New Wahoo Elemnt Bolt computer

[Alan]

You can read DC rainmakers exhausting review here:

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/03/wahoo-elemnt-bolt-in-depth-review.html

I am seriously considering a move from my Garmin 800 to this. My only hesitation is that I use the maps a lot and it sounds like the mapping is not as good for my purposes but could be wrong. I like to see where I am on the map and can zoom out if I get off course for some reason to get back on course.

Wahoo has made a ton of progress with their software and people should take a very good look at their products.

Alan

[JasonF]

That looks really cool and could be a good replacement for my aging-but-venerable Edge 500.

[R3awak3n]

looks awesome. I am on the 1000 but I am not gonna lie, pretty impressed with the integration with ride with GPS. I have been wanting garmin to let you do that for a while. For touring for example, it would be nice to get the ride mapped on the phone and sent to the GPS because no one wants to map rides on the unit.

Also at $250 its a pretty nice entry price. If I already did not have the 1000, I would be buying one of these

[EDS]

I think I got 15 e-mails yesterday from various cycling retailers about this so definitely a full court public press on this by Wahoo. Also says something about my junk e-mail problem, but that is a different thread.

It does seem like a good option and worth considering (I was considering a 520 to replace my flaky 500). I would prefer if the "aero" mount had a removable bottom fairing so I could swap a lower mount option for a gopro or light.

[jruhlen1980]

According to comments on the article, it will let you charge it while in use. I don't know why so many computer manufacturers don't include that functionality. Combined with an already-impressive ~15 hr battery life, I may actually consider this. I don't really need mapping functionality, usually, but it doesn't hurt.

I tried the RFLKT a couple years ago but it didn't play nice with Android. It seems like the Element and the Bolt have moved beyond that, since they don't merely act as a mirror of your phone data.

[ptourkin]

According to their email, it will also give you 12.6 seconds in a 40k TT.

[old fat man]

I went from a Garmin 800 to the Elemnt. The Elemnt is much easier to read and the smart phone configuration is a big improvement over Garmin setup. The mapping on the Wahoo is not even close to the 800 when it comes to exploring. The Wahoo doesn't show street names, you can't zoom out very far without losing the local roads, and worst of all, you can't move the map around.

I liked on the 800 that you can move the map to look ahead to the turns coming up, maybe check to see just how far that road goes in the right/wrong direction, and you could see street names. Wahoo frustrates me considerably in this aspect.

In short, if you value mapping, don't buy a Wahoo. For most everything else, it's great.

Oh, and I was able to charge my 800 while riding/recording - I used it for 20 hours straight when riding Boston to Montreal.

[jruhlen1980]

Oh, and I was able to charge my 800 while riding/recording - I used it for 20 hours straight when riding Boston to Montreal.

Thanks, that's good to know. I have a Lezyne Super GPS which can't be charged in use, and my understanding is that the Garmin Edge 20/25 can't be charged during use either.

[many_styles]

Just received my Bolt and was really happy with just how easy the initial set up was; from the QR code to sync and change settings with the phone.

I've been using my trust edge 500 for years, but looking for updated features like auto upload activities to Strava via BT.

[RC.]

I've never even heard of that unit before...seems like a pretty solid deal.

[unterhausen]

I might get one. I'm getting really tired of my garmin 800 forcing me to do things on its terms. And I don't use it to its full potential anyway. I just want it to reliably warn me that a turn is coming up. If it ever has any excuse not to do that, I don't get warnings until after the turn. Two weeks ago, I turned it on, set the turn navigation, and then left the bike for a few minutes. I should have started the timer, because it shut itself off. But when I started it again, no turn navigation. I guess that makes sense to some Swiss software engineers, but not to me.

[ptourkin]

Just received my Bolt and was really happy with just how easy the initial set up was; from the QR code to sync and change settings with the phone.

I've been using my trust edge 500 for years, but looking for updated features like auto upload activities to Strava via BT.

My girlfriend is sidelined from ultra running and is riding more. She needs a lot of help with routing. How is that on the Bolt? Any new thoughts after using it a while. Deciding between a Bolt and an 820. TIA

[Alan]

See link to DC Rainmaker video of the Bolt. You can search for others to see how nav works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZihFYi64V8

Alan

[ptourkin]

See link to DC Rainmaker video of the Bolt. You can search for others to see how nav works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZihFYi64V8

Alan

Thanks. Always my first stop. Just seeing how a real world user is experiencing it.

