Default from TR looks different, I think based on what targets are specified by the workout. You get the dreaded “step distance” as the most prominent thing on the screen, which is useless and not customizable. I also get instant rather than 3s smoothed power, and average vs. current power are swapped. I dislike most things about this screen.
Default driven by TR would drive me crazy. I do nearly all my workouts outside, with workouts from TrainingPeaks. Several years ago I wrote a long post about step-vs-3sec power TR choice for workout export.
IIRC the “ghost intervals” were an attempt by TR to make it easier if you didn’t have long stretches of road to do the work with few to no interruptions. I think it would be better to embrace the default workout screen so the TR user can easily access the pause/play/RWD/FFD controls. 
Maybe someday TR will embrace outdoor workouts on Garmin x30 and x40 devices, for now I still find there are too many compromises from pre to post workout.
Long story short, the TrainingPeaks workout editor and export are great IMHO. Sync workout to Zwift or Garmin and you can see ranges. Editing TP workouts on my iPhone is a challenge, but I have an 8 year old laptop in the garage and new laptop in my home office. Not an issue for me because I use a laptop.
On smartphones Intervals.icu has a “better” workout editor, because its text, but requires a little more finger tapping patience to select/delete/copy/add.
With garmin, its a numbers game, there are just so many units out there. if 0.000……x % had an issue, it would still be hundreds.
That said, as. member of the IT world it does appear the US companies have taken to “constant integration” in a big was and “acceptance testing” is now done by the users! SRAM is another big one for this with products released that seem to lack the maturity one would expect from a market leader.
Yes Fantasy, maybe 2-3 times a year my Garmin 530 uploads in less than 20 minutes.
lol, a lot of 530s on Wed worlds and somehow we pull into the finish, everyone hits stop, we start chatting, and almost immediately the Strava segment smack talk begins. NorCal must exist in an alternate universe! How else could this be possible!
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Yeah I don’t know what they are talking about either. I’m using an 840 with an iPhone 14 Pro, but I also have wifi added to the Garmin. Never had any issues where I had to intervene with uploading, it always just works. The ride is ready to view by the time my gear is all stashed away.
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I ride around the corner, outside WiFi range, end and save the ride. Answer the hydration, nutrition, and how did it feel questions. Ride syncs and uploaded to TP/Strava while I’m still on the bike. Before I pull into the driveway.
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Jinxed tonight. Synced a couple minutes later as I was pushing the bike into the garage.
I have both a Bolt v2 and an 840 Solar. I use the 840 almost exclusively for a few reasons:
- It fires up sooo much faster. Whereas the Bolt takes its time to boot, the 840 is ready to go almost instantly. Perhaps not so important for most rides, but I find it relevant when commuting, when I don’t want to stand around forever before riding to/from home/work.
- I appreciate having all health data on one platform, the Garmin ecosystem, as I also use a Garmin watch for everyday use and running.
- The touch screen is actually quite handy, even though all the same operations can be performed with buttons.
- Aesthetics. The 840 simply looks a bit better and less “plastic”.
- ClimbPro. Surprisingly useful when riding big and new hills and mountains.
There are a few things the Bolt does better, though:
- No need to pay extra or find workarounds for maps for other regions; simply add the relevant map via the Companion app.
- Setup is faster with the Companion app, though that may depend on your experiences with either/both soltions. I’ll bet that someone who has never used Wahoo or Garmin, they would probably find Wahoo to be the more user friendly option.
- Readability is marginally better on the Bolt.
And as for the 840 Solar, a couple of thoughts:
- Sync is faster if you set up wifi than just relying on bluetooth. I find that when my Epix and Edge are both connected to my iPhone, the Edge struggles to sync.
- The Solar version is just a waste of money unless you live in a very sun drenched area. The battery lasts long enough and charges quickly enough anyways.
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That’s one thing I like better about the Wahoo units, big fonts! Garmin could easily do it too…
Agreed on readability, mostly. I do wish the Roam had smaller bezels and a correspondingly larger screen. It’s physically larger than an 840 but with a smaller screen due to bezels. I like the bezel LEDs, but question whether having 2 sets (as the Roam does) actually adds much functionality.
