Iphone 5 as a training app

[Loose cog]

Not knocking Polar but I find they are restricted to Polar products and apps. The sensors must be ANT+ so they can be picked up by other bluetooth receivers. Google DC Rainmaker for full explanation and reviews.

[GrantRH]

I might add: many races are now going the gps route. Before spending money on an iPhone compatible setup, consider the gps bike computer route so that you don't end up with a setup that becomes obsolete as gps races become the norm and not the exception.

 

I suspect that the iPhone will soon offer apps that cater for gps racing, but give it some thought.

[fandacious]

this is something im watching very closely.

 

I've got a samsung note 3 which actually has ant+ reciever in it. It can pair with all my devices (heartrate, cadence, speed, power, etc).

 

The only catch is that currently strava app doesnt support recording power from device ant+ - only from bluetooth ant+ devices.

 

I'm sure that will change soon. When it does, goodbye bryton computer.

 

why bother with a cellphone AND bryton computer?

[Loose cog]

I might add: many races are now going the gps route. Before spending money on an iPhone compatible setup, consider the gps bike computer route so that you don't end up with a setup that becomes obsolete as gps races become the norm and not the exception.

 

I suspect that the iPhone will soon offer apps that cater for gps racing, but give it some thought.

 

Agreed, but why have another computer when you can use your phone. Problem is gps chews power on all today's phones but not too serious if you fully charged and ride for less than 4 hrs.

 

ANT+ bluetooth sensors will become cheaper, phone batteries last longer (gps power drawing less), etc. At the moment the Wahoo Fitness repeater with ANT+ sensors looks like the best option for me. My iPhone can run Strava or any of the other apps repeating the info on my bars with my phone in my pocket.

 

The Wahoo SA agents are ripping it a bit and so I will import directly.

[HappyMartin]

People with guns like iPhones I discovered.

[GrantRH]

 

Agreed, but why have another computer when you can use your phone. Problem is gps chews power on all today's phones but not too serious if you fully charged and ride for less than 4 hrs.

 

ANT+ bluetooth sensors will become cheaper, phone batteries last longer (gps power drawing less), etc. At the moment the Wahoo Fitness repeater with ANT+ sensors looks like the best option for me. My iPhone can run Strava or any of the other apps repeating the info on my bars with my phone in my pocket.

 

The Wahoo SA agents are ripping it a bit and so I will import directly.

 

Agreed, I only use my phone and wahoo kit at the moment. Works for now but not sure what to do when I need a GPS for a race. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

[Brian Fantana]

Cycleops also has an app, that can be used with the Powertap Powercal Bluetooth. It is about R1200 for the Powercal strap, and the app will display heart rate and calculated power on the iphone screen.

 

Here is a review of the PowerCal:

 

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/11/cycleops-powercal-in-depth-review.html

 

 

[lukeram]

Hi guys

 

I've been riding for around 2 years and started getting serious... (Ish)

 

I started with the iphone 5 with a lifeproof case and bike mount. Run that with a wahoo hr monitor and a cadence and speed monitor.

 

They work really well, I even use bluetooth earphones to listen to music at the same time.

 

HOWEVER - enter battery life. Having the screen on drains battery life like crazy! So I pocketed the phone and setup voice alerts. Worked for a while, but still only gets me 3-4 hrs battery life. So then turn off data on the phone when riding - this gets you another hour or so..

 

BUT I still wanted to see the real time feedback. So I bought the rflkt+ from wahoo which is almost a dumb screen for the phone. Enter more battery life. it also have a altimeter and temp gauge - to make some of my gps strava climbs real...

 

I now have 2 cadence monitors (1 for mtb one for road) and one hrm (I killed one by sending one to the wash)

 

Bottom line is that I'm now doing rides over 6 hrs... Which means even with a extra battery some times I don't complete the ride officially cause my battery dies - this sucks because if it's not on strava it didn't happen!!

 

Basically the iphone route is great if you don't plan on doing any rides over 5-6 hrs... After that I'd go garmin or suunto/polar.

 

There is another thread that sums up iphone vs gps.

 

There are two types of people in the world - those who go with a dedicated gps for the beginning, and those who try the iphone route and then buy a gps... I'm inclined to say that you fall in the second class if you plan on rides over 5 hrs

 

On that note, anyone want some wahoo tech for a good price? also check out cycle meter app, gives you all the analysis you would ever want.

 

Luke

 

[Loose cog]

Thanks Luke

 

Very constructive review based upon your personal experience. I have been putting off the purchase but will go ahead now.

[fandacious]

Hi guys

 

I've been riding for around 2 years and started getting serious... (Ish)

 

I started with the iphone 5 with a lifeproof case and bike mount. Run that with a wahoo hr monitor and a cadence and speed monitor.

 

They work really well, I even use bluetooth earphones to listen to music at the same time.

 

HOWEVER - enter battery life. Having the screen on drains battery life like crazy! So I pocketed the phone and setup voice alerts. Worked for a while, but still only gets me 3-4 hrs battery life. So then turn off data on the phone when riding - this gets you another hour or so..

 

BUT I still wanted to see the real time feedback. So I bought the rflkt+ from wahoo which is almost a dumb screen for the phone. Enter more battery life. it also have a altimeter and temp gauge - to make some of my gps strava climbs real...

