Garmin or Wahoo?

13

Comments

  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Got a Bolt today to see how it compares to my Edge 1000.
    Setup was easy and liking the iPhone app which is very good to setup data screens etc.

    First ride with it tomorrow and will report back.

    One thing I don’t like is the startup time and shitty graphics, but by no means a deal breaker just yet.
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  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Ryan_W wrote:
    Got a Bolt today to see how it compares to my Edge 1000.
    Setup was easy and liking the iPhone app which is very good to setup data screens etc.

    First ride with it tomorrow and will report back.

    One thing I don’t like is the startup time and sh!tty graphics, but by no means a deal breaker just yet.

    It seemed to get slower on the last update. Obvs pair all your PM's HRM's & Phones etc pre-ride
    Set up of pages on the App may take a few attempts to get what you want but the zoom feature allows pages with lots of data if you want/ need it
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • helterskelter
    helterskelter Posts: 66
    Just taken delivery of a Bolt upgrading from a Garmin edge 200. The biggest factors for me choosing this over the 520 was the good old black 'n' white display and as I always ride with my phone, the ability of the "take me to" function on the app to get turn by turn directions home or whatever desitination via bike friendly roads. (just tried it out and it gave me the least dangerous route home out of 3).

    In 4 years the 200 has never skipped a beat but just too many people out there with poor experiences with the 520 for my liking.
  • surfercyclist
    surfercyclist Posts: 894
    One further issue I have with my Bolt is I regularly have to re-pair it with phone. When I turn on Bolt after start up it with bleep and say paired with phone but often isn't. I then have to scan the QR code again to pair it. Not a massive problem but it is irritating. And it often takes several goes to get the scan to pair.
  • patpalloon
    patpalloon Posts: 14
    Helterskelter wrote:
    Just taken delivery of a Bolt upgrading from a Garmin edge 200. The biggest factors for me choosing this over the 520 was the good old black 'n' white display and as I always ride with my phone, the ability of the "take me to" function on the app to get turn by turn directions home or whatever desitination via bike friendly roads. (just tried it out and it gave me the least dangerous route home out of 3).

    In 4 years the 200 has never skipped a beat but just too many people out there with poor experiences with the 520 for my liking.
    I've just taken my edge 820 Explore back for a refund. Touch screen was poor, very difficult to zoom in and out. The worst thing was trying to search for a location and navigate to it on the fly. So I too have ordered a wahoo bolt! Like you, being able to do it all on the phone seems so much better. I also like the way you can easily zoom in with the maps and data fields. I suspect the maps won't be as good on the Garmin but I think the usability and improved battery life will more than compensate.
  • arthur_scrimshaw
    arthur_scrimshaw Posts: 2,596
    I've just bought an edge 1000 on Sports Pursuit for £250, I've had an 800 since 2011 and it's been faultless. I've been tempted by the Elemnt but feel the larger screen on the Garmin may be better for me. My main use is navigation and thought the Garmin might suit me better but 'm a bit intrigued by some comments I've read about the Elemnt actually being very good in this respect?
  • mamil314
    mamil314 Posts: 1,103
    imafatman wrote:
    I have an 820 and honestly as a bit of a techy who likes his gadgets.... It's ******* awful.

    The touch screen is horrendous. The mapping is horrendous. God forbid you take a wrong turn the thing will spend 45 minutes recalculating and probably crash in the process. And yes I know you can disable the recalculating and instead keep cycling towards the line and hope that a) you find it or b) you were on the right road all along but it thinks you are off-piste as it were.

    Unfortunately as far as cycle computers go there isn't anything that really solves these problems to my satisfaction.

    So I live in hope that one day Garmin will release something which is on par with a smart phone from 2008.


    Quite a few seem to be offloading 820 on the auction site and replacing with 520 plus.
  • patpalloon
    patpalloon Posts: 14
    Here is my review of the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt.

    As there is also an Elemnt I will just refer to it as the Bolt. In summary, I absolutely love this device, and it wipes the floor with the Garmin! Buying a new bike GPS computer is quite a big deal for me, as my previous Garmin Edge 500 had served me well for 8 years. But it's lack of mapping and no wireless connection meant an upgrade was long overdue. Having been a long term Garmin user, I was a bit apprehensive about 'jumping ship'. In fact first of all I got the Garmin Edge 820 Explore - but made sure I kept it pristine and kept all the packaging so I could return it if I wanted to - and I did. Why I returned it? The awful touch screen which has been much discussed, but also the UI is very clunky particularly if you try and navigate with it 'on the go'. Admittedly, you don't need a data connection to do this, but trying to do this on the touch screen and having to wait ages for it to load will have you tearing your hair out. Also it's near impossible to zoom in and out of the maps.

