Is PowerTap head unit compatible with Quarq?

Triathlon Forum
1

I really like my head unit for the PowerTap SL. I know it is ANT+. Would it be compatible with the Quarq? Would the Powertap talk to the Quarq and display watts, speed, etc?

Thanks!

2

No, you can’t. The PowerTap Cervo computer isn’t ANT+, even though the latest PowerTap hubs are. The hubs transmit two packets concurrently, one PowerTap proprietary and the other ANT+. This means that you can use your PowerTap with both the Cervo and newer ANT+ computers like the Garmin range. So you can’t use a Cervo with a Quarq, but you could in theory use the latest PowerTap Joule computers with the Quarq as they are ANT+ based.

3

I understand. Well I think. I plan on purchasing a Garmin 705. It will work with my PT ANT+ hub. but he PT computer won’t work with other ANT+ stuff.

That clear it up.

4

As stated, the current computers are not compatible, but the Joule 2.0 and 3.0 computers that were announced at InterBike are ANT+ and compatible with Quark, saw some Quark guys playing around with a Joule in a video from the show.

The new Joule sounds like everything the old PT head used to be plus much more… but the downside is they are about ~500 bucks. Meaning I’ll probably going with the Garmin Edge 500 or maybe a 310xt instead.

5

Does the Joule 2.0 and/or 3.0 do GPS or elevation?

I went ahead and purchased a 705. Wife called and indicated we got a small package today so probably waiting for me at home.

I was able to get a new one (not refurbished) for under $400 so could not really pass up.

6

I do not believe that the Joule has GPS, they don’t explicitly say that they don’t but I’m fairly sure that they would make it more obvious if it did.

http://www.saris.com/p-377-Joule.aspx?skinid=2

You are going to get a more diverse featureset on the 405 due to the GPS, turn-by-turn, etc, but the Joule has more Power specific readouts and functionality. The 705 is a capable enough unit though that this may be something that Garmin could address in a firmware update.

I don’t think the Joule is available yet either, and really $500 is a lot of money for a head unit that seems to effectively do nothing without your meter.

7

elevation & temperature, no gps.

8

My joule is not reading elevation, is there something wrong with it or is there something I have to setup?