If you’re like me and are constantly on a laptop – there are really two minor issues that I have with the Garmin USB stick that I use to download workouts from my Forerunner to my computer. First up is the issue of simply losing the darn thing in my backpack or around the house. But, I’ve since shared how I solved that problem.
Second, is the issue of it simply breaking off. Having broken off various USB doo-dads from my computer before (as well as smart cards sticking out the side), breakage is a reality, and with it hanging off 1-2” into the wild blue yonder, it’s a prime target for a grade-A fail.
And I suppose a third issue is The Girl stealing it. Somehow that paint scheme she did on hers only works one way in attempting to prevent me from stealing her stick. But it doesn’t keep her from stealing my ANT stick. And neither will this. She’ll still likely try to steal it while giving me that innocent ‘I’m not guilty’ smile.
So back in January when I was alerted to a much smaller USB ANT+ stick that could replace your existing Garmin ANT+ USB stick that you use with your current Forerunners I was pretty jazzed to give it a whirl. I immediately ordered one and waited for the horribly oversized box from Amazon to arrive.
But I don’t think I was prepared for just how small it is once I got it all unboxed. Just check it out in comparison to your normal ANT+ stick:
As you can see, it’s tiny. And the best thing is that with being so small, I can leave it in my laptop 24×7. In fact, aside from a few tests in other computers – it hasn’t left my laptop since the package arrived. That includes plane flights, to and from work, and all assortment of wanderings around town. Well ok, it left my laptop to take these photos:
But, you may be asking how is it that a Suunto branded stick works with Garmin watches? See, when it comes to ANT+ USB sticks, there are basically two flavors – ANT1 (USB1) and ANT2 (USB2). You can see the flavors on the back of virtually all sticks in tiny writing – “USB2 Wireless USB Stick”
ANT1 had a limited number of channels (4), whereas the newer ANT2 stick has more channels (8). In common scenarios like downloading your data, it doesn’t really matter. But when it comes to applications that may leverage the USB stick for real-time data transfer – such as TrainerRoad – the extra channels become really important if you have multiple ANT+ accessories (like Speed, Cadence, Power Meters, Heart Rate, etc…). Or – if you’ve got multiplayer type applications taking advantage of it. Each channel is limited to one ANT+ accessory.
So the Suunto stick is ANT2, which means that despite being Suunto it’s really just like any other ANT+ stick under the covers. Thus it doesn’t look any different to the Garmin software than Garmin’s own stick.
All you do is simply plug in the stick, give it a few seconds to grab the USB drivers from Windows Update (I’ve tried it on Windows Vista and Windows 7) – and you’re good to go! You’ll note that initially when it first starts looking for drivers, it calls it the Suunto Movestick Mini (it normally comes with the Suunto Quest watch).
Once it finishes up being installed – it’s the same old ANT USB Stick 2 (ANT2).
For all you Mac folks, I was able to also download workouts without issue using the Garmin ANT Agent and in this case, a Garmin FR610 (but again, any Garmin watch will work).
Like the Mac, on Windows once you’ve got the drivers automatically installed, you’ll use the Garmin ANT Agent software just as you normally would. It’ll simply download from any device you have (i.e. FR610, FR310XT, FR910XT, FR60, FR405, FR410, FR70, etc… – no problems!).
In short, plug it in, forget about it.
Now, I do want to point out that while this is a Suunto ‘accessory’, it’s the only Suunto accessory that will work with other ANT+ devices (like your Garmin). The remainder of the accessories (i.e. heart rate straps) are using Suunto’s proprietary ANT variant which aren’t compatible with anything else. And, while I’m at it – since I know a few of you have asked about the new Suunto Ambit GPS integrated watch – yes, I will definitely be reviewing it and should have a unit in my hands as we get into the first week of March. Looking forward to it!
3rd Party Compatibility:
Now the cool part with being the standard ANT2 stick is that all of the 3rd party applications that use the ANT+ USB sticks support it just fine.
