Well, damn. My six week old Wahoo Elemnt Bolt cycling computer has failed on me. After having trouble with my old but otherwise very reliable Garmin, I decided to try out something new with the Wahoo device. Six weeks of recording rides without issue then one morning I go to hit start and….
At first I was super happy with the Wahoo Bolt – it’s MUCH easier to set up and use than the Garmin Edge. Being able to change settings and data fields using the mobile app is how it should be done. Garmin take note! Easy to read screen, ability to zoom in and out on data fields, notifications using the row of LEDs across the top, even came with an “aero” shaped out-front mount! All good stuff.
But now that my first unit has died so quickly I don’t know if I will get another one or go back to Garmin. I’ve asked for a full refund under warranty.
Note that I couldn’t find a single other case of this happening with my Google searching so it’s not a common issue. Seems this is rare. In fact almost all reports on the internet are from very happy customers! #FirstWorldProblems
😲
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I’ve been considering this exact same thing, switching to a Wahoo. I LOATHE Garmin and their inconsistencies. Now, I’m in a quandary.
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To be fair, I haven’t heard of a single other case like this. Only happy owners! It was much better than my 510, but once bitten and all that. I’ll probably buy another Garmin.
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Happened to me, too. Really liked the Bolt. Then, yesterday, I pressed the center button to pause my ride and …. zap… white screen. Saw another case just like this on the web…. so not just you. I chose Wahoo after being a Garmin fan for 10 years. Like you, I think I’ll go back to Garmin. (BTW, Wahoo’s CS is closed on the weekend. Not good.)
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Damn. That sucks. I really liked my Bolt, but just couldn’t bring myself to buy another one after that! Got a full refund on mine. Gone back to old faithful Garmin again.
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You are not alone. My bolt failed in exactly the same way after less then 6 months of use.
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Ahhh bugger. I returned mine for a full refund and after much deliberation bought a Garmin 820 instead. Bolt was great to use while it worked though.
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This has happened to me TWICE! the first time after about 2 weeks of riding , the second on the warranty replacement one after 1 ride! I’m going to go back to Garmin 520.
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It’s a shame. A good product otherwise. I did like the BOLT, but I much prefer Garmin and am happy with my new 820.
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Which Garmin did you have before the Bolt and have the inconsistencies decreased since getting the 820? I have the Edge 520 and it regularly does weird things through the GPS – I went up and down Box Hill twice yesterday on the same road yet the GPS map looks like Mr Messy from the Mr Men!
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Edge 510. Was faultless for years. Until it wasn’t. I still have it and it works, but I don’t trust it.
The 820 has been great. GPS traces are fine. Do you have your Garmin on GPS + GLONASS setting on?
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This post seems to be getting a lot more hits this week – maybe there’s been another bad batch of Bolts out there? As much as the Wahoo was incredibly user friendly (Garmin take note of the arrange screens using the phone app function) I am glad to be back in the Garmin Edge camp.
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I have had had two bolts do this. One after around six months, the second a warranty replacement lasted just over a month, Back to Garmin for me!
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I had the same problem last night, tried to reset it then on the ay to work this morning while trying to get it to work the screen cracked, the other problem I have though is I bought it secondhand on eBay. this is after having several Garmins all with problems, might just got back to the iPhone in the pocket set up, gutted.
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Oh that’s a bummer! It’s hard to believe they can’t make a reliable GPS computer these days. That said, my 820 has been faultless since I got it once the Bolt was returned.
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The same thing happened to me yesterday morning. Started riding, pressed start and…..bam. Bricked.
What the?
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Still under warranty? It’s a shame as otherwise they’re an incredibly well designed and user friendly device. Maybe in a few years when my current Garmin dies I’ll try Wahoo again…
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Yes. I have started the warranty process….haven’t heard anything yet. Definitely stick with the Garmin as long as you can!
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