Okay,
I’ve said it in the past that I’ve entered a phase where I just prefer to ride by “feel” and enjoy the “process.” However, I’m about to spend 8 straight months on a trainer (unable to ride outside due to the fact that some people will want to kill me if I ride around their neighborhood in lycra… No, it’s not Florida or Michigan).
I’ve recently found that the Nike+ iPod running device actually works as a pretty effective motivational tool (bugging the heck out of my Facebook friends because I post the numbers for daily public accountability). Simply put, I like watching the total mileage get bigger and the pace get smaller… Simple and effective. No HR. Not much else, but it’s really working for me.
Given my upcoming life on the trainer, I’m considering a PM as the way to self-motivate (and track improvements) for my cycling.
Unfortunately, I’m also a gear-whore at times and typically push for the most Gucci items. My motto being “buy nice or buy twice.”
I’ve previously use all the “wired” versions out there (from my days at Intel Corporation when we were testing all the systems and speaking with Dynastream about promoting the use of wireless Ant+ technology as a “standard” to grow market penetration of compute units). I get the “theoretical” reason why one would want wireless. I’m looking for “boots on the ground” experience/thoughts.
So, with that said… Anyone got any opinions about the PT Comp (wired) vs. PT Pro+ (less expensive wireless version)? Key thoughts:
Does the extra $600 for wireless do that much if I don’t plan to spend another extra $600 for a Garmin head unit in the next 12 months?
How susceptible is the wireless to EMI? I’ll be in an area FILLED with electromagnetic interference (military base overseas)
Any durability differences betweent these units?
Any other items out there such as the Sigma one might recommend to scratch my itch (numbers which are easily downloaed to my PC for motivation on a system that will work well on a trainer)?
No. The wire is almost never the failure point and I don’t see what wireless gets you unless you’re going to use a Garmin head.
No. That problem has pretty well been eliminated. I’ve gotten interference riding past but otherwise no.
Again, no. They’re both pretty robust.
No. The wire is almost never the failure point and I don’t see what wireless gets you unless you’re going to use a Garmin head.
No. That problem has pretty well been eliminated. I’ve gotten interference riding past but otherwise no.
Again, no. They’re both pretty robust.
+1
And they are both wireless, just one has a very short transmission range requiring a receiver on the stay.
They can both be affected by strong EM interference, as can all power meters and bike computers.
The wire is almost never the failure point and I don’t see what wireless gets you unless you’re going to use a Garmin head.
Well…
I have a harness with a short in it. Very annoying. And I only know that the problem is with the harness because I have multiple bike setups. I think wireless would be nice if you have multiple bikes to switch between. Certainly easier than all these extra harnesses.
That said, I think there is nothing wrong with a wired setup. Especially if the OP is only using it on one bike.
I almost never have sex with your wife.
I never have sex with your wife.
I’ve had quite a few harnesses fail too. They were almost all the older ones that haven’t been made in years. I think I’ve had one harness failure in the last 3 years.
I have no issues with EMI…i am on Fort Bragg and there are lots of places where cell and other communication devices are blocked but never had issues with my Powertaps. I’ve had more issues with my Polar monitors with the crazy high readings but that’s happened ever since i have been using them…And as far as wireless go for it…if anything has a higher resale value.