Take for example TrainerRoad (where I heard about the stick, and yes, a review is coming) – it easily works with the Suunto Movestick Mini seamlessly – you’d never know the difference:
Next up we have the Tacx Trainer – which also works just fine. Just be sure to be on software version 3.7 or 3.8 (latest versions) – which added support for the ANT2 USB sticks out of the box (prior to that you had to jump through some hoops). If you’re on the 3.5 or 3.6 – simply click the update button that’s been blinking at you for the past month or so.
And for those developers/testers in the house – yup, it works with the ANT+ simulator perfectly fine too (you may remember this from my ultra-long battery tests).
There are undoubtedly many more apps it works with, but these were just a few that I could think of that I had handy.
About the only downside I can think of is that if you do take it out of your computer and place it somewhere…there’s probably a good chance you’re going to have to search longer to find it since it’s about 20% of the size of the original one.
But, that’s a risk I’ll take…mostly because it’s never leaving my laptop. Others have simply put a dot of epoxy on it to ensure it never leaves its home (though, it’s pretty darn snug in the port already).
The Suunto Movestick Mini stick runs between $35 and $39 depending on tidal patterns and other random pricing metrics. If you purchase the USB stick via Clever Training using the DCR reader coupon code of DCR10XBK then you’ll get 10% off your cart, as well as support the site.
Enjoy, and thanks for reading!
Just a little correction, Suunto USB is not the only Suunto accessory that will work with other ANT+ devices – the new Suunto Foot Pod Mini works via ANT+ too, I use it with Garmin Fit Android App. It’s a shame that Suunto ignores ANT+ otherwise.
Thank you so much for posting this!!! I have gone through 2 Garmin Ant+ sticks–they just stop working, not sure why–but I’m hoping this will have a longer life, and I was sold when I saw the lower profile of the Suunto stick. I was afraid I was never going to be able to connect again and not be able to analyze my data at the level provided by Garmin Connect, but as we speak (figuratively), my 405 is sending data through the Suunto Ant stick!
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I believe credit to Chilli (Australia) for alerting DC about this back in November 2011.
Refer link to dcrainmaker.com
Speaking of ultra-long-battery tests, any update on when you are going to test more devices to see how long they last with the GPS turned off?
Hi
Any idea if this will work with Win XP?
Thanks!
Does anyone know if Garmin HR strap (ant+) will pair with a suunto watch (M5)?
Yes it does. I have mine paired with an Ambit
The M5 is different than the Ambit. The Ambit had an update last fall to allow ANT+ devices (heart rate straps) to connect to it. The M5 didn’t get such update.
Note that this is different than using the Movescount stick to connect to the Suunto Ambit (that doesn’t work).
Excellent! Thanks for the review–I’m so sad that I just bought a Garmin stick. The next question: How long will it take Garmin to catch-up??
This would be great when Garmin fixes the issue I have with my 310XT that constantly downloads over and over, including during a workout (breaking the workout up). As is, if I want to run on the home treadmill or use the bike trainer, I need to unplug the USB stick.
Their support folks are helpful, and getting data from me. It appears from their forums I’m not the only one seeing this either.
Anyone know if a Garmin 610 will pair with two ANT+ sticks? i.e. if I put the Garmin stick on my work computer in the office for lunchtime runs and this Suunto stick on my home computer for weekend/evening runs?
Hi GBP-
Yes, just ensure to not have either computer set to erase the watch upon completion of the download.
Enjoy!
Thanks for the review. I have the Ant+ stick connected to the home Mac and the workouts for my wife and I are uploaded to the same Garmin Connect acct…. very troubling.
Do you know if you are able to use a single Ant+ stick and upload data to 2 different Garmin Connect accts?
Thx.
Aaaaarrrgh, wish I’d not seen this!
Having just moved to a 910xt from an entry level suunto, I ebay’d my movestick mini AND the footpod understanding that suunto ant was not compatible ant.. have been lamenting how clumsily large the stick is, and the cost of a new footpod.
Hi Nilserik-
No, unforutnately the ANT Agent is tied to a single account, regardless of how many sticks or devices you use. One option is to have it not upload automatically to any given Garmin Connect account, but instead just sign into connect.garmin.com and select to manually upload – thus uploading to the correctly logged in account.
I don’t think this is correct (or I mis-understood the question).
