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Powertap / Garmin users

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gall1972

Sep 27, 08 9:40

Post #1 of 32 (1033 views)

Powertap / Garmin users	Can't Post

Hello,

I see now that I can update my Powertap 2.4 to use a Garmin 705.

The feature I have been looking for is to be able to see my current power and average power for the lap or ride at the same time.

If I update everything and get a 705 will I be able to view this data?

Thanks!

Gall

inaba116

Sep 27, 08 16:49

Post #2 of 32 (977 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [gall1972] [In reply to]	Can't Post

You will be able to view current power as well as average power for the lap or overall or both. I can't quite recall but I think the cycleops guys said the update will be available in the next 2 months and will be about $80

inaba116

Sep 27, 08 17:07

Post #3 of 32 (963 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [gall1972] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just had a rather alarming concern. On my Powertap I changed the time that the computer pulls the power readings from the hub from 2 seconds to 5, that way I could get a more accurate reading instead of the power readings jumping +/- 40 watts. I wonder if this setting will be possible on the Garmin 705. I hope it is since the power readings tend to get sketchy.

powertap

Sep 28, 08 11:54

Post #4 of 32 (910 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [inaba116] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The Updater will be $100 and available in 3 to 4 weeks from our website or your local bike shop.

It is a one-time use only, simply unscrew any current PowerTap SL 2.4 hub's cap and remove the battery clip.

Insert the ANT+Sport Updater.

Flip a switch on the Updater

Wait about 10 seconds and a light turns green, indicating a successful update.

Remove the updater and replace the batteries and cap (a new cap with a "2.4+" logo is included with the updater.

*The hub will now transmit ANT+Sport compatible power data as well as a private CycleOps network for compatibility with our computer, however, all data is now on a 1 second time base so you will need to also update the firmware in your PowerTap computer if you wish to view data on that as well as an ANT+Sport compatible display.
Jesse Bartholomew
CycleOps Product Manager
Saris Cycling Group

Rouleur

Sep 28, 08 12:18

Post #5 of 32 (897 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

all data is now on a 1 second time base

Wow, that is great news, I didn't realise the transmission frequency was now every sec rather than every 1.26secs. No more anomalies, well less, when using a 1 sec update rate on the display.

gall1972

Sep 29, 08 7:40

Post #6 of 32 (826 views)

Jesse from Powertap [In reply to]	Can't Post

You know I would just like to be able to view my current power and my average power on the same screen.

Is there a way or an update that will allow me to do that on my Powertap 2.4 CPU?

Thanks

(This post was edited by gall1972 on Sep 29, 08 7:41)

