taat2d

Hi everyone. I'm just getting back into riding. Been off a bike for too long. I just got a new road bike, and being the gadget junkie that I am, I couldn't help but get a Garmin 520 as well. I bought the 520 bundle. I hooked up the speed sensor and the cadence sensor. I see the speed sensor is working properly, but I can't find the cadence reading. Does this mean it's not working? The cadence sensor shows in the settings. Not sure if I did something wrong. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

spdntrxi

make sure firmware is most current.. make sure it connects (go to sensors screen)

Battery ? I assume you have the new one that goes on the crank arm..

gregf83 

Are you sure the speed sensor is working? The 520 will record speed from GPS if it doesn't see a speed sensor. Did you go through the procedure to add a new sensor? Menu->Settings->Sensors->Add Sensor->Select Sensors to Add

It won't automatically add a new sensor. You have to go through the above steps to pair the sensor.

taat2d

Yes I have the one that goes on the crank arm.

taat2d

Ok I think that's it. I didn't know I had to pair each sensor. I thought I read that it comes with ANT in the manual and that it would pair to each other automatically. As for the speed sensor vs. Garmin's GPS recording speed, is there a difference between the 2?

Marcus_Ti

The Edge devices still uses GPS to log position to FIT riding files. The question is how it computes instantaneous speed.

The speed sensor is a GPS-calibrated rollout speed sensor. Using GPS, and counting wheel revs over a set distance you get a very accurate traditional rollout measurement (a normal human rollout is maybe 10 meters, the Edges do rollout calibration over 500m-1km IIRC). Then using the speed sensor you get a very consistent and accurate speed measurement no matter what braking/accelerating etc you do. GPS utilizes spherical trigonometry and Einstein relativity as applied to multiple atomic clock radio signals, and due to complexities of math and measurement-has a fair bit of lag all to do the same thing. Which is not only slower, but takes more battery. Also, bicycles don't tend to hold a consistent speed-so that lag gets exacerbated a bit; unlike a car on the interstate that tends to be one speed.

taat2d

Thanks for the explanation. Very much appreciated.

netman9718

I'm glad someone asked this question about cadence. I still have not figured out where its located or how to view it while riding with the 520. I have a duotrap for my sensor

TimothyH

Three out four Garmin sensors I've purchased have needed batteries out of the box.

Won't pair, losing connection during rides, etc.

taat2d

that sucks!!!

dicepilot

I have been searching threads about duotrap cadence connection problems. Did you resolve your issues? I have duotrap and just added a Garmin Edge 1000. I am unable to get a cadence connection at this time. The duotrap connected seamlessly to my Strava app on the iPhone 6.