Looking to buy a cycling computer, would appreciate advice!
Not so much interested in cycling metrics, more looking for good navigation (mostly pre-defined routes) with decent rerouting. Creating routes on the device (or phone app) isn't a priority, I prefer using a "big" computer for that.
Contenders at the moment: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 2, Garmin Edge Explore v2, Garmin Edge 530, IGPSport IGS630 (has no rerouting AFAIK)
Status update: I ordered a Garmin Edge Explore 2. And returned it, unused.
The device came with a massively outdated firmware and it took multiple tries to get it updated (from a pretty crappy looking macOS app).
Also, the whole Garmin ecosystem just didn't work for me. For some reason, the route planner wasn't available from my dashboard on the Connect website. Navigating directly to the correct URL worked, but the route planner wasn't very good anyway
Also, the device looked and felt like a 15-year-old mobile phone.
With all that it just felt like I wasn't going to be happy with the device and didn't even bother taking it out on a ride (with the additional risk of not being able to return it due to it being used).
Instead, I ordered a Hammerhead Karoo 2. Yes, more expensive, but it's said to have very good navigation, it's a more modern device (basically a mobile phone running Android #hackability), and they have a 45 day return policy where you can try the device and return it if you don't like it.
I just ordered an Edge 1040 Solar, which has a new user interface that's supposedly a huge improvement over the previous generation. Hope i won't have to return it. It is unlikely to be worse than the Bryton I use at the moment.
@robertklep I have made a few medium to long rides with the 1040 Solar now, and it's a huge improvement over my old (non-Garmin) system on basically every front. The upgrades of the system software happened automatically, and even though the map updates required me to hook the system up to my Mac, it worked without issues.
Guess I like the new "old" interface, I managed to customise the layout to my liking, and the battery life is amazing – still at 81% after about 12 hours of use.
@edwinm I just did a ride with the Karoo 2, also didn't disappoint 😊
Setup is very intuitive and navigation works very well.
Battery life isn't great, but I knew that. Went from 95% to 80% after a 2-ish hour ride.
「ʀᴏʙᴇʀᴛ」
Edwin Mons
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