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That is my comparability of the Garmin Edge 1050 and Hammerhead Karoo 3, two of probably the most high-end bike computer systems available on the market. You’ll study their variations, professionals, and cons, and I may even evaluate them with the earlier generations and different alternate options.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The primary distinction between the Edge 1050 and the Karoo 3 is that the Karoo 3 has a shorter battery life however a extra trendy and refined UI. Nevertheless, it doesn’t have an built-in speaker for audible directions or an digital bell. I loved utilizing the Karoo 3 extra as a result of it’s simpler to make use of and nearer to a smartphone expertise. The Edge 1050 is far more costly, so I consider the Karoo 3 supplies a greater price-value ratio. Purchase the Edge 1050 or the Karoo 3 right here, or learn on for extra in-depth info.
Edge 1050 vs. Karoo 3: The Fundamentals
Right here is the abstract of the principle variations between Garmin Edge 1050 vs. Hammerhead Karoo 3.
This desk compares the principle options of Garmin Edge 1050 vs. Hammerhead Karoo 3.¹Based on my unscientific testing – a number of rides with a number of related sensors (HR, energy meter, radar), and navigation turned on throughout about 30% of rides. Auto brightness on.
Let me now clarify them in depth.
Edge 1050 vs. Karoo 3: Options Comparability and Variations
Under, I evaluate these two bike computer systems’ most vital options and variations.
Bodily Dimensions & Weight
Garmin Edge 1050 and Karoo 3 have related dimensions. Karoo 3 is thicker and shorter but additionally about 43g lighter. It doesn’t have curved edges just like the Edge 1050, which resembles the primary era of Samsung Galaxy Edge.
The Edge 1050 is among the many largest head items accessible. Various flagship bike computer systems, such because the Bryton Rider S800, Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 2, and so on., are smaller and lighter.
It’s additionally price noting that the Karoo 3 adapter (and mount) is proprietary, however the packing features a quarter-turn adapter that makes it suitable with Garmin mounts. The Karoo socket just isn’t replaceable (it’s essential to exchange all the bottom). Curiously, Garmin switched the steel socket discovered on the Edge 1040 (Photo voltaic) to a plastic one that’s now replaceable on the Edge 1050. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the place of the Edge 1050 adapter differs from that of the Edge 1040(s), so it may not suit your present bike laptop mount.
You may additionally have an interest on this Edge 1040 vs. Edge 1050 comparability.
Show
The Edge 1050 has a bigger, 3.5-inch show, whereas the Karoo 3 “solely” has a 3.2-inch show. Each have the identical show measurement because the earlier generations. For comparability, the next chart reveals the display sizes of the perfect bike computer systems available on the market.
The Karoo 3 show is ~10-20% brighter than the Edge 1050:
Surprisingly, E1050’s pixels per inch (PPI) are nonetheless decrease than Karoo’s (266 vs. 292)! The next two footage present the small print of the display resolutions.
The brightness of Karoo 3 is the very best of all bike computer systems I examined. I do know it’s hardly seen in footage, however I estimate it’s 10-20% brighter than the Edge 1050. I’ve included just a few extra footage under so you possibly can see the brightness in numerous gentle eventualities. I feel the photograph from the darkish is probably the most consultant. I additionally included a comparability with different bike computer systems. Karoo 3 is by far the brightest.
Each shows can present as much as 10 easy-to-read knowledge fields. It’s disappointing that they received’t permit extra, however I perceive this from the readability standpoint. The ten knowledge fields are on the sting of fine readability. They’re simple to learn even in direct daylight, primarily because of the elevated brightness in comparison with the earlier generations.
I’ll touch upon the shows’ responsivity and controllability within the Management & Person Friendliness part.
Winner: Karoo 3
Battery Life
Battery life is one space the place there are vital variations between these bike computer systems. Garmin claims the Edge 1050 can last as long as 20 hours, whereas Karoo 3 solely 15 hours. The next chart reveals the battery lifetime of the perfect bike computer systems so you possibly can see how they evaluate.
However how lengthy will the battery final in regular use?
When testing the Edge 1050, it lasted me solely round 14.1 hours. Surprisingly, the Karoo 3 was not that far behind, with about 12.3 hours. I had Garmin Varia RTL515, Wahoo TICKR, Favero Assioma DUO, Shimano Ultegra Di2, and my iPhone related to them. I used navigation for about 20–30% of the rides. Each gadgets have been set to auto-brightness.
Given the Edge 1050’s give attention to most brightness, it’s unsurprising that there isn’t a Photo voltaic possibility, just like the E1040s. The primary focus is most brightness and readability, and Photo voltaic might harm that (however solely by about 10 %). So, I don’t count on the discharge of the Photo voltaic possibility.
