion app to accompany the Karoo alongside the primary Hammerhead dashboard web site. I used to be in a position to check it forward of launch. I used to be anticipating a bit extra from the app. It’s fairly easy, however the laptop does and controls a lot that it in all probability would not have to do as a lot as one thing just like the Wahoo Elemnt app which leverages much more of a smartphone’s energy to handle the pc.

The app gives reside monitoring for chosen contacts and facilitates the Google or Apple Maps pin characteristic. I’ve connected a picture beneath of the app display screen. I’m instructed that is just about what customers can anticipate to see now it is launched, however updates will roll out in time. The app permits customers to add system logs to Hammerhead assist and gives some assistance on methods to pair their smartphones.

Another new characteristic and one I believe individuals will like is the power to ship a pin from Google or Apple Maps to the pc on the fly, which is fairly cool in the event you ask me. I did this in a few minutes rolling out on a journey. Simply share the chosen pin from the maps app – I selected the Indian restaurant I’d visited the evening earlier than – and it then drops into your laptop map display screen because of the app. Tick it, and the Hammerhead does the remaining. This perform goes to make discovering a café, store or every other landmark very simple, particularly when you do not know the place you might be, so long as your smartphone has a sign and battery in fact. Hammerhead instructed me they figured individuals are so acquainted now with Google Maps and Apple Maps that it made sense to construct this perform.

Things reside Strava reside segments, the Climber web page, and clear, easy-to-use navigation are all nonetheless there, in addition to some further coaching options reminiscent of the power to assist TrainerRoad exercises. The laptop would not have the coaching options that some Garmin fashions do, reminiscent of adaptive teaching and warmth acclimation for instance. Its energy strikes I might say are the unbelievable touchscreen expertise and show alongside the the robust navigation.

The hyperlink between Sram and Hammerhead now implies that the Karoo is geared as much as provide extra assist for Sram AXS programs. Users will have the ability to management their Karoo utilizing AXS blips and the brand new Sram Red AXS shifter ‘bonus buttons’ let you management the pc. The Karoo additionally recognises AXS parts very simply and means that you can management and customise them from the pc. Sharing some compatibility with the AXS app itself. If you’re a Sram consumer it is simply going to be a extra full expertise, as an illustration, the Karoo will inform you when an AXS battery is low robotically. That being mentioned, I would not have a problem utilizing one other groupset; do not assume it is a Sram-only laptop.

Performance 

There has been a component of simply getting used to a brand new working system for me, like once you change telephones or computer systems. There’s so much packed into the Karoo and I’ve stored discovering new options and features. Everything may be very intuitive although and it is hardly a chore. I’ll say it once more, the decision and display screen are so good, it is like utilizing a smartphone. 

As a biking laptop, the Karoo has every thing I want and extra, the superb display screen and show make issues enjoyable. There are 4 journey profile choices on the house web page to select from and every one may be very simply customisable. For me it is in all probability the best journey profile setup I’ve skilled and it has been fast swapping metrics out and in as I’ve desired. You can select as much as 10 knowledge factors per web page and there are a great deal of metrics to select from in addition to darkish or mild web page layouts, brightness degree and having knowledge pages ‘boxed in’ in their very own particular person squares. 

Navigation has been superb. I’ve used the navigation perform at residence within the UK and downloaded Italy, France and Belgian maps to make use of the Karoo overseas in these international locations, together with using the Paris-Roubaix problem. The unit additionally prompted me to obtain the France map, which was helpful. It was good to check navigation on roads I did not know and I simply discovered it simple. Loading routes onto the Karoo was additionally very quick. I overlook typically I can zoom in utilizing the contact display screen (previous habits die laborious) and have a tendency to do it with the buttons. However, I’ve discovered the instructions and prompts, and occasional small re-routes, clear and really simple to observe. 

Karoo customers will now additionally have the ability to drop a pin from Google or Apple Maps and observe a path to it, a doubtlessly actually helpful characteristic. I’ve examined this as talked about and it was very simple to do. It’s only a case of sharing a pin from Google Maps to the Hammerhead app and the Karoo in a short time offers with it. Very helpful in the event you’re making an attempt to navigate someplace on overseas roads, or the closest cafe after you’ve got blown. 

Now for a couple of factors on dwelling with the Karoo, I dropped my laptop on the primary day of use as a result of not having it clicked correctly into the mount, it is a slide-down after which throughout process and is slightly completely different to the previous flip and click on. It’s actually easy, simply be sure to do ‘click on’ it into place to keep away from any injury, which should not be a problem in the event you’re tethered with the lanyard.  

I’ve additionally used the Hammerhead HRM which does not include the unit in addition to my very own Garmin HR which was simply wonderful compatibility sensible. The Hammerhead strap did want readjusting a number of occasions after slipping. 

If you might be attaching your lanyard, you’ll need to provide it a agency push into the cutout on the base of the pc. I discovered this barely complicated the primary time round however be agency with it, it should go the place it must be.

Battery life has been superb, although it’s early days. My longest journey with the Karoo has been about 5 and a half hours on the Paris Roubaix Challenge. I completed on 34% battery from a full cost after using with the map on all day and an HRM sensor linked. Battery life will likely be shorter in the event you’re utilizing maps and have a number of sensors linked, however I believe you get near the claimed determine in the event you field intelligent. I charged my unit with the provided USB-C charger cable from 1% battery and it took 38 minutes to achieve 40% cost after which 54 minutes to achieve 55% for instance for you. I’ve tended to not let it run this low although and it is in all probability charged quicker than this with a fuller battery. 

On the topic of battery, once I requested about the opportunity of photo voltaic charging and whether or not this was a consideration Hammerhead instructed me it wasn’t actually a consideration when designing the mannequin. It additionally sounded just like the inclusion of photo voltaic tech might have compromised the already glorious Hammerhead display screen and determination. 

As one other real-world instance, I did an hour-long journey beginning with solely 17% battery utilizing Google map pin navigation for the primary few miles and had HR and Power meter sensors linked. I additionally turned the display screen as much as max brightness and I completed the journey on 5% battery.

The longest rides I are inclined to do recurrently are in all probability between 4 and 5 hours and I are inclined to journey a number of hours per week and cost my electronics en mass each few days. Battery life has been no subject for me by any means. I’ve a ten+ hour journey arising which ought to present a very good check for the Karoo’s battery although.

Verdict 

This check has been my introduction to the Hammerhead world and consumer expertise and I’ve been actually impressed. 

Karoo 2 customers and followers will not want telling however the Karoo display screen decision and contact display screen expertise actually are glorious, the pc can be very quick to make use of. If you might be interested in the intense color show you will not be disenchanted. I have not had any points with the clear-cut navigation and turn-by-turn prompts and the pc caters to all of the metrics I and doubtless lots of different cyclists will need. 

It’s a small non-issue actually however I do want the Wahoo Summit Freeride characteristic to the Karoo’s ‘Climber’ which feels a contact fundamental for me by some means. It additionally would not present energy when in its expanded full-screen mode which I might nonetheless need to see. You can minimise the climb information field although and so long as your energy quantity metric field is within the high half of your laptop display screen you may be okay. 

Price sensible I believe the Karoo is aggressive with different manufacturers and gives one thing completely different. I’ve virtually come to consider it because the ‘luxurious’ laptop as a result of its touchscreen and show that are the very best I’ve seen up thus far.