    My concerns re the Bolt were: a/ the screen and maps being monochrome vs the colour Garmin. The Bolt screen is actually far clearer, especially in sunlight where the Garmin map is very hard to read. b/ Mounting the Bolt. I've got Garmin mounts on all of my bikes. All you have to do is snip a tiny bit of plastic away and the Bolt fits perfectly. And so will your Garmin, but trust me, you won't be going back to Garmin! c/ Not being able to use Garmin Connect. All my rides are on here so I didn't want to lose it. I got round this by synching my Dropbox account to the Bolt. Then it saves it as a .fit file on Dropbox and you can import this to Garmin Connect easily/ d/ The Garmin comes with European maps preloaded. Well actually on the Bolt it has this and more - you can add/update maps from anywhere in the world!

    So to the unit itself. It's a doddle to set up via the smartphone app which worked seamlessly. It was a bit complicated setting up all the data fields, but I like several data screens and you only have to do all that once. The device is much easier to operate on the go than the Garmin, with the buttons being much easier to use. I particularly liked being able to zoom in and out of data screens and the maps easily. I also like the way the first data field is enlarged - I usually have this for speed. The old Garmins had this too but on the new one it wouldn't do that. You could vary the amount of data fields but you couldn't make one field enlarged relative to the others. The battery life is much better than the Garmin. You could get 2 days touring out of this easily.

    Where it really excels is the navigating, particularly if you want to change route when you are out. You can use the 'take me there' feature on the app or Komoot and then it just appears on the Bolt and off you go. It integrates with Komoot, RWGPS and Strava seamlessly. I recently used it for Lon Las Cymru and it was faultless. I created the route using RWGPS which I followed every day and then if I wanted to head off to a campsite that was a bit off the route I just used the Bolt to find it.
  • flopstocks
    flopstocks Posts: 110
    Not sure how common this is but my Wahoo Bolt failed after around six months (screen died) luckily it fell within warranty. My friend also had a similar issue with his.

    Makes me wonder how good the Wahoo will be long term, never had any issues like this with the Garmin. If this happens after the 12 month warranty period I would be really pissed off.
  • surfercyclist
    surfercyclist Posts: 894
    flopstocks wrote:
    Not sure how common this is but my Wahoo Bolt failed after around six months (screen died) luckily it fell within warranty. My friend also had a similar issue with his.

    Makes me wonder how good the Wahoo will be long term, never had any issues like this with the Garmin. If this happens after the 12 month warranty period I would be really pissed off.

    Well this has happened twice with me, so now on 3rd Bolt, all replaced no fuss by Wiggle. Latest one been fine, however as my previous posts said, the screen issues happened whilst on turbo with backlight on continually. Wahoo say having backlight on shouldn't cause any issues but only time will tell. For what it's worth when I use Bolt on turbo(winter only so hopefully not for 6 months or so) then I use now with back light resolutely OFF.
  • spannerdude
    spannerdude Posts: 56
    I have just bought the Garmin Edge performance pack, hr/cadence & speed sensor for £299 - BC discount to replace a 810
    Nothing wrong with the 810,
    Just clear your activities every now and then. Never a serious problem

    just wanted the group ride,route sharing for a trip to France
    Only used the 1000 a couple of times so fingers crossed
  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    Do the Wahoo computers enable you to upload a workout (based on HR, power, cadence etc.) to the unit and have it prompt you when the intervals change? I use this feature all the time for training out on the road with my Garmin 510 and previously with a Garmin 500.
  • supermurph09
    supermurph09 Posts: 2,471
    bobones wrote:
    Do the Wahoo computers enable you to upload a workout (based on HR, power, cadence etc.) to the unit and have it prompt you when the intervals change? I use this feature all the time for training out on the road with my Garmin 510 and previously with a Garmin 500.

    Yes it does, I create the workouts in training peaks.
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  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    Hmm so I need a 3rd party account to create workouts ...

    https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en- ... -workouts-

    Doesn't seem as simple as the Garmin, where I can create/edit the workouts on the device or on the Garmin connect app.
  • mrpbennett
    mrpbennett Posts: 102
    I will always stick with Garmin because it's what I know.

    I upgraded from Edge 500 to Edge 820 and couldnt be happier.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    bobones wrote:
    Hmm so I need a 3rd party account to create workouts ...

    https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en- ... -workouts-

    Doesn't seem as simple as the Garmin, where I can create/edit the workouts on the device or on the Garmin connect app.

    Ride with GPS is free and a doddle to use. Its no different to using Strava or Garmin Connect to create a route. As soon as you create the route, it is uploaded to your phone, ready to be selected when you want to ride it.
    mrpbennett wrote:
    I will always stick with Garmin because it's what I know.