 

I now have 2 cadence monitors (1 for mtb one for road) and one hrm (I killed one by sending one to the wash)

 

Bottom line is that I'm now doing rides over 6 hrs... Which means even with a extra battery some times I don't complete the ride officially cause my battery dies - this sucks because if it's not on strava it didn't happen!!

 

Basically the iphone route is great if you don't plan on doing any rides over 5-6 hrs... After that I'd go garmin or suunto/polar.

 

There is another thread that sums up iphone vs gps.

 

There are two types of people in the world - those who go with a dedicated gps for the beginning, and those who try the iphone route and then buy a gps... I'm inclined to say that you fall in the second class if you plan on rides over 5 hrs

 

On that note, anyone want some wahoo tech for a good price? also check out cycle meter app, gives you all the analysis you would ever want.

 

Luke

 

enter BLE

 

BLE will definitely replace ANT+ in the next few years. It uses far less power. However, GPS (depending on accuracy mode) will still chew battery.

 

The android devices allow you to choose GPS calculation method out of a combination of theses 3: Cell tower triangulation, wifi signal triangulation, GPS.

 

IIRC, cell tower triangulation uses the least battery. Turning all 3 on uses the most.

 

Also, a big phone like a note 3 has quite a big battery (2600mah), so battery life isnt too bad.

 

I feel we're still in the early stages of this technology, and a lot of refinements will come which will help tremendously with battery life

[Jannas007]

I use my iPhone5 with SportsTracker app to track my MTB workouts - very useful tool!

[Super J]

Jannas, does Sports tracker work with Iphone cos I can get one but according to the website, they not Iphone compatible?

[Jannas007]

Jannas, does Sports tracker work with Iphone cos I can get one but according to the website, they not Iphone compatible?

 

Yes it definately works, I have used SportsTracker on my iPhone 4S and now my iPhone 5, and it works well. Only problem is that it struggles to last a full MTB race that is about 30km long.

[DieVlieg]

I investigated this for Android and found that there were one key area to investigate first. That is what kind of connectivity does the device provide for and what kind of sensors do you have. For instance there are normal Bluetooth for which there are not any sensors available, then there are the latest version of Bluetooth (Bluetooth mobile or bluetooth 2.0 or something) which has seen growth in the number of sensors available and is also supported by the latest Android OS and most newer Samsung devices, be carefull bothe the OS and device must support this connectivity. Lastley there is Ant+ which was is still the most widely supported connectivity sensors and iPhone provides for this type of connectivity and also most GPS devices.

 

Choose an app that works from your handset GPS for outside riding and a none app specific sensors. Go see the local hobby shop they know more than most cycle shops about the gadgets. The cycle shops struggle sometimes to differentiate between these things beyond what one can read on the box and price category.

[Paul Ruinaard]

Get a very big I[hone battery if you start to run all this is just my 2 cents worth.

 

WRT the software i believe the Adidas Micoach software was used by the German soccer team, so you may want to look at that as it clearly works :-).

 

There were ads on the TV when i was in the UK last week showing this off and how it worked, and it was all on Iphone. It looked really funky.

 

Wearables are all the rage in the UK - hundreds of different types at Dixon's on the way home when i left.

[Wahooligan69]

Agreed, but why have another computer when you can use your phone. Problem is gps chews power on all today's phones but not too serious if you fully charged and ride for less than 4 hrs.

 

ANT+ bluetooth sensors will become cheaper, phone batteries last longer (gps power drawing less), etc. At the moment the Wahoo Fitness repeater with ANT+ sensors looks like the best option for me. My iPhone can run Strava or any of the other apps repeating the info on my bars with my phone in my pocket.

 

The Wahoo SA agents are ripping it a bit and so I will import directly.

 

Hi SuperJ

 

We are the distributors of the Wahoo range of products here in SA.

 

Please visit our website www.wahoofitness.co.za for information that will answer most of your questions and concerns highlighted below.

 

The Wahoo Fitness app is free on the App Store and will allow you to add as many sensors ( BLT and ANT+) as you want.

 

Please also see below some links with regards to software and hard ware upgrades and compatibility with Android.

 

http://support.wahoofitness.com/entries/30334274-Android-Device-and-Product-Compatibility-

 

http://support.wahoofitness.com/entries/22423335-When-will-the-Wahoo-Fitness-app-be-available-for-Android-devices-

 

For your application you will need the following:

 

iPhone5

Wahoo Fitness App ( many more to choose from i.e.: Stava Segments, MapMyRide, Endomondo etc)

New Wahoo TICKR ( dual band communication - BLT and ANT+)

Blue SC ( BLT)

 

I suggest you find an ipad/iphone stand at a music store ( there is on in Sandton) as these are much cheaper.

 

With regards to pricing the following:

 

We import against the rand/dollar exchange rate (currently at R11/USD), pay VAT and import duties on everything we import.

We also give a guarantee on our product when purchased through our distribution channels here in SA.

We give professional and prompt service to our customers and am a phone call away.

 

Suffice to say our SRP is reasonable and reflects a fair comparison to the US pricing point; considering the above.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us via our website should you need more assistance.

 

cheers and safe peddling