I tend to agree with you, but head units are also expensive. I’ve been considering a Karoo 2, but for now I have a wahoo. I’m pretty sure there are a lot of other people in a similar situation.
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I think we can draw a conclusion here: There won’t be a (basic) workout sync to Wahoo headunits. I am quite surprised about the attitude to this question and it all sounds rather arrogant.
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Would “basic” workout sync with targets based purely on your FTP be useful though? Genuine question, maybe they would be for you.
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I think Hammerhead should develop a trade-in program. It’d be super popular.
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@guyc Yes. Definitely better than nothing.
Auto sync the selected daily workout to the device. Of course any workout would lose its smartness.
We’re left choosing who to give our money to.
- Xert–no wahoo integration
- Trainingpeaks–wahoo integration and okay workouts
- Hammerhead–gain Xert functionality at the cost of nearly 4 years of Xert subscription.
- Garmin–No!
On and on… I’m thinking about Karoo and selling my wahoo, but again that’s another expense I have to take on. If i had Xert before a head unit and then Karoo came out it would be an easy decision. Instead I had a wahoo…
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Geez… All this time I have been compiling this answer you’ve already hashed things out. 
Oh well, no point in wasting it…
For indoor workouts you should use your phone to get the full benefits of Xert workouts.
Outdoors you want a Xert workout player to reproduce the same or some Xert data fields to use instead.
The problem is Wahoo’s current generation of devices runs an older crippled version of Android that is locked down. The API is limited to send/receive/sync data. They don’t have an applet platform like Connect IQ from Garmin nor can they support Android apps like Hammerhead Karoo. [Xert EBC lists in the App Store on a Karoo and Xert data fields under Profiles.]
Any Xert data fields that are possible to add would have to be coded by Wahoo and included in a firmware update.
I understand the convenience factor of two-way sync, but there is more to it than simply converting a Xert workout to Wahoo’s “standard”.
Do you really want a snapshot of an oil painting printed in black and white? The artwork may be recognizable but all the colors are gone so what’s the point of hanging that copy on your wall? 
Xert creates workouts tied to your fitness signature using a variety of advanced options. Converting workouts to %FTP blocks is asking Xert to dismiss their enhanced methodology and dumb down intervals into %FTP blocks. That may work in some cases but not for many others. Either too many block steps are required to simulate the workout or there is no equivalent for the interval type in use.
This issue isn’t limited to variable duration/power intervals.
Here are the interval options in Xert for work and rest targets:
Here are the options for most other platforms, plans, website downloads, and old-school training books:
%FTP
AUTO mode in Xert players executes Xert workouts as designed including mixed mode, variable intervals, curvilinear, XSSR, and much more. Exporting a Xert workout removes all those functions and converts the intervals to %FTP blocks (if possible). If that is really what you want you may as well use ANY block workout from ANY source including Wahoo.
[TrainerDay has 10,000+ old-school block workouts to choose from including a few misguided contributions labeled Xert “SMART” workouts which obviously are not. 
]
Until Wahoo adds support for 3rd party apps and data fields there isn’t anything Xert can do. Perhaps Wahoo’s next-generation devices will resolve the issue with an upgraded version of Android that isn’t locked down and crippled. Until that happens you can import plain old block workouts from any source. Sync the results to Xert and you’ll get the benefits of Xert tracking, analysis, and advice. Indoors use your phone to run Xert workouts as they are designed to be ridden. The only gap is outdoor workouts but most cyclists don’t try to follow prescribed workouts outdoors. Many free ride (RPE and HR) while others rely on Xert data fields when managing outdoor rides but any custom data fields need to be added by Wahoo. Back to square one.
Reference (note Coach’s Tip at end of this article) –
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The problem is that there is no way for Xert to send a workout to Wahoo.
The ideal way would be that Wahoo opens up an API, to which Xert and other platforms can send workouts, which will then be put on the Elemnt via the Elemnt app. Wahoo has chosen to implement this functionality for a limited number of platforms, like TrainingPeaks and Trainerroad. Garmin on the other hand has opened up an API, on which workouts can be uploaded.
Your issue is with Wahoo, not with Xert.
Absolutely. Wahoo with their closed ecosystem are going to obsolete very quickly. Companies that don’t open their API for fear of others developing features they won’t even implement are just shooting themselves in their foot.
Hammerhead needs to scale up their operation tho, and become a bit more responsive to adopt new features. But the Karoo2 is starting to look solid, and the option to run EBC is just killer in my opinion.
Everything that Garmin wanted to do with iQ, but with the stability of Android.
Funny thing is that even Wahoo runs on an older android platform, would be cool to hack it into a monochromic EBC… nah.
