Here’s How the Hammerhead Karoo 2 Stacks Up Against Garmin’s Models
Garmin has been making bike computers for many years, and has a variety of models.
The Garmin Edge 530, 830, and 1040 share a number of features with the Hammerhead Karoo 2. All four computers offer a wealth of customizable data metrics, from power to heart rate to speed to distance to elevation and much more. All offer color screens and navigation, and smartphone connectivity so you can read text messages on the computer screen while riding.
They are good computers, but the Hammerhead Karoo 2 excels in a few aspects, particularly in terms of screen resolution and in navigation options.
Here’s how the Karoo 2 compares to the most popular Garmin Edge models.
Hammerhead Karoo 2 vs. Garmin Edge 530
The Garmin Edge 530 is a medium-sized unit with a 2.6-inch color screen that has a 246x322ppi resolution. It costs $299 and does not have a touchscreen.
The Karoo 2 is $399. Its 3.2-inch color screen features a 292ppi resolution, and it is a touchscreen and it also has side buttons for use.
The Edge 530 has a 20-hour battery life. The Karoo 2 has a 14-hour battery life.
Both computers feature a deep menu of potential data fields that can be configured to the user’s preference. Field categories include speed, time, cadence, power, elevation, distance, heart rate, navigation, and much more.
Both computers can control smart trainers via ANT+ or Bluetooth.
Both computers work with Strava Live Segments, to show you where you are on a given Strava segment in real time in comparison to your best time, the best time of the people you follow, or the QOM/KOM.
Both computers work on ANT+, Bluetooth, GPS, and Wifi, but only the Karoo 2 has cell connectivity on 2G, 3G, and 4G.
Both computers sync with TrainingPeaks to display and guide you through power- or heart-rate-based workouts.
For rear-facing radar, the Edge 530 works with Garmin’s Varia unit, while the Karoo 2 works with the Varia as well as the Magene L508 and the Bryton Gardia R300.
The biggest differences between the computers have to do with navigation.
Both computers display upcoming climbs with color-coded gradient graphics, but Garmin requires you to be following a course for this feature to be activated. The Karoo 2 has Predictive Path Technology that senses upcoming climbs and displays a full-page analysis of the climb with gradient, distance to the top, and elevation gain still to go.
Both computers offer turn-by-turn navigation, and can reroute you if you intentionally or unintentionally go off course.
Both computers offer the ability to pan and zoom on the map screen, but the Karoo 2 lets you use both pinch gestures on the touchscreen or use the hardware buttons. The Edge 530 does not have a touch screen.
For included maps, Garmin sells the Edge 530 with one region included, and maps for other regions must be purchased. The Karoo 2 has free global maps, which you can download over Wifi.
Hammerhead Karoo 2 vs. Garmin Edge 830
The Garmin Edge 830 and the Karoo 2 both cost $399.
The Edge 830 features a 2.6-inch color touchscreen with a 157ppi resolution.
The Karoo 2 features a 3.2-inch color touchscreen with a 292ppi resolution, and it is a touchscreen and it also has side buttons for use when the touchscreen isn’t ideal, such as when wearing non-conductive gloves or when it is raining.
The Edge 830 has a 20-hour battery life. The Karoo 2 has a 14-hour battery life.
Both computers feature a deep menu of potential data fields that can be configured to the user’s preference. Field categories include speed, time, cadence, power, elevation, distance, heart rate, navigation, and much more.
Both computers can control smart trainers via ANT+ or Bluetooth.
Both computers work with Strava Live Segments, to show you where you are on a given Strava segment in real time in comparison to your best time, the best time of the people you follow, or the QOM/KOM.
Both computers work on ANT+, Bluetooth, GPS, and Wifi, but only the Karoo 2 has cell connectivity on 2G, 3G, and 4G.
Both computers sync with TrainingPeaks to display and guide you through power- or heart-rate-based workouts.
For rear-facing radar, the Edge 830 works with Garmin’s Varia unit, while the Karoo 2 works with the Varia as well as the Magene L508 and the Bryton Gardia R300.
The biggest differences between the computers have to do with navigation.
Both computers display upcoming climbs with color-coded gradient graphics, but Garmin requires you to be following a course for this feature to be activated. The Karoo 2 has Predictive Path Technology that senses upcoming climbs and displays a full-page analysis of the climb with gradient, distance to the top, and elevation gain still to go.
Both computers offer turn-by-turn navigation, and can reroute you if you intentionally or unintentionally go off course.
Both computers offer the ability to pan and zoom on the map screen, but the Karoo 2 lets you use both pinch gestures on the touchscreen or use the hardware buttons. The Edge 830’s buttons are limited to start/pause and lap while riding.
For included maps, Garmin sells the Edge 830 with one region included, and maps for other regions must be purchased. The Karoo 2 has free global maps, which you can download over Wifi.
Hammerhead Karoo 2 vs. Garmin Edge 1040
The Garmin Edge 1040 is Garmin’s premiere unit and it costs $599. It is also the largest, most feature-rich model that the company offers, with a solar-charging option available for $749. Its 3.5-inch color screen features a 157ppi resolution, and it is a touchscreen. It weighs 172g included the mount.
The Karoo 2 is $399. Its 3.2-inch color screen features a 292ppi resolution, and it is a touchscreen and it also has side buttons for use when the touchscreen isn’t ideal, such as when wearing non-conductive gloves or when it is raining. It weighs 167g including the mount.
Both computers feature a deep menu of potential data fields that can be configured to the user’s preference. Field categories include speed, time, cadence, power, elevation, distance, heart rate, navigation, and much more.
Both computers can control smart trainers via ANT+ or Bluetooth.
Both computers work with Strava Live Segments, to show you where you are on a given Strava segment in real time in comparison to your best time, the best time of the people you follow, or the QOM/KOM.
Both computers work on ANT+, Bluetooth, GPS, and Wifi, but only the Karoo 2 has cell connectivity on 2G, 3G, and 4G.
Both computers sync with TrainingPeaks to display and guide you through power- or heart-rate-based workouts.
For rear-facing radar, the Edge 1040 works with Garmin’s Varia unit, while the Karoo 2 works with the Varia as well as the Magene L508 and the Bryton Gardia R300.
The biggest differences between the computers have to do with navigation.
Both computers display upcoming climbs with color-coded gradient graphics, but Garmin requires you to be following a course for this feature to be activated. The Karoo 2 has Predictive Path Technology that senses upcoming climbs and displays a full-page analysis of the climb with gradient, distance to the top, and elevation gain still to go.
Both computers offer turn-by-turn navigation, and can reroute you if you intentionally or unintentionally go off course. The Karoo 2 is faster to reroute you, however, with speeds of about 5 seconds no matter how long the course. The Edge 1040 can take up to 20 seconds when rerouting on longer courses.
Both computers offer the ability to pan and zoom on the map screen, but the Karoo 2 lets you use both pinch gestures on the touchscreen or use the hardware buttons. The Edge 1040’s buttons are limited to start/pause and lap while riding.
For included maps, Garmin sells the Edge 1040 with one region included, and maps for other regions must be purchased. The Karoo 2 has free global maps, which you can download over Wifi.
Key takeaways
Garmin and Hammerhead both make good cycling computers. The top end of the Edge line offers a number of features from connectivity to training to radar to navigation. The Karoo 2 offers a very similar set of such features, plus it also has a more detailed screen with more than twice the resolution and a Predictive Path Technology that senses upcoming climbs and displays a full-page analysis of the climb with gradient, distance to the top, and elevation gain still to go.
In terms of price, the Karoo 2 at $399 sits in the middle of the Garmin options at $299, $399, and $749.