On my PC at home I use one Windows Login and a single Garmin ANT+ stick. Once I plug it in it sucks data off of my 610, 910xt, Swim and puts them on my Garmin Connect account. It also pulls data from my girlfriend’s 610, 310xt and Swim and uploads to her account separately.
I think it asks for the account info when pairing the watch… Perhaps this is a newer feature of the ANT Agent, but I am pretty sure I have been doing it this way for around 2 years.
Good Find. Though I like many others ordered this new smaller ant stick after seeing this post hopefully Garmin will update their ant stick on future watches.
And Suunto ANT network key is getting support in Android:
You can use your Suunto ANT kit, and your ANT+ sensors, with a convergent Android app.
link to newwell.fi
link to thisisant.com
Could you check the system log on your Mac using Console.app? One problem that I (and others) have been having is that with the Garmin ANT+ stick plugged in to our computers, we’re getting repeated kernel error messages every 2 seconds that look like this:
kernel: USBF: 321438. 88 AppleUSBEHCI[0xffffff800b76f000]::Found a transaction past the completion deadline on bus 0xfd, timing out! (Addr: 4, EP: 1)
(see link to forums.garmin.com). The problem has been going on for awhile with no word from Garmin. I’d be interested to see if the Suunto gives the same error.
I end up keeping my stick unplugged until I need it, but this might help narrow down the problem.
I know this is a year stale but I’ve been curious about this as well. I get those same errors with my Garmin ANT+ stick and I finally decided to buy the Suunto stick to see if the problem existed with it as well. Sadly, it does. I get the same errors in system.log, and if I leave the stick plugged in for more than a few hours it locks up the computer completely.
Machine is an Early 2008 Mac Pro, and it doesn’t seem to matter if I plug in to USB ports directly on the computer or if I plug into ports on an external USB hub.
Hi Lyen-
With the mini stick plugged in, I am not seeing any such errors in System.log. The ANT Agent recongnizes the stick as plugged in, so I would expect to see it bubbling if it were having an issue.
Hope this helps!
Great post. However I’m surprised that a USB stick is even needed. Most laptops have Bluetooth already so would just need some driver software. I understand that there are different Bluetooth chipsets so would need slightly different drivers.
ANT+ is different than BT (or BTLE), so the two aren’t compatible. Sorta like USB vs Firewire. iPhone vs Android. Boxers vs Briefs. Tacos vs Burritos. Coke vs Pepsi. Nutella vs Fluff. Oh wait, actually those two are definitely compatible.
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I went and bought one of these immediately after reading this post. So pleased to be able to leave it in my laptop all the time without tripping over as I walk past. The huge Garmin one can stay in the carry case with the Garmin kit in case I need to download on another PC…perfect!
The ANT agent did tell me several times it had uploaded tonight’s run from my 610 though it only appeared on Connect the once, so not sure if that’s a problem yet.
Awesome tip: I cannot count the number of times I went on a trip and forgot to bring a stick. Ordered one immediately and will indeed leave it in the laptop 24/7
It arrived today. Can confirm it works like a charm (link to dailymile.com), and quite a bit cheaper too!
Hi, anyone knows if the Garmin USB Stick works with Suunto watches? Specially with the new Suunto Ambit? tks.
Is this Suunto Movestick Mini compatible with the Suunto Monitor program like the discontinued PC POD did?
Also, can I use this with FirstBeat Athlete? The last I check only PC POD and the larger version of Movestick works.
Thank you.
Thanks for the feedback–ordered one on Amazon thru the link on your page.
Hi DC,
Will the Suunto USB work with the Garmin Forerunner 305?
If so, where can I purchase the Suunto USB?
Thanks,
Arthur CHat
Hi DC,
Does the Suunto USB work with the Garmin Forerunner 305?
If so, What does the Suunto USB cost? and where can I purchase it?
Thanks,
Arthur
No, the FR305 is USB-download only.
The unit costs about $35 – see the links at the end of the post. Enjoy!
Just ordered the Suunto Mini Stick to work with my Forerunner 405 my bro in law gave me without the ANT stick… I hope it will work for me
This Suunto USB seems great. I am looking to get one USB ANT+ stick to read heart rate data using a Suunto belt device for my research.
