Karoo 2 and Leomo Type S - A comparison of Two Android based bike computers
I had planned to. include lots of screen shots in this and make it a very detailed review, but in retrospect, that isn't necessary. I have reviewed the Leomo Type S separately before.
Leomo:
If you are interested in the data gathering pods included with the unit, you can find reviews of that on YouTube or written reviews such as this one.
For the Karoo 2, if you are interested in the features for route planning, etc., you can also find plenty of in depth reviews for that on YouTube and other places as well. In fact, I recommend this review by DC Rainmaker.
I am going to talk about higher level stuff here, from the point of view of someone who wants to buy an Android based bike computer and wants to know which one they should get.
It is inevitable that I will compare them both to the Garmin Edge series a bit, because that is basically considered to be the gold standard by many, and I also happen to have one as well.
Although both the Leomo Type S and the Karoo 2 are Android based bike computers, they basically started at opposite ends both practically and philosophically.
If you take a look at the Edge 1040, basically it can do the following:
1. Track your route and record it to view on a dashboard or the Garmin Connect Mobile app later. This can record your power, cadence, speed, heart rate, etc., depending on what accessories you have. This support extends to indoor trainers as well, although obviously without the GPS portion.
2. It has a live tracking feature so you can send a link for people to see where you are.
3. It supports Varia Radar and lights
4. It also supports Varia View, Virb cameras, and some other more exotic accessories.
5. It allows you to load pre-planned routes and can guide you turn by turn, but there are no voice prompts.
6. There is a very rudimentary onboard navigation option.
7. Display notifications from your phone and allow you to answer them.
I am interested in the features in order of decreasing importance: 6, 3, 2, 1.
I don't normally pre-plan and load routes, and I am not sure why you would want to.
My bike is not a hard core exercise or training tool to me, and it's not a toy. I use it when I want to go somewhere. Because os that, I should be able to enter a postal code, station name, or address, and have it quickly calculate several route options. I should be able to pick one and have it guide me until I arrive. Frankly, it does a very poor job at this. The input is confusing and awkward, the routes suck, and the guidance sucks as well. I have had both Sony and Panasonic navigation units, which look similar to Garmin's Nuvi motorcycle navigation units, but specifically built for bicycles, and they both do exactly what I would want in terms of navigation. The problem is that they were both discontinued. Jitensha Navitime fills the same role on Android. You can't get updated maps for the Sony one at all, and the maps for the Panasonic unit run about $100. Neither have bluetooth, etc. Garmins motorcycle navigation units would be perfect, except the software doesn't have a bicycle mode, so it will try to send you down highways, and not suggest bike routes.
The Karoo looks somewhat similar to the Edge, and has most of the same functions.
1. Varia Radar is supported, but not the lights or View at the moment. I wish the sounds for the radar could be customized as the "Blip!" tone from the Garmin is much more noticeable. Interestingly, the sound it plays when you are connected to bluetooth audio is different - probably because the Karoo has a built in beeper (similar to the edge), but not a real speaker.
2. There is a similar tracking function, but there is no app to view the results, and the dashboard is very primitive at present. You can see your path on a map, but there is no way to get at most of the data or even share a link to anyone else. It seems they assume you want to link to some other service and view the data there - which I don't. As much as the dashboard is very rudimentary, it does play well with mobile browsers, so you can use that on your phone instead of a native app.
3. The route navigation works very similarly to Garmin. You can plan routes on their web site, and then follow them on the device.
4. The device can do basic on-device routing, but it needs to be connected to the internet.
5. Unlike the Edge, the Karoo has a SIM card slot, so you can buy a cheap SIM and always have internet for like $5 per month.
6. The Karoo supports live tracking, but it works slightly differently than the Garmin tracking, in that the same URL is always used. I find this to be better, since I don't have to share a new URL each time. Note that this does not go through your phone's internet - but requires you to be connected to the internet via WiFi or the SIM card slot.
I used OCN Sim cards without issue, but you could also tether to your phone or use a mobile WiFi router. (In fact, you can teacher it to the Leomo!)
7. Notifications from your phone are supported (That's about all the Karoo app for your phone actually does) - but there is no way to answer them at present.
8. The Karoo may not support Garmin's lights, but it does support some bluetooth profiles that Garmin does not, such as the ability to view the power, etc., from my Yamaha YPJ MT Pro.
9. The Karoo supports bluetooth audo, which means that the navigation prompts and radar alerts can go to your Aeropex, Sena, or similar.
Now... what about 3rd party android apps? Here's where things get sticky. The Karoo is much like the Galaxy 5G router in that it runs a version of Android, but they don't call it that because they didn't include Google's apps and the app store. You can side load some apps, but some won't work if they depend on Google Play or other Google specific libraries.
Example: Jitensha Navitime does work, but you have to make an email login instead of using the Google Login. Other people have loaded music apps onto it successfully, but the play store itself will not install properly, so apps like Youtube Music probably won't work properly.
So, I use it to record trips, do live tracking, show the major stats like speed and cadence on the screen in big numbers, and for the Radar functionality.
