Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 Review: Now We Are Talking!

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ROAM 3 is lastly right here, and it has a touchscreen! I’ve been utilizing it for a number of weeks, and on this assessment, I share my expertise. I’ve examined over 20 bike computer systems already, so I imagine you’ll get useful insights. Bear in mind, I additionally bought it with my very own cash and didn’t obtain it from Wahoo, not like many different publishers.

My ELEMNT ROAM v3 score at a look:Battery Life 5/5 | Ease of Setup 5/5 | Show 4/5 | Ease of Use 4/5 | GPS Accuracy 4/5 | Maps & Navigation 5/5 | Worth 2/5 | OVERALL 4.1/5More about this bike pc scoring.

NOTE: I examined ROAM 3 with firmware WH22-301352.

Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3: Execs & Cons

These are the primary execs and cons of the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 that I found throughout use.

Unboxing and Preliminary Setup

The ELEMNT ROAM v3’s preliminary setup must be simple. You scan a QR code, pair your telephone, hook up with WiFi, and the unit updates its firmware. Sadly, I encountered an error when making an attempt to pair my telephone. I needed to shut the app and switch off the Bluetooth to make it work. That is the primary time I encountered a telephone pairing difficulty with a Wahoo bike pc. Fairly annoying, however not a dealbreaker. The information subject settings are pulled out of your account, so in the event you’ve been utilizing an ELEMNT, you don’t must set it up once more.

My Expertise with Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3

Under, I share my expertise with ELEMNT ROAM v3 in an important areas.

Show

The two.8-inch show is 0.1 inch bigger than the ROAM v2 show. It’s a disgrace that it’s not a bit extra stretched, because the bezels are fairly extensive. Under, you’ll be able to see the display measurement comparability of the perfect bike computer systems.

The display is a bit flashier than earlier ELEMNT bike computer systems. This is perhaps an enormous deal for some, because the readability in direct daylight and from angles is a bit worse. It’s difficult to seize it on digital camera, however you’ll be able to take a look at the next photographs. ROAM 1 supplied higher readability however worse decision and fewer colours.

The display decision is listed as 320×480px on the official web site, however I feel this worth is wrong. BOLT 3 decision is meant to be 480×720px, so contemplating ROAM has a bigger show however related sharpness, its decision doesn’t make a lot sense.

The next picture reveals a close-up of the show. It’s fairly sharp, isn’t it?

The next photos present a number of well-liked bike computer systems and their most brightness. Hammerhead Karoo 3 is the brightest, adopted by Edge 1050 and the remainder. ROAM 3 has barely increased brightness than ROAM 2 and ELEMNT ACE.

ROAM 3 can show as much as 11 information fields. This must be sufficient for all of the metrics you want. I discover them simple to learn, however you’ll be able to simply enlarge the info fields utilizing the facet buttons, so you’ll be able to focus solely on those who matter to you at a given level. Bigger models, such because the Edge 10×0 line, are extra appropriate for individuals with poor eyesight, although.

Bear in mind, you’ll be able to create customized information pages. Though the info fields usually are not as graphical as on different bike computer systems (Magene C606 or Sigma ROX 12.1 EVO), you need to discover all of the metrics it’s good to know.

Fortunately, the background colour of some information fields (HR and watt zones, gradient, and so on.) displays the precise zone, relying on the way you arrange your zones. That is truly useful. Bear in mind, you gained’t get reside information subject previews like on the Edge 1050 and Karoo 3 when setting them up by way of the Wahoo app.

Battery Life

Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 has a claimed battery lifetime of 25 hours. My ROAM lasted 28 hours of real-world utilization. This was a pleasing shock. I used the auto brightness setting and had a number of sensors linked to it, together with the HR monitor, energy meter, radar, Di2, and smartphone.

The next chart reveals the battery lifetime of chosen bike computer systems. The ROAM 3 reaches the values of the Garmin Edge x40 line and considerably surpasses its earlier era.

And naturally, it has a USB-C charging port.

Management & Person Friendliness

The 2nd era of ELEMNT bike computer systems was identified for its ease of use. With the introduction of ELEMNT ACE, Wahoo launched a brand new UI, which was then applied into BOLT and ROAM 3 for a unified expertise. It is a little more complete, however it stays simple to navigate. There are some things I dislike. For instance, I feel that the menu objects paired sensors and paired telephone must be subsequent to one another, not on completely different tabs.

As all the time, I additionally examined controlability when moist and with gloves. The show can deal with gloves simply, however its efficiency worsens when it’s moist. Garmin Edge models outperform Wahoo on this space. Watch the next video for illustration.

