Velocomp has released free firmware 6.21, adding two advancements to its PowerPod cycling power meter. The company points to:
- An optional out-and-back calibration ride, which fine-tunes wind and power measurement. The ride is enabled through Velocomp’s free Isaac software for PC/Mac.
- Proprietary aerodynamic algorithms enabling PowerPod’s ‘Real World Wind Tunnel upgrade’, slated for Q1 2017 launch. The company notes that, soon, any cyclist owning a PowerPod and an approved Direct Force Power Meter will be able to measure aerodynamic data (CdA) on their bike.
Velocomp adds that its latest firmware 6.21 continues its ‘long tradition of improving the performance and capabilities of its patented power measurement technology and is retroactively compatible with all PowerPods’. The update can be downloaded through Velocomp’s Isaac software by accessing ‘Device / Check online for FW update’.
“We believe that the demands of the 21st century competitive cyclist exceed the capabilities of 20th century power measurement,” said Phillip Lucas, Velocomp’s VP of Sales and Marketing. “With update 6.21 we prove again that our patented, disruptive technology provides more insightful cycling data than possible with traditional strain gauge power technology.”
He continued, “Our belief is that the PowerPod’s incremental firmware improvements are eventually going to put the squeeze on traditional power meter technology, as the market realizes that thePowerPod’s evolution beyond metal bending as the framework for power measurement, allows more than just power to be quantified.
“Powerpod stands unique in the market as the only bike analysis product available to consumers that not only accurately quantifies the classic wattage data all other power meters provide (we refer to this as power-in), but also quantifies power-out: losses to gravity, wind, braking and to rolling resistance plus quantification of technique and inertial losses through bike handling and pedalling skills. And soon, actual, real world, CdA measurement.”
Velocomp is a sports technology company based in Jupiter, Florida, dedicated to product breakthroughs in areas of power measurement and cycling performance. The company adds that it ‘leads the industry in delivering advanced power measurement at an affordable price.’ The PowerPod BLE/ANT power meter is priced at US$325.
