Having had a number of trial runs with its pioneering pedal power meter technology, Garmin International Inc has now announced the availability of its much anticipated Vector offering. Billed as a high-precision pedal-based power meter, Garmin Vector is ‘designed for cyclists, by cyclists.’
Garmin notes that Vector is a lightweight direct measurement power meter, designed for quick installation, portability, and ease-of-use. Taking only minutes to install, Vector ‘provides accurate and reliable power data and uniquely measures and presents right and left leg power balance to ANT+ compatible head units.’ Vector is available immediately and will be prominently displayed at Eurobike, Interbike and the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawai’i.
Garmin Vector was formally unveiled in August 2011, with an anticipated roll-out in 2012. However, the company has since then reported delays in order to fine-tune and collaborate the product for market roll-out.
(Garmin’s main rival in pedal power measurement, the Polar LOOK Keo Power pedal offering, has also experienced delays. While Polar LOOK Keo Power has had a limited roll-out since June 2012, the product has not been circulated to bike distributors en masse.)
“We are grateful for the understanding of cyclists who have followed Vector’s progress and allowed us to ensure that Vector exceeds industry standards,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales.
“We are thrilled to share Vector with the world and allow cyclists to see first-hand the richness in data and capabilities that come from the combination of our location of measurement – the pedals – and Vector’s sensor design. From picking it up at your local bike shop and installing at home in minutes, to giving you accurate and reliable total and independent leg power measurements, Vector becomes one of the most desirable solutions in the cycling market,” Bartel continued.
Quick and easy does it
For many cycling enthusiasts, purchasing a power meter is an intimidating and potentially complicated process, often involving mechanical trade-offs for their bikes. Vector aims to simplify the decisions and the process. Cyclists can now walk into their local bike shop, walk out with a Vector power meter in hand, and install it themselves in minutes.
There’s no need for a custom order process, no need for a mechanic, and no downtime while the bike is in the shop. With integrated cadence measurement, there are no external sensors to install, and initial set-up is made easy with a Garmin Edge head unit. Vector’s easy-to-install design makes it easy to swap between bikes, and easy to take to out-of-town events when renting or borrowing a bike.
Vector’s light weight and durable composite pedals are LOOK Keo compatible, have a stainless steel wearplate; and its ANT+ wireless pedal pod transmitters fit most major cranksets. Vector has also been designed to be easy to update as software enhancements are made, thanks to its ANT+ wireless technology and the Vector Updater application.
Wizardry behind the watts
As noted by Garmin, Vector delivers an objective, repeatable value for training and assessing performance – watts, the rate of energy produced by the cyclist. Power is an invaluable tool in helping racers and enthusiasts understand strengths and weaknesses in order to train more effectively and get stronger and faster on the bike.
Due to these benefits, professional cyclists were early adopters of power meters, and today nearly the entire pro peloton trains or races with power meters.
Vector works by measuring the normal deflection in the pedal spindle as you pedal, throughout your entire pedal stroke. By comparing the measured deflection to a factory-calibrated deflection caused by a known load, Vector can determine how much force you’re applying to the pedal. With force measurements, the cadence measurements from Vector’s integrated accelerometers, and time, Vector accurately calculates watts. The force sensors are permanently and securely sealed within the pedal spindle, ‘one of the most robust components on the bike.’
An ‘Edge’ on the competition
For users already using a Garmin Edge 810/800, Edge 510/500 cycling computer or a Forerunner 910XT, adding a Vector power meter will take their training to the next level. Not only will the Edge display total power, left and right leg power, and cadence, it will also display in real-time the widely adopted power metrics from TrainingPeaks: Normalized Power (NP), Intensity Factor (IF) and Training Stress Score (TSS).
“Team Garmin-Sharp is excited about the availability of Vector and the potential it gives us to measure our training and performance,” said Robby Ketchell, Director of Sport Science, Garmin-Sharp Professional Cycling Team.
“The data Vector supplies will give us more opportunities to analyze information and provide guidance to our riders.”
Complete the suite
For post-ride analysis, mapping, course and workout creating and detailed power metrics, Garmin Connect is positioned as a tool for every level of cyclist. With over 3 billion miles logged, users should never be stuck without a new route to explore. At Garmin Connect, cyclists can explore other users’ workouts and send them directly to compatible Garmin fitness products to follow.
As Garmin points out, having all cycling electronics and analysis from one brand means that riders can ‘trust the equipment, the user experience and the support.’
The price of power
Vector is available immediately from independent bike dealers and will have a suggested retail price of US$1,699.99.
Vector is the latest solution from Garmin’s expanding fitness segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ lives and promotes healthy and active lifestyles.
