Wahoo List

[Richard Stum]

It seems like a year or so ago, someone set up a separate Google list for Wahoo rando users. Can someone point me toward that? Is it still active?

Best,
Rando Richard

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[Bill Gobie]

You mean where we compared notes about Wahoo failures? Mark Thomas set it up. It's RandosVsWahoos. You're a member. There hasn't been any traffic for a long time. I think we've all given up on Wahoo taking us seriously.

Bill

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[Richard Stum]

That is the name....a search didn't find it. Thx. Several members of our group on last weekend's brevet series had Wahoo issues. I guess it is time to move on to Garmin. I may post some specifics on that list. 

~ RR

[Bill Gobie]

I heard there were Wahoo problems on SIR's 600 last weekend.

I don't have much faith in Garmin, either. I think both companies have lost the plot wrt simple, reliable navigation. 

Bill

[Bill Bryant]

A few years ago, I noticed a few very experienced randonneurs might carry more than one GPS unit, especially on big events in foreign countries. (Usually one on the handlebars per normal, but another one or two stowed away as back-ups.) At the time I thought that this was excessive worry. But now, following this thread, I’m not so sure it was?

Also, one rider had his GPS stolen off his handlebars at the 2019 PBP while he was sleeping at a control. Yikes! Then I learned he carried another as back-up and carried on without any problems. 

Bill Bryant

Santa Cruz Randonneurs

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[Dave Thompson]

I retired my wahoo bolt a couple of years ago.  When I used to use the garmin 705, I found the wahoo easier to use for some events where the route crossed over itself and simply following the breadcrumbs on the 705 didn't give advice when you crossed your own route.  The wahoo, with its chevrons, was more effective.  The bolt didn't take much space on my handlebars and the 705 was also small.  I usually had my cellphone on the bars as well and joked that it was the best 2 out of 3.

Then I moved to the edge 1230 and now the 1240 - much better at handling complex routes but still, at times, I find that I'll want to look at the route with the ridewithgps app to figure out where I'm supposed to be with parallel roads.  The garmin also has random quirks ... If I have the route downloaded to the phone and ridewithgps navigation running in the background, it will provide prompts at turns that I might miss because I'm not looking at the garmin all the time.  

Dave.

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[Sheri Rosenbaum]

Totally agree. Wahoo handles routes that cross over itself better than Wahoo. But Wahoo has its hiccups too. 

As far as a Garmin being stolen off a bike, two suggestions. First, use the tether that comes with the head unit. Deters would be thieves. Second, set the alarm that comes on most of the Garmin head units. It’s ear piercing and the thief will run away without the Garmin. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 20, 2025, at 10:26 AM, Dave Thompson <thomp...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Dave]

I don't have experience with Wahoo or Garmin, but thought I'd add that I've been very happy with my Hammerhead Karoo.

Dave B

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[Mike Sturgill]

Hi Dave,

I have a question about Karoo. I've had multiple friends who gave up on Karoo because they didn't support the download of the custom cues created in RWGPS. The riders even discussed the issue with Karoo and their response was that they created their own cues and they do look at POIs instead. My question: Does Karoo now support the download and usage of the custom cues created with RWGPS?

Thanks,
-Mike

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[Richard Stum]

Dave,

It sounds like you have made the "switch" from Wahoo to the big "G." Didn't Mark Thomas also try Wahoo for a season and then go back to Garmin? 

Having turn by turn navigation, like I get on my Smartphone while driving, doesn't seem like too much to ask is it? 

~ RR

[Rob Hawks]

The Elemnt Ace offers audio navigation.

Rob

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[ken jessett]

I have a friend who used a smart phone as his only means of navigation for a recent LeJog. So, it is doable - and a lot cheaper with greater visibility than buying yet another pricey device. I expect navigation on a smart phone will only get better.

My main concern has always been do the turn by turns show sufficient information.

It's one thing to ride along long stretches of US country roads with few turns, but get to Britain and Europe with turns every ten yards, then it all becomes a little bit crazy if one has to discern the meaning behind it all. What one needs is a feeling of certainty. 

Ken Jessett 

[Mike Binnix]

Whenever I've tried it, the limiting factor using a phone for navigation over long distances has been battery life.  Keeping the screen on constantly to follow you're own dot and see the alerts come up, is a battery killer.   More efficient screens and batteries over time, combined with better on-bike charging solutions may overcome this limitation soon (or has already?).  To date, that's been my primary reason for sticking with the pricey extra device.

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Mike Binnix

410-340-2791

mi...@binnix.net

[Bill Gobie]

The RwGPS phone app displays the cues as written, without omitting any nor truncation or Artificial Idiocy summations. I just wish the company had some older employees who could drive home the need for larger fonts. Way too much wasted screen space.

Bill

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[ken jessett]

There isn't a definitive official statement from Samsung specifically targeting "day-long cycling trips" for GPS routing improvements. However, there are some relevant points to consider:

• General improvements: Samsung constantly seeks to improve battery life across its devices through hardware and software optimization. These improvements would inherently benefit GPS usage, including routing for cycling trips.
• Challenges of continuous GPS: GPS is known to be power-hungry. Achieving truly "day-long" battery life with constant GPS usage on any smartphone is challenging without external power sources.
• Workarounds: Users often rely on power banks to extend battery life during long GPS usage.
• Alternative devices: For dedicated cycling performance tracking and long GPS usage, devices like Garmin bike computers are often preferred.
• Samsung's focus on fitness features: Samsung is incorporating cycling-related features in its devices, such as the Cycling FTP (functional threshold power) test on the Galaxy Watch. This suggests an interest in supporting cyclists, which could lead to further battery optimizations for GPS use in the future. 

• 
  

In summary: While Samsung aims for improved battery life, whether it's enough for a full day of continuous GPS routing for cycling depends on the specific device model, usage patterns, and potential use of external power sources. For extended, uninterrupted GPS use, dedicated cycling computers are currently a more reliable option. 

So, there it is for the time being.

Ken.

[Kitty Goursolle]

My 2 Wahoo Elemt Bolts have overheated and melted in the charging port when re-charging with a voltage adaptor in the UK and Japan. Wahoo has replaced the units each time for me. I contacted Wahoo's customer service and said the magic words" this is is a fire hazard".  Lesson learned--- USA to UK and Japan type power plug adaptors might cause yours to overheat and melt...CANNOT plug it it and leave unattended. Also--was told by the good people at Formby Cycles, Liverpool, UK, to NOT use a charging cord with any metal near the actual plug end, only use the charging cord that comes with the Wahoo--it is black plastic all the way. YMMV! 

To address the problem of re-charging during an event, I've used the generator powered Sinewave headamp's USB port to maintain charge in the Wahoo. I've had good success with this.  Alteratively, now we have very efficient power banks and rechargable lights, good enough for a 1200k, although I don't know if these power banks would also keep a GPS charged as well...especially for 90 hours. Who has used just a power bank for both lights and GPS? Chime in!