Here’s How the Hammerhead Karoo 2 Stacks Up Against Wahoo’s Bike Computer Models
High-end bike computers share many basic features — such as primary and derivative fields on metrics like speed, distance, power, heart rate, elevation and more. But there are notable differences in models, and here is how the Hammerhead Karoo 2 differs from the two current Wahoo Elemnt models, the smaller Bolt and the larger Roam, plus the original Roam V1 that is being phased out but remains for sale.
Before we look at the individual differences, let’s examine a few traits that Wahoo computers have and how they compare to the Karoo 2.
The Elemnt Roam and Bolt have color screens, and use buttons to drive the operation. The Karoo 2 has a color touchscreen, and it also has buttons for alternate operation for a best of both worlds situation.
The Wahoo computers and the Karoo 2 connect to peripherals like heart rate monitors, power meters, cadence sensors and more on both ANT+ and Bluetooth. Both sets of computers also connect to WiFi for automatic ride uploads, and syncing of workouts with TrainingPeaks. Both sets of computers pair to smartphones for on-screen notifications. Only the Karoo 2 has the ability to connect with a cellular signal on 2G, 3G, and 4G.
Both the Karoo 2 and the Wahoo computers ship with out-front mounts. The Karoo 2 has both its own, rock-solid secure method of connection to the Karoo 2 mount, but also ships with a simple converter if you prefer to use another type of mount with a quarter-turn engagement.
Both have navigation features, and can reroute you if you go off the prescribed route. Both have color infographics for approaching climbs that indicate gradient, distance, and elevation, but the Elemnt computers require you to be following a route for this feature to route. The Karoo 2 does this both when you are following a route and when you are not. In fact, the Karoo 2 is the only computer on the market with Predictive Path Technology, which auto-detects upcoming climbs when you are riding without a preset route on your computer and displays the data in graphic and numeric terms to help pace you up the climb.
Now let’s examine the individual computers and differences.
Hammerhead Karoo 2 vs. Wahoo Elemnt Roam
The Elemnt Roam is Wahoo’s largest and most expensive computer. This $399 model has a 2.7-inch color screen with a 166 pixels per inch resolution.
The Karoo 2 is also $399, but has nearly double the resolution at 292ppi, and also has a larger, 3.2-inch color screen.
Both recharge with a USB-C cable. The Karoo 2 has a 14-hour battery life, and the Roam has a 17-hour battery life.
The Roam uses buttons to drive the operation, and has two strips of LED indicators that can be configured for various notifications. The Karoo 2 works on both a color touchscreen, which is often the easiest option, especially for navigating around a map or scrolling through a list, but it also has buttons for alternate operation, such as when you are wearing gloves or it is raining.
Both the Karoo 2 and the Roam have navigation features, and can reroute you if you go off the prescribed route. Both have color infographics for approaching climbs that indicate gradient, distance, and elevation, but the Roam requires you to be following a route for this feature to route. The Karoo 2 does this both when you are following a route and when you are not. In fact, the Karoo 2 is the only computer on the market with Predictive Path Technology, which auto-detects upcoming climbs when you are riding without a preset route on your computer and displays the data in graphic and numeric terms to help pace you up the climb.
Hammerhead Karoo 2 vs. Wahoo Bolt
The Elemnt Bolt is a smaller computer with a 2.2-inch color screen with a 182 pixels per inch resolution, which is slightly higher than that of the larger Roam. It costs $299.
The Karoo 2 is $399, but has a larger 3.2-inch color screen with a 292ppi resolution.
Both recharge with a USB-C cable. Battery life is 14 hours for the Karoo 2 and 15 hours for the Bolt.
The Bolt uses buttons to drive the operation, and has a strip of LED indicators that can be configured for various notifications. The Karoo 2 works on both a color touchscreen, which is often the easiest option, especially for navigating around a map or scrolling through a list, but it also has buttons for alternate operation, such as when you are wearing gloves or it is raining.
Both the Karoo 2 and the Bolt have navigation features, and can reroute you if you go off the prescribed route. Both have color infographics for approaching climbs that indicate gradient, distance, and elevation, but the Bolt requires you to be following a route for this feature to route. The Karoo 2 does this both when you are following a route and when you are not. In fact, the Karoo 2 is the only computer on the market with Predictive Path Technology, which auto-detects upcoming climbs when you are riding without a preset route on your computer and displays the data in graphic and numeric terms to help pace you up the climb.
Hammerhead Karoo 2 vs. Wahoo Roam V1
The Elemnt Roam V1 was the first iteration of Wahoo’s largest computer. This $249 model has a 2.7-inch uses 8 colors in its screen, compared to 64 colors on the newer model.
The Karoo 2 is $399, with a larger, 3.2-inch color screen that has a 292ppi resolution.
Both recharge with a USB-C cable. The Karoo 2 has a 14-hour battery life, and the Roam V1 has a 17-hour battery life.
The Roam V1 uses buttons to drive the operation, and has LED indicators that can be configured for various notifications. The Karoo 2 works on both a color touchscreen, which is often the easiest option, especially for navigating around a map or scrolling through a list, but it also has buttons for alternate operation, such as when you are wearing gloves or it is raining.
Both the Karoo 2 and the Roam V1 have navigation features, and can reroute you if you go off the prescribed route. Both have color infographics for approaching climbs that indicate gradient, distance, and elevation, but the Roam V1 requires you to be following a route for this feature to route. The Karoo 2 does this both when you are following a route and when you are not. In fact, the Karoo 2 is the only computer on the market with Predictive Path Technology, which auto-detects upcoming climbs when you are riding without a preset route on your computer and displays the data in graphic and numeric terms to help pace you up the climb.
Hammerhead vs. Wahoo’s Mounting and Extras
Both computers come with dedicated, out-front mounts that put the computer in front of and level with your handlebars.
The Hammerhead mount locks the Karoo 2 securely into place and holds it firmly for easy use of the touchscreen. If you have another mount that you already like, or perhaps a second bike, the Hammerhead Karoo 2 comes with an adapter that snaps into the back of the computer, allowing it to be used with any quarter-turn mount, such as those made for Garmin computers.
The Wahoo computer uses a quarter-turn mount that is quite similar to the Garmin design but works on a 90-degree orientation. If you have a Wahoo mount and want to use a Karoo 2, for example, you just need to unbolt the plastic inside of the Wahoo mount and rotate it 90 degrees, then rebolt it.
Both computers come with USB-C charging cables.
Heart rate monitors are typically sold separately, and all ANT+ and Bluetooth units are compatible with both Hammerhead and Wahoo computers.
Key takeaways
Hammerhead and Wahoo both make quality computers, and share the ability to customize a wide number of data fields onto various pages. Both have color screens and provide turn-by-turn navigation. Both work with third party peripherals and connect to your phone for on-screen notifications.
The Karoo 2 offers a superior screen, both in terms of being a touchscreen and having crisper resolution.
The Karoo 2, which being the same price as the top-end Wahoo computer, is the only computer on the market with Predictive Path Technology, which auto-detects upcoming climbs when you are riding without a preset route on your computer and displays the data in graphic and numeric terms to help pace you up the climb.