1.5 years ago since the Roam V2 update… so hopefully something this year?
1 Like
No, the 515 was released in May 2020, well before the roughly 2022 transition for most things. :-/
And no, the Wahoo unit won’t update the Garmin one, unfortunately. On the bright side, the 515 receives updates these days so rarely, it probably doesn’t matter much.
1 Like
Thanks for the info. That still seems supremely anachronistic to me, as if Garmin still lives in 2010.
I bought my Varia in 2023, so even though it was released 4 years ago, to my understanding it is still the newest model, isn’t it? I don’t see any excuse as to why I shouldn’t get that basic functionality in 2024.
1 Like
At the most basic level, when companies offer a firmware updater for over-the-air firmware updates over BLE, they’re basically having to create a wrapper for existing Nordic/TI tools to do it. While largely generic, that can be chipset specific.
In this case, this was announced in May 2020, but realistically it’s probably got chipsets on it from the 2016-2020 timeframe, since there’s usually quite a lead-time on which chipset you to go market with, compared to which ones area available.
Thus if you look at the timeframes for the development of that product, during almost the entire product development cycle the only devices that connected to it were actually only Garmin devices. It wasn’t till about 6 months prior to release that Wahoo added Radar support. From a hardware development standpoint at Garmin’s scale, that’s usually too late to turn the ship.
Obviously, with enough effort - Garmin could add a firmware updater for that unit via GCM. But again, it so rarely gets updates (seemingly about once per year, and usually very minor at best), it’s just not worth it for something 4 years old. Frankly, I’d rather them focus on somehow not taking another 4 years to add a USB-C port to a Varia 615 or whatever it’d be called. 
6 Likes
Love your explanation, that certainly puts things into perspective. Thanks! 
Now don’t get greedy!
To add to that: I want proper USB-C ports. Some of my newer appliances only charge via a USB-A-to-USB-C cable on a USB-A charger. Apparently, that’s what happens when the device manufacturer wants to same literally some cents here and there, and the hardware would then not support the correct handshakes to negotiate charging currents.
Yeah, USB-C power delivery/charging is a nightmare.
Thankfully, while Garmin took half a decade to get there, all of their devices that I’ve tested thus far do indeed charge properly on both USB-C PD and non-PD (and every other variant in between) that I’ve tried. TLDR: They did that part right.
Quick off the top of my head list includes: Varia RCT-715, Edge 540/840/1040, inReach Mini 2, inReach Messenger…
2 Likes
mumbles about companies that just change the physical connector and nothing else so it becomes a mess
2 Likes
Some new updates to the Bolt and Roam 
The light feature seems nice, pretty handy to have lights that turn themselves on automatically when you start a ride!
Now we just need new hardware 
3 Likes
Wow, this is sweet.
[quote]Last but not least (ok, it’s least)
[/quote]
Say what @dcrainmaker , this is the best feature I think I’ve ever seen.
I really hope they bring out a new cycling computer(s). I like the small Bolt, but the v2 just wasn’t enough of an upgrade to bother. But I might treat myself if they bring out a new one that is really good and priced competitively, and not too large.
What new features do you want?
I got a BOLT V2 replacement under warranty when the screen on my V1 failed, the colour screen makes a big difference to how usable the maps are.
I’d like a Roam with smaller bezels and overall size (one set of LEDs is plenty) and a touchscreen.
A touchscreen is the last thing anybody should want while wearing gloves controlling a moving vehicle. Tactile buttons are a safety feature. Voice control would be better.
3 Likes
Meh. Just buy gloves with the “touch” thing on the index finger. Problem solved.
Garmin has implemented touchscreens pretty well; all can still be controlled with buttons if you prefer, the touchscreen is a handy redundancy.
The touchscreen allows swiping between screens/functions without much fine motor control needed, which I find actually easier than finding a button mid-ride. Plus it’s super handy for setting up and programming the unit (not done while riding obvs.) With the amount of customization possible, a touchscreen makes that way easier. I know it can be done via an app but ability to easily swap screens or features around without messing with your phone is super handy.
1 Like
IMHO Garmin is overly reliant on the touchscreen. My 1030 definitely needs more buttons and I really miss that about my prior ELMNT.
1 Like
The 840 has the 540’s buttons and the touchscreen, and it works well. It’s a good bet Garmin will do this for the 10xx series going in the next generation as well.
1 Like
I have been pretty anit-Touch Screen for a number of years.,dating as far back as the Motorola MotoActv fitness watch (look it up…honestly, it was a device ahead of its time and technology). Things didn’t improve any by the time of the Garmin 820. I honestly couldn’t stand riding with a touch screen and was adamant that it was the result of “Oh, we use touch screens here so let’s do it over here too” thinking without fully considering the drawbacks.
But since the Karoo 2 and now with the new X40 series from Garmin, the technology has improved significantly. The Karoo 2 is still superior to the Garmin, but the differences are getting smaller. I don’t mind using touch screens now on the bike.
2 Likes
Wonder if I should send back my element and wait for a new model hmmm.
With the new features just released for the V2, I don’t think a new V3 is right around the corner
2 Likes