Hi everyone,
I have the Vector 3 and they’ve been working flawlessly until a week ago, the battery ran out after 40 days (WTF, so fast).
After replacing batteries on both pedals, the right side it’s not detected by my Edge 520, even after replacing it’s batteries two more times, each of those times using fresh batteries (I bought them in bulk).
Left pedal seems fine, right pedal seems unresponsive. I already tried troubleshooting them following manufacturer’s instruction manual (Which is basically removing the batteries and reinstall them)
It’s Saturday and Garmin phone support is closed. Any suggestions? (Pls refrain yourselves from being an ass, thank you)
Maybe leaving the battery out for an extended period of time would cause it to reset?
Maybe leaving the battery out for an extended period of time would cause it to reset?
Thanks, Andrew! I thought that would be an issue, but the unites were without their batteries for no longer than 45 secs each.
Then, I tried to leave them for “a nap” for about 10 minutes, reinstalled them using the app from the phone, but neither my Edge 520, nor my FR 935 detected the right unit.
The Garmin Vector 3 forum shows this to be a common problem.
The Garmin Vector 3 forum shows this to be a common problem.
Yup, I saw that as well. I was just hoping for a miracle on Slowtwitch to help me do my long ride. Phone support is closed on Saturdays, so I also left them a note in there, on an open thread from a guy having the same problem.
https://forums.garmin.com/forum/into-sports/cycling/vector-3/1308197-right-pedal-continues-to-be-“disconnected”
If you happen to know the workaround for this issue, I’d appreciate it!
Thanks.
Man, what a bummer. I was thinking of buying the new Vectors to replace my P1s… but sounds like Gamin is making everyone beta test their product once again.
Ugh, tell me qbout it.
So far, I keep making the same noob mistakes. I had to return my brand new FR 910, FR 920, FR 735 due to issues immediately after they release them, so yeah, I am not surprised.
Can you connect to the pedal via your phone?
I ran into a problem after the last firmware update where the pedals got stuck in Bluetooth only mode. I could tell because I could pick up the pedals on my phone and on my lezyne head unit when searching for bluetooth sensors but when I used the same head unit to search for a Ant+ device or used Zwift and my Ant+ dongle nothing. I always use Zwift in Ant+ so it was a one off problem.
I don’t actually know what finally fixed it but I repeatedly turned the auto-zero off and on using Garmin connect, forced the pedal to re-calibrate using my head unit and connected and disconnected the device. After a number of cycles something in the software seemed to reset and I was able to detect Ant+ again. Hopefully it is just a software glitch related to the recent updates and not a hardware problem.
Also if you are having battery life issues I would strongly recommend making sure you are using SR44 batteries rather than LR44 batteries. The batteries are the same size and both are officially approved for use in the Vectors 3. The batteries do differ however in their chemistry which makes it easier to produce very cheap/low quality LR44s than SR44s. If end up with poor quality batteries you will drain them a lot faster.
Hi, thanks a lot for your reply.
I actually tried what you did earlier today, but only once, not several times. Another thing you actually gave the the idea for, is trying to pair them via BLE, instead of ANT. Right pedal seems to be recognized on the phone, NOT on the Edge 520.
This could be helpful to actually ride on Zwift using an iPad, but I would still need a .FIT file to upload as a workout, and that is not possible to obtain in Zwift (I think?)
Otherwise, that could be a good “workaround” until Garmin figure their shit out.
I get a message occasionally from my Garmin that the right is disconnected… but I just keep going and it seems to fix itself when going back and looking at garmin’s ride data.
Thanks. I’ll give that a shot tomorrow.
One thing to note about BLE vs ANT+. You will only get the advanced cycling dynamics with ANT+. If you connect with BLE, the Vector’s will show up at only 1 device, but the power numbers are still based on both left and right. If you are connecting to Zwift, I recommend using ANT+ to your Edge and then BLE to Zwift through the mobile app.