[oliver]

Thanks, that's good to know. I have a Lezyne Super GPS which can't be charged in use, and my understanding is that the Garmin Edge 20/25 can't be charged during use either.

Half the time I use my Garmin 520, it's also being charged.

[dton]

My girlfriend is sidelined from ultra running and is riding more. She needs a lot of help with routing. How is that on the Bolt? Any new thoughts after using it a while. Deciding between a Bolt and an 820. TIA

I have both and they both have their pros and cons. Coles notes version without getting into the minutiae.

Pure cycling computer use: BOLT - Non-touch screen, very easy to set up and use (if you have a smartphone). Although surprisingly I've had much worse luck with auto syncing with the Wahoo vs my Garmin for some reason. 30% of the time it doesn't sync properly. I'm hopeful Wahoo will fix it as they seem to have a reputation for doing (see below).

Pure GPS/Navigation/Routing use: 820 - it is much harder to use but has much deeper capabilities no doubt. A trade-off.

Casual guidance, occasional routing: BOLT - Strava Routes/map my ride integration means its much easier to load rides when needed.

After dealing with Garmin and their lack of transparency with updates and issues regarding the touchscreen, I was just fed up. Wahoo seems to actually push updates periodically and address user's concerns. I'll be honest, the 820 is nicer hardware-wise, the BOLT does feel a bit cheap. I also liked my 510 much more than the 820 and probably won't have switched to the BOLT if I still had it. Capacitive touchscreens just don't work well as an outdoor device.

[drewellison]

Been using my ELEMNT for about a month now, from a 520.

ELEMNT has a great screen. Very crisp and easy to read. B/W, not color.

Wahoo does indeed have regular software updates to fix things (and things still need fixing and enhancement).

Live Tracking is very basic for now: just a point on a map. Wahoo is promising a big improvement/update in live tracking sometime "in the future".

On the road routing is super easy if you have your phone with you. Open the app, search for somewhere you want to go, hit go there, then the routing automatically appears on your BOLT/ELEMNT and routes you there. And it was an easy thing to do for the one time I tried it. Phone is critical.

The hardest thing about using it is remembering to spell ELEMNT correctly. Geez.

[jbay]

Pure GPS/Navigation/Routing use: 820 - it is much harder to use but has much deeper capabilities no doubt. A trade-off.

Casual guidance, occasional routing: BOLT - Strava Routes/map my ride integration means its much easier to load rides when needed.I might be misunderstanding your points above but, as someone who has used the original Elemnt since it came out, I would have rated its navigational abilities as an order of magnitude better than a Garmin 800 or 810 (I don't have direct experience of the 820). By "navigational abilities," I am chiefly referring to creating a route in RideWithGPS, syncing that (wirelessly) to the Elemnt and then pressing "Start." The map and directional chevrons are easy to see, even in bright sunlight. If you are forced off route, for whatever reason, the unit keeps calm and carries on, something my Garmin didn't do. To date, it has also coped effortlessly (unlike me) with 24+ hour distances and has neither hung nor corrupted the ride data (again, common occurrences with my Garmin).

I have only used the device itself, or rather, the phone app, to generate a route for me once, just to check that functionality out, so I can't comment on it in depth.

My complaints about the device are those mentioned by @old_fat_man above, the lack of ability to pan the map and to zoom out without having roads disappear. I'm less concerned with the lack of road names on the map myself. Finally, the buttons on the original Element are a little cramped, but would appear to be better placed on the Bolt.

-- John

[dton]

I guess I’m in the rare boat where I’ve never experienced a corrupted Garmin file (510 or 820).

When I said it was better with respect to strictly GPS/routing, I was chiefly referring to the fact that Wahoo doesn’t allow you to route to a location without relying on your phone. I find that during most of my rides where I need routing functionality, I would also not have cell phone reception. This eliminates one of the best features of the Wahoo units. That being said, the tiny touchscreen on the 820 would make it so difficult to use that a lot of times you wouldn’t be inclined to rely on its routing features.

I personally did appreciate being able to see street names, but perhaps it’s because I would rely on the street names when guiding myself, as opposed to relying on the computer to alert me. Lastly, with full GPS routing functionality, the 820 is able to re-route you if you go off track, something the Wahoo cannot do.

I do think that for the casual user, the ability to use Strava or RWGPS makes it much more practical and usable.

[SpeedyChix]

For those who have used both Wahoo computers, do the Bolt buttons depress easier than the ELEMNT? I really like the ELEMNT as a computer but didn't care for the mapping for reasons already noted (no zoom, required cell signal). Too large for mtb use and it was only being used on the trainer. So went back to the 500 and still like the 800 for routing. I use RideWithGPS for my mapping so I'm accustomed to plugging the Garmin in for route transfer.

