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Purchased this device to synch with my new Garmin 310XT. The beauty is that I can monitor cadence, speed and HR on the Garmin and the Trek simultaneously. Turns out the ANT communications simultaneously works with my Trek bike computer - which is sweet. So, I could use my Trek HR monitor strap and get rid of the temperamental Trek sensors (that wouldn't talk to my Garmin). That means faster transitions from swim to bike to run since I can just keep the Garmin on my wrist. Nice to get unexpected "features" when buying a product.
I got one of these with my Garmin Edge 305 Cycling GPS system and mounted it on my road bike. So far it is holding in place, but it won't take much to break it loose. It works very well and seems quite accurate. This second one is for a stationary bike I have.My only problem is that the first one I got has cracked on the speed sensor arm where the screw is that holds it to the main unit. No speed sensor would only be a problem on a stationary bike since the GPS can calculate speed on a moving bike. Cadence is what I really wanted this for to begin with.Since the speed arm seems fragile, I don't think I would recommend using this on serious mountain bike rides.
Relatively easy to install. Make sure to force the head unit to scan for the cadence unit after installation.
It looks like it will hold up pretty well to the abuse's I will subject it to, but time will tell (only 2 off road adventures, and one road trip so far). I choose the Garmin Forerunner 305 with the heart monitor as the core components of the "monitoring" duties. What I am, is an old man who likes to get out there and "get-er-done" when the conditions are good. I have been able to calibrate it so it reports cadence, distance, speed, and calorie expenditure, to within less than a 3% error relative to what the elliptical trainer reports.
The first heart attack happened while off road motorcycling, and the second happened part way into a 10 mile back country hike. I am not a hard core bicyclist, and I am also not an athlete in training. However, this Cadence sensor gets daily use while mounted to my elliptical trainer (Schwinn 430). I can switch it back and forth between the two right now in just a few minutes, but the sensor is cheep enough that the hassle may not be worth it. This Cadence sensor gets used to record "cadence only" when mounted to the mountain bike.
Because the sensor is magnetically activated, there is no operational noise (keeps the wife happy). All in all, this sensor coupled with the Forerunner 305 and the heart monitor has filled the requirements for my data gathering needs. A recent heart attack (my second now) has encouraged me to "monitor" myself while working out and or playing hard. It allows me to keep records of all my indoor workouts, and helps me build up slowly to a predetermined goal rather than just working out according to "what feels right". I do not use it to measure distance or speed in that configuration (the GPS in the Forerunner is very accurate).
It mounted right up to my old Stump Jumper with only minor modifications to the magnet mounting scheme. I'm actually thinking about buying another one of these sensors so I can leave one permanently mounted to my bicycle, and one mounted permanently to the elliptical machine. I would recommend this product to a friend.
If I could describe this product in one word it would be failure. 5mm deviation. It is not feasible to keep the sensor attached to the crankarm and attain a reading from the GSC10 (attached to the rocker arm) without placing a 1 inch spacer inbetween.
Set up is easy.2. I own a Gary Fisher and the rocker arm to crank arm spacing is approx 1 inch. To keep this short:1.
Mind you, it doesn't stay in place. Concept is great.3. Design: Not so much.
It is unfortunate that the cadence senor requires a 5mm deviation or less from the GSC 10.Yes, it's not a typo. So when you get going and by chance the GSC 10 moves as much as 1mm, you no longer attain a reading.I am really disappointed with the product.
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