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I purchased Edge 850 and Karoo 3, so that you don’t need to. Then I examined them and in contrast them in depth that will help you determine whether or not they’re value it or whether or not it is best to take into account alternate options.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The primary variations between the Edge 850 and Hammerhead Karoo 3 are show measurement and options. Each have brilliant, super-easy-to-read shows and below-average battery life. Nevertheless, the Edge 850 has a broader characteristic set, making it a stronger coaching companion. Karoo 3 doesn’t have an in-built speaker, so it doesn’t supply an digital bike bell performance or audible alerts.
The battery life is comparable, however the value just isn’t. So, is the Edge 850 value paying extra for? Nicely, it relies upon. If I had a gun pointed at my head and had to decide on one, it will be the Edge 850 due to the Garmin ecosystem. Proceed studying to study why, or purchase the E850 right here (additionally out there on amazon.com) or decide the Hammerhead Karoo 3 (additionally out there on amazon.com).
Edge 850 vs. Karoo 3: The Fundamentals
The desk beneath compares the technical specs of the Garmin Edge 850 and Hammerhead Karoo 3.
FeatureGarmin Edge 850Hammerhead Karoo 3
Interface¹Touchscreen + buttonsTouchscreen + buttons
Display screen measurement (decision)PPI2.7″ (420×600px)271px3.2″ (480×800px)291.55px
TouchscreenYesYes
Claimed battery lifeTested battery life12 hours10.3 hours15 hours12.3 hours
Dimensions92.2×54.6×16.8 mm 3.63×2.15×0.66 in61.66×102.8×21.1 mm 2.4×4×0.8 in
Weight112g118g
Storage64 GB64 GB
Begin-up time∼26s∼48s
ChargingUSB-CUSB-C
Mounts within the boxOut entrance mountStem mountOut entrance mount
Speaker / Bell / Voice navigationYesNo
Garmin PayYesNo
Handle SearchOn-System Course CreationYesYes
Good navigation (rerouting)YesYes
Multi-band GNSSYesYes
Crash/incident detectionYesNo
ConnectivityANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-FiANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
RRP$599$475
Extra infoEdge 850 ReviewKaroo 3 Overview
BuyBUYBUY at rei.comBUYBUY at competitivecyclist.com
This desk compares the primary options of Garmin Edge 850 vs. Hammerhead Karoo 3.¹How is it attainable to completely management the gadget.
Edge 850 vs. Karoo 3: Options Comparability and Variations
Beneath, I examine the important thing variations between the Edge 850 and the Karoo 3.
Karoo 3 has a 0.5″ bigger show (2.7″ vs. 3.2″)
Karoo 3 lasts ~2 hours longer
Karoo 3 has a extra modern-looking person interface
Edge 850 presents extra options (Actual-Time Stamina, Energy Information, Highway Hazards…)
Edge 850 options extra subtle navigation
Edge 850 has an in-built speaker, Karoo 3 doesn’t
Edge 850 is less complicated to restore
Edge 850 permits downloading extra apps and plugins than Karoo 3
Edge 850 has a water score of IPX7, Karoo has a water score of IP67 (IP67 is taken into account higher, because it additionally gives mud safety)
Edge 850 is costlier than Karoo 3 ($599 vs. $475)
Bodily Dimensions & Weight
Edge 850 and Karoo 3 have comparable dimensions, however the Karoo 3 is taller. They’re mid-size head models, splendid for many situations, and my most popular measurement. I discover the Edge 1050, ELEMNT ACE, and comparable bike computer systems too large for informal driving. Then again, in case you have poor eyesight, you would possibly profit from them. Regardless of their totally different type issue, the E850 and Karoo 3 weigh nearly the identical (±6 grams).
Ease of Setup
To arrange each of those bike computer systems, all it’s a must to do is scan a QR code. If in case you have already been utilizing a Garmin Edge bike pc, its settings, corresponding to the info pages, information fields, and sensors, might be downloaded from the cloud. Leaving you with a ready-to-go unit. You can too regulate most settings immediately on the Edge 850, and ultimately, by way of the Garmin Join smartphone app.