WiFi transfer of ride info on return was a very nice feature and I'd consider replacing the 500 with a Bolt if it's small enough to use off road and the button pressure has been reduced.

[pjmsj21]

I just received my Bolt yesterday and haven't had a chance to get it on the bike. I am an occasional user of route/direction information and the Bolt appears to do a pretty good job of giving you basics in this area. I love the size and the fact that you can prioritize the information that you wan tot see. This is my first GPS enabled bike computer and I didn't want a small laptop screen on my bike. More to follow.

[RockinTukker]

Ordered my Bolt the 1st day it went on sale on Competitive Cyclist. This must have been back in March. Orders were shipped within 2 weeks. Finally received the unit. While setting up, noticed what I thought at first, was a piece of plastic on screen which was casting a shadow on the display. Turned out to be a little "bubble" in screen itself. Returned unit to CC (great customer service). Have been waiting ever since. CC has told me "between the lines" that my unit was not the only one with this display issue. Any one else run into this?

[LegendRider]

Ordered my Bolt the 1st day it went on sale on Competitive Cyclist. This must have been back in March. Orders were shipped within 2 weeks. Finally received the unit. While setting up, noticed what I thought at first, was a piece of plastic on screen which was casting a shadow on the display. Turned out to be a little "bubble" in screen itself. Returned unit to CC (great customer service). Have been waiting ever since. CC has told me "between the lines" that my unit was not the only one with this display issue. Any one else run into this?

I've had mine for about 10 days and haven't noticed a problem. Can you elaborate on the issue? I'm not sure I fully understand.

[RockinTukker]

I've had mine for about 10 days and haven't noticed a problem. Can you elaborate on the issue? I'm not sure I fully understand.

The screen cover (not the display itself) had a tiny little bubble in it. Sort of like a starburst or chip in your car screen. It casts a "shadow" on the display page itself. Upper left corner. Had I not noticed it during set-up, I may not have noticed it during a ride or would think it was a sweat drop. Have returned it and am waiting. Unit seems to be "oversold" and is on back order everywhere...

[benb]

I'd worry about this thing long term due to it's heavy integration with the phone.. it is dependent on continuing software updates.

Garmins still pretty much work in a world where smartphones vanish, and don't need any cell service at all for everything except live tracking and the segment nonsense. (Which I never use)

That said I have had weird issues with downloaded routes being flaky.. never had an issue with anything that didn't come from RideWithGPS.com though.

[dton]

Ordered my Bolt the 1st day it went on sale on Competitive Cyclist. This must have been back in March. Orders were shipped within 2 weeks. Finally received the unit. While setting up, noticed what I thought at first, was a piece of plastic on screen which was casting a shadow on the display. Turned out to be a little "bubble" in screen itself. Returned unit to CC (great customer service). Have been waiting ever since. CC has told me "between the lines" that my unit was not the only one with this display issue. Any one else run into this?

Yes, my LCD died and stopped functioning on the 3rd ride. I also got a new unit which seems okay so far, but I've noticed that the display and button interface doesn't seem to be the best because there's visible artifacts/rainbow effect on the LCD when I press the bottom buttons. Doesn't bode well for long-term durability but I'm hoping Wahoo will fix this in future units if it starts to become a problem.

[old fat man]

I'd worry about this thing long term due to it's heavy integration with the phone.. it is dependent on continuing software updates.

Garmins still pretty much work in a world where smartphones vanish, and don't need any cell service at all for everything except live tracking and the segment nonsense. (Which I never use)

That said I have had weird issues with downloaded routes being flaky.. never had an issue with anything that didn't come from RideWithGPS.com though.

Software updates have been consistent so far. I'd wager to guess Wahoo has released more software updates in the short life of the Elemnt than Garmin has ever released in the 8+ year life of the 500.

The Wahoo works great without cell service. Same as Garmin, it needs cell service for email/txt notifications, live tracking, and I guess for mid ride route building.

[ptourkin]

Thanks for the replies. I was leaning Bolt but now slightly toward 820 because of better navigation help (returning to route when off-route) - it looks like there is an IO or whatever Garmin is calling the add-ons that will sync Strava routes automatically.

The amount of updates from Wahoo since DCR's review is refreshing. Finally some of the computer makers understand that the focus on software is where it's at. Sadly, SRM has not learned that - I get about one a year for the PC8. Suunto is also failing its users in that regard.

