Hey Gang,
I have just wrung my eyeballs out on this one. I just ordered my GF a PT G3 from wheel builder on Zipp 101s. I missed the fact that she is a DIE HARD Mac person. G3 is not MAC compatible… So I have to call wheelbuilder and cancel in the morning (not going to be fun on my side).
Soooo what are the choices out there. She has a QR CD01, so BB30 is an issue as well. So new cranks are a part of the issue as well… Not to mention her other bike is not BB30…
Garmin Vector not an option as she is a very passionate about her Speed Play pedals.
This was a valentines gift… But is has gone to shit in a hurry.
All jest aside, someone was trolling you re: the Mac compatible thing. Most modern computers connect via USB port, and you simply copy that file on your computer and analyze it with software. There’s no such thing as Mac compatible. Granted, powertap’s own software may not run on Macs, but Golden Cheetah definitely does
Is it really so much the power meter as it is the head unit to get the data from?
Maybe looking into head units that have programs that are mac compatible is where you need to go. Honestly, the program from Powertap “Power Agent” is not that great anyway. The only thing I used it for was updating my LYC (which you won’t have with a G3) and updating, downloading a Joule.
The G3 is fine with a mac. Pretty much any head unit she pairs with the Powertap will work fine transferring the data to her mac. Only for updating the firmware (which most people never need to do) would you need a PC with their program loaded on it. I’ve never needed to update mine, and I’ve had it a year.
All the power meter needs to be compatible with is the head unit. Buy an ANT+ head unit (garmin is probably the most popular choice) and those are compatible with Macs.
If you want a crank, buy a GXP or non-BB30 crank and put adapters on the BB30 bike. There is nothing wrong with the G3 though.
Seconding what everyone else is saying: as long as the head unit is ANT+ compatible, there’ll be an app to run on a mac that will be able to read data off it. The actual wheel only needs to talk to the head unit (unless you want to do Tour de Giro, Trainerroad, perfpro, etc then the hub will talk directly to your computer)
Call wheel builder back and tell them that you are an idiot, and you would like to continue to purchase the wheel.
The power meter does not connect to the mac, the bike computer (garmin, cycleops, whatever else) mounts up like a flash drive (just like it would on a PC) and your files are then displayed on the computer.
Thanks all,
I am continuing the purchase. I still hate Mac / Apple!
I will get a garmin head unit instead of the joule. Any firmwear updates on the g3 will be done on my pc.
I hope this works out, or this will be on stupid expensive wheelset.
Pete
Have been a long time mac guy, and have had multiple Powertaps. As everyone has said, no issues at all. I also have the joule GPS and absolutely LOVE it. Powertap is pushing the limits and really upping the game with some new developments. Stay tuned……
My G3 works fine with mac and Garmin Edge like everyone else said, I use PowerAgent for data storage and analysis. PowerAgent works pretty perfectly with PC and is sometimes quirky with Mac but the help desk always straightens me out
Wondering what advantages Golden Cheetah has over Power Agent?
Gary you are the person with the info I need.
Which joule are you using? Can you clear your joule for power agent via power agent? Can you download data into power agent from your joule via you mac (yes I know this is a redundant and obvious question) but you maybe doing this portion via pc.
Do you think if I went joule gps new black version there would be any issues other that firmware updating?
I want to go joule for my gf as it is a powertap product.and I use a joule and I am happy with it. But I am a pc guy. Knowing what you know would you know now would you go joule and mac, or garmin 500 and mac?
The powertap G3 is 100% mac compatible.
As is every power meter.
Hey Gang,
I have just wrung my eyeballs out on this one. I just ordered my GF a PT G3 from wheel builder on Zipp 101s. I missed the fact that she is a DIE HARD Mac person. G3 is not MAC compatible… So I have to call wheelbuilder and cancel in the morning (not going to be fun on my side).
Soooo what are the choices out there. She has a QR CD01, so BB30 is an issue as well. So new cranks are a part of the issue as well… Not to mention her other bike is not BB30…
Garmin Vector not an option as she is a very passionate about her Speed Play pedals.
This was a valentines gift… But is has gone to shit in a hurry.
I’m not Gary, but I’ll jump in anyway (hope that’s OK)…
Which joule are you using? Can you clear your joule for power agent via power agent? Can you download data into power agent from your joule via you mac (yes I know this is a redundant and obvious question) but you maybe doing this portion via pc.
Do you think if I went joule gps new black version there would be any issues other that firmware updating?
I want to go joule for my gf as it is a powertap product.and I use a joule and I am happy with it. But I am a pc guy. Knowing what you know would you know now would you go joule and mac, or garmin 500 and mac?
Thanks,
Pete
I use Powertap with both LYC and Joule 1.0 (no GPS) on a Mac exclusively. Reading data from the Joule is simple, easy, flawless. Yes, it clears data too. I can do the Joule setup from the PowerAgent dialogs. It all works (and why shouldn’t it?). I sometimes have problems reading data from the LYC, but I think that’s a LYC cradle issue. Never any hint of problems with the Joule.
I don’t have a Garmin 500, so I can’t comment on that, but I do have a Garmin 310 also used on the Mac and no issues with that either.
I’m a software developer and we deliver our products on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and mobile apps on IOS and Android. It’s not difficult if you plan for multiple platforms from the start. Yes, there are some driver differences, but it really is not as big a problem as the myths and legends make it seem. And all this platform hate, I just don’t get it. Each platform has its pluses and minuses. It’s OK to have a preference, but none of them are perfect, not by a long shot. But it’s all just code, nothing more.
You can use the Joule with a Mac. I have both Garmin 800 and Joule GPS and download data from the Joule to Poweragent on the Mac all the time, it its great!
Thanks again everyone.
I picked up the wheels today from Wheelbuilder, and went with the Garmin 500 to pair up to the PT G3. I just wanted to make sure data could get downloaded easy. So I did not risk the Joule.
PS, the reason for the question was after reading powertaps own statement on the power agents limitations.
Sorry I’m late is responding, but the Joule GPS is the one I have and it is FANTASTIC!!! I would go no other way for sure, and it works seamlessly and quickly with my mac setups. Powertap(Saris) is an awesome company with Customer service you will find in VERY few companies. I have even stopped by without an appointment and they will fix things on the spot!!! I’m a very big fan and if I am going to spend my money, it’s with a company like that that does so very much for the cycling community. They have raised a ton of money for the local cycling community and continue to work hard for US.