Karoo 3 additionally synchronizes information fields and sensors (in case you have used a Karoo gadget earlier than). Nevertheless, it can’t be custom-made utilizing a smartphone app; all settings could be configured immediately on the top unit.
I declare the Edge 850 the winner as a result of it additionally permits customization by means of the Garmin Join app. Aside from that, it’s fairly shut.
Winner: Edge 850
Show
The three.2″ show measurement of the Karoo 3 is 0.5″ bigger than that of the Edge 850 (2.7″). For the reason that variety of information fields is proscribed to 10 on each head models, the display screen measurement issues as a result of the fonts are bigger and simpler to learn on the Karoo 3. The bigger display screen actual property merely has some advantages.
Each these head models are additionally brighter than the typical. They nearly attain smartphone ranges, making them straightforward to learn in most situations. You may see the next gallery for illustration. In actuality, Karoo 3 is barely brighter than the Edge (although some images make it look the other).
The decision is comparable, and each shows look sharp, as proven within the following close-ups.
The Edge 850 is a transparent winner right here.
Winner: It’s a draw
Management & Consumer Friendliness
The user-friendliness is comparable, however Karoo 3 feels easier to make use of. Possibly as a result of its system is nearer to Android, which is acquainted to many people, and likewise has fewer options. One in all Edge’s benefits (its big characteristic set) can be one among its downsides, because it makes the complete system clunkier.
Surprisingly, Karoo 3 gained’t allow you to regulate many settings within the smartphone app. The app is primarily used to sync routes, actions, and notifications out of your smartphone. The whole lot else needs to be arrange immediately on the top unit. I just like the huge customization choices for the way the info fields look. Garmin is far more guarded. It nearly seems like evaluating Android vs. iOS.
To me, it’s additionally fascinating to see how Hammerhead repeatedly improves the software program. I turned Karoo on after a couple of months, and after updating it, it had a number of new options. Hammerhead additionally does a great job explaining what’s new (in contrast to Garmin), instantly “teleporting” you into the menu settings for a given characteristic if you wish to. I’m not saying Garmin doesn’t push firmware updates; it does. Nevertheless it does a a lot worse job of presenting the enhancements.
By way of management, each bike computer systems have touchscreens and management buttons, making them extremely versatile and appropriate for all situations. I barely want Garmin’s button placement as a result of I miss the “foremost” buttons on the backside of the Karoo. However I can dwell with out them. The buttons on each units really feel tactile and simple to press, however on Karoo, they really feel cheaper.
So, what concerning the efficiency in moist or with gloves? Watch the next movies. Each shows carry out fairly nicely.
Garmin Edge bike computer systems would possibly really feel a bit overwhelming, particularly the primary time you utilize them. They’ve a steeper studying curve as a result of there are such a lot of options and choices. Then again, they’re extra fluent. The Karoo system typically chops, particularly when pulling the highest widget. That is the one flaw. In any other case, I’m happy with the system.
Contemplating the cleaner UI, extra trendy strategy, and higher presentation of recent options, I name Karoo 3 the winner right here.
Winner: Karoo 3
Battery Life
The Edge 850 has a claimed battery lifetime of 12 hours. My E850 lasted 10.3 hours in real-world testing. The Karoo 3 lasted about 2 hours longer (~12.3 hours); nevertheless, its claimed battery life is 15 hours. That stated, the battery lifetime of each head models is underwhelming. They merely traded a brighter show for shorter battery life than among the finest bike computer systems, as proven within the chart beneath.
I used each bike computer systems with auto-brightness settings (sure, each have ambient sensors to regulate brightness) and stored the identical set of sensors related to each.
Winner: Karoo 3
Maps & Navigation
That is additionally an space the place the Edge 850 has an edge. Its navigation is solely extra detailed and gives extra granular directions than Karoo 3. Each head models are nice for navigation: they allow you to browse maps with a contact and are dependable, however Garmin is solely in a league of its personal. The one factor that bothers me is the scale of the map areas. Downloading gigabytes of knowledge when you have to replace maps for a selected nation is unlucky. Wahoo lets you choose nations, so you may full the replace in minutes.
