I’ve seen the amatuer’s going for ~$1300 depending on how old they are. From what I’ve read, the only difference between the am and the pro is 2 strain gauges instead of 4, which I don’t see making a big difference. I haven’t seen any complaints but probably there are a few. I have to think that the reliability, ease of setup, etc, put it in a completely different league from the polar. I’ve seen many people reporting wattages with the polar that would make them world class, yet their times are very average.
- Just thought that I would mention that there is a bunch of advice floating around this thread that could best be summarised as “… well, I don’t actually have one, but (blah blah blah…)”
To Whit - The PT SL. There are a large volume of complaints regarding this unit floating around the Power Training cyber-world right now. Huge thread on Wattage on this topic - you might want to check it out.
They are in short supply, have had some fairly serious hardware problems (with warranty replacement units difficult to come by,) and may have problems metering consistantly in cold weather. In other words, they are a first model year, hi-tech product. Advantages of the SL? It is lighter than the Pro model. Other than that, all bets are off…
Caveat emptor.
I have one on order for myself - but I am making damn sure that my training clients know this stuff before I will sell them one…
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The amateur’s accuracy drifts and it needs to be calibrated regularly to ensure that one is actually getting the correct data. Add that to the imprecision and it’s not worth the saved $800 versus the Pro since one is giving up crank choices. If someone is using the amateur and not checking the calibration regularly they might as well have the Polar. If you read the topica wattage list, the complaints are legion.
http://lists.topica.com/search/?query=amateur&x=0&y=0&search_what=900009803&search_type=msg
As I understand the hubs are the same for both the Standard and the Pro. The advantage of the Pro is that it downloads faster, can show cadence, heart rate and time simultaneously and you can use it as a computer/HRM with a standard wheel. Its disadvantage is that 1. The yellow is fugly and 2. The extra wire and sensor for the cadence is also fugly
I hate fugly, so I went back to the standard computer. I wish they would bring out a wireless cadence/power pickup ala cateye.
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faster download: true
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shows cadence/heart rate and time simultaneously: true (note: the Pro has directly measured cadence (and there have been a number of reported issues with it, such that many owners have cut off the cable and not used it), while the Standard imputes it (by noting the power peaks that come within each pedal strokes))
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computer/HRM only: the Standard allows this, too.
I have a drawer full of Timex watches - various freebies from over the years. Typically grab whatever one is on top and slap in on the wrist before I head out the door.
Can’t make head or tails about what these guys are talking about on this thread. I thought it was all about getting out and riding. Perhaps, I am missing something.
Great ride last night. Used watch again as guide. Had about an hour to ride before sunset, so headed out and turned back towards home at the 30 minute mark. Works like a charm every time! One of my favourite local roads is in aweful shape after the winter. Looks/feels like part of the Paris-Roubaix parcours!
Fleck
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faster download: true
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shows cadence/heart rate and time simultaneously: true (note: the Pro has directly measured cadence (and there have been a number of reported issues with it, such that many owners have cut off the cable and not used it), while the Standard imputes it (by noting the power peaks that come within each pedal strokes))
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computer/HRM only: the Standard allows this, too.
I actually checked the manual and with Cycle-Ops. With the current standard you cannot use it as a stand alone Computer or HRM it has to be the pro or SL. I believe with the original powertap it could be used seperately.