Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 vs. v3: Which One Is Better?

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I’ve been utilizing Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 2 and BOLT 3 for months, and on this comparability, I share every part I’ve discovered that can assist you resolve which one to purchase. Additionally, you will find out about their variations, professionals, and cons, and I can even evaluate them with different bike computer systems, such because the Edge 540, Edge 840, Edge 1040, and extra.

ELEMNT BOLT 2 vs. 3: The Fundamentals

Here’s a abstract of the primary options and variations between the BOLT 2 and the BOLT 3.

FeatureELEMNT BOLT v2ELEMNT BOLT v3

Display dimension and resolutionPPI2.2″ (240×320px)182 PPI2.3″ (480×720px)376 PPI

TouchscreenNoNo

ButtonsEasy to pressEasy to press

Show colors6416 mil.

Claimed battery lifeReal battery life15 hours11 hours¹20 hrs26.7 hrs

Dimensions77.5×47.2×21.3 mm3.1×1.9×0.8 in83.5×47.2×24 mm3.3×1.9×0.9 in

Weight68g84g

Storage16GB32GB

Begin-up time∼35s∼33s

Mounts within the boxOut entrance aero mountStem mountOut entrance aero mountStem mount

Good navigation (rerouting)YesYes

Multi-band GNSSNoYes

ConnectivityANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-FiANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

ChargingUSB-CUSB-C

Crash/incident detectionNoNo

Extra infoWahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 ReviewWahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 Evaluate

BuyCheck PriceCheck Value (Amazon)Verify PriceCheck Value (Amazon)

This desk compares the primary options of ELEMNT BOLT v2 vs. BOLT v3.¹Based 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.

ELEMNT BOLT 2 vs. 3: Options Comparability and Variations

Bodily Dimensions & Weight

BOLT 2 and three have related dimensions, however BOLT 3 is taller and 16g heavier.

They’re among the many smaller head models, so you’ll respect them should you care about compactness. They’re excellent should you simply care about seeing a very powerful metrics and logging your actions. They may have the ability to navigate you, too, in fact, however navigation will not be their primary promoting level (extra about it later).

Ease of Setup

To arrange each of those bike computer systems, all you must do is scan a QR code. When you have already been utilizing a Wahoo ELEMNT bike pc, its settings, akin to information pages and information fields, will obtain from the cloud; nevertheless, you’ll need to pair your sensors once more. That is the place Garmin has an edge, as a result of it additionally retains sensor settings.

Many settings should not out there on the top unit, and you need to use the Wahoo smartphone app. These embody altering the info pages and information fields, in addition to a number of further choices. The BOLT 2 initially used the Wahoo ELEMNT app, however it’s also now customizable through the brand new Wahoo app.

Winner: It’s a draw

Show

The two.2″ show dimension of the BOLT 2 is 0.1″ smaller than that of the BOLT 3 (2.3″). Each are non-touchscreen and are supplemented by bodily management buttons. Their decision differs, although. BOLT 3 affords twice as many pixels per inch (PPI) because the BOLT 2 (376 vs. 182 PPI), making it seem sharper in close-ups. It could possibly additionally show extra colours (16 million vs. simply 64).

Contemplating the value improve of BOLT 3 and a comparatively small value distinction from ROAM 3, I feel ROAM 3 is a better option, because of its touchscreen (and some different additional options).

The readability of each BOLTs is analogous, however marginally higher on BOLT 2. The BOLT 2 has a barely much less reflective show in direct daylight, however in most situations, readability is nearly the identical (it’s actually exhausting to seize it on digital camera). Nonetheless, it’s a win for the BOLT 2.

Winner: BOLT 2

Management & Person Friendliness

The BOLT 2 is simpler to manage as a result of its person interface is less complicated than BOLT 3’s. Nevertheless, it affords fewer on-device settings. Each of those head models are fairly smartphone-dependent, which means you’ll want to carry a smartphone to vary information fields, for instance.

The place of the buttons and their tactility have remained the identical; the one change is that the three primary buttons of the BOLT 3 are actually extra distinguished.

I beloved BOLT 2. I used it as my major bike pc for a number of months. I primarily wanted to log my actions and sometimes use navigation, so it was good for me, because it wasn’t cluttered with pointless options. BOLT 3 can also be straightforward to make use of, however because it affords extra on-device choices and has a redesigned UI (the identical one as on the ROAM 3 and ACE), which is principally designed for touchscreens, it feels barely much less intuitive, imo. Nonetheless, it’s simpler to make use of than the Garmin Edge 540, for instance.

