The ANT+ protocol is regulated by Garmin and the last time I read the documentation it didn’t support steering. Most Ble chips can do both ANT+ and ble so I assume that the sterso have the capability if Garmin open a steering field.
Bluetooth on the other hand has custom catecoristics where the manufacturer can define their own uses.
The protocol isn’t the data it carries, and Garmin having any control over ANT+ doesn’t preclude the addition of new data fields or profiles. Sure, it might not be a case of someone just adding one at will, but steering is certainly one that all the big players in the indoor 3D cycling space are likely to be interested in, whether because they produce software or hardware that enables it.
The Temperature profile is an example of a recent addition. (That’s different from the Environment profile that has air temperature; this one includes core and skin temperature IIRC).
The main point being I don’t think there’s an insurmountable barrier to the Play offering ANT+ connectivity if Zwift had wanted to add it. Personally, I’d much prefer to use ANT+ when on a PC as I find Bluetooth much less reliable in my environment.
Yes I also prefer ANT+. I only use the Bluetooth for steering.
I will look at ANT+ again.
So far no luck.
It also appears that ELITE didn’t include ANT+ in the sterzo since it is not listed under the elite company name, all there other trainers are listed.
The Zwift Hub is listed under Zwift company.
EDIT:
Diving deep into the ANT+ protocol documentation I found a Generic control protocol. I assume that can be used for the Zwift Play.
Hi guys, wasn’t sure where to post this. I tried out my new Zwift Play controllers for the first time today and while I already love them, want to report some odd behavior.
I followed all set up instructions, the controllers were fully charged before use, and software was up to date. Everything was working but at one point the left controller stopped steering or braking. Then I noticed the arrow buttons were also completely unresponsive in the game menu. Started a new ride, still unresponsive. The Z on the controller was solid blue the whole time. The connections screen said it was paired and battery full. I unpaired, repaired, and the left controller worked again. Right worked the whole time. Will keep using them. Thanks!
I went on a 45min group ride today. Both controllers lost connection (separately) twice. The only way I found to get them working again was to turn them off and on again…. not great!
I’m not sure what you mean here. I’m not saying a bike profile with steering already exists, I’m just saying Zwift could use custom or proprietary data, or a new profile could be added.
Several companies have used “private-ANT” to implement their own ANT+ features that aren’t part of the open standard, just building on top of ANT+ as a communication stack. Shimano Di2
Cycling Dynamics is an example. Garmin originally had it as a closed spec operating over ANT+, but eventually opened it up to the Power Meter Technical Working Group.
Garmin doesn’t have full control over things by my understanding. If the ANT+ Technical Working Group ratifies new data fields or profiles, Garmin is effectively bound to implement them.
Anyway, I guess it’s moot. Zwift have chosen not to support ANT+ in this device.
Hi,
Is there an official channel to provide feedback to ZHQ or are we supposed to do them in this thread?
I used the Play for the first time today. I have a Kickr Bike v1.
The setup went fine, I just had to uncheck the KB under “steering” device and check the two Play remotes.
Then I followed the tutorial successfully.
But once I started my free ride, I noticed that there wasn’t the steering icon near the level icon. And sure : the steering wasn’t working.
Everything else was working : arrow, letters, braking…
I went back to the device screen, unchecked the Play, restarted riding, then device screen again to check the Play. No change.
Started a completely new activity, same result. Everything fine except the steering. And since I hadn’t checked the KB, its steering buttons were also not working.
On a less worrisome side : so far I don’t like the Ride On bomb experience with the Play.
First, the fact that it requires to press the button for multiple seconds means that it’s required to anticipate when the action will actually happen. That can be hard when we’re trying to give a RO bomb on a group coming the other way. Having to quickly push the button two times would be better I think.
Also, if used quite often, it becomes painful on the thumb. Not only because it needs to be pushed for multiple seconds, but also because that’s the farthest button for the hoods.
And for the same reason, having to put pressure for an extended period of time on the farthest button means that its the action that will more likely make the remove physically move because of the pressure, angle and lever applied on it.
It would be great to be able to try the “double press Z for RO bomb” to see if it improves the UX.
After some experimentation it would appear that the controllers do not work properly (for me) if anything else is connected to zwift on the pairing screen via Bluetooth. If everything else is connected via ant+ controllers work fine. So there would seem to be some Bluetooth interference happening.
I don’t think the buttons are conducive to a double-press. They take too much force to actuate. So I think it would be too difficult to differentiate between someone trying to give a Ride On return and someone wanting to do a Ride On bomb.
I would like to see an indicator of how long is left on the press though, same as there is for a U-turn IIRC.
The Elite steering plate creates hyper-realistic and fun indoor cycling sessions by sending out wirelessly front wheel movement information to any apps and software that feature steering options via the double ANT and Bluetooth communication protocol.
While the Sterzo Smart has ANT capabilities, that is not supported by Zwift at this time.
https://www.elite-it.com/en/products/home-trainers/ecosystem-accessories/sterzo-smart
FWIW I get both blue (BT) and green (ANT+) LEDs flashing when the Sterzo wakes.
That’s how it actually works : there’s a circle filling up to see how long it’s required to press to give a RO bomb. Once it’s launched, the white circle becomes green.
Given how the arrow works with quick press, I guess it could also work for the Z. But the only way to be sure is to give users the ability to try!
I uploaded a few pictures of my ride yesterday using the Zwift Play. When ever I’d run over a blue tile and get the speed boost my screen would glitch until the boost finished. Made it impossible to see where I was and I started avoiding them.
I suspect I may need to upgrade my iPad to a newer version soon to correct it.
I think you do get that, press and hold “Z” and a round progress indicator with a bar that runs around the edge should appear.
It takes about 2-3 seconds I think.
If this happens, could you try holding down the “Z” logo button to shut down the controller and press it again to turn it on? What happens if you do this? Don’t worry about going to pairing screen, just keep riding.
I hadn’t noticed it. I’ll have another look next time I ride
It’s 2 seconds. I think it should only be 1.
Agreed, it’s annoying to hold it down that long. It doesn’t need to be that long if it’s just to stop accidental presses, and there’s a separate cooldown timer.
I agree. 1 second at most - it’s not as if these buttons are easy to accidentally press.
Received my play today use the following devices.
PC with companion app on iPad
Stages Power Pedal for power and cadence, kickr as the controllable trainer, hr monitor all connected via ant+
BT will not recognised play controllers unless I connect them through the pad, when I go to ride all ant plus devices are disabled???
First ride with Zwift play this morning. They are connected to my PC, along with Kickr, climb, and heart rate monitor (which are connected via ant+). They worked great for about four minutes. Then they became very slow to respond. Finally, they just stopped working all together during the ride. After a little bit, the right controller worked intermittently, but the left Did not work at all. Stopped the ride, went back to sensors and tried to reconnect. They would connect for about 10 or 15 seconds and then disappear. Finally just quit. Pretty frustrating experience. Wish they had used any+. Never had an issue with connections before. I’ll give it one more shot, but likely will be returning them. Seems like a very beta product.
