So I just got a new Garmin Forerunner 910xt for Christmas and had a question. I don’t really trust the quick-release mount because I have heard stories of people losing their $400 device at the bottom of a lake. So my question is, can I have a separate head unit mounted to my aerobars where the ant+ signal will transfer data to both the head unit and the watch. I just basically want a number to be able to look at while on the bike without having to turn my wrist, I don’t need it to actually record and save data as that is what the watch will do. Is this possible? If so what are some options for head units that are fairly inexpensive?
ANT+ can transmit to more than one device at a time, that is to say, multiple receivers can be paired to one sensor, so you could use any ANT+ head unit on the bike and see the numbers.
I usually race with my fr910 on my wrist, and an a Edge 800 on the bike, both display and record all the bike metrics.
Thanks!
Do you know of any device that would be fairly inexpensive for just receiving data?
I haven’t done my research but I doubt such a thing exists, storage being very cheap these days.
Having said that, you should be able to procure a PowerTap LYC (Little Yellow Computer) for cheap off the classifieds. I think those work with non-PT powermeters as well, but you should check that before you buy. I can guarantee you you won’t like it though.
The node looks like the perfect solution for you. Could it also display distance that it calculates from speed and time?
To get any use out of it, you’d also need some sort of speed cadence sensor, like the Garmin GSC-10. If you could spare another $100, you would have the edge 500: a full computer.
In any case, just know that the 910 will not transmit any data to the Node. While on a ride, it is “receive-only”. All the data it displays will come from: speed/cadence, HRM and power meters.
I am one of the ‘lose a 910 in the lake’ crowd’. The QR is fine until you get a big hit (either by someones arm or a hard plastic bout or whatever) at just the right angle to loosen it. The QR when mounted properly will not come off on the run or bike unless you go over and knock it hard.
The QR is great for bike and run. The 910 still isn’t great for open water swimming, apparently better than the 310XT though. If you are wearing it on your wrist then it is pretty lame for anything other than simply timing your swim. It’s great in a pool but crappy on your wrist in open water.
Because of that I don’t use it in open water. In races I leave it on my bike with the QR wrist strap already on my wrist when the race starts. I get my time when I exit the swim and although I don’t get any data for the swim any data you would get is inaccurate anyway. In training I sometimes drop it under my cap but still have not had great results.
Despite the open water QR issues and open water data not being that great anyway …… it is an awesome watch. When I lost mine I went straight to the store that afternoon and purchased another without hesitation.
My advice …… skip the open water data for racing and use the 910 with the QR …. saves on you having to get a bunch of other computers and cadence / speed monitors. In training, give it a go under your swim cap for better results.
You can use the 910xt safely with the quick release on the swim if you wear it under your cap on the instead of on your wrist. I have done this many times. it is perfectly safe.
Fact is, these days, I don’t wear it at all on the swim. I no longer are about getting the GPS track or the data on the swim. I use a 500 Edge on the bike and the 910xt on the run.
Use the QR kit and swim with the watch in your cap. Watch, cap, goggles in that order and you’ll never lose it plus you’ll get a good GPS track and save yourself the money you were going to spend on a separate head unit. If you’re really worried about getting the goggles knocked off put a second swim cap on after the goggles. Absolutely foolproof.
The Bontrager Node will display ANT+. You can rely on your 910 to capture/record the data.
http://bontrager.com/model/09586
I hope I’m not leading anyone astray here, but I seem to recall reading multiple posts about the Node buttons failing, by getting clogged, by splashed drink that has dried up. Might need to make sure you keep it clean.