as i look at these two devices on the company’s website, it appears that the only differences (for $200) are that the pro has a cadence function, time of day, display smoothing and a customizable display. looks like accuracy is equivalent as well as data storage capability.
can anyone tell me:
am i missing anything significant?
is the display smoothing a big deal?
has the company fixed the reliability issues on the PT regarding operation in a wet environment?
thanks in advance,
pat
I definitely can’t justify the extra features for the extra money. I have a standard powertap on order right now. I think there’s a weight difference too. Its a training tool so the extra weight isn’t a big deal.
i am grateful for the prompt responses. but i’m really interested in the differences between the two lower-priced models. the top-shelf SL (black, carbon fiber, light, etc.) is not up for consideration.
i agree that weight is not a factor for this meter. really concerned with the reliability issue and display smoothing…
thanks,
pat
I think the big thing is weight…and again, these are training wheels…
(While i have my Powertap SL in trasit I say this)
if i understand correctly, there is no weight difference between the two, but i thought there was a memory difference in addition to the other things you’ve mentioned.
The Pro originally had better sealing (though still not 100% according to some owners)…than the standard. I don’t know if they’ve upgraded the Standard model’s seals…but that is a serious consideration if you want to train full time on it. You don’t want to have to run for cover at the first spot of rain.
…I had the PowerTap Pro and it was faulty…
…had it sent back and then decided to upgrade to the PowerTap Pro SL cos I felt it would be better against the rain and figured since it was an upgrade I wouldn’t get any more problems…but it’s also faulty now!!! all of a sudden no more power readings…
…I have had it there, broken down for ages now as I haven’t sent it back yet…thing is I use that wheel for indoor training and it would mean getting another wheel made up and taking the hub off it to send back and you know how it is…
So…excellent product when its working properly (its great to have watts out on the road) but I have had two models and both have given me problems…not to mention the promised Apple Mac version of the software that has not materialised…or has it? someone let me know.
Regardless, their customer service is great…it really is…so at the end of the day, if you’re in the US and the product is defective it really isn’t much of a hassle to send it back…but for me in Gibraltar it is…
I will have to send it back for sure and dont know how much that will all cost me since more than a year has elapsed now…very frustrating!!!
I believe the power tap pro and sl’s as of 2006 are both coming with 15 hours of memory vs. std pt having 7.5 hrs. Make sure you are getting the new head unit.
I’ve tested all three versions of the PT and the SL is the only one which has not been affected by power lines. Not to say it won’t be affected by you, but over the same roads here in NY it has not dropped a signal where the other designs have. The other designs (both pro and std) also had some issues with bad weather rides so you may want to check out the SL.
You also may want to look into the new Ergomo Pro. Alot more features, can use a real disc, and not affected by rain and the cold temperatures like all of the power taps. Ergomo doesn’t use strain gauges like SRM and Power Taps so the cold or drastic changes in the weather won’t affect calibration. I’m testing out the new ergomo pro here for my shop in the next couple of weeks.
I would highly recommend Hunter Allen’s new Power meter book as well as the cycling peaks software. Both products take all of the guess work out of training with power.
Good luck,
Pat
Thanks Pat…can you explain thsi though:
I believe the power tap pro and sl’s as of 2006 are both coming with 15 hours of memory vs. std pt having 7.5 hrs. Make sure you are getting the new head unit.
What does this mean???
There are several types of head units.
1-Black (7.5 hours memory) .
2-Yellow which had been used for all Pro and SL models until recently (also 7.5 hours memory) and is shipping out with current power tap std.
3-Yellow #2 which is being shipped with all new pro and sl units(which has 15 hours of memory)
If you look at the link below competitive cyclist also mentions that in 2006 the memory on the SL and Pro head units are greater than the std.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=CATEGORY_VIEW&CATEGORY.ID=351&MODE=
I just wanted to make sure that if someone was buying one off ebay or from a store which had them in stock that you would get the most updated (and refined) head unit for your money. You would be kicking yourself if you bought one last week and found out for the same money you could have gotten double the memory.
Hope this helps,
Pat
Yes, their customer service is awesome. I called them today, it’s President’s day today a national holiday, and they were working! I got them to send me a new computor for my old standard PT in exchange for my old one. I originally called them for new battery covers. I hate the plastic ones that come on the computor.
Very friendly people. I hope they get holiday pay today.
How often does everyone change their batteries for the computor? I’ve gotten only 2-300 miles before they die on me. Thats why they’re sending me a new one.
thanks pat and everyone. more questions:
who sells these at the best price for a complete wheel?
how do those experienced find overall reliability? seems like you folks have a lot of experience with their customer service, which, even if it’s run well, does not seem like a great endorsement for the product.
thanks,
pat
Main difference from what I was just told by Rich at Wheelbuilder is to get the pro if you are training in a rainy area. I just bought the SL because I was told that if the rain affects it, all you have to do is open it up and dry it out.