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Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne
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Sleestack
Oct 7, 08 10:48
Post #26 of 42 (475 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [bx3]
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Nice :)
Sausagetail
Oct 7, 08 10:49
Post #27 of 42 (475 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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Tacx is the Ergomo of computerized trainers.
attybiker
Oct 7, 08 10:59
Post #28 of 42 (465 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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It's not worth worrying about the serial port issue. Bottom line it works and keeps working. And I believe Racermate would say if it ain't broke don't fix it. With all the options open to you with a Computrainer there really is no competitor that gives you as much. And when you deal with Paul at ergvideo he is very responsive.
Andy
Paul Smeulders
Oct 7, 08 11:10
Post #29 of 42 (455 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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Thanks, definitely convincing. But (and I know I'm being a dork about this) the whole serial bus thing really bugs me. It limits the upgradability, meaning Racermate will probably refactor it in the near future, and we'll all have to spend a bunch more money to take advantage of the new platform.
I don't know though, maybe I'm obsessing about something that ultimately doesn't matter much.
Yes you are worrying and obsessing about nothing. Really. How old is USB already? and there are easy-to-find $15 USB-serial converters, and there always will be.
Sleestack
Oct 7, 08 11:23
Post #30 of 42 (441 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [attybiker]
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Racermate would more likely say if it cuts into our margins don't fix it. But perhaps I'm being cynical.
And in response to Paul - it's not the connector, it's the fact that the platform is at the top end of what it can deliver in terms of data bandwidth. Wouldn't it be cool to push the graphics onto a big HD monitor? Ohh, can't do that - serial bus won't carry that much data.
puskas
Oct 7, 08 11:37
Post #31 of 42 (431 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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I hate to rain on your parade, but I worked in Intel's Digital Health Group helping market/develop interoperability between fitness devices (as part of the recruiting for the Continua Fitness Alliance). In my role, I've used/owned just about every option available.
Candidly, NONE of the options you list will meet your demands. Seriously.
Feel free to hit me offline and we can exchange phone numbers and I'll give you the who/whats/whys...
Cheers,
Puskas
www.tridiver.blogspot.com
http://www.ironheadsmultisport.com/
Paul Smeulders
Oct 7, 08 11:43
Post #32 of 42 (426 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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you are being cynical.
You are completely misinformed about the relationship of the data being streamed on that port and how it relates to the graphics operations of the system as a whole. That is NOT a bottleneck.
Paul
Sleestack
Oct 7, 08 11:49
Post #33 of 42 (419 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Paul Smeulders]
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Really? Huh. I'm just going off the fact that serial was replaced by other transfer mechanisms due to its upper limit of data carrying capacity, but I haven't dug all the way to the bottom, admittedly.
Anyway, there's more than enough info here to indicate CT is the way to go. Really appreciate all the input.
Andrew Coggan
Oct 7, 08 12:00
Post #34 of 42 (407 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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Rereading your original post, I'd say that you can put it out of your mind for a while.
Hi there. Just checking back - did this turn into anything?
Not yet.
Paul Smeulders
Oct 7, 08 12:16
Post #35 of 42 (395 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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an RS232 serial port has more than adequate data carrying capacity for the task...suitably managed by the end-point software.
Serial ports were not replaced solely by a simple bandwidth argument, but also because its point-to-point connection scheme became a limiter. It has no logical "fan-out" so a PC with two serial ports could support two devices, unless you installed cards that provided more ports. But ultimately, one device per port.
USB came along because it has (at least logically) a "bus" style interconnect, and could be made to fan-out (meaning, a single USB port on a PC could support several devices "bussed" to that port with suitable arrangement of hubs and even embedded ports within devices that provide hubs and then can give the appearance and convenience of daisy chaining). IIRC it had also has synchronous and isochronous data transfer capability, making it more attractive than the asynch of Rs232. I'm going from memory, I can't say I've read the spec since about 2002 or 03.
