ANT+ non GPS head unit
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ANT+ non GPS head unit
Looks like Bontrager has discontinued its Node series. AFAIK they were the only ANT+ non-GPS head units capable of displaying power meter data (in addition to speed, cadence, HRM). And since they weren't GPS enabled, their autonomy was measured in months rather than hours.
Is there anything comparable on the market?
Is there anything comparable on the market?
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I use a smartphone whenever I need navigation assistance. I want a fit-and-forget second computer to track basic metrics.
Last edited by gauvins; 01-11-18 at 04:11 PM.
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I have a Node 2.
An ANT transmitter is around $30+.
Cheap GPS units are, $100-150?
The Node was fairly expensive.
The market for ANT+ cycling computers was fairly small (I believe).
Cheap GPS heads crushed the market for ANT+ computers.
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Garmin Fenix 3 is a GPS watch, but has the concept of "indoor" (non-GPS) workouts. It will display power from ANT+ meters, including in a one-field data page. Some people mount theirs on the handlebars for visibility.
Independent testing put the battery at 5.5 weeks in watch mode. (20 hours to a charge in GPS mode.)
I can't tell you how long the battery would last as an indoor bike computer, exactly, but it should be in the dozens of hours.
Charging from empty to full takes about 2 hours.
Because the Fenix 5 has been around for most of a year (it's much less frugal with the battery) you can get a used F3 for not a lot of money.
Independent testing put the battery at 5.5 weeks in watch mode. (20 hours to a charge in GPS mode.)
I can't tell you how long the battery would last as an indoor bike computer, exactly, but it should be in the dozens of hours.
Charging from empty to full takes about 2 hours.
Because the Fenix 5 has been around for most of a year (it's much less frugal with the battery) you can get a used F3 for not a lot of money.
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Usual Asian brand:
https://www.ebay.com/i/281767003288?rt=nc
A Giant computer:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/ne...computer-white
https://www.ebay.com/i/281767003288?rt=nc
A Giant computer:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/ne...computer-white
Last edited by njkayaker; 01-11-18 at 12:42 PM.
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hmmm.. I have a somewhat similar Forerunner 910XT that could be mounted on the handlebars. Still, with the GPS turned off, I'd get a battery life of something like 48hrs. Not all that bad, but pales in comparison with the Node's autonomy, which easily lasts for a season.
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Usual Asian brand:
https://www.ebay.com/i/281767003288?rt=nc
A Giant computer:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/ne...computer-white
https://www.ebay.com/i/281767003288?rt=nc
A Giant computer:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/ne...computer-white
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hmmm.. I have a somewhat similar Forerunner 910XT that could be mounted on the handlebars. Still, with the GPS turned off, I'd get a battery life of something like 48hrs. Not all that bad, but pales in comparison with the Node's autonomy, which easily lasts for a season.
It probably wouldn't be great for your FR battery, but if this is for an indoor application like a trainer, you could leave the watch plugged in on the bike, or store it with a cheap battery pack.
I don't know that that's ideal, but I'm trying to brainstorm with you to come up with a workable solution.
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May actually yield to unexpected changes. I might use my Forerunner watch as a basic bike computer. I'd lose quite a bit on autonomy, but would gain data recording as the Node does nothing beyond displaying current and average values. Perfectly reasonable at home. Inconvenient on tour especially because it requires a custom charging cable.
Thanks for your ideas
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Looks like Bontrager has discontinued its Node series. AFAIK they were the only ANT+ non-GPS head units capable of displaying power meter data (in addition to speed, cadence, HRM). And since they weren't GPS enabled, their autonomy was measured in months rather than hours.
Is there anything comparable on the market?
Is there anything comparable on the market?
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2017 Colnago C-RS
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HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#14
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I use double sided tape to stick mine to the treadmill so I can see my HR while running.
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I wonder if an ANT+ stick in a laptop is a feasible (and low-cost) solution here?
#17
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