Hammerhead Headwind and other new additions with the latest extensions
This month’s update to Karoo mentions three ‘new’ apps (extensions) and a tweak to the power save profile.
Further Battery Improvements
…added additional configurable options to Battery Save Mode. Riders can now enable Slower processing, and Max brightness settings without needing to turning the screen off. …
Taking a leaf out of Garmin’s book, Hammerhead now allows you to slow down Karoo in some scenarios. Slower processing can be more power-efficient and hence boost battery life. This new feature might enable riders to change the ‘clock speed’ of the computer inside Karoo, or, more likely, it’s a bit more complicated than that.
This is an interesting move and one that I welcome. The change only seems to work in battery save mode, but it may be allowed elsewhere over time. It must be a good thing for us to decide if we want faster-performing devices at the expense of battery life. Beware the downside, though, these may include taking forever to save a workout or ten seconds to render a map screen fully – or is that just Garmin I’m talking about? 😉
Headwind
Not to be confused with Wahoo’s HEADWIND, a smart fan, Karoo’s Headwind seems to be a 3rd party app that adds relative wind and speed direction as a metric.
This is handy information for many riders, and alternatives already exist for Karoo owners with the snazzily designed WINDSOCK. Headwind is by @timklge.
These are stock images, and I couldn’t find the app/extension listed on my Karoo.
Powerbar
Not to be confused with the sports nutritionist of the same name, the new PowerBar app/extension adds a small bar on screen to show power levels.
This might initially appear ‘not that useful’. However, it’s a pretty cool way of adding power info to a map screen without compromising the space available for your map.
Again, I couldn’t find this on Karoo, so here is a stock image.
Last Updated on 28 January 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro — I’ve just bought one.
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — A small keyring adapter you can use anywhere. Essential when away. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Wahoo. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