Though the Karoo 3 has about 15% extra battery capability than the earlier era, it nonetheless lasts lower than the Edge 1050 because of its brighter show. However the distinction between them just isn’t as enormous as anticipated.
Winner: Edge 1050
Management & Person Friendliness
The Edge 1050 has a redesigned consumer interface in comparison with its earlier era. I prefer it greater than the earlier one, however it’s nonetheless not good as a result of many options Garmin gives. Karoo 3, alternatively, runs on Android and has in all probability the best consumer interfaces (extra about it under). You may as well management it with management buttons, which may also help in winter once you put on gloves. This isn’t attainable on the E1050.
By the way in which, I seen the buttons on the Karoo 3 are simpler to click on than on the earlier era, however in addition they really feel “low-cost.” Once I shake the bike laptop, I can hear how they transfer.
Within the movies under, I reveal how you can function the Garmin Edge 1050 and Karoo 3 in moist circumstances and with gloves.
Tapping the specified area whereas carrying full-finger gloves is usually troublesome, so I like to recommend shopping for tight touchscreen-compatible gloves for simpler management. I additionally seen that the Edge 1050 manages water barely higher than the Karoo 3. Nevertheless, each shows are hydrophobic, so wiping the water off them is straightforward.
Total, each bike computer systems are very responsive. They react rapidly and don’t freeze. I simply seen that Edge 1050 begins to be a bit uneven when navigation is turned on, however it’s nothing severe. Karoo 3 is a bit laggier when flattening the widgets menu. It’s a disgrace as a result of the internals are twice as highly effective because the earlier era.
Alternatively, I like its UI extra—particularly the info web page structure and area previews. I’m certain Garmin impressed itself with Karoo 2 as a result of it launched one thing related (however not pretty much as good) to the E1050.
Whilst you can arrange the E1050 utilizing the Join app, Karoo 3 can solely be arrange on the gadget. I want an on-device setup when accomplished effectively, so I don’t thoughts not having the app. Nevertheless, for some folks, it may be a dealbreaker.
I seen that the beeps on the Edge 1050 are much less annoying in comparison with earlier generations. As an alternative of “beeep” you get “brmprm”. Okay, so perhaps it’s not “brmprm” however you get the thought. Alternatively, they’re tougher to listen to in robust winds, so generally, it’s troublesome to listen to a automobile alert from a bicycle radar. Karoo 3 alerts are simple to listen to because of the penetrating sound, which is louder than the earlier era.
Total, I get pleasure from utilizing Karoo 3 extra. The UX designers did an excellent job, and apart from minor issues (like the shortcoming to infinitely swipe between widgets), I feel it’s the perfect consumer interface on any bike laptop.
Winner: Karoo 3
Maps & Navigation
Garmin Edge 1050 and Karoo 3 provide numerous navigation options (mainly all you possibly can consider). I’m glad that the maps on the Edge 1050 lastly look extra like maps, however the maps on Karoo 3 look extra refined, nearly like on a smartphone. This additionally applies to the way you work together with them and the smoothness. Watch the next video, the place I reveal the convenience of shopping maps on Karoo.
I examined the navigation of those two bike computer systems facet by facet in Italy, close to Lake Como. I loved the Karoo 3 navigation extra. It felt simpler to observe. Alternatively, it didn’t give me as many alerts about harmful turns as Edge 1050, for instance.
Moreover, the Edge 1050 provides audible directions on the place I ought to flip so I don’t have to take a look at the display on a regular basis. That is surprisingly helpful. You don’t must take your eyes off the highway, which might result in a catastrophe, particularly in these twisty and slim descents in Lombardy.
Each computer systems have sufficient storage to retailer maps for a number of areas. Talking of downloads, pop a champagne as a result of WE CAN FINALLY DOWNLOAD MAPS TO THE Edge 1050 WIRELESSLY! I actually stopped believing that Garmin would ever introduce this function. Their bike computer systems have been soooo outdated on this space. We needed to obtain them by the Garmin Categorical desktop app and a wired connection on Edges x40 and older.
You received’t get misplaced with any of those bike computer systems as a result of they reliably navigate you the place you should go and may rapidly recalculate routes. Garmin’s navigation supplies extra info, particularly when mixed with the Street Hazards function, which isn’t as widespread but. I rode about 350 km in Italy and solely encountered 3 Street Hazards. Alternatively, Karoo 3 felt simpler to observe and extra trendy.