Can someone confirm that it is possible to create a Windows application that can communicate with a Suunto belt device using this USB ANT+ stick (Suunto movestick mini) ?
If it is possible to communicate using ANT protocol to a Suunto belt device, it would be useful to know if multiple Suunto belts can communicate to a single application.
Thanks !
I installed my Suunto ANT+ stick, followed the instructions and everything worked perfectly with my Garmin forerunner 405.
Lyen and all others who are interested in using the Suunto Stick with OS X:
Using ANT Agent 2.2, I still get the same errors as with the original Garmin USB2 stick. So the Suunto one does not fix the problem of constant USB errors in the console
The Adidas MiCoach USB dongle is also Garmin compatible, and much smaller than the Garmin dongle. I can leave it in place when I zip my laptop into its form-fitting case!
The Garmin synchronization software even trumps the MiCoach software – in order to synch the MiCoach in my football boots, I need to close Garmin Ant Agent.
Same! MiCoach USB dongle works perfectly with the Garmin FR 610.
Have you tested range of these two?
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Are you sure that Suunto Movestick Mini is ANT+? There is just ANT mark on back of package cover.
And I can not just make it working with GSC 10.
110% sure. I use it (using it right now), plus, everyone else here is using it.
Range, hmm, at least across the room (living room sized) if not further depending on what’s in the way.
When you say not working with cadence sensor – which application are you using?
Hi,
ctANT, usb stick is detected, but i can not pair (is just searching and serching …) it with GSC 10.
Hi, can you perform one test for me?
I would know if GSC 10 works with Garmin ANT+ or SUUNTO Movestick Mini using cnANT.
Hi,
doest the Suunto Movestick Mini (link to amazon.com) mentioned in the article, work correctly with the Garmin Premium Heart Rate Monitor (link to buy.garmin.com)?
As far as I can tell from using this device for well over 6 months it is a straight swap out for the Garmin unit. I have Wahoo, Garmin, Adidas, Bkool devices and it pairs and works with them all. It works with any software that expects a Garming ANT+ USB dongle.
Have you explored using this ANT 2 with Beltone or GN Resound hearing aids or accessories? “GN ReSound – is using the Nordic … core and 8-channel ANT protocol stack in a compact 5x5mm QFN package.
thanks bill a
Hi,
Very much enjoy reading the site. Question: With Ambit firmware 2.0 promising ant+, will the movestick mini now work with the ambit?
Thanks, Allan.
Currently it’s not supported. Technically they could do it – it’s just not there today (in 2.0). The technology that’s used to do that is ANTfs, which allows file transfers.
I recently purchased a Garmin 650t GPS which uses ANT+ to communicate to other Garmin GPSes. We can share tracks, waypoints, etc. Do you think I could use the Suunto MoveStick Mini to transfer those same files wirelessly to my computer instead of to other GPS devices?
Joel
Unfortunately, it takes two to tango. In this case, it takes software on the PC to understand how to transfer those files to it. In theory, one could write an app to do so (either for PC using the stick or for phone using an adapter). But I’m not aware of anything that does that today unfortunately for those devices types and file types (they all just use FIT file transfer).
Sorry!
I find your reviews hugely helpful – would now never buy technology without checking with you first. (You sold me my 310XT, also later the Polar HRM belt to go with it!) Please can you tell my if the Suunto “ANT” stick will work with XP? I daren’t buy it until I’m sure. Thanks.
According to Suunto, it should work on XP. See it within the FAQ here: link to movescount.com
Enjoy!
Thanks so much for your speedy reply.
I have a Samsung SIII on which I have the Endomondo App running. I am looking for HRM and Cadence Monitor which are compatible with the Samsung SIII and Endomondo. The Endomondo web site does sell HRM’s but do not have Cadence Monitors. Can anyone help a techincally challenged mountain biker.
Thanks
Andreas
Hi Andreas-
You can pickup any Speed/Cadence ANT+ sensor and they’ll work with Endomondo. Here’s more information on them:
link to dcrainmaker.com
And here’s a well known one:
Speed/Cadence Combo: link to amazon.com
Hi Ray
Thanks for the site, I love it. I have a quick question I’ve not been able to find an answer to on the web.
