IDT Platforms - VirtualTrainer vs TrainerRoad for I-PAD

[Garfield2010]

I have just about had it with the VritualTrainer for the I-Pad.  It is clear they favour the windows based platforms.  Since the inception our videos have frozen after about 10 minutes max 80% of the time.  We have requested various times to the programmers to fix this and whilst they have updated various other issues they have not fixed this. 

 

This is frustrating as we download videos at great expense (bandwidth) and time and then doing a long ride on Saturday sucks whe

 

This products main selling point is the online race videos so it is nothing more than broken.  Feedback is also very limited from the programmers.  Even Sufferfest is broken and has timing issues on the I-Pad.

 

I am strongly considering moving over to Trainerroad who now launched their I-Pad application.

 

Does any one have any experience with the Trainerroad software?  Please give feedback.  They also give a 30 day trial money back guarantee so it seems worth a try....................

 

The above have nothing to do with the Cyclops guys in Joburg (Dave and team) as they are as helpful as they possibly could be.

[Cam182]

Trainerroad is perfect for me (run it on a macbook air connected to a kickr). I can not fault it - i use it for a variety of workouts and have spent far more time on the trainer this winter since i got trainerroad, than i did pre trainer road. They have sufferfest integration if you have bought the videos which then changes the resistance on the trainer as you ride. If the Ipad app is anything like the macbook version then i'm sure you'll be happy, otherwise you get your money back within 30 days...

[rouxtjie]

Maybe I am just lucky, but never had a glitch with videos / routes / workouts. We had some lag issues with the race option a while ago, but that was fixed if I had to compare to the races now.

 

Note, I am running the powerbeam pro BLE hardware and BLE peripherals. Also have a 4mb uncapped, unshaped ADSL line.

 

Can't comment on trainerroad, but would that just be a replacement for the workouts component in virtual trainer?

[V12man]

Garf - take the wide band settings off your wifi device first - Apple does not use it, and seems to confuse some apple devices too.

 

Worth a try.

[rouxtjie]

As posted earlier garf....Trainerroad will JUST replace the workouts tab on virtual trainer app. There are no races / routes / videos linked to routes. So yes, you might not have a problem with them cause the app doesnt offer it

[Garfield2010]

The main issue is that I choose a route and then download the video for it on my I-Pad overnight (streaming has major issues as the server is in Canada or Poland or somewhere).  So in other words that's say 3 gigs overnight.  Then when I ride the route with the already downloaded video it freezes.  It always freezes at the same point.  I can finish the route via google maps view etc but this is not ideal.

 

They are well aware of the problem (with I-Pad) but cant fix it for some reason (by their own admission).

 

I have a 4Mb ADSL line and there is no issues with the online racing or the "workouts" as such, it is only when I want to ride a route and watch the video - something that I want to do.

[rouxtjie]

The main issue is that I choose a route and then download the video for it on my I-Pad overnight (streaming has major issues as the server is in Canada or Poland or somewhere).  So in other words that's say 3 gigs overnight.  Then when I ride the route with the already downloaded video it freezes.  It always freezes at the same point.  I can finish the route via google maps view etc but this is not ideal.

 

They are well aware of the problem (with I-Pad) but cant fix it for some reason (by their own admission).

 

I have a 4Mb ADSL line and there is no issues with the online racing or the "workouts" as such, it is only when I want to ride a route and watch the video - something that I want to do.

Ah ok I see, I only stream videos cause I want to save space on Ipad, but like I said, I have never had a problem with streaming...maybe its just the videos I have selected and have been lucky.

 

I will admit, I dont use video routes often....I use workout tab ALOT...and the race mode as well and havent had a glitch there.

 

PS, trainerroad doesnt have VR environment if I understand correctly. Maybe I am wrong, but you can't go to a map and select a route and then have a video for it. 

[Garfield2010]

Ah ok I see, I only stream videos cause I want to save space on Ipad, but like I said, I have never had a problem with streaming...maybe its just the videos I have selected and have been lucky.

 

I will admit, I dont use video routes often....I use workout tab ALOT...and the race mode as well and havent had a glitch there.

 

PS, trainerroad doesnt have VR environment if I understand correctly. Maybe I am wrong, but you can't go to a map and select a route and then have a video for it. 

Cool thx

 

Maybe I will try it for one month, compare and then decide.  Seems I should rather stream then perhaps?

[rouxtjie]

Cool thx

 

Maybe I will try it for one month, compare and then decide.  Seems I should rather stream then perhaps?

I always stream, but my connectivity is great. 

 

You will need something else for VR training should you want to move, trainerroad won't work for your needs

[V12man]

I always stream, but my connectivity is great. 

 

You will need something else for VR training should you want to move, trainerroad won't work for your needs

Wern't you trying to concurrently stream as well as watching the same downloaded video at one point - wonder if that might explain Garfield's issue?

[rouxtjie]

Wern't you trying to concurrently stream as well as watching the same downloaded video at one point - wonder if that might explain Garfield's issue?

Not that I can remember...I was racing once, and then forgot the video stream on, and it chowed mass amount of data...but I figured it out

[V12man]

Not that I can remember...I was racing once, and then forgot the video stream on, and it chowed mass amount of data...but I figured it out

Aha - ok then... 

[Garfield2010]

You can choose either streaming or download.  If you choose download then the video has to download first.  Once downloaded however the app does not allow you to stream downloaded videos so no it is not that.

 

Also note that when you want to delete videos it does not pull through on the tablets memory for some reason so in effect you have to uninstall the whole app and reinstall - something which the programmers / creators are also well aware of.

 

My issue is that these bugs are there for the I-pad and well known to them by there own admission yet they don't fix them.

 

Why cant the thing just play the downloaded video correctly?

[JGR]

You can choose either streaming or download.  If you choose download then the video has to download first.  Once downloaded however the app does not allow you to stream downloaded videos so no it is not that.

 

Also note that when you want to delete videos it does not pull through on the tablets memory for some reason so in effect you have to uninstall the whole app and reinstall - something which the programmers / creators are also well aware of.

 

My issue is that these bugs are there for the I-pad and well known to them by there own admission yet they don't fix them.

 

Why cant the thing just play the downloaded video correctly?

Its Davem's ploy to slow you down ... so obvious