Somewhat off topic, but do we expect a new head unit from Wahoo any time soon? Current Roam is ~2 years old, and of course they’ve restructured in that time and supposedly refocused on their core products (i.e. computers and trainers). I got an 840 last year when I needed a computer and it seemed like Wahoo was about to go belly up, so now that the crisis seems past I’m low-key wondering if my next upgrade will be a new Wahoo.
I had already ordered (and received a roam v2) but contacted wahoo any and indeed got a 40% discount, so 240 euro for a brand new improved device, that’s not bad
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You mean with Wahoo, the TR outdoor ride function is better compared over Garmin?
The roam v2 is superb. The only screen style and design ive tried where I can get away without my prescription glasses, with the zoom in out feature. Always legible, regardless of light conditions.
Battery life is ok, not great, but good enough.
Tried a 1040 solar, all that screen size and you cant see it half the time, can’t read the map or see the workout target power screen fonts at others.
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Agree! That’s why I ran Wahoo Roam since it came out. Did one ride with the 1040 and the glare and maps were so bad I sold it straight after the ride.
But…
Recently went to Karoo, and it’s the first time I feel like a screen is more clear and better than a Roam!
I ride with maps 99% of the time, so damn easy to just glance down and see where i am going, regardless of weather.
Also they have a shortcut to hide all data fields on the map page as well, which is handy.
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I think if I wanted to change thats the route id go that screen does look good
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This is an old thread and presumably the OP has already made their choice, but…
I’m a long time Bolt user in need of a new computer but disappointed with the Ace. I’ve been testing loaner units of the Karoo and 1050 during the Festive 500 this year. Much to say about these but top line so far:
1050:
- Slightly larger, you may need different mounts.
- Longer battery life (~20h vs. 13h with no battery saving features turned on; neither is a dealbreaker.)
- More customizable data display, especially with ConnectIQ apps.
- Shinier and harder-to-read screen.
- Substantially harder to learn the UI and get it set up just as you want it.
- Maps are harder to read (poor color choices IMO.)
HH Karoo:
- Exceedingly easy setup if you run SRAM AXS; connect to AXS and all shifters, PMs etc. are already there.
- Intuitive UI with handy visual cues. Most settings include a little graphic showing what will change with each option. I had it all set up like I wanted it in a few minutes.
- Very readable map, bright colors, simple but obvious graphics. Not customizable at all though.
- Much more limited data field layout options.
- “Drawer” feature is super handy, but poorly implemented. It pops up to a random height on the screen which partially obscures other data fields.
- No music controls, eat alerts, or bell. No fitness/recovery metrics (I don’t care about these but some might.)
TL;DR: I think the 1050 is really impressive and has way way more total functionality, but be ready to spend a lot of time learning how it works and setting it up just how you want it. In several core areas (notably map readability) the Karoo is much better, and is the inheritor of the Wahoo “it just works/intuitive UI” mantle IMO. I think the Karoo will get better in the coming months as they just opened it up to 3rd party developers, so things like additional data field, music player and eat alerts will be forthcoming.
I’m still torn between these TBH, though surprising myself a bit by leaning toward the Karoo.
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Why not a new Bolt? It works, it simple and costs 3 times less #1050
Honestly after putting some miles on the Karoo 3 and 1050 it’s pretty hard to go back to the Bolt; it seems tiny and hard to read, and the layout options are much more limited.
But he main reason I want something bigger is that I have a bunch of trips to far flung locations planned this year, and I find the map functionality of the Bolt is quite limited, especially for exploring new and unknown areas. After more testing this actually has me leaning toward a Garmin; their maps are just worlds more information rich than either Karoo or Wahoo, include lots of MTB trails and gravel roads that don’t appear on others, and allow a huge amount of customization to show things like convenience stores, restrooms etc. Both Karoo and Garmin also have a native heatmap/popularity overlay, which I find super handy when in areas I don’t know well.
I think the Bolt is great if you want a small/light unit to track rides on familiar terrain, or for racing. But it’s just way behind others in terms of display look/feel and especially mapping.
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thanks! Nice thoughts