Winner: It’s a draw
GPS Accuracy
Each head items assist the multi-band GNSS. Under, you possibly can see just a few screenshots from my rides in Italy. I like to recommend trying out this journey recorded on Karoo 3, and this one recorded on Edge 1050. As you possibly can see from the next screenshots, the accuracy is mainly the identical.
Nevertheless, I seen that the Edge 1050’s accuracy is a bit worse with precise gradients, however I’ll talk about that later within the ClimbPro part.
Winner: It’s a draw
ClimbPro vs. Climber
Some of the common options of Garmin bike computer systems, ClimbPro, was additionally upgraded (once more). The brand new model permits us to edit the info web page a bit extra. Which means that as a substitute of two customizable fields, we now have 6.
I’ve to say that I get pleasure from the way in which Hammerhead reveals Climber. It solely seems as a widget that you could enlarge when wanted, which is tremendous intelligent. Garmin’s ClimbPro is extra customizable however takes a whole knowledge web page, so you must swipe again to the info web page you had energetic as a result of Edge will depart you with the one closest to your ClimbPro web page. That’s fairly irritating.
The accuracy of each programs varies. Surprisingly, ClimbPro appears to battle with gradients, usually exhibiting a lot decrease than the precise ones. The begins and ends of the climbs are equally correct.
I might respect a unique gradient coloring right here as a result of a 9% climb marked as inexperienced just isn’t significantly simple to journey. Additionally, extra flexibility when altering knowledge fields for the climber web page could be nice.
Winner: It’s a draw
Different Options
Under, I briefly talk about another options that Edge 1050 gives, however Karoo 3 doesn’t.
Actual-Time Stamina
Unsurprisingly, Garmin stored options like Actual-Time Stamina and Energy Information on Edge 1050. Since a lot has been written about these options, I’ll maintain it brief:
Actual-Time Stamina reveals how lengthy you possibly can journey at your present tempo and the way a lot power you will have within the tank.
Energy Information will calculate your energy targets primarily based in your FTP for a deliberate course.
I don’t use them actually because I’m skilled sufficient to find out my physique’s wants. However these options could be useful to learners. Karoo 3 doesn’t present something much like this, so should you care about these options, you recognize which bike laptop to purchase.
In-built Speaker and Digital Bell
The digital bell might be probably the most ceaselessly talked about function of the Edge 1050. Truthfully, I’ve develop into a bit allergic to it. I discovered it extremely absurd to say this function when speaking a few bike laptop that prices much like iPhones. However the extra I considered it, the extra good it appeared. It merely works.
After all, it’s not good. For instance, the speaker’s place prevents the bell from being loud sufficient in crosswinds, so pedestrians may not hear it. It additionally requires an additional faucet, so it might be good if Garmin gave us the choice to point out the bell button on the highest (I consider the display has sufficient actual property for it). Nevertheless, I can’t overlook to say that you could pair it with Shimano Di2 or SRAM AXS buttons. Rattling, I want shifters had as many buttons as gaming mice, haha.
Karoo 3 doesn’t have an in-built speaker, however I feel they might add bell-like performance with future firmware updates.
Shared Street Hazards
Sharing dangers on the go, like what we all know from Waze or Google Maps, is mega cool. Sadly, this function won’t be as helpful initially as a result of low variety of customers who can submit these hazards. However, if Garmin opens this to different producers or pushes this to older head items (UPDATE: Edge x40 gadgets additionally received this function), the community could be a lot greater, permitting many extra folks to share the hazards. I’m curious to see the long run improvement of this function.
GroupRide, Challenges, and Awards
GroupRide has acquired a number of enhancements. For instance, the primary is that if the E1050 detects a crash, it notifies others within the group (with the GroupRide function on). That is good. I’m stunned we didn’t get this function sooner. Think about how helpful this function will probably be in quick descents.
The Challenges are much like Strava reside segments. You possibly can compete with your folks to see who can climb the upcoming climbs sooner. Sure, this function has solely labored for climbs in ClimbPro to date. That is Garmin’s manner of supplying you with one more reason to decide on the Garmin bike laptop and lock you into their ecosystem.
And the Awards are simply Garmin’s manner of leveraging further gamification parts. You get rewards in your energy output, velocity, and so on.
Winner: Edge 1050
Complete rating: Garmin Edge 1050 (2) | Hammerhead Karoo 3 (2) | It’s a draw (3)
My Verdict
Garmin beats Karoo solely in battery life. In different vital areas, Karoo is my winner. I like its trendy and easy-to-navigate consumer interface, which has similarities to controlling a smartphone. Anyway, I can’t deny Garmin has extra options and likewise the energy of its ecosystem, particularly should you use a Garmin smartwatch. The info collected could be helpful for coaching and assessing any fatigue or readiness to present most efficiency.
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