Test of the new Wahoo ELEMNT Roam V3 GPS computer

Wahoo ELEMNT Roam V3: a measured evolution that aims for versatility

Wahoo continues to refine its range of GPS cycling computers with the ELEMNT Roam V3, a model that succeeds the Roam V2 while positioning itself as a more compact alternative to the ELEMNT Ace, the brand's top-of-the-range model, from which it shares many of the same features. We have testThis new ELEMNT Roam V3 has been available for several weeks.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

At the end of 2024, Wahoo rushed to launch the ELEMNT Ace. A GPS computer that marked a clear evolution in the American brand's range, but presented earlier than its final version. The first computers suffered from some bugs, corrected by software updates such as on the copy we received in test.

With the new ELEMNT Roam launched in April, Wahoo has been a little more cautious, this time with a device that is perfectly fine-tuned at the time of its launch. A versatile GPS computer that takes most of the features of the ELEMNT Ace (except the wind sensor, which was not very convincing), in a more compact format, in line with to the previous ELEMNT Roam.

In the Wahoo range, this ELEMNT Roam V3 fits between the ELEMNT Bolt V3, a little smaller and lighter but which works only with buttons, and the ELEMNT Ace, with its imposing dimensions, ideal for viewing the tracking of a GPS track. Like the latter, this new Roam works both with touch and buttons, and it now has an integrated speaker, to benefit from voice guidance while driving or the doorbell function. A function already appreciated on the Garmin Edge 1050.

=> Buy a Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V3 GPS computer for €329

Wahoo ELEMNT Roam V3 Key Features

À € 449,99, the Roam V3 is positioned as a versatile meter, suitable for those looking for a balance between advanced navigation, compactness and autonomy. In terms of size, it is a competitor of the Garmin Edge 840. Here are its main characteristics:

• Screen – The 2,8-inch TFT touchscreen displays 16 million colors, with an anti-reflective coating and adaptive brightness (four levels: High, Medium, Low, Off). The resolution of 320 × 480 pixels provides good readability of maps and data.
• Navigation – Dual-band GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS) ensures precise location. The Roam V3 offers voice alerts via a built-in speaker, turn-by-turn navigation, features like “ Back on track » (route recalculation) and « retrace Route". Maps include street names and points of interest (POIs).
• Autonomy – Up to 25 hours, with USB-C charging.
• Connectivity – Bluetooth LE 5.0, ANT+ (FE-C), dual-band Wi-Fi (2,4/5 GHz) to sync with sensors (heart rate, power, cadence) and apps like Strava, Komoot or TrainingPeaks.
• Storage and memory – 64GB of storage and 2GB of RAM for smooth browsing and ample space for maps.
• Features – The table “ Ready-to-Ride » speeds up startup, activity profiles (Route, Gravel, Indoor) personalize the experience, and the SUMMIT function helps manage climbs. The Roam V3 also allows you to control devices like GoPros, lights, or radars.
• Design – Weight of 110 g, dimensions of 96 × 53 × 24 mm, IPX7 waterproofing (immersion up to 1 m for 30 min), and operation from -20 °C to +50 °C.
• Application – The new Wahoo app replaces the old ELEMNT Companion for setting up the device and analyzing data.

=> Buy a Garmin Edge 840 GPS computer for €399

What's different compared to the ELEMNT Roam V2

The new ELEMNT Roam evolves both in size and functionality compared to the previous version, launched in 2022. Here are the main differences between the previous and new ELEMNT Roam:

• Screen – The V3 upgrades to a 2,8-inch touchscreen (vs. 2,7-inch non-touchscreen on the V2), with higher resolution and 16 million colors (vs. 64 colors).
• Discontinuation of QuickLook LEDs – The Roam V2 had LEDs on the sides of the meter, removed on the V3.
• Autonomy – The V3 offers 25 hours of battery life according to Wahoo compared to 17 hours for the V2.
• Navigation – The V3 adds voice alerts, and enriches the maps with street names and POIs. Both models bytagfeatures like route recalculation, but the V3 is smoother thanks to its 64GB of storage (compared to 32GB) and 2GB of RAM.
• Design – The V3 is slightly heavier (110g vs. 99g) and larger (96×53×24mm vs. 90,5×59,5×20,5mm). It adopts an improved USB-C port and a design compatible with more third-party media.
• Price – At €449,99, the V3 is more expensive than the V2 (€399,99).

A smaller ELEMNT Ace, really?

The ELEMNT Ace is more geared toward touring cyclists and long-distance adventurers with its generous dimensions. The Roam V3 is more compact and versatile. Here's how to tell the two computers apart:

• Weight and dimensions – The Roam V3 is much lighter (110g vs 208g) and compact (96×53×24mm vs 125×71×20mm).
• Screen – The Roam V3 has a 2,8-inch TFT touchscreen, smaller than the Ace's 3,8-inch display.
• Autonomy – The Roam V3 offers 25 hours, compared to 30 hours theoretically for the Ace.
• Wind sensor – The Roam V3 does not have a front wind sensor, unlike the Ace.
• Price – At €449,99, the Roam V3 is cheaper than the Ace, at €599,99.

