Comments for DC Rainmaker

Comment on O-Synce Navi2Coach GPS Cycling Computer In-Depth Review by stephen

stephen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:45:35 +0000

Phil,
I’m also a Mac fan and was disappointed when I found out that their Training Lab program only ran on a PC. So I borrowed a PC, installed the TL program from O-synce’s web site and used it to do all the configurations for the athlete profiles (wife and I) and the multitude of displays and unit/bike settings.
You then upload the setting to the device and are done. You can use their training program, which is very full featured, but there is no need to grab the PC again otherwise. You can attach the Navi2Coach to any Mac with the USB cable and upload the industry standard .fit file to any program you like (Strave, TrainingPeaks, trainingplan.com, MapMyRide, etc.).

The daily tweaks are easy to make on the device itself, like changing sensors or the backlighting feature (to save battery). When I attach to my Mac to upload a file or more, I usually just leave it hanging there to charge up the battery.

I’d love to have a Mac program that would allow configuration of the device, but it’s doesn’t seem to be in the cards. If anything, something in the cloud, web based, would be more likely.

Germany, where O-synce originates, has always been very PC focused and only a few select graphic artists+printers were using them until the iPod/iPhone wave hit. Now I notice more and more using a Mac laptop or table for their daily computer.

BarFly is working on a forward mount for the 0-Synce. I would say you are making a great choice with the N2C computer, but i’m obviously biased.

Comment on Stages Power Meter In-Depth Review Update by Rainmaker

Rainmaker — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:29:33 +0000

None that I’m aware of.

Comment on What it takes to build complex sport technology products from nothing by Thor R

Thor R — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:13:32 +0000

Jon, I’ve just caught up on the development on the erg trainer front (resistance controlled trainer).

As a former avionics techno-geek I thought I’d raise a potential issue I see with the use of a strong electromagnet due to hysteresis and remanance (Information link: link to electronics-tutorials.ws).
I haven’t had to use electromagnet theory in over a decade so can’t offer any development advice, but hopefully you have already taken this into consideration or are able to make use of this info.

Comment on O-Synce Navi2Coach GPS Cycling Computer In-Depth Review by Phil

Phil — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:12:54 +0000

I can think of one issue – lack of Mac compatibility which is problematic – I really like the option of setting the thing up with an application rather than the clumsy scroll enter enter technique – maybe they’ll come up with a web based app and/or a Mac version???

Comment on O-Synce Navi2Coach GPS Cycling Computer In-Depth Review by Phil

Phil — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:09:07 +0000

Really helpful review. I’ve been researching a GPS based computer to replace my mounted iPhone 4S which for a variety of reasons is not ideal – and have been comparing mostly the Garmin 500/510 to everything else (Ray your lukewarm review of the 510 has me scared off that for the time being given the price differentials). I’m resident tech monkey for my cycling self, and triathlete wife, and admit that Garmin frustrates me frequently with quirks in her 405 and now 910xt (not to mention the eTrex 20 I use when hiking – talk about a soul crushing experience). Certainly their glacial pace for updates does little to inspire confidence. I suppose as market leader they aren’t inspired themselves (although once upon a time Palm/Treo had a huge lead in the PDA/smartphone race which they squandered – a cautionary tale).

I’m trying to come up with a reason to not get the o-synce at the same price as the 500 – the pacing feature isn’t really important to me I want a reliable head unit that is customizable and displays basic speed, HR, cadence. Some day I’ll get a power meter but it’s hard spending more on that than I did on my bike, or my wifes much nicer bike for that matter. O-synces frequent updates, ear to input from users and generally more forward thinking approach (user replaceable battery, remote control) more than makeup for a so so mounting system and they seem attuned enough to probably do something about that as well… so are there really any downsides to this device?

Comment on An In-Depth Visit Behind the Scenes at Garmin Headquarters by Tisztul_A_Visztula

Tisztul_A_Visztula — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:56:49 +0000

Somebody in Kansas should be murdered. Not literally of course. In my language there is an expression saying that somebody is hiding like a sh*t in the tall grass.
This is how I feel about this giant company with its latest 910XT fw dated back in Nov 2012.