I use a Garmin Forerunner 610 and can upload runs and rides to my home computer no problem, but the IT policy at work won’t let me install the communicator plugin or ANT software to my work laptop. I come straight to work from cycle training, so I can’t upload to Garmin Connect (or, more importantly, onward to Strava) until late evening, which is rather annoying.
Do you (or anyone else reading) know if there is any way I can get the ride file off the watch without using the ANT dongle? I tried using the charger cable and plugging it in to the USB port of my laptop, hoping that the Garmin Connect site might see the watch without the plugin, or that I might be able to access the watch like a USB drive and take off a TCX file manually, but that didn’t seem to work.
Any ideas much appreciated. My back up option is to buy the 810, but I’m not all that enthused by it and I get all the data I need from the 610 – when I’m actually on the move all I really need is speed, distance and time, which I use a cheap Cateye computer for. $500 seems like a lot to shell out just for the phone function.
Thanks
Ben
If you have an iPhone you could use the Wahoo Fitness iPhone key to upload from the FR610:
link to dcrainmaker.com
Looks like the Suunto Movestick Mini does not see any of the Edge 500 bundle devices.
Neither the HRM1G Heart rate monitor nor the GSC10 are found by the software.
Isn’t that strange because both are ANT+ devices ?
No, it wouldn’t. The mini stick has to be leveraged by an application – such as the ANT Agent, or Trainer Road. In the case of the ANT Agent, it’s to connect to supported ANT+ devices (as noted above). In the case of TrainerRoad, you can connect to the GSC10, etc…
In order to transfer files from a devices to your computer, the devices has to support what are known as FIT transfers via ANTfs. Today, the Garmin Edge units don’t support that.
Thanks for replying. I actually use an android phone, but can’t seem to find an equivalent product. Do you know of any? Thanks again, Ben.
I should have said it’s a Samsung Galaxy S2 I have. By the look of it, there’s nothing on the market to let that phone read ANT. Hmmm.
Check out my post from last Thursday from CES on what’s coming up for the Samsung phones…
“Check out my post from last Thursday from CES on what’s coming up for the Samsung phones…”
I can not find this post… Only thing from Thursday was the Leiker post. Day before you had the two posts about goodies you had and goodies you expected soon.
In this post, under ANT+: link to dcrainmaker.com
I have been reading your reviews, and they are great…thanks!
Quick question, I just upgraded to a 910XT from a FR405. Can I use the old FR405 USB ANT+ stick with my new 910XT as well as the USB ANT+ stick that came with my watch? I was thinking of keeping the old one in my travel kit, so I could just upload with that stick when I am on the road.
If I can do this, would I have to repair the watch each time that I came home and/or went traveling?
Thanks in advance for your help.
No problems at all with that. And no need to re-pair the watch. My wife and I regularly use each others ANT+ USB sticks, and for the most part, I have a big pile here and it’s probably rare that I actually grab the same stick twice.
I used the Garmin ANT agent to discover both the HRM1G and the GSC10.
The problem was not the Suunto stick but the software.
Trainerroad for example works perfectly!
Ray,
I picked up the Suunto Movestick Mini yesterday and tried to use it with the Lemond Revolution Power Pilot. I downloaded the latest version of the Garmin ANT+ software and set the Power Pilot to pairing but it never showed up in the Garmin ANT+ console. Any suggestions?
Unfortunately the LeMond Revolution as it stands today doesn’t support direct ANT+ “in the clear” transmission of power (or downloading of files). It does do speed/cadence and HR (via strap).
However, to display some of that data via that ANT+ stick, you’ll still need some piece of software – such as Trainer Road or Golden Cheetah.
Hi DC
Regarding the install.
It works fine as you write and show, on XP and Vista.
But now i got a Windows 8 machine and it just wont install.
It knows its there but has no driver.
And no driver can be found.
Do you have any helpful advice?
Thanks Johnny
Strange, it works on my W8 boxes (have a few of them). Nonetheless, a trick to get the drivers is to grab the Garmin ANT Agent software download (it’s free). And install that. That has the driver package as part of it, and is pretty tiny. Then just turn off the ANT Agent. I’d have to think of you could uninstall the ANT Agent and whether or not it’ll un-install the drivers.