mjshapiro

Sep 29, 08 7:43

Post #7 of 32 (818 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jesse - thanks for posting. I have been told to wait for the new 2009 products and was wondering when information will be available? Thanks!
- Matt

~~~

"The only limits we have are those we give ourselves."
- Gordo Byrn

powertap

Sep 29, 08 7:50

Post #8 of 32 (812 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [mjshapiro] [In reply to]	Can't Post

We will have info. on www.cycleops.com shortly....
Jesse Bartholomew
CycleOps Product Manager
Saris Cycling Group

4tridad

Sep 29, 08 11:18

Post #9 of 32 (730 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Will the update work only on wireless units, or will it work on the wired models too?

(This post was edited by 4tridad on Sep 29, 08 14:26)

thing2

Sep 29, 08 12:19

Post #10 of 32 (704 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I take it you can't throw up a date? I'd like to wait for the new models but if it is going to be a few more months until the average Joe can get one I'll pull the trigger now.

FrozenCyclist

Oct 2, 08 9:55

Post #11 of 32 (618 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

One-time use for $100? What about folks that have more than one hub? Thats about as lame as product support gets. Not exactly earth-friendly either if you're telling folks to toss the updater in the trash after the update.

powertap

Oct 4, 08 12:39

Post #12 of 32 (547 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [FrozenCyclist] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Lame or not we're simply trying to provide a solution that offers our users the ability to benefit from improved technology.

Unfortunately, these improvements in technology aren't free to develop and because we did not anticipate this technology it is not free to implement.
Jesse Bartholomew
CycleOps Product Manager
Saris Cycling Group

Rouleur

Oct 4, 08 13:06

Post #13 of 32 (533 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Jesse,

Will the new 2009 model line-up be going up on the website soon and when will they be shipping to distribs. ?

Thanks,

Allen.

dave99ag

Oct 4, 08 13:14

Post #14 of 32 (524 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Any updated functions on the CPU in the works?

mikedonia

Oct 4, 08 13:15

Post #15 of 32 (521 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [FrozenCyclist] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"One-time use for $100? What about folks that have more than one hub? Thats about as lame as product support gets. Not exactly earth-friendly either if you're telling folks to toss the updater in the trash after the update."

Dude, what exactly do you expect? When was the last time Dell or whoever gave you a free upgrade for your PC? I believe that they are providing great service by providing this upgrade, they could have just came out next year with an ANT+ compatible hub and told those of us with older PT's to buy a whole new hub.

Michael S. Donia, D.C., QME
Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician
http://drdonia.blogspot.com/

android

Oct 4, 08 13:15

Post #16 of 32 (520 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

and because we did not anticipate this technology it is not free to implement.

Sounds like your marketing technologists screwed up big time.

Why again should the end user pay for this?

powertap

Oct 4, 08 13:54

Post #17 of 32 (503 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [android] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, if developing technology 3 years ahead of the competition is screwing up look for us to screw up a lot.

Again, you don't have to pay for anything.
Jesse Bartholomew
CycleOps Product Manager
Saris Cycling Group

android

Oct 4, 08 14:09

Post #18 of 32 (489 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [mikedonia] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Dude, what exactly do you expect? When was the last time Dell or whoever gave you a free upgrade for your PC?

Dude, I can go on the Dell website and download the latest BIOS and firmware for my PCs and Servers anytime I want and install them for no charge.

I can go on the Garmin site and download new firmware for my 705 and install it at no charge.

I can go on the Canon site and download new firmware for my cameras and install it at no charge.

My Wii just goes to the Nintendo site and upgrades itself with new firmware at no charge.

My firewall/router firmware upgrades are free. I can't think of ANY firmware upgrade for a piece of hardware that I have bought that I have had to pay for.

Pretty much every hardware product you buy delivers firmware upgrades at no charge and that includes upgrades with new and improved features.

PowerTap totally sucks eggs on this. There is no defense. Yes, I'm a SW developer and I understand there is expense to develop and test, but you suck it up and provide firmware upgrades to you customers because it's the right thing to do to keep them buying your products. Yes, some PT customers are going to begrudgingly pay for the upgrade. But the bad taste will remain and when a competitor comes along, then the brand loyalty will be gone and they will jump ship. It's 10 times harder (and 10 times more expensive) to get back a customer you have pissed off that has jumped ship than to just provide the firmware upgrades.

footwerx

Oct 4, 08 14:16

Post #19 of 32 (482 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [android] [In reply to]	Can't Post

But this isn't a bug fix. PT does provide free firmware upgrades.

This is more along the lines of going from Windows XP to Windows Vista.

I don't see why they should not charge for this. There is nothing wrong with the existing firmware and it's not like you have to upgrade for the PT to continue working. This is more of an extra plug-in to allow PT users to run their PTs with garmins etc.

android

Oct 4, 08 14:23

Post #20 of 32 (479 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [footwerx] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

But this isn't a bug fix. PT does provide free firmware upgrades.

This is more along the lines of going from Windows XP to Windows Vista.

Neither are the examples I've listed above.
Like I said, most of these BIOS and firmware updates deliver new and improved features.

And going from XP to Vista is about the worst example you could think of. That's practically a downgrade. Not that there is any realistic comparison anyway.

Example: I'll never but another Epson product in my life. Why? Because when Windows 2000 came out, Epson decided that they didn't need to update any existing printer drivers, so I ended up with 3 orphaned printers. At the same time, HP went to the trouble and effort to release, for free, all new W2K drivers for their entire line of inkjet and laserjet printers.

Can you guess who I've bought printers from ever since?

(This post was edited by android on Oct 4, 08 14:29)

Chris G

Oct 4, 08 14:47

Post #21 of 32 (464 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think the 99 upgrade is reasonable for those that really want to use that tech with the existing wireless units. Is there a new computer head in the works? Could care less about gps but think altitude would be cool. Or maybe the ability to display more than 3 things and get to choose what they are.

Glad that you are posting. Don't let a couple of jackasses make you think that it is not appreciated by your customers. The wireless PT's seem to be the most consistently reliable PM's on the market. Keep up the good work!

Diesel

Oct 4, 08 15:29

Post #22 of 32 (449 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [android] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I can go on the Garmin site and download new firmware for my 705 and install it at no charge.

I can go on the Canon site and download new firmware for my cameras and install it at no charge.

My Wii just goes to the Nintendo site and upgrades itself with new firmware at no charge.

Can you go to the Garmin site and download firmware that allows you to use a Polar HRM?
Can you go to the Canon Site and download firmware that allows you to Nikon view image?
Can you go to the WII Site and download firmware that allows you to play Xbox games?

Didn't think so.

I'm with Saris on this. Within the platform = free. Outside the platform and selling the competitor's product = customer pays. I think $100 is a bargain. Although, I don't consider with a 705 an upgrade....

powertap

Oct 4, 08 15:58

Post #23 of 32 (437 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [android] [In reply to]	Can't Post

We're happy to give you the firmware for free, it's getting it into the hub that is the problem and the reason for the charge.
Jesse Bartholomew
CycleOps Product Manager
Saris Cycling Group

MarkyV

Oct 4, 08 19:48

Post #24 of 32 (402 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [powertap] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just ignore him. You can't please all of the people all of the time and most people "get it". I guess he doesn't so he just whines.
------------------------------------------------------------
MarkyV Racing
MVR Coaching
Proudly Supported by: Xterra Wetsuits | TYR | BoulderRC | Beaker Concepts | ROTOR | Matt Given | Wheelbuilder | insert _____ bike here
Powertap dealer: 2009 Product Line Available Late November

mikedonia

Oct 4, 08 20:24

Post #25 of 32 (379 views)

Re: Powertap / Garmin users [MarkyV] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Mark,

Go to bed don't you have a race to lead in the morning? ;-)

Michael S. Donia, D.C., QME
Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician
http://drdonia.blogspot.com/

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