Then we get to the Leomo Type S.
1. Varia Radar is not natively supported at this time, but a work-around would be to buy the newer model that has Android support and just install the Android app.
2. The tracking function on the Leomo can record data from standard ANT+ and bluetooth sensors just like the Gasmin and Karoo, but like the Garmin it does not support all profiles that the Karoo does. (It does have the special sensors for body position, though). Unlike the Karoo, though, the data is accessible in very detailed form on the web app. You can generate graphs for each ride, compare rides with each other, create more high level dashboard type graphs, and more. It is very fancy, but looks like something a data scientist would enjoy. There is no live tracking at present. The dashboard app does technically work on smart phone browsers, but you'll want to view it in landscape mode.
3. The app does not have navigation prompts similar to the Edge or Karoo at all. It simply lets you sue Google maps or whatever other app you like.
4. The Leomo doesn't have the same sort of route/segment planning or guidance. It does come preloaded with Google maps, though. Google maps is miles ahead of the built in routing on Garmin or Karoo in that you can easily input an address, shop name, station name, etc., and get a bike path.. except when you can't. Since you have access to the normal app store, though, you can choose from dozens or other apps. I use Jitensha navitime since it is one of the best for Japan, but the best option would vary by country. Whether you need to be connected to the internet or not depends on the app. Most of the map apps will also have proper voice guidance, unlike the Garmin.
5. The Leomo can accept a SIM card, which is highly recommended, since you would probably want it not only for the maps, but also for music, etc. (It comes with Youtube, etc., and you can of course install your own music apps as you like). If you really wanted to, you could tether this to your smart phone - on the other hand, you can tether from this device instead, if you have the SIM card installed. In my case, it figured out the settings for my OCN SIM card automatically, which is more than I can say for my Xperia phone. Also, the Leomo can work as an actual phone in case you need to make a call in an emergency.
6. As mentioned above, there seems to be no live tracking at present - but I'm sure "there's an app for that".
7. There is no Leomo app for your (other) smart phone, and no notifications function. You can of course install the chat apps, etc. on you Leomo, but while this works great for apps that let you share an account (like Google Chat), it's not so useful for apps that tie to your phone number (like Line). You can also install a 3rd party app on the Leomo and on your phone to forward notifications. I use an app called "Bridge", but there are others.
8. The Leomo supports typical ANT+ and Bluetooth devices, minus the Varia radar, lights, and View.
9. Like the Karoo, the Leomo does support Bluetooth audio, so you can play music, listen to navigation prompts, etc. (The Leomo does have a built in speaker too, whereas the Karoo can only beep like the Edge).
Summary:
It seems that the Karoo designers started out wanting to copy the Edge, and implemented it using Android for ease of development, but hid most of that form the user. It's different form the Garmin Edge in the same way that the Wahoo or whatever are, but the overall concept is quite similar. Creating routes and segments manually on the computer, using it for training, etc. The fact that it happens to run an Android based system is basically an open secret, but that is not really supported.
The Leomo designers presumably wanted something to act as a data collector for their special sports position optimization tags, and so they built an app to do that and built an Android phone optimized for cycling use. It's still very much an Android phone that has a special Leomo app and some special hardware, though. It can make calls, send SMS messages, take photos and run random Android apps, assuming they will work on such a small screen.
The fact that you can run lots of apps means you might not need to take your primary phone with you at all. The app I use to unlock my house door? it works. The app I use to unlock my bike, no problem. The app to call for roadside assistance if by bike breaks down? no problem. Apps to look for nearby cafes? Work fine. Navigation apps? check.
At the end of the day, for me the Leomo fits my needs much better because it gives me access to real onboard navigation, records my trips, and lets me listen to music along the way.
If you want something that resembles the Edge out of the box, then the Karoo is for you. On the other hand, if you are really planning to use the bluetooth position trackers, then the Leomo is your only choice. I see no problem with using both at the same time as I have been recently.
Both units have displays that are viewable in the dark or in super bright sunlight, so either one will easily beat a smart phone in that respect - but the Karoo's screen does look prettier. The Karoo looks more sexy and feels more sturdy out of the box, but the Leomo has an optional bumper you can buy. The Leomo is also not just for biking, but can be used for running, weight lifting, etc. (I also use it as an MP3 player on the train instead of running down my main phone's batteries!). Both units are water proof, and can be used in the rain - another plus when compared to even waterproof smart phones. Both units can mount securely to your bike. The Leomo mount can be rotated 90 degrees, so you can choose whether to use it in landscape or portrait mode. I mainly use it in portrait mode because that soots the navigation apps better, but if you left it on the Leomo app screen most of the time, then landscape mode would be a better fit. Only the Leomo has the extended battery option - though I am not sure it is necessary for either unit under normal circumstances.
The good thing is that because both devices are based on relatively open hardware and software, but can both be improved over time. If enough people complain to Karoo, perhaps they will open up the Ecosystem and allow the use of the play store. Perhaps they will improve their dashboard site, and allow answering notifications and playing music. On the other hand, Leomo might be persuaded to support Varia Radar, etc. Only time will tell.
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