Home› General Training Discussions

Want to use your iPhone as a no kidding Power Meter?

NavyTriGuyNavyTriGuy
in General Training Discussions

http://www.ibikesports.com/ibikedash/index.html

The iBike folks have struck again with the new iDash. Simply plug your iPhone or iPod Touch into the Phone Booth (basically a stem mounted iPhone holster with some sensors in it)j and you have a power meter with the power of an iPhone (GPS, ability to send files to your PC/Mac etc).

I haven't gotten my hands on one yet, but if I do, I'll provide a report!

Comments

  • kurshingkurshing
    How does this unit compare with the Power Tap or Quarq? I am guessing it isn't as good...but, I don't know - thoughts?

    iPhones will take over the world soon!
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Considering that the full system only costs a little more than the big Joule, that looks like a legit piece of kit. touch-screen interaction, real time CdA measurements, and compatible with all ANT+ meters... sweet!
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Great...now you can crash while posting your RR stats via Twitter!!!! image Thanks for sharing James!
  • eliwashereeliwashere

     I got a chance to see one of these in action at the iBike offices last week.

    It looks cool as hel!. I was seriously considering stealing my wife's iphone so I could play with it.

     

    A little bulky, but I like the stem mount system and it seems like a nice evolution from the ibike. Even just as a head unit for other ANT+ devices it would be fun.

  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    Looks very cool but ... LYCs and Garmin Edge computers are pretty water resistant. I wouldn't want to get caught in a downpour with my iPhone mounted like that.
  • Chris GChris G

     $850 seems a little steep considering that you still have to buy the iphone and a power meter for it to read.  You can get a PT for less.  Besides it is hard to see how the ibike folks are going to remotely compete with this one:

    http://en.pedalbrain.com/home

    marketed by HED, has cool sounding training log and coaching function, includes the case and mount and will be between 130 and 200.  

    I mean can't you buy one of those ibike things retail for 699 anyhow and not risk destroying your phone?  Or you could always buy one super cheap off of someone on ebay. 

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    With any iPhone based application I would be seriously concerned about battery life. I ran a GPS app during my ride on Saturday, killed the battery after 3.5hrs.

  • manconamancona
    Posted By Chris G on 06 Jul 2010 12:28 PM

     $850 seems a little steep considering that you still have to buy the iphone and a power meter for it to read.  You can get a PT for less.  Besides it is hard to see how the ibike folks are going to remotely compete with this one:

    http://en.pedalbrain.com/home

    marketed by HED, has cool sounding training log and coaching function, includes the case and mount and will be between 130 and 200.  

    I mean can't you buy one of those ibike things retail for 699 anyhow and not risk destroying your phone?  Or you could always buy one super cheap off of someone on ebay. 





     

    I've looked at the pedalbrain and the downside is you need some sort of a monthly plan with them to take advantage of all the features.  If you have that there are some really cool features though.  Like Coach Rich can have his iPhone on him at a race and see my data and gps position real-time while I am out on the course riding.

    Like Cary said though, I'm going to be very heistant to strap an iphone to my handbar and ride with it there all the time evne if there are multiple cool apps available.  In another year or two I'm expecting a number of very cool options to be available from the existing power meter players and new companies like pedalbrain and trakkers.

     

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Rich mentions the biggest limitations right now, though... battery life. I take my phone (esp on training rides) for safety, and I'd hate to have to worry about draining it. I assume that in a matter of a few years, we'll be able to do this, but I don't think the technology is quite there yet. Maybe with the iPhone 4 or 5 or 6... :-)
  • tgarsontgarson
    Like the other concepts I've seen, I think it is a very cool concept but definitely raises a few concerns:

    - Battery life will always be a concern, especially on older devices both since battery life shortens over the life of a device and the smaller batteries on previous generations, the iPhone 4 has a pretty tangible battery boost.
    - Speaking of the iPhone 4, the "Phone Booth" form factor is listed as only compatible with the iPhone 3G/3GS
    - An iPhone is still an extremely expensive device to be strapping to your handlebars even if it is in a protective case, it may 'only' cost a few hundred dollars, but if you lose or destroy your phone before your upgrade elligibility that nice subsidized price goes out the window and you are looking at $500-600 for a new phone PLUS a 2-year contract renewal.

    And the biggest one
    - The newest generation of ANT+ DFPM power sensor is supposed to be improved but is still just a glorified wind sensor like previous generations of iBike's. Sure, all power sensors merely estimate power, however the wind sensor approach is notoriously susceptible to non-ideal weather conditions and adjustments in body position and I would be very hard pressed to call it a legitimate no kidding power meter when compared to actual torque measuring sensors (strain gauges) such as the PT, Quarq and SRM. Of course all of this could change if the unit is comprehensively evaluated and shown to address the limitations of the previous generation.
Sign In or Register to comment.