As usual, Mr. Rainmaker does a great job covering the latest information on the Garmin Vector pedal. Lots of interesting stuff. Especially that there are some Zero and calibration protocols they have not worked out yet.
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/09/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know.html
I know I shouldn’t but I can see myself getting some of these and then upgrading to a 800 to get the best from them 
.
Sounds like Speedplay will never happen. Bummer.
Tied to Look. Just when you think a company has solved the dilemmas crankset (lack of campagnolo, not super easy to change around), wheel based (race day wheels vs training) it just doesn’t work out. Now the dilemma comes down to pedals…it’s a shame.
after waiting almost 2 years on these pedals, i purchased a quarq last week and couldn’t be happier. install was a snap on my p3c and i raced 48 hrs later at patriots half in virginia. it sounds as though there’s still a ways to go in developing the software for the vector.
one question: will the NP-reading update on garmin 500/800 mentioned also work with quarq?
one question: will the NP-reading update on garmin 500/800 mentioned also work with quarq?
The NP reading should work with any powermeter as there is nothing special about the vector power data in relation to the NP algorithm.
one question: will the NP-reading update on garmin 500/800 mentioned also work with quarq?
The NP reading should work with any powermeter as there is nothing special about the vector power data in relation to the NP algorithm.
Maybe I missed this while skimming the article, but the NP, TSS, IF screens for the 500/800 are firmware updates, not hardware, correct? That is, in a month or so I’ll be able to do a download and then start looking at NP and TSS on my 500 while I ride? That’s sweet.
-Colin
one question: will the NP-reading update on garmin 500/800 mentioned also work with quarq?
The NP reading should work with any powermeter as there is nothing special about the vector power data in relation to the NP algorithm.
Maybe I missed this while skimming the article, but the NP, TSS, IF screens for the 500/800 are firmware updates, not hardware, correct? That is, in a month or so I’ll be able to do a download and then start looking at NP and TSS on my 500 while I ride? That’s sweet.
-Colin
Correct.
And across any power meter. It’s more of a partnership thing with TrainingPeaks than a Garmin-specific thing.
that’s awesome…any word on when/if NP, etc will be available on the 310xt??
Can you ask garmin if they going to add NP, TSS and IF to the 705?
Great stuff. I really enjoy your reviews, DCRainmaker. Thanks!
that’s awesome…any word on when/if NP, etc will be available on the 310xt??
Yes, ‘shortly’ after Edge 800 which is this month. Yesterday they had said that it would be all three (310XT/500/800) this month - but this morning they came back and noted that the 500/310XT would ride slightly behind timeline wise.
Can you ask garmin if they going to add NP, TSS and IF to the 705?
Sorry, missed this.
No, not to the Edge 705. They said that the 705 doesn’t share the same codebase as the 500/800/310XT and it would have been a significant engineering effort to go back and add it there. Going forward however on all power devices it’ll have this, including the new Forerunner to be “released this fall”.
Great review! Thanks for your efforts. Definitely excited about this new product. Anyone wanna buy some Powertap wheels?
thanks for the update!! that’s very cool to hear.
Great review/update Ray. What is the guesstimate on release date?
Jamie
Looks like March based upon what they said in the review.
DC you have found your calling. Thanks very much.
Thanks.
I think I’ll hold out for a PT just because of the cost, but competition is always welcome.
Does anyone know if these are calculating the bending moment on the pedal spindle? Is that how power is being calculated, from the torque required to deflect perpendicular to the spindle’s axis?
Thanks.
I think I’ll hold out for a PT just because of the cost, but competition is always welcome.
Does anyone know if these are calculating the bending moment on the pedal spindle? Is that how power is being calculated, from the torque required to deflect perpendicular to the spindle’s axis?
Competition will help prices all around. Saris is already lowering the prices on their powertap hub systems. Although it is not clear whether this is to remain competitive in the market or a reflection of manufacturing cost reductions. I suspect a combination of both. The popular thought is that after a while on market the Garmin system will come down in price as most of their other equipment does ( forerunner 305 costs 140$ new from Amazon now).
The Vector senses deflection of the spindle using piezo strain gauges which allow the system to determine the vectorized force load (tangential and normal-axial forces relative to the crank arm). Using accelerometers the system can know where the pedal is in space and determine that tangential force and thus a torque. Torque applied times the rotation speed produces power.