Winner: It’s a draw
Accuracy
Because of the Multi-Band GNSS system, which permits simultaneous reception of satellite tv for pc indicators throughout a number of frequency bands and world programs, each head models must be fairly correct. Nevertheless, this expertise alone can’t assure the identical degree of accuracy between two competing units. So, how was the truth?
I often take a look at bike computer systems on my favourite forest phase, however this time, I used Karoo 3 close to Lake Como in Italy. It was not as correct as I might anticipate, particularly in densely forested areas. Sadly, I’ve not examined them facet by facet. Such testing may reveal that Edge 850 would additionally battle in that space. Anyway, more often than not, the accuracy is nice sufficient. Nonetheless, at the very least primarily based on the rides I’ve completed, Edge 850 appears to be extra correct.
Winner: Edge 850
Extras
The Garmin Edge 850 presents options not out there on the Karoo 3. These embrace:
Energy Information helps you tempo your self by offering real-time energy targets primarily based on the course profile, your health degree, and desired effort degree, optimizing efficiency throughout a route.
Actual-Time Stamina estimates how a lot power you have got left throughout a journey by analyzing coronary heart price, energy, and health information, serving to you handle effort and keep away from burnout.
MTB Dynamics measures your jumps, grit, and move. It’s helpful primarily for mountain bikers.
Incident/crash detection detects should you crash and notifies your emergency contacts.
Highway Hazards lets you report highway hazards, corresponding to potholes, whereas driving. They then seem on the map for different riders, and the top unit gives audible and on-screen warnings as you strategy them.
Good Fueling offers you alerts on consuming and consuming primarily based on energy burned.
Garmin IQ retailer permits downloading apps that reach Edge’s performance. Karoo additionally has a retailer, however the app choice is far more restricted.
Climate Overlay gives real-time data about climate overlayed over map.
And plenty of extra…
Each bike computer systems can show details about upcoming climbs. These options are known as ClimbPro (Garmin) and Climber (Hammerhead) and are a few of my favorites. They don’t require a deliberate route, so I can tempo myself extra successfully on climbs that I’m not accustomed to. I did a complete comparability of those two and Wahoo’s Free Summit. In abstract, the ClimbPro information web page is much less customizable than the Climber one. Climber is best built-in as a result of it may be proven in your foremost information web page as a tab you can cover, not individually on two information pages.
Winner: Edge 850
Whole rating: Garmin Edge 850 (3) | Hammerhead Karoo 3 (2) | It’s a draw (2)
Garmin Edge 850 and Karoo 3 Alternate options
In the event you don’t need a Garmin 850 or Karoo 3, take into account these alternate options:
The Garmin Edge 840 and Garmin Edge 1040s are previous-generation Edge bike computer systems with for much longer battery life, however a bit diminished characteristic set.
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3 is less complicated and simpler to make use of, and presents an extended battery life. Then again, it doesn’t have as many options.
Abstract
After evaluating a number of classes, Edge 850 beats Karoo 3, but it surely’s as shut because it might be. I take pleasure in utilizing Karoo 3 a bit extra due to its extra trendy strategy. Nevertheless, I might in all probability miss the Garmin ecosystem, particularly Garmin Join. I typically use a Garmin smartwatch for swimming and working, so having my information in a single place (not simply on Strava) that additionally evaluates my coaching load and fatigue is useful.
Additionally, the worth distinction between these two head models is critical. The Edge 850 prices $599 whereas the Karoo 3 prices “solely” $475. For some, this value distinction could be a large deal and the explanation to decide on Karoo.
Earlier than pulling the set off, take into account whether or not you may leverage the flamboyant Garmin options, and also you don’t thoughts the brief battery life. Personally, I might reasonably purchase the E840 over these two, even when it has a much less brilliant show. It’d sound humorous, however the lacking digital bell on Karoo 3 will also be the explanation to decide on E850 as a substitute. I’m not kidding, it’s a extra helpful characteristic than it might sound.
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