Magnet-less Garmin spd and cadence sensors

[-cK-]

Got both but only using the cadence sensor at the moment.

 

Started noticing to much of a difference with the speed sensor. 

 

Top speed would be out between Strava and Garmin.  I do believe that Strava uses/overrides your data with GPS data when it comes to speed and distance, well that is my experience.  Running with no sensor top speed is more or less in the same ballpark, distance is usually out by about a km or 2 over a 100km ride which is not as much as when I would run the sensor.

 

Setting the wheel size manually to about 2290 (actual measurement) would result in some funky differences, auto was even worse.  Did the math and to get about the same reading on distance I would have to enter a size of 2260-2255.  That difference to the actual measurement is far to big to trust the unit for accurate readings in my book, so I just took it off.

 

I am happy with the cadence sensor.  The only little nit pick I have with this sensor is sometimes it just takes a while to kick in (new battery or not) tapping the pedal with my foot usually kick starts things and you should note as well there is a small delay of about a second from starting your pedal strokes to actually getting a reading.

 

Garmin unit Edge 500

[Christian van Zyl]

Got both but only using the cadence sensor at the moment.

 

Started noticing to much of a difference with the speed sensor. 

 

Top speed would be out between Strava and Garmin.  I do believe that Strava uses/overrides your data with GPS data when it comes to speed and distance, well that is my experience.  Running with no sensor top speed is more or less in the same ballpark, distance is usually out by about a km or 2 over a 100km ride which is not as much as when I would run the sensor.

 

Setting the wheel size manually to about 2290 (actual measurement) would result in some funky differences, auto was even worse.  Did the math and to get about the same reading on distance I would have to enter a size of 2260-2255.  That difference to the actual measurement is far to big to trust the unit for accurate readings in my book, so I just took it off.

 

I am happy with the cadence sensor.  The only little nit pick I have with this sensor is sometimes it just takes a while to kick in (new battery or not) tapping the pedal with my foot usually kick starts things and you should note as well there is a small delay of about a second from starting your pedal strokes to actually getting a reading.

 

Garmin unit Edge 500

Do you use it on Road or MTB?

 

I'm curious on the performance of the Cadence sensor on a rocky trail. 

[-cK-]

Do you use it on Road or MTB?

 

I'm curious on the performance of the Cadence sensor on a rocky trail. 

I use it on my MTB and I don't ride that often on the road. 

 

That second delay unless your looking for super accurate data isn't that big of an deal for me.  It is mainly only noticeable when you start from a 0 cadence situation or going into a freewheel situation you'll pick up the delay otherwise anything in between I don't think you will notice it.  I mainly use the reading more on my longer climbs to pace or measure my effort or when I do fast pedal drill interval training.

 

One other thing I also might mention is that the sensor would seem to be a bit picky about the battery strength as well.  When the battery starts to get low and you hit 130+ rpm the sensor would seem to cut out and give you a 0 reading with random readings until you bring it down again.

[Rocket-Boy]

Do you use it on Road or MTB?

 

I'm curious on the performance of the Cadence sensor on a rocky trail. 

Do you know if it uses an accelerometer to pick it up or a combination of that and compass?

Afaik the wahoo ones use both.

Off topic is it worth getting the speed and cadence sensor over just the rpm cadence sensor?

I use gps for everything so dont particularly want speed. Going to be ordering from you in the next day or two and cant decide between the two.

[Christian van Zyl]

Do you know if it uses an accelerometer to pick it up or a combination of that and compass?

Afaik the wahoo ones use both.

Off topic is it worth getting the speed and cadence sensor over just the rpm cadence sensor?

I use gps for everything so dont particularly want speed. Going to be ordering from you in the next day or two and cant decide between the two.

To be honest, the cadence is the most important for me in the short term... I've never seen the use of a speed sensor in general as I also only use my GPS. 

 

Perhaps someone reading this thread can give insight into why you need a speed sensor unless the area you're in has bad GPS connectivity. 

 

As in my research the Wahoo sensor works off an accelerometer only. Does the Garmin also have a compass? 

[NordicElf]

To be honest, the cadence is the most important for me in the short term... I've never seen the use of a speed sensor in general as I also only use my GPS. 

 

Perhaps someone reading this thread can give insight into why you need a speed sensor unless the area you're in has bad GPS connectivity. 

 

As in my research the Wahoo sensor works off an accelerometer only. Does the Garmin also have a compass? 

 

I use my speed sensor on my indoor trainer. But I think I read somewhere that speed sensors are more accurate than gps if configured correctly, I don't care, gps is accurate enough for me. Obviously gps is useless on the indoor trainer.

[Bobbo_SA]

To be honest, the cadence is the most important for me in the short term... I've never seen the use of a speed sensor in general as I also only use my GPS. 

 

Perhaps someone reading this thread can give insight into why you need a speed sensor unless the area you're in has bad GPS connectivity. 

 

As in my research the Wahoo sensor works off an accelerometer only. Does the Garmin also have a compass? 

 

GPS speed is not accurate on steep inclines or declines, although with the barometer it can compensate for the lack of accuracy but wheel speed is still more accurate.

 

Think of looking at a triangle from the top, point A and B appear to only be x apart, however from the side the actual distance from A to B might be y.

 

Every manufacturer implementing GPS has a different way of trying to resolve the issue, some with various degrees of success.

 

Its almost like asking why Aircraft have Pitot tubes and don't only rely on GPS speed.

[NordicElf]

To be honest, the cadence is the most important for me in the short term... I've never seen the use of a speed sensor in general as I also only use my GPS. 

 

Perhaps someone reading this thread can give insight into why you need a speed sensor unless the area you're in has bad GPS connectivity. 

 

As in my research the Wahoo sensor works off an accelerometer only. Does the Garmin also have a compass? 

 

I use my speed sensor on my indoor trainer. But I think I read somewhere that speed sensors are more accurate than gps if configured correctly, I don't care, gps is accurate enough for me. Obviously gps is useless on the indoor trainer.

 

Actually I bought mine for cadence and it had the speed sensor on it and it was useful on the indoor trainer but actually I probably wouldn't bother now... because I don't think indoor trainer speed is that useful. I could just as easily remember which cog on the cassette I was on last time to guage fitness.