How to capture Powertap data?
Hi,
I'm a newbie and this is my first time using the forum. I've got a question regarding the capture of Powertap data. I've just rented a Powertap wheel for the month and was planning to capture the data with my Garmin Forerunner 305, however it seems its not supported in this model - is that right? If not, what are my options for data capture other than a costly upgrade? I've done a little research only and read that Wahoo makes a fitness dongle for the iPhone that has ANT+ and can capture the data into apps such as Strava. Has anyone used this or anything else that they'd recommend?
cheers,
ash
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Welcome Ash!
If you have an iphone you can get an ant+ dongle from wahoo or garmin (around 50$). If you have a laptop or computer near your bike (assuming you are using the bike indoors) you can use a garmin or other branded (suunto etc) ant+ usb stick (also around 50$).
Then to capture the data on your iphone, wahoo has a free app that works pretty well (and I use) but there are others out there. On the computer I use trainer road which is 10$ month.
Yeah, the 305 can't handle power. You'd need a 310XT or a 910XT as a watch goes or one of the dedicated bike computers like the Garmin Edge 500, a Joule, or the Little Yellow Computer that comes with the PT. I know a few people who went the "dongle" route with their iPhone, but that isn't all that cheap (~$40 on amazon) and they had issues with battery life with their phone when training outside. If you'll be outside, there's also the added expense and risk of buying a waterproof case for the phone and a mounting bracket to put it where you can see it. By the time you buy all that stuff you may as well just spend $200 and get a 310XT or an Edge 500.
If you're simply looking for a cheap solution for the near term to see if you'll like training with power, I'd recommend using the ANT+ stick that came with your 305 and using TrainerRoad. It'll only cost you $10 for the month. If you're doing the OS right now, all of the workouts are already pre-loaded if you goin the EN specific group. This assumes of course that you are training indoors and that you have a computer that you can locate somewhere close to your trainer. If you need it for outdoors, then you'll likely need to find another option and the cheapest is buying the Little Yellow Computer on eBay. Or maybe even try to get one from wherever you rented the wheel from.
Just out of curiosity, what did it cost to rent the wheel for a month?
When I had a 305 I don't think it came with a stick, just a cradle. Older ant+ sticks are USB1 vs the new ant+sticks that are USB2 and have more channels/ better ability to handle power meter and hr data simultaenously.
Since you rented a PT wheel, Did they provide you with a little yellow computer to record the data ? If so it should be calibrated to your wheel rental. If they provided that for your use too I'd think they would have given you the cord that attaches to your computer so you can download your information. If they did all that you could just go on the internet and download Golden Cheetah or Power Agent either of the two will collect your data free.
If they just rented you a wheel without any instruction on how to capture your information I'd go back to them to see about the rest of the above setup and see what they say. Can't add anymore to the above suggestions, you have options!
No go put a picture up here, no blobs in EN !
The Garmin dongle for the iphone seems cheaper than wahoo's: https://www.gps4us.com/GARMIN-ANT-adapter-for-iPhone--P2413.html?gclid=CJ_NtbON7bQCFcuZ4Aod304ACQ
Cheers,
Ash
Here's the relavant rule:
"Communication devices of any type, such as cell phones and two-way radios are strictly prohibited during competition. Use of such devices will result in disqualification."
Some interpretation needed as to whether this constitutes "using" a cell phone. I think the purpose of the rule is to prevent communication between athlete and coach. Still, why put a $600 computer at risk, when a much cheaper alternative exists?
the ant+ dongle and apps also work with an ipod. No two way communication so should be legal right?
Apologies for the delayed reply, Melbourne IM this March