Many settings, together with information pages and fields, are nonetheless set by way of the smartphone app. I like this answer on button-based bike computer systems as a result of shopping menus with buttons is simply too time-consuming. Nevertheless, ROAM 3 (nor ACE) doesn’t can help you change particular person fields with a contact, not like Garmin Edge bike computer systems. This can be a disgrace as a result of it’s the quickest option to change information fields.

I’ve to present Wahoo credit score for including some choices, although. For instance, now you can pair sensors by way of the top unit, along with the smartphone app. This makes it simpler to pair them on the go.

Sadly, I didn’t keep away from issues throughout the testing of ROAM 3. A number of occasions it occurred that the system didn’t boot, which required a tough reset. That is holding the ability button for greater than 20 seconds till the system shuts down.

Maps & Navigation

Due to the touchscreen, maps are tremendous simple to browse on ROAM 3 (not like on BOLT 3). Nevertheless, they don’t provide a 2D or 3D view because the Karoo 3, for instance. You’ll be able to watch the next video for extra particulars. The maps look fairly, however in some situations (daylight), they’re a bit laborious to learn.

As for the navigation itself, I used it totally on paved roads that I do know nicely. It tended to take me by way of less-known roads than foremost roads. This was shocking as a result of the primary roads it was supposed to decide on usually are not harmful because of heavy visitors, and most significantly, it was the shortest potential method again to the beginning of the exercise. Fortunately, the route recalculation was fairly fast (a number of seconds). The uploaded routes additionally load in seconds, permitting you to comply with the course instantly.

Due to the built-in speaker, ROAM additionally offers audible directions, much like the Edge 1050. One factor lacking in comparison with Garmin is the Street Hazards. I’ve by no means totally leveraged this function, as there aren’t many Garmin x40 house owners in our space, however I can think about it might be useful.

Free Summit Characteristic

The Free Summit function is one in all my favourite ROAM options. It’s much like Garmin’s ClimbPro and doesn’t require a deliberate route. It estimates the trail you’ll take and shows the climb information (gradients, distance to the highest, and so on.), permitting you to tempo your self extra successfully.

You’ll be able to obtain higher accuracy for deliberate routes, however even the free rides are adequate. The place Summit wins is its customizability, although. You should utilize the smartphone app to vary the info fields for the Summit web page. That is nice as a result of Garmin’s ClimbPro gained’t provide you with as a lot flexibility. You may as well change how the Summit behaves.

For instance, it may solely activate if you find yourself additionally utilizing navigation. This is smart; I don’t want the Summit to be turned on in my space, the place I’m acquainted with all of the climbs. You may as well set the climb problem for which it would seem, or whether or not your information pages will robotically change to the Summit web page.

Take a look at my comparability of Free Summit vs. ClimbPro for extra particulars.

GPS Accuracy

The ELEMNT ROAM v3 helps multi-band GNSS. I in contrast its accuracy with different bike computer systems on my favourite forest section.

Surprisingly, its accuracy was not on par with different multi-band GNSS head models, such because the Edge 1040 or Edge 1050. It’s not clearly seen the place I began zig-zagging on the steep part of a slender forest street. This can be a bit disappointing, though the accuracy enchancment over the earlier era is important.

Connectivity

The ELEMNT ROAM v3 options Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ connectivity, permitting it for use with a variety of sensors. It robotically syncs rides, as is customary on high-end head models. It options Strava reside segments so you know the way far forward (or behind) the KOM you might be. Simply keep in mind you want Strava Premium and activate Strava Reside segments within the Wahoo app.

Digital Bell

The digital bell isn’t just a gimmick; it’s genuinely helpful. It’s higher applied than the Garmin Edge 1050 bell, because it prompts on double-tap, not like Garmin, which requires clicking the precise icon. I solely have two complaints. The primary is that its quantity can’t be adjusted with the amount management, and the second is that it’s comparatively quiet, so pedestrians usually overhear it when it’s windy.

Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 Options

Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 Technical Specs

Under, I summarized the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 technical specs.

Conclusion

When you requested me whether or not I might purchase the BOLT 2 or the ROAM 2, I wouldn’t hesitate and would say the BOLT 2. With the third era, nonetheless, the tables have turned. ROAM 3 is a way more interesting choice for me, because of its touchscreen, whereas retaining buttons and a built-in speaker. It’s simply the fitting measurement, the system is clean, and the digital bell is extra helpful than it could appear at first impression.

ROAM 3 shocked with nice battery life, however was a bit disappointing by way of accuracy, which is inferior to that of Garmin Edge models with multi-band GNSS. The variations are minimal, however they’re there. Bear in mind additionally that ELEMNT bike computer systems don’t provide that a lot performance both, however that is the explanation why they maintain their ease of use.

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Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 FAQ