SIGMA ROX 12.0
£349
From the moment you switch on the Sigma Rox 12.0 it's every inch a quality item
WE SAY... SA
Auser-friendly fr GPScomputer m than challenges all Garmin min
WEIGHT 125.6g SIZE 60mmx115mmx18mm SCREENSIZE 40mmx65mm SCREENTYPE Colour touchscreen INTHEBOX Bar mount, out-front mount, heart-rate strap, micro USB cable, speed/cadence WATERPROOF IP67 MEMORY 8gbexpandableto32gb(SDcard) BATTERYLIFE(CLAIMED): 16 hours
There’s a lot included here with a quality out-front mount, standard bar mount, heart-rate monitor strap, speed/cadence sensor and a long USB cable, and from the moment you switch it on, it’s every inch a quality item. The hi-res touchscreen is bright and clear, it runs on Android OS and it works independently of your smartphone. The only connection is via Sigma’s cloud through the Sigma link app (IOS/Android), so rides can be uploaded automatically to Strava. The Sigma Link app is pretty basic with only an activity database and routes from either the device, or your connected apps (Komoot, GPSies, MyTracks). Notably, you can’t Bluetooth upload to the Rox.
Thankfully, Sigma has the Data Centre web-based program, which offers a more comprehensive suite of analysis tools. Connecting with sensors is a breeze. GPS pick up is smartphone quick at between 20-22 seconds.
It features detailed OpenStreetMap mapping stretching over a very large area. It’s fully compatible with TrainingPeaks, Strava, Komoot and GPSies with touchscreen tabs on the menu screens, so you can ride routes or log into your TrainingPeaks plan.
Navigation is excellent with a good search engine. Routes are created by address, point of interest, coordinates, or a point on a map. You can also route by adding points on the touch-screen scrolling map. The way it pings your rough route to roads and trails (if you’re in off-road mode) is clever. We particularly like the gradient graphs and the map screen is high detail and rotates quickly to your direction of travel. If you deviate from your set route it quickly reroutes back to your track.
The customisation of functions like backlight timing, calibration for the altimeter, sleep timing, switching between imperial and metric is all easy.
Sigma states an IP67 waterproof rating, meaning it can be submerged in a metredeep water for half an hour, it’s a pretty bold claim especially when the base of the unit has (tight fitting) rubber covers for both the micro USB and SD card slot.
Sixteen hours of run time is claimed. If you were using the unit in a bare-bones way then that may be possible but running a full suite of sensors and navigation we got a low-battery warning just shy of seven hours.
Overall this is the most complete rival to Garmin’s Edge 1030.