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Wahoo isn’t obsolete yet. Still no explanation for why Xert workouts can’t be transferred to Wahoo devices. My guess is Xert wants all or nothing - no ability to use SMART workouts means no deal. Obviously Xert could easily provide means to transfer the usual FTP based workouts to Wahoo devices (just like TrainingPeaks, Today’s Plan, and TrainerRoad) but they are choosing not to. It reminds me of the Xert iOS app issues (doesn’t support landscape and no Apple TV specific app). Whether it’s arrogance or resource allocation is for you to decide. I suspect both.
I would really like the option of sending to wahoo try doing some outdoor workouts easier. Tried out trainer road and it is so nice to just click a button and to have it appear on your headunit.
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Yes, the integration between TrainerRoad and Wahoo Element works very well.
I would also like to have the custom data fields (XXS, MPA, …) on the computer.
As a new Xert user. This sucks. I understand it. Being that I’m a developer myself and I get to work with API’s at work. You can only work with that data you get back from the service you trying to work with. Sometimes it’s just out of your control. I really like my Wahoo head unit and don’t play on buying a new computer any time soon. Hopefully Wahoo will open their doors to the data in the future. 
It’s been like this since we started so I don’t expect them to open things up. Your best option is to buy an inexpensive Android device and use that for doing workouts (or as a back up head unit). Far better than using the Garmin or Wahoo workout player. I’ve been using one for workouts and as my bike computer for more than 3 years.
Which android head unit do you have?
Search AliExpress for Cubot Kingkong Mini 2 (4" screen, size of a Garmin 1030) or Kingkong Mini 3 (4.5" screen).
Add a stick-on (3M VHB tape) quarter-turn mount; also available on AliExpress.
You will need a power pack for rides longer than 8 hours. My KKM2 is down to ~6+ hours runtime after two years as my only head unit, outdoors and indoors.
BLE sensors only.
EBC app supports my Garmin RTL515.
If caught in rain I transfer unit to Ziplock bag in jersey pocket.
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I also have a Wahoo, but would like to test out Xert features on the road.
Are the Xert iOS and Android app similar, or do they have different layout and features? Also, why would you prefer the Android app to Garmin?
I haven’t found much content on YouTube reviewing the Garmin, iOS and Android features.
The core features of EBC are the same on iOS or Android, but the Android app has additional features conducive to running EBC as your head unit. For example, the ability to define which data fields are shown on which page. The iOS version has a fixed subset that pales in comparison.
There isn’t much point in Xert expanding the iOS version as Apple phone options are limited in scope (price and form factor). The Kingkong Mini 2 shown above is < $100 USD.
My journey with head units is described in this post –
Android EBC highlights –
Quick Start Guide: EBC – Xert (baronbiosys.com)
Scott’s Top 5 Xert EBC Features! #shorts - YouTube
Generally, cycling media sites recommend Garmin, Wahoo devices and don’t review phone options that might replace them. This may change as athletes become more comfortable using their phones. There are better and better mounting options and can be used together with lights that act as power banks that allow them to record all day. Many in my cycling club have gone this way and the numbers are increasing as members look to replace their current head units. Seems like a no-brainer really but mindsets are often hard to change.
Garmin devices are many times more expensive than a cheap Android phone if the main purpose is to do workouts. Our Garmin Workout Player is good (award winning even) but was built with Connect IQ which is far more work for us to enhance, maintain and support than an Android app. Android apps are easier to write and debug and new features can be added much more easily than Connect IQ. Indeed in the future, we may need to discontinue support for our Garmin datafields/apps depending on the direction we go with the Xert 2.0 exercise model. There isn’t a lot of flexibility to do complex computational algorithms on them.
In terms of the apps, we designed the Android app to be more of a general workout and activity recording device that you can use on your handlebars whereas the iOS app is more for workouts but can also be pocketed while recording outdoor rides.
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Hi Armando,
I really hope you continue to support data fields for Garmin. A fundamental problem with mobile phones (and some bike computers that use LED screens) is that their LED screens are very poor in sunlight. See photos below - a Garmin 830, HH K2, and Iphone SE, one indoors, one in bright sun. Note the K2 is set to 100% brightness in both photos, the Garmin is set to auto. The problem with LED screens is that in sunlight you need to turn up the brightness more and more (eating battery), and will lose anyway against the sun. LCD screens (like Garmin and I believe Wahoo) work much better for this purpose as the background reflects the light (its opposite you turn down the backlight as it gets sunnier), however obviously this is not the most optimal technology for smartphones that are primarily used indoors.
The Garmin 830 is by far my preferred choice for long rides in the summer - and the screen show is my default one (with Xert fields!)
PS there may be a influx of cheap 2nd hand Karoo’s if they persist with this new uglified display
to
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I find that I can see my display pretty much all day. There are moments around midday when I’m riding into the sun that it may be harder to discern. But then again, I don’ t ride a lot during midday so maybe don’t encounter the situation very often.
The LCD colour displays are quite nice for legibility outdoors, although the super AMOLED screens seem to do quite well in direct sunlight. Will be great as this tech makes its way onto more devices.