HammerheadKaroo 2 GPS Computer(Return to Product Page)

I have been riding for years and never really felt the need for a GPS computer with apps like MMR and cell phones, so this is my first GPS computer. I'm getting older and bought this unit for the larger screen and the price over a Garmin 1030/1040, thinking the battery life would not typically be a problem. I only have two 2-hr rides on it and the battery needed charging. Admittedly, that did include set-up and learning the unit, so maybe could have got another 2-3 hours out of it making for 7 hours. Aside from that, the unit is very much like a car GPS unit: maps are great, on screen directions are clear, rerouting is quick and continuous as you ignore the instructions. Screen configuration is flexible and nice, workouts seem to be basic and nothing like Garmin or Wahoo. It will accept a SIMS card but not sure if that is really a feature since you need an account, but without it , 3rd party tracking is not available - maybe a software update could link this feature through a cell phone instead. It does give text and call notifications if you carry your cell phone. I have no sensors so can' t speak to those. Although I'm still learning the unit, I really like it except for the battery life. I do some touring and can see where daily charging could be problematic. I am debating whether to return it because of that and get a Garmin Explorer 2 for touring or hang on to it for local rides. The verdict is still out.???? If battery lasted 15-20 hrs, it would be a great computer !

Product is great. I love the ease of uploading routes and the data I receive on a ride. My only regret is that I need a wifi connection to upload my completed ride to Strava. Other than that, this is a fantastic computer and comparable to much more expensive models.

I like the screen and its high visibility. I also like that it previews long climbs so that I know what's coming up on unfamiliar rides and it shows the degree of ascent to tenths of a degree. I'm somewhat disappointed that it doesn't allow other measurements to two decimal places and it doesn't allow me to read my laps after I finish the ride(Maybe I just don't know how to access that info). I was also disappointed that I had saved up points to reduce the price of purchase from BTD only to see a price drop of the unit to less than I paid a few days after I had ordered it.

I just lost my Garmin 1030 and needed a replacement. Since the Garmin customer service over there isn't the best I decided to jump ship to the Karoo 2.

It works, UI is intuitive and looks better than the 1030. Where i just couldn't compromise is the battery life. I'd lose 40% in a 2 hour ride. In a year who knows how short it would have been. I ended up returning it and buying a 1030 plus.

Its worth every penny if you can deal with the short battery life.

I've only been using it to collect data on local rides so far, so can't really say much about how it works for navigation on bike tours yet - doing a tour in October so can update. But it was pretty easy to set up and start using. Much more intuitive compared to my 10-yr old Garmin 800, but that's not saying much. The menus and controls are still a little cryptic, but overall pretty good. Uses a Garmin mount, secure and you have a lot of options for different mounting products. I have Google Fi, they'll send you a sim card for free, it's not a separate account, so there's zero down side. On the other hand, I'm not sure it has ever connected to cellular, there are compatibility issues for different carriers in different areas, so it's kind of hit or miss. Good screen size and brightness, visible in full sun. Easy to use touch screen, just a little funky activating some of the options on screen, it also has hard buttons that can help if you remember what they do (they're not marked by function, just 4 unmarked buttons on the sides).

I have one big regret with the Karoo 2 - why didn't I buy this sooner? This is such an awesome tool - I can get all of my key ride stats in a single glance - speed, max speed, average speed, direction, distance, distance to go (if following a route), elevation and speed. And the route following capability is awesome - I can see the route on the map and it gives me the distance to next turn and then a 500 foot countdown as I approach. The battery life is very good (far above their stated number of hours) - staying just above 80% after a 2+ hour ride. Syncing to all of the usual apps is seamless - Suuno, Strava, ride with GPS, and more.

Highly recommended and don't procrastinate, as I did, to buy this superb computer!

I was a longtime Garmin user and had all of the typical frustrations that came along with it. I've been using the K2 for over a year now and can confidently say I'll NEVER go back to Garmin. The touch screen works and having physical buttons is a bonus for those cold days when wearing thick gloves. The turn-by-turn directions are vastly superior to Garmin. Hammerhead updates the K2 every two weeks, so they are constantly squashing bugs and adding new features.

If I had one complaint it would be the mount. Mine came with a Garmin adapter and now I'm able to use it on all my bikes that have Garmin mounts. The Garmin mount is actually better, IMHO.

Positives:

- High-resolution color touchscreen looks great

- Navigation is the best out there and works without a smartphone connection

- Support for all your favorite sensors including Varia radar

- Integrates well with various ecosystems

- Online dashboard lets you create routes and workouts

- Regular software updates add features and fix bugs

No so great:

- The screen is kind of reflective, so even at full brightness it can be hard to read in direct sunlight

- Small software quirks like occasionally losing the GPS signal or Bluetooth connection to a sensor

- Audio alerts can be hard to hear outdoors

- Battery life is decent, not outstanding

Works great easy to use, Great color screen and touch screen is nice, Karoo is east to set up and easy to down load routes from Ride with GPS, strava and from Hammerhead Dashboard and others. The climb feature works great. Great deal as it was on sale

The really nice screen, sale price

No training metric, so I still record with my garmin watch and broadcast heart rate. Yet to do a century ride with it, longest ride is 50k with almost 80%

I had stopped using my prior GPS computer owing to confusing menus and having to click multiple times to reach the desired info (that is, if I could remember the way to reach the right menu). The Karoo 2 has reset my thinking that a bike computer CAN provide useful data in an intuitive interface. Favorite feature: the hill climb feature is brilliant, and you don't even need to do anything for it to display. It's like magic!

There is a known issue with how the device records elevation. Total gain for a recorded ride can be out in left field. During a recent ride, recorded elevation gain was more that double that of the person I was riding with.

This may be the result of a hardware issue that cannot be fixed with a firmware update. Do your homework before buying.

Large , clear screen with easy to follow directions. Hill feature great for knowing grade and we're you are on a climb Easy to set up . Contacted tech service one occasion for help. They got right back with me

I purchased this in the spring last year.... and there was zero information in the promo material that advised the risk of not being compatible with Shimano. So I was shocked when I discovered this after I bought my new bike a month ago and discovered there was no syncing available. I contacted Hammerhead and their response was.... "too bad so sad". Stay away from this product.

BTD shipped it fast as usual. Nice unit. Easy setup and customization screens. Love the big display while riding. Nice climb display with % and amount of ascent (ft) . Elevation gained is not accurate and Hammerhead knows it and are working on it. Need to charge it after 2 rides, but it's ok.

Bought this to replace a Suunto watch for recording rides. Very well made and with enough features without going overboard. Holds charge pretty well but cold weather does lessen battery capacity. No problems locking onto GPS and downloads reliably to several 3rd party programs. Mapping is very well detailed although limited in zoom in and out but I can live with it.

New to GPS/maping computers and have not had a chance to use only a few times , too dang cold and wet, but enjoying the information

But I still can't climb

I used a Garmin 500 for way too long and always hesitated to buy a new computer. This thing is great, screen is nice and clear, touch functions all work well with gloves and still works fine in the rain. Customizing displays is pretty easy and has good options too. Very nice.

Excellent device, many lovable features.

I am still learning the features...the instructions really suck.

Never had a gps bike computor. Really nice to down load ride with gps rts. and have turn by turn instructions. No more looking for the painted arrow on road. So far so good.