Some people are aware that I've been developing a powermeter that's documented on my blog http://keithhack.blogspot.ca/
The gap between HRM and powermeter is still too large for most people to stomach. I want to reduce that gap so that a powermeter could get purchased before race wheels and that they aren't competing products anymore. I've broken out the numbers on how much it could be to build these and I've been open in showing all testing results, schematics, code, etc.
However, people seem very divided on the powermeter topic. As I finish off this prototype and look towards finalizing it's testing and building up the beta test units, I am looking ahead toward the next step. I'm giving serious thought to crowdfunding in an attempt to raise the capital needed to do the FCC testing required in order to sell a final wireless product. I have serious doubts about crowd funding due to the failure of the laserspoke project which barely raised 3500 dollars http://www.indiegogo.com/...r-meter-for-cyclists. However crowd funding seems the perfect way to check to see if there is a market below current units -- a market including less "serious" riders.
So I'm soliciting advice, comments, etc in regards to crowdfunding.
What would give you confidence in a crowd funded powermeter? While kickstarter is officially a donation, would a full refund by a certain date help confidence? Personnel profiles? Keeping it opensource or pseudo opensource? (Can't include certain ANT+ things such as network key)
How about comments on why laser-spoke wasn't successful. My theories revolve around lack of explanation on how the automatic calibration would work, plus a complicated reward level and not ANT+ or BTLE support. Mine has been built from the ground up to be ANT+.
Would providing the circuit board (for electronic hacking community) or development units (lower cost functional units for people to test and develop with after the beta) detract from the professionalism expected?
Thanks in advance. Feel free to PM me or email me with other questions. And if you're in Ontario (or Canada potentially) and interested in being part of the beta test drop me a line. My list of interested people hasn't growing in the last few weeks, but always looking for more candidates.
The gap between HRM and powermeter is still too large for most people to stomach. I want to reduce that gap so that a powermeter could get purchased before race wheels and that they aren't competing products anymore. I've broken out the numbers on how much it could be to build these and I've been open in showing all testing results, schematics, code, etc.
However, people seem very divided on the powermeter topic. As I finish off this prototype and look towards finalizing it's testing and building up the beta test units, I am looking ahead toward the next step. I'm giving serious thought to crowdfunding in an attempt to raise the capital needed to do the FCC testing required in order to sell a final wireless product. I have serious doubts about crowd funding due to the failure of the laserspoke project which barely raised 3500 dollars http://www.indiegogo.com/...r-meter-for-cyclists. However crowd funding seems the perfect way to check to see if there is a market below current units -- a market including less "serious" riders.
So I'm soliciting advice, comments, etc in regards to crowdfunding.
What would give you confidence in a crowd funded powermeter? While kickstarter is officially a donation, would a full refund by a certain date help confidence? Personnel profiles? Keeping it opensource or pseudo opensource? (Can't include certain ANT+ things such as network key)
How about comments on why laser-spoke wasn't successful. My theories revolve around lack of explanation on how the automatic calibration would work, plus a complicated reward level and not ANT+ or BTLE support. Mine has been built from the ground up to be ANT+.
Would providing the circuit board (for electronic hacking community) or development units (lower cost functional units for people to test and develop with after the beta) detract from the professionalism expected?
Thanks in advance. Feel free to PM me or email me with other questions. And if you're in Ontario (or Canada potentially) and interested in being part of the beta test drop me a line. My list of interested people hasn't growing in the last few weeks, but always looking for more candidates.