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ANT+ Heart rate straps. Synch to 2 devices simultaneously?
Question for those knowledgeable on the matter....
I'm thinking of getting something like a Polar HRM. I'm also going through the new phone process and have noticed many of the Sony xperia phones have ANT+ support for HRM straps.
So the question is, can I have the strap synched to the HRM and the phone simultaneously so I can have the display on the HRM on the wrist/bars and the phone tucked away safely in the camelback running strava? Are the straps Tx only or do they communicate like a bluetooth device?
TIA 
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Short answer from my research is Polar equipment is NOT ANT+, as such will not operate with ANT+ transmitters or receivers.
This is disappointing because I too wanted to get a Polar HRM etc and use an Iphone.
Garmin is ANT+ and in theory I guess its possible to run 1 ANT+ HRM (doesnt have to be Garmin, can be other brand running the ANT+ protocol) with 2 receivers, being say a Garmin Edge 500 and a Sony xperia.
Note I've not done it, but would be interested to know if others have.
Not 100% certain, but I'd expect ANT+ monitor straps and cadence sensors to be Tx only. The protocol can be both ways, but I can't see a cadence sensor or HR strap needing to receive information.
I have a 705 with cadence and HRM - happy to help you test with your phone if you like before you commit to spending anything.
More info:
http://www.thisisant.com/
I use the iPhone. I have a wahoo HRM, speed & cadence sensor.
The HRM connects directly to the iPhone via bluetooth. The cadence & speed sensor connects via the ANT sensor. I dont use the Strava app. I use the Wahoo app. It gives me more details about where the heartrate is, average speed, cadence, average heart rate, laptimes, heart rate zones. It also maps your ride via GPS. Its all there. When saving the data, it then gives you the option to Upload direcctly to Strava.
I found with the iPhone, if you have it in your backpack, it will not plot your ride real well. it will also most likely loose connection with the sensors. It has to be out in the open. I got a waterproof & shockproof case mounted on the handlebar.This case came with the ANT sensor mounted in it.
I'm not upgrading my iPhone to the new software....as most of us have read, Apple really stuffed that one up.
I'm retracting my earlier statement. Comms may well be two-way with the Garmin sensors. I had to re-scan to pick up the new sensor I mounted on the dually, which was successful while I was *not moving*. This would seem to indicate the head unit transmits a query to which the sensor responds.
Not sure what this means for trying to use the one sensor for two capture devices - a test will soon tell us though.
Cheers hawkeye, I guess a test is in order. I'll be in touch when I get the phone.
Sounds good.
Not sure if this illuminates the topic, but just in case...
In the 2010 Karri Cup, I used my Garmin with a HR strap. When I viewed the data, I got an extra data trace, from a power metre I didn't have. Probably someone near me had one and mine picked it up a few times.
Point? The power metre would have been ANT+. I assume the rider that had it, received his data while at the same time giving it to me too - could be an example of one device (power metre) giving data to two receivers.
Until I put the cadence monitor on the duallie (so that there was one on both bikes), I used to pick up other people's cadence meters around Terrey Hills all the time, saying "cadence monitor detected" but I never used to get their readings on the trace as I wasn't synched with their unit.
Weird that you were actually getting their readings.
I recon the OP will struggle with the setup he's contemplating. lets just assume he can get this 2 way thing happening so he can display all his data on a wristwatch with the phone safely packed away in the back pack. My experienxce is that the phone will loose the GPS constantly. as well as not having a direct line to the cadence meter or HRM I think he will lose data connection.
I have seen those saddle bags for I'phone which seem to work.Those ones that attach to the stem& cross bar. but I used to loose signal when my phone was placed into my camelback.
riding without camelback & phone placed into the jersy pocket works....but as soon as the camelback goes on. I lost signal most of the time.
punching holes into this theory is welcome & ecouraged
edit: perhaps loosing signal is only an Iphone issue. I don't know for sure .LOL
One ANT device will connect to multiple displays. i.e. if you had an ANT HRM or cadence unit, you can get the info displayed on your ANT capable bike computer and on your Xperia phone.
If you were looking at a Polar product, your best bet is the Bluetooth options, but because Bluetooth pairs, it'll only be available on one device.
As for GPS, you guys must have a lead lined camelpack or saddlepack. I've used a few different model phones running Endomondo, Blackberry and Android models and have never had an issue with GPS. Mind you, I'm a road rider, so I don't have a lot of trees and hills to contend with for PS signal.
I went into the Sony Shop in the city today and they have the Xperia Active. Smallish for a phone but would make an excellent bike computer. They are $300 from the shop but you could get one delivered from a mobile phone site for about $240.
My question, does anyone know where I can buy a ANT+ HRM strap in Perth?
Not sure about losing signal, but a riding buddy was using his Android phone on the weekend with GPS and MapMyRide, and the battery was flat after 2 1/2 hours despite being on a full charge fresh off the charger at the ride's start. I'd forgotten how commonly this is commented on by users of that class of application.
Dunno about you, but I regard my phone as kinda important as a safety/distress signal device, as it's easy to get isolated quite quickly, especially if the weather turns and riders scatter off the trails back to their cars. Running out of phone after such a short period while out on my own because the GPS has flogged the battery concerns me.
On the other hand, my Garmin 705 is good for around 14 hours continuous, and my android phone is good for almost a week with GPS, data and bluetooth switched off.
I'd hoped battery economy would have improved a bit more by now, but it looks like we'll be waiting awhile yet before phones really are an effective substitute for a dedicated bike GPS.
I forgot to stop my Garmin the other day. It recorded my drive home and drive to work the next day. Had 16 hours recorded before it went flat.
2.5 hours is a very short life for a phone.
I have used apps like Runkeeper and Strava in the past on my iPhone to record rides and I would get around 5 hours before the battery would die. Much less if I started recording videos or taking pictures.
I wonder if your friend had any other apps running in the background that would have drained the battery so quickly.
I use my Garmin all the time and only use my phone if I forget to pack my Garmin.
If I use Strava on the iPhone. I get well over 3 hrs out of it. however since I added speed, cadence & HRM I get a lot less. it probably uses extra battery. I make sure nothing is running in the background.
The I phone or smartphone is certainly not ideal. a proper Garmin would def. be better as well as being lighter. but most of us carry a phone regardless.