Then again, as I discussed above, some operations require the smartphone app, whereas we’re nonetheless discussing button-based units. Some actions, like searching maps, are a ache, so it’s simpler to simply take your cellphone out of your pocket.

In abstract, I name the BOLT 2 a winner right here, however some would possibly argue that BOLT 3 is best as a result of it means that you can do extra actions on-device.

Winner: BOLT 2

Battery Life

The BOLT 2 has a claimed battery lifetime of 15 hours, however it lasted solely about 11 hours in my testing. The BOLT 3 outcomes had been extra stunning. Whereas the claimed battery life is 20 hours, it lasted 26.7 hours!

I used each bike computer systems on auto brightness settings (sure, each have ambient sensors for adjusting the brightness) and had the identical set of sensors related. The one distinction with the BOLT 2 was that I used navigation for about 30% of my actions. Under, you possibly can see a comparability of the claimed battery lives with among the greatest bike computer systems. The BOLT 2 is under common, whereas the BOLT 3 is above common.

Winner: BOLT 3

Maps & Navigation

Let’s be trustworthy, BOLT 2 and BOLT 3 aren’t one of the best bike computer systems for navigation as a result of they’ve a small display screen, and never a lot of the map is seen once you additionally use some information fields. I like to recommend choosing bigger head models, such because the Hammerhead Karoo 3, Garmin Edge 1040, or Edge 1050, for the absolute best map expertise.

Nevertheless, each can recalculate your route should you deviate from the course. This can be a function that was not out there on BOLT 1. Don’t take me flawed, when you’ve got good eyes and don’t must browse the map to search out an alternate route, BOLTs can completely navigate you, particularly when you’ve got a deliberate route. The issue for me is that I’d respect having different metrics (2-4 information fields, a map, and a route profile) on my maps web page. Nevertheless it’s tough to show them on such a small display screen. So, as all the time, it relies on your preferences.

The next pictures present BOLTs 1, 2, and three, together with the extent of element they show on maps. BOLT 3 reveals extra element than BOLT 2, however I discover BOLT 2 simpler to observe as a result of it’s not as cluttered.

When it comes to navigation, I need to disclose that I didn’t check it on off-road terrain. I journey on paved roads with my street bike. I by no means had a problem with BOLT 2. After I went off route, it discovered a brand new path fairly rapidly. Surprisingly, the BOLT 3 generally tried to take me through not-so-ideal roads (for instance, not the shortest solution to the tip of the route or dwelling). So, for that reason, BOLT 2 is the winner for me on this space.

Fortunately, each models will mean you can replace maps over Wi-Fi. Please notice that BOLT 2 will match fewer areas as a consequence of its 16 GB of storage capability. BOLT 3 has double the storage, however in case you are not a frequent world traveler, even the 16 GB needs to be sufficient as a result of you possibly can choose particular person international locations, not like on Garmin, the place you select from areas.

Winner: BOLT 2

Accuracy

Accuracy is an space the place BOLT 3 surpasses its predecessor, because it incorporates a Multi-Band GNSS system. This technique allows the reception of satellite tv for pc indicators on a number of frequency bands and from a number of international techniques concurrently, leading to higher accuracy.

I all the time check bike computer systems on my favourite forest phase. If you check out the next screenshots, you possibly can see that BOLT 2 doesn’t match the forest street in addition to BOLT 3. The second picture is from a unique phase, the place the inaccuracy is much more evident. Nevertheless, I need to level out that for a very comparable check, I must check each bike computer systems on the identical day. It makes a distinction whether it is sunny or cloudy.

Winner: BOLT 3

Whole rating: Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 2 (3) | Wahoo BOLT 3 (2) | It’s a draw (1)

My Verdict

Whereas the BOLT 2 was the plain selection in Wahoo’s earlier lineup, the BOLT 3 is much less interesting. The primary purpose is that the ROAM 3 affords extra upgrades, particularly the touchscreen and built-in speaker. The BOLT 3 affords improved battery life and enhanced accuracy in comparison with the BOLT 2. However with the value improve, it’s now not a budget-friendly possibility.

I like the BOLT 2 for its compact dimension and ease. The BOLT 3 is bulkier, however the show isn’t considerably bigger, and it nonetheless options thick bezels. I anticipated extra from a motorbike pc launched in 2025. So for me, the BOLT 2 remains to be my favourite, even when the BOLT 3 is the higher machine on paper. What do you suppose? Share your ideas within the feedback under.

I hope you discover this comparability useful. For those who resolve to purchase one in every of these bike computer systems, please think about using the hyperlinks under. It received’t price you something additional, and it helps assist me and CyclistsHub. Thanks!

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 2 vs. 3 FAQ