=> Buy a Wahoo ELEMNT ACE GPS computer for €517

A small route of the Wahoo ELEMNT Roam V3

As usual with Wahoo devices, Getting the ELEMNT Roam V3 up and running is relatively easy once you take it out of the box. A box containing a USB-C charging cable, a round handlebar mount and a mount to be fixed with plastic cable ties, less practical than the elastic bands chosen by Garmin (for example, to quickly move the mount from one bike to another).

First, we have to download the Wahoo app on your smartphone, different from the ELEMNT Companion that worked with the Roam V2, and common to the ELEMNT Ace. In a few seconds, the application reconthe meter is born and offers to configure up to five personalized training pages, each with up to 11 data fields, in addition to pages dedicated to navigation, segments, climb data, or statistics. Changes made on the smartphone are transmitted to the computer almost instantly, allowing settings to be changed without tedious procedures.

The meter can also be easily connected to several types of sensors, via ANT+ or Bluetooth, whether it's a heart rate sensor, power sensor, cadence sensor, radar sensor, electronic drivetrain sensor, or tire pressure sensor, regardless of the sensor brand. For example, we rode with a Polar heart rate belt, a Garmin cadence sensor, and a Shimano Di2 or SRAM AXS drivetrain without any problems. The device search procedure is also very simple, although sometimes a bit long depending on the connection speed with the computer.

Note that to change the menu pages of the computer or launch intermediate times with the additional buttons of the Shimano, SRAM, or Campagnolo transmissions, you must go through the applications of each brand in order to assign functions to these buttons. But this does not present the slightest difficulty either.

At the start of each outing, The ELEMNT Roam V3 opens on the page Ready-to-Ride, which allows you to immediately see third-party devices reconnaked, and choose the type of activity (route, gravel, home-trainer). It is also from this page that you can choose a route to follow with the GPS. If the Wahoo application is linked to the Strava account, it is also very quick to create a track and save it, so that it is updated directly on Wahoo, and therefore on the computer. During a ride, you can return to this home page, and select for example " back to the starting point » in order to find your way or take the shortest route.

we noted satellite performance at least as good as with the ELEMNT Ace. In the city, in the middle of a few buildings, the meter connects quickly to the satellites, regardless of cloud cover, unlike the Roam V2, which sometimes requires up to two or three minutes to be operational in the same conditions. The same goes for crossing a tunnel. If the meter ends up losing the satellite connection, it regains it a few dozen meters after exiting, when we happened to wait two or three kilometers with the V2 in the conditions.

Also very good performance in undergrowth

On route or gravel, the wooded sections also did not show the slightest GPS tracking failure with the ELEMNT Roam V3, which always seems very precise and fast even under dense vegetation. We also have testthe counter... while running, holding the device in your hand: conditions normally not very favorable to a cycle computer, but which here showed impeccable traces, with only a few variations in speed display without consequence that are not found on a bicycle.

On gravel on narrow paths, The voice guidance (which can be switched off) proved particularly useful, with clear and concise messages, such as " right turn" , or " left turn", which allow you to stay focused on the environment rather than the map. In the event of a track tracking error, the counter quickly recalculates an alternative route to get back on track.

A doorbell function and a touch screen that still need to improve

As with the Garmin Edge 1050 or the ELEMNT Ace, The ELEMNT Roam V3 has a built-in doorbell, practical for warning other users, whether on route or in the paths. To operate it, simply double-tap anywhere on the screen to hear a ring ring much more pleasant than a raised voice to show one's presence.

Sadly, the bell is not (yet) compatible with the additional buttons of Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo electronic transmissions, as is the case for Garmin. Too bad, because it is paradoxical to have to let go of a hand from the pilot's position.tage to operate a warning device in case of danger, in a situation where on the contrary total control of the bike is required.

Although the doorbell's sound can be a bit muffled in the rain, at least it works perfectly by tapping on the screen. On the other hand, it's hard to really use the touchscreen in the rain. It reacts badly, or with a delay, which prevents swiper from one page to another in this way. However, the device's functions remain perfectly usable with the physical buttons, fortunately retained by Wahoo, and with the Di2 buttons.

Verified autonomy

Wahoo advertises a 25-hour battery life for the ELEMNT Roam V3, compared to 17 hours for the Roam V2. The ELEMNT Ace's advertised and actual battery life was the subject of much discussion at the time of its release, with Wahoo reporting 30 hours, and several claiming it was actually only 20 hours. tests, including ours.

On the contrary with the ELEMNT Roam V3, the 25 hours seem quite realisticWe completed 20 hours of training without recharging using an electronic drivetrain, a connected heart rate sensor, and a connected cadence sensor, and completed a ride of around 30 minutes in guidance mode. And there was still 45% battery life left, according to the meter readings.

A good compromise

Finally, The Wahoo ELEMNT Roam V3 stands out for its versatility and improvements over the Roam V2, including the touchscreen, longer battery life, and voice alerts. Compared to the ELEMNT Ace, it remains more compact and affordable, while offering similar features for most riders.

The Roam V3 presents itself as a balanced choice, especially if size is a primary criterion.. Touring cyclists or those who prefer a large screen will opt for the ELEMNT Ace, while competitors or those on a tighter budget will turn to the lighter ELEMNT Bolt V3. With the ELEMNT Roam V3, Wahoo refines its offering without revolutionizing it, but effectively meets the needs of a wide customer base.

=> Buy a Wahoo Elemnt Roam V3 GPS computer for €429,99

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