http://bike.shimano.com/content/sac-bike/en/home/news-and-info/news/shimano-advances-wireless-di2-functionality.html
I have been wanting to pick up a Shimano D-Fly unit (SM‑EWW01) for my Di2 system to transmit data, track my shifting & monitor other pointless crap since it was released last year (I’m a big data nerd). I got a price alert from Amazon that it dropped below $60 for the unit & while reading one of the reviews, I saw that Shimano is releasing a new version this summer as a part of a new MTB Di2 setup. The new units mentioned in the link above are not just ANT+ compatible, but also BLE compatible. I read the article above, but it’s a basic press release. Has anyone gone deeper with this to know if there is any difference between the current model & the new models (EW-WU101 & EW-WU111) besides the addition of Bluetooth integration? I saw mention that a new battery mount would also be required.
I looked on DC Rainmaker’s site & there is no mention that I could find on the new units.
I feel that since I am all in on Garmin, there is no need for the Bluetooth since Garmin is ANT+ all the time, but if there is any additional benefit, I may wait for the new units to come out.
I could be wrong but my assumption was that the d-fly functionality would be included with the new gen XT and XTR Di2 groups (in other words, it’s not an extra pass through junction but integrated with the group components.
The new dura ace is rumored to have this same integration.
Less than two days to a Shimano announcement on Dura Ace: http://www.duraace.com/
The release you linked spells out most of the relevant info. The Bluetooth functionality is for the E-Tube Project app that will allow for Di2 firmware updates and customization from a smartphone or tablet. If the app only used ANT+ then iOS products would be out without an ANT+ dongle, if the aging Wahoo ANT+ dongle would even work. My bet is that the Bluetooth will be limited to the E-Tube Project app and won’t be tied in any way to Bluetooth sensors (for now anyway).
The asterisk at the end of the press release states that the new E-Tube Project app will be backwards compatible with everything except first gen Ultegra 6770 Di2 and Alfine when using the older junction or displays. This is good news!
Now lets hope that the new DA junction A has this support included and is as small as rumored:)
If you only want the D-Fly stats and not the E-Tube Project link then there’s no reason to not take advantage of the current low prices on the existing D-Fly unit.
Hi
The new Shimano D-Fly unit (models EW-WU101 & EW-WU111) with Bluetooth gives you access to the E-tube Project application available on IOS enabling you to customize your Di2 as well as update the firmware without having to go to the shop and pay for the upgrade,
The old model (SM‑EWW01) with ANT+ only gives limited Garmin connectivity. This I’ve learned from a lot of browsing around as Shimano is not very forthright with its requirements.
Costs are about the same for both units but finding the unit is another issue. The only place where it is available on-line is here https://www.bike24.com/p2164034.html but the cost of delivery makes it prohibitive; 20€ for shipping and handling a 5 gram parcel is outrageous. Good luck