One minor note, if you have Windows RT (such as Microsoft Surface), the ANT stick (of any flavor) won’t work today. I’ve been working with some folks to try and get those drivers inbox via Windows Update so it will work so that folks like TrainerRoad can develop against it – but for now, not quite yet.
Is it just my impression or is the transfer speed of the Suunto Movestick Mini slightly slower than Garmin’s?
Thanks DCRainMaker – as always you seem to have the inside track on this stuff – I knew someone had to have a smaller ant+ stick than that silly garmin one its so big and goofy – now I can just leave this in my laptop
Does it work with Garmin Fenix?
No, the Fenix doesn’t transfer activity files over ANT+, rather, over USB and Bluetooth Smart.
From reading the comments above, should the MoveStick Mini detect a Garmin HR strap, or speed/cadence sensor? I tried the MoveStick in both a Windows 7 laptop and a Mac, the Garmin Ant agent doesn’t detect/pair with those Gasrmin Ant+ devices. I didn’t want to pay for the trainerroad app/service unless I was sure the Movestick was working. Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks
No, the ANT+ stick simply replaces the existing ANT+ stick. You’ll still need some software (TrainerRoad, Golden Cheetah, etc…) to communicate with a HR strap directly.
When I asked Suunto, they say that the Movestick Mini will only work with their products. Are they joshing me? I have a Garmin Forerunner 405.
They’re wrong. It works fine with the FR405.
works good for me. FR70, FR610, and 910xt… Now I wish my Edge810 uses this technology instead of USB for data transfer,,,
Hey DC,
Just figured I’d let you know when using hte Suunto Movestick Mini with ctANT+ (HR and Cadence) my cadence keeps fluctuating from accurate to 50% accurate. I swapped out the suunto for a garmin unit and the problem went away. I’m still testing to see if I can figure out exactly what the issue is.
Hi.
Don’t know if this is the right place for the question but here it goes.
I’ve been thinking about buying a footpod and i’ve seen that the suunto and garmin footpods are produced by the same company and use the same protocols of comunication but the garmin is cheaper. Do you know if i could use the garmin footpod whith my sunto t4d???
thanks
No, the T4D doesn’t support ANT+, which is what’s required (only the Suunto Ambit does). The Suunto footpod broadcasts in ANT+ as well as proprietary Suunto-ANT, whereas the Garmin just does the open ANT+.
Hi,
Garmin got his own mini stick right now: 010-01058-00
link to gps-info.nl
Indeed, I’ve been using it since the fall. Good stuff! Pretty much just like the Suunto one, just a bit aerodynamic.
Well my computer illiteracy has managed to bomb out my Suunto mini. Suunto claim that it won’t work with my Garmin 610 and won’t help with troubleshooting, so I deleted all the Suunto files i could find on my computer (I downloaded drivers as pointed out in the manual, not auto detected by windows).
Now I can’t re-download the Suunto driver and my 610 isn’t being read…
Make sure you follow Rays instructions to a T or you’ll end up like me, with nothing!
Perhaps try forcing the driver to one use from ANT…? (i.e. download it and when ‘installing’ the device point it to these files)
There is a link to one for Windows here: link to thisisant.com
I gave it a shot Tim, but Windows keeps determining that the drivers are up to date.
Rolled the drivers back, and even deleted completely to the point where there were no drivers, however it wasn’t recognizing the ANT USB Driver – Windows files (I tried all 3 – AMD64, IA64 and X86.
Not sure where I am going wrong!
Make sure you go into your Garmin and turn it on to “Initial Pairing” – “On” under Settings.
Any update on drivers for ANT on Windows RT? It’s very frustrating not being able to upload my run data directly from my Surface RT.
Nothing.
I’ve poked a few times on both sides of the equation, but no significant progress.
Not sure whether this has been mentioned yet, but my Forerunner 910XT, which I received today directly from Garmin (exchanged on warranty for defective unit), features a Garmin branded USB stick which looks very similar to the Suunto one pictured in your post. The old watch (bought 6 weeks ago from Amazon) still included the older, bigger unit…
Nice, good to see they’re starting to slip out. They hit the distributor catalogs a month or so back, but hadn’t seen them actually go out through normal channels yet.