These feats are not as easy to do with a standard rs232 serial port, and gladly, it's not economical to try. So USB displaced Rs232, with converters filling the gap to Rs232 devices going forward.
Smelly
Sleestack
Oct 7, 08 12:23
Post #36 of 42 (391 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Paul Smeulders]
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Now that's what I call being informed. Thanks for the explanation - definitely makes a difference for me.
I just placed my order for a CT Pro. Really looking forward to getting into it.
rmur
Oct 7, 08 12:31
Post #37 of 42 (388 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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Now that's what I call being informed. Thanks for the explanation - definitely makes a difference for me.
I just placed my order for a CT Pro. Really looking forward to getting into it.
have to chip in with a good word for the CT. Six years, a lot of hours and it's still going strong.
_________________________________
Gizmo marketing specialist :-)
plinck
Oct 7, 08 13:06
Post #38 of 42 (367 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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I have my computrainer hooked up to a big plasma TV on the wall - no issue at all and it works very well.
I too was a little worried about serial port but not due to bandwidth issues since rs232 is more than adequate for the data that needs to be on the serial port for CT. Being in a business where I hook to lots of rs232 devices, I often encounter a compatibility issue using the USB to serial adapters since many computers and most laptops dont come with "real" serial ports anymore. Some USB/Serial adapters are as friendly to all devices. Since racermate includes a compatible USB/Serial adapter with the unit, that issue is moot - it just works.
I use my CT a lot. If the weather is bad or I have to be in the house to take care of the kids instead of going out for a ride. Sometimes, I just dont feel like dealing with the all the cars outside. I have been on mine for 4 hours at a time and have never been able to be on a spinner more than 1 hour. Having the view of the ride and using your real bike in your real racing positions makes it very nice. Even if the scenery is not actually what you will see, it does take away some the boredom.
I found it very easy to setup and very reliable and the options of rides seem endless. My favorite thing is the ability to download a course from a race off the internet (from someone who did the course in the past with a garmin or something similar) and being able to ride that course before I do the race myself. It gives me a good idea of how the elevation changes will layout on race day. I also really like that you can race against aluminum man or your previous races. Sometimes I even dream a little and ride the Kona bike leg. Of course, I have never done the whole thing ...
TriHanrahan
Oct 7, 08 14:27
Post #39 of 42 (352 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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They make a converter to USB so it should be fine for the forseeable future.
John
Tri-Wog StL
Oct 7, 08 15:36
Post #40 of 42 (330 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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"it's not the connector, it's the fact that the platform is at the top end of what it can deliver in terms of data bandwidth. Wouldn't it be cool to push the graphics onto a big HD monitor? Ohh, can't do that - serial bus won't carry that much data."
This is a non-issue for CT since the video component is driven by the PC and it's video card and only the progression information (speed, power, resistance etc.) is feed by the rs232........
Mine works just fine thanks you on my plasma screen - simultaneously on a 20 "LCD monitor.....haven't found a way to split-screen the plasma and the LCD but I will be working with Racermate to see if that's possible......that would be cool, no......Real Course video on the plasma and CT power and Spinscan running on the LCD???
Paul
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Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker.
"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger."
-Friedrich Nietzsche, Götzen-Dämmerung (1899)
spirogeek
Oct 7, 08 15:43
Post #41 of 42 (324 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [Sleestack]
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Nobody here seems to like Tacx at all but I've ridden both and I got rid of my CT a couple of years ago in favour of the Tacx Real Life Videos. Cheap, easy, and it's kind of neat riding some of the big European climbs and routes. $30 for a course and it's simple enough that my non Techie wife uses it all the time on her Fortius.
acronym
Oct 7, 08 16:08
Post #42 of 42 (319 views)
Re: Computrainer vs. Tacx vs. Velodyne [spirogeek]
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there are quite a few threads on this already, and I believe I've already chimed in with my satisfaction on the Tacx. I haven't been able to compare it with the CT or velodyne, but for the money it gets me through the winter months and I remain glad I bought it over 3 years ago
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