    I upgraded from Edge 500 to Edge 820 and couldnt be happier.

    Rather a blinkered view. I was a lifelong Garmin user (705, 810 & 820) but enough was enough with their constant firmware glitches and the pants operation of the 820. In the 12 months I've had the Wahoo, they've had one issue with the cloud and fixed it within hours of it being reported by users.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    philthy3 wrote:
    bobones wrote:
    Hmm so I need a 3rd party account to create workouts ...

    https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en- ... -workouts-

    Doesn't seem as simple as the Garmin, where I can create/edit the workouts on the device or on the Garmin connect app.

    Ride with GPS is free and a doddle to use. Its no different to using Strava or Garmin Connect to create a route. As soon as you create the route, it is uploaded to your phone, ready to be selected when you want to ride it.

    I'm asking about workouts, not routes.
  • mrpbennett
    mrpbennett Posts: 102
    mrpbennett wrote:
    I will always stick with Garmin because it's what I know.

    I upgraded from Edge 500 to Edge 820 and couldnt be happier.

    Rather a blinkered view. I was a lifelong Garmin user (705, 810 & 820) but enough was enough with their constant firmware glitches and the pants operation of the 820. In the 12 months I've had the Wahoo, they've had one issue with the cloud and fixed it within hours of it being reported by users.[/quote]

    To be honest i havent had any issues with the Garmin even during my edge 500.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    bobones wrote:
    philthy3 wrote:
    bobones wrote:
    Hmm so I need a 3rd party account to create workouts ...

    https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en- ... -workouts-

    Doesn't seem as simple as the Garmin, where I can create/edit the workouts on the device or on the Garmin connect app.

    Ride with GPS is free and a doddle to use. Its no different to using Strava or Garmin Connect to create a route. As soon as you create the route, it is uploaded to your phone, ready to be selected when you want to ride it.

    I'm asking about workouts, not routes.

    The Wahoo has workouts on it.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • 58585
    58585 Posts: 207
    I switched from a 510 to a bolt last year, mainly because the 510 had a habit of losing GPS signal especially after being used abroad. Sometimes it took days of restarting and troubleshooting before it suddenly came back to life.
    Won't go back to Garmin now, the bolt is that much better.
    Only niggles with the wahoo are the map - you can only zoom in and out, and you can't pan it around which is a shame but that's the price of not having a touch screen I guess. You need to use the app to pan round, but then since you need to stop and get your phone out you can just use google maps anyway.
    Also the mount is a pain, I wish they used the same as the garmin - it's a one time cost to change but it is a pain.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    58585 wrote:
    I switched from a 510 to a bolt last year, mainly because the 510 had a habit of losing GPS signal especially after being used abroad. Sometimes it took days of restarting and troubleshooting before it suddenly came back to life.
    Won't go back to Garmin now, the bolt is that much better.
    Only niggles with the wahoo are the map - you can only zoom in and out, and you can't pan it around which is a shame but that's the price of not having a touch screen I guess. You need to use the app to pan round, but then since you need to stop and get your phone out you can just use google maps anyway.
    Also the mount is a pain, I wish they used the same as the garmin - it's a one time cost to change but it is a pain.

    It comes with 3 mounts; the out front mount and 2 stem mounts. It can fit some Garmin/K-Edge mounts but the selling point of the Bolt was the aerodynamic mount.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • 58585
    58585 Posts: 207
    Yep, but the pain comes when you try and fit it to a set of Deda extensions on a TT bike...
  • vpnikolov
    vpnikolov Posts: 568
    58585 wrote:
    Yep, but the pain comes when you try and fit it to a set of Deda extensions on a TT bike...
    Check out Raceware Direct. They make custom 3D printed mounts. Mind you, not the cheapest out there, but they will have something for you.
  • 3wheeler
    3wheeler Posts: 110
    philthy3 wrote:
    bobones wrote:
    philthy3 wrote:
    bobones wrote:
    Hmm so I need a 3rd party account to create workouts ...

    https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en- ... -workouts-

    Doesn't seem as simple as the Garmin, where I can create/edit the workouts on the device or on the Garmin connect app.

    Ride with GPS is free and a doddle to use. Its no different to using Strava or Garmin Connect to create a route. As soon as you create the route, it is uploaded to your phone, ready to be selected when you want to ride it.

    I'm asking about workouts, not routes.

    The Wahoo has workouts on it.