Edit: reading some pretty frustrating 820 reviews now. Back at square one.

Also, the Bolt is winning across the hall.

[aki]

Thanks for the replies. I was leaning Bolt but now slightly toward 820 because of better navigation help (returning to route when off-route) - it looks like there is an IO or whatever Garmin is calling the add-ons that will sync Strava routes automatically.

The amount of updates from Wahoo since DCR's review is refreshing. Finally some of the computer makers understand that the focus on software is where it's at. Sadly, SRM has not learned that - I get about one a year for the PC8. Suunto is also failing its users in that regard.

Edit: reading some pretty frustrating 820 reviews now. Back at square one.

Also, the Bolt is winning across the hall.
What did the reviews say?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[ptourkin]

What did the reviews say?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Most common complaints are touch screen and battery life. This is representative: http://inrng.com/2017/02/garmin-820-edge-review/

[b3pkay]

Is it necessary to have your smartphone on/with you during rides in order for Wahoo units to record data? I can't think of a time in so many years that I haven't had my iphone with me, but the idea of being tethered to it is a tiny bit of a turn off.

[justaute]

Is it necessary to have your smartphone on/with you during rides in order for Wahoo units to record data? I can't think of a time in so many years that I haven't had my iphone with me, but the idea of being tethered to it is a tiny bit of a turn off.

No. It has its own GPS.

[skrhone]

Good write up...Thanks
I'll have to find a retailer that carries it to touch it

[benb]

Software updates have been consistent so far. I'd wager to guess Wahoo has released more software updates in the short life of the Elemnt than Garmin has ever released in the 8+ year life of the 500.

The Wahoo works great without cell service. Same as Garmin, it needs cell service for email/txt notifications, live tracking, and I guess for mid ride route building.

It's been a while. My concern was that in the future it could become orphaned. The Garmin allows near complete configuration on device. The Wahoos have to be paired with a cell phone to do some of the configuration/features.

Wahoo releases GPS version Y and you have X. They stop actively supporting X, but it keeps working with Wahoo iPhone program version 1.0. Version Y uses the new Wahoo iPhone program version 2.0. Apple releases iOS 13 and it requires some big changes, Wahoo doesn't make those changes for version 1.0 of the app. You get a new iPhone, now you can't control your Wahoo X cause it's companion app is gone.

Same exact thing could happen with Garmin Connect.. but a higher % of the features don't require Garmin Connect, and the obsolescence issue is lessened because you can use a PC to talk to the device, and PCs don't do the forced obsolescence thing nearly as fast or in as draconian a fashion as iPhone/Android do.

I've actually had so many updates for my Edge 1000 they are annoying!

I've actually got an ancient Garmin eTrex I could pick up and use as a cycle computer and for navigation in a pinch if I wanted to. It hasn't gotten an update in years, but it will work fine cause it's not dependent on another device to fully work. The Edge devices are mostly the same.. they work fine as is. The smartphone features are extra "nice to haves" as opposed to "it doesn't work without the smartphone."

[adampaiva]

Most common complaints are touch screen and battery life. This is representative: http://inrng.com/2017/02/garmin-820-edge-review/

FWIW with my 820 I haven't had issues with the touch screen being overly sensitive and once I set it up so that the screen goes to sleep in between directions (or pressing a button), the battery life has been good.

Its far from perfect though.

[tjk23]

Just wondering if anyone has had any trouble with speed sensor indoor. I rode on the trainer this morning and it kept auto pausing. After 30 minutes of riding it showed an average speed of 11 mph. The average kept dropping even though it was registering 18-20 mph for the ride.

[parallelfish]

Just wondering if anyone has had any trouble with speed sensor indoor. I rode on the trainer this morning and it kept auto pausing. After 30 minutes of riding it showed an average speed of 11 mph. The average kept dropping even though it was registering 18-20 mph for the ride.

Which speed sensor?

[tjk23]

Using the newer Garmin theeraps around the wheel hub.

[berserk87]

I haven't used a speed sensor with my Bolt. I'm not seeing that there is a need for what I'm doing - is there a benefit to using a sensor? Rumor has it that there can be a lag in registering speed without one but I've not seen this happen.

[tjk23]

Only have the sensor for riding indoors on the trainer.

[berserk87]

Only have the sensor for riding indoors on the trainer.

Ah - I get it now - I was thinking about the lack of physical displacement on the trainer. So you can measure power but not "speed" without a sensor.