I’ve had some connection issues with my Vector 3s while Zwifting. Usually I try to completely unpair the vectors from my phone, then reconnect it. Good luck. Garmin’s software is garbage. (FYI for Android users, you can’t update your Vector 3’s to the latest firmware with the Garmin app. It crashes. Garmin knows about the issue, but told me to basically deal with it till it’s patched. It can be updated with an Edge though.).
That’s a really good one, man. Thanks.
I’m going to try that, but at least I will get an accurate power measurement. I’ll call Garmin on Monday and will give them a bit of hell. I don’t expect to have bugs on a $1K price tag power meter.
Thanks again, I will post an update one I hear from Garmin.
Hi, thanks a lot for your reply.
I actually tried what you did earlier today, but only once, not several times. Another thing you actually gave the the idea for, is trying to pair them via BLE, instead of ANT. Right pedal seems to be recognized on the phone, NOT on the Edge 520.
This could be helpful to actually ride on Zwift using an iPad, but I would still need a .FIT file to upload as a workout, and that is not possible to obtain in Zwift (I think?)
Otherwise, that could be a good “workaround” until Garmin figure their shit out.
You can get .FIT files for Zwift, they are located in the file directory under Activities.
I am also experiencing issues with my pedals, brand new out of the box and have a lot of dropouts, 80min ride and probably had over 80 dropouts + completely lost connection towards the end. Have connected them to both 935 and 520 and same issues. ALong with massive power spikes when they reconnect. Called customer service today and he said they have a “case open” with the same issues and the team is working it with no known ETA for a fix. He did say to try the DuraCell 357 battery rather than the 44 series batteries.
Like you, pretty pissed to be having issues for a brand new device out of the box, and I vented those frustrations to the guy. Especially when he started beating around the bush blaming it on “interference issues”, no dude, sorry power meters should not have “interference issues” due to other devices being around, that is unacceptable. IE: When riding in a group with 100 other people their computers and powermeters should not effect the Vector Pedals.
This is a bummer! I was really close to getting a pair thanks to a significant discount, but between this and what I’ve read on DC Rainmaker and heard is on the Garmin forum…I’ll have to keep pinching pennies and get something else. Powertap seems to have strategically lowered their price on pedals right now!
…and I thought it was only P1’s that had such issues. I had been considering a move to the Garmins from P1’s - thinking the Garmin pedals would be more reliable than P1’s - the P1’s are good when they work, but I and many, many others have had far too many issues with them over the past two years - but having read this thread I think I will now wait at least 12 months until Garmin have had chance to iron out their gremlins.
UPDATE
Called Garmin on Monday and they asked me to send them the Garmin folder located in my Edge 520. After reviewing that, the rep said this is likely caused by a “Faulty battery door” on the pedals, so they are shipping new battery doors for both pedals via UPS 2-day air.
The rep was not only super friendly and seemed to be aware of this being a recurring issue, but he also advised me to keep a bit of grease on the battery door contacts on booth pedals. This is because grease might help to avoid “false contacts” and arcs created by faulty battery doors.
I admitted to have cleaned that grease off the day I got the pedals, so apparently this might have something to do with this problem.
I will post another update as soon as I get the replacement battery doors and see if that helps (or not?) to the situation.
I had the same exact thing happen to my Garmin Vector 3’s.
I also contacted Garmin and was told the same thing about the battery doors. They sent me a new “battery door kit” to install as well. Once I received the kit, I soon realized that this process involved disassembling the inside of the pedal and replacing parts, not just swapping battery doors. I was ok with this at first, but the more I thought about it, the more it became clear that I shouldn’t have to do this to a brand new pedal that I paid a boat load of money for…
I then contacted Garmin support, expressed my concerns, and they agreed to exchange the pedals for new ones no questions asked.
Kudos to Garmin support for taking care of their customers and standing behind their products.
New (And hopefully last) update!
Just like BTEEZY28 described above, Garmin sent both the external battery cap and the internal unit. I decided to only change the external cap, but not the internal one, nor the batteries.
It’s working! I just rode for an hour without any power dropouts or any of the pedals losing connection. I’ll keep my fingers crossed, but looks like this has been resolved.
Thank you all for your help!