    It has a couple of pre-defined ones built in, but you will need to use another app such as training peaks or today's plan if you want to create your own. training peaks offers basic functionality for free but you can't plan your workouts ahead of time, just today, unless you pay for a subscription. today's plan is subscription only. Either way you will probably end up paying extra if you want to create planned workouts.
  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    3wheeler wrote:
    philthy3 wrote:
    bobones wrote:
    philthy3 wrote:
    bobones wrote:
    Hmm so I need a 3rd party account to create workouts ...

    https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en- ... -workouts-

    Doesn't seem as simple as the Garmin, where I can create/edit the workouts on the device or on the Garmin connect app.

    Ride with GPS is free and a doddle to use. Its no different to using Strava or Garmin Connect to create a route. As soon as you create the route, it is uploaded to your phone, ready to be selected when you want to ride it.

    I'm asking about workouts, not routes.

    The Wahoo has workouts on it.

    It has a couple of pre-defined ones built in, but you will need to use another app such as training peaks or today's plan if you want to create your own. training peaks offers basic functionality for free but you can't plan your workouts ahead of time, just today, unless you pay for a subscription. today's plan is subscription only. Either way you will probably end up paying extra if you want to create planned workouts.
    Thanks. This is why I'll just stick with my 510 for now.
  • patpalloon
    patpalloon Posts: 14
    Well converting my Garmin mounts so the Wahoo would fit took some nail clippers and all of 5 minutes..
    The only thing that the Garmin did better IMO was the ability to offer circular routes (mind you allow several minutes for it to work one out). I don't think Wahoo can do circular routes - unless this is possible on RWGPS or Komoot?
  • flopstocks
    flopstocks Posts: 110
    edited June 2018
    SurferCyclist wrote:
    flopstocks wrote:
    Not sure how common this is but my Wahoo Bolt failed after around six months (screen died) luckily it fell within warranty. My friend also had a similar issue with his.

    Makes me wonder how good the Wahoo will be long term, never had any issues like this with the Garmin. If this happens after the 12 month warranty period I would be really pissed off.

    Well this has happened twice with me, so now on 3rd Bolt, all replaced no fuss by Wiggle. Latest one been fine, however as my previous posts said, the screen issues happened whilst on turbo with backlight on continually. Wahoo say having backlight on shouldn't cause any issues but only time will tell. For what it's worth when I use Bolt on turbo(winter only so hopefully not for 6 months or so) then I use now with back light resolutely OFF.

    Unbelievable, my second Wahoo bolt has failed with the same issue after just over a month. I am now seriously thinking about switching back to Garmin.
  • redvision
    redvision Posts: 2,958
    flopstocks wrote:
    SurferCyclist wrote:
    flopstocks wrote:
    Not sure how common this is but my Wahoo Bolt failed after around six months (screen died) luckily it fell within warranty. My friend also had a similar issue with his.

    Makes me wonder how good the Wahoo will be long term, never had any issues like this with the Garmin. If this happens after the 12 month warranty period I would be really pissed off.

    Well this has happened twice with me, so now on 3rd Bolt, all replaced no fuss by Wiggle. Latest one been fine, however as my previous posts said, the screen issues happened whilst on turbo with backlight on continually. Wahoo say having backlight on shouldn't cause any issues but only time will tell. For what it's worth when I use Bolt on turbo(winter only so hopefully not for 6 months or so) then I use now with back light resolutely OFF.

    Unbelievable, my second Wahoo bolt has failed with the same issue after just over a month. I am now seriously thinking about switching back to Garmin now.

    Sounds like you have been unlucky as it is regarded as an extremely reliable device, with very few reports of failures.
  • flopstocks
    flopstocks Posts: 110
    This is exactly what mine did

    https://youtu.be/jkMejabPbbk
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    redvision wrote:
    flopstocks wrote:
    SurferCyclist wrote:
    flopstocks wrote:
    Not sure how common this is but my Wahoo Bolt failed after around six months (screen died) luckily it fell within warranty. My friend also had a similar issue with his.

    Makes me wonder how good the Wahoo will be long term, never had any issues like this with the Garmin. If this happens after the 12 month warranty period I would be really pissed off.

    Well this has happened twice with me, so now on 3rd Bolt, all replaced no fuss by Wiggle. Latest one been fine, however as my previous posts said, the screen issues happened whilst on turbo with backlight on continually. Wahoo say having backlight on shouldn't cause any issues but only time will tell. For what it's worth when I use Bolt on turbo(winter only so hopefully not for 6 months or so) then I use now with back light resolutely OFF.

    Unbelievable, my second Wahoo bolt has failed with the same issue after just over a month. I am now seriously thinking about switching back to Garmin now.

    Sounds like you have been unlucky as it is regarded as an extremely reliable device, with very few reports of failures.

    Apart from all the failures on here and other forums.

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