Originally published at: New Outdoor Updates from Wahoo - Slowtwitch News
Following the launch of the ELEMNT ACE in December, Wahoo announces today updates across their ELEMNT line of bike computers, plus the introduction of their TRACKR RADAR. Although full specs and lists of features were not available, here’s a quick breakdown on what’s coming soon. We will follow up with a full review once we receive the new units to test.
Slightly Increased Screen Sizes
You could describe the three ELEMNT computers as small, big, and HUGE. Or in Starbucks terms, tall, grande, and TRENTA. Below is Eric’s size comparison picture of the from his review of the ACE, juxtaposed with the ROAM V2 and BOLT V2.
Left to right: BOLT V2, ROAM V2, ACE
While the ELEMENT ACE boasts a whopping 3.8″ screen size, the new ROAM V3 has a screen size of 2.8″ (up from 2.7″ on the ROAM V2). The new ROAM V3 also adds touch screen capability like the ACE. Wahoo claims that their touch screens are glove-friendly and have multi-touch capabilities, i.e., pinch, zoom, swipe. The ROAM V3 dimensions are 3.5″ height, 0.7″ depth, and 2.3″ width, with a weight of 3.3 oz.
ROAM V3 sideview
The new BOLT V3 gets the same incremental screen size increase from 2.2″ on the BOLT V2 to 2.3″. Good to see that Wahoo is keeping the BOLT in their lineup, especially for people looking for a smaller bike computer when racing and/or when navigation is less important. The BOLT V3 dimensions are 3″ height, 0.87″ depth, 1.9″ width, with a weight of 2.2 oz.
BOLT V3 sideview
Significant Battery Life Increases
ROAM V3 top view
Bigger isn’t always better on bike computers, except when it comes to battery life. Both new bike computers are getting a significant increase in battery life. The ROAM V3 is now 25 hours, up from 17 hours on the ROAM V2. The BOLT V3 claims a battery life of 20 hours, up from 15 on the BOLT V2. These increases pull the new V3 models closer to the ACE that has a battery life of 30 hours.
BOLT V3 top view
Radar with a Brake Light
Radar has become more and more common on the group rides I frequent. Many people I know (including me) are running a Wahoo bike computer paired with a Garmin Varia. Wahoo was missing this piece of equipment in their outdoor lineup, so the new TRACKR RADAR is a welcomed addition. Here too, we do not have the full specs, nor have we received a test unit.
However, what may set the Wahoo TRACKR RADAR apart from the Garmin Varia is the addition of a built-in accelerometer that enables the device to function like a brake light. The light grows brighter when the bike is slowing down. This could be handy on the group ride, but it remains to be seen if car drivers will behave differently around bikes with brake lights.
One safety feature I do appreciate about this new radar unit is an increasing flash pattern as cars approach. And, I think it’s safe to assume that integration with the Wahoo computers will be seamless. Hopefully, TRACKR RADAR settings can be changed from both the bike computers and the Wahoo ELEMNT phone app.
Prices and Availability
ELENNT ACE – $599.99 – Available now
ELEMNT ROAM V3 – $449.99 – On Sale May 6th
ELEMNT BOLT V3– $329.99 – On Sale May 6th
TRACKR RADAR – $199.99 – Coming Soon
We are excited to get our hands on these units in the coming weeks so this will NOT be the last you hear from us before they are available.