Connecting Vector 3 using ANT+ possible?

Bugs and Support
1

Has anyone had luck connecting Garmin Vector 3 pedals to Zwift using ANT+?

I run Zwift on a MacBook Pro. My ANT dongle can connect my heart rate monitor, cadence sensor, Tacx Neo 2T trainer both as a power source and as a controllable device without any issues. However, my Vector 3 pedals only shows up as a Bluethooth device; I cannot get it to connect to Zwift using ANT+.

The pedals connect to my fēnix 5X as an ANT device without any issues.

Any ideas on if connecting the Vector 3 pedals as an ANT power source is possible?

Thank you!

2

Yes. I did just that (before returning them due to repeat disconnects mid ride…)

That was on a PC, but I see no reason this shouldn’t work on a MAC.

3

Huh. I wonder why I could not do it. :frowning:

4

Just a small clarification: I wasn’t using a smart trainer then (but I don’t see why it would make a difference…)

Sorry.

5

I had unpaired the trainer entirely (as power source and controllable device) and still I could not get the Vector 3 to appear as an ANT device in Zwift.

I even tried with two different ANT dongles. :confused:

6

just an idea… can you borrow someone’s PC and give it a try?

7

No I do not think so, especially with social distancing measures going on right now.

Since I have your attention—does your Vector 3 numbers fluctuate this much relative to the Neo 2T numbers? Here is the Zwift Power analysis file: ZwiftPower - Login

8

Hmmm… I am no expert wrt power meters (try DC Rainmaker or @GPLama), but I would say the vector 3 output has a lot of noise, as well as what appears to be disconnects. As far as I remember, the Vector has no built-in smoothing, so noisy output is to be expected. The “dead” periods are inline with what I was experiencing, although the root cause being similar may only exist in my imagination.

I have no experience with the Neo (2T or other…) but the measured power output seem to have been smoothed.

So, yes. the Vector 3 output seems in line with what my past experience.

9

Thank you, B!

Anecdotally my friend’s Vector 3 pedals seem to spit out smoother numbers though. And while I am riding, without any conscious effort to change my power, the reading change jump 30 to 50 watts. That is quite a bit, especially with me weighing 64kg!

10

How are you trying to pair the pedals? Are you pedalling then to wake them up before trying to pair?

Vector 3 does Bluetooth too so you should be able to pair them like that (as long as you unpair them from any other device that’s on).

11

I can pair the pedals to my fēnix 5X via ANT.

What I had done was pairing the pedals to my watch first using ANT then try to pair them with Zwift. Bluetooth was an option, I cannot pair to them to Zwift via ANT.

I have heard about the Bluetooth dropping issues which is why I wanted Zwift to also pair via ANT.

12

Only suggestion I would have is put the computer and bike even closer and turn the pedals.

I can’t imagine what it would be.

13

Hi Tim - did you resolve this?

I have 2 x pairs of Vector 3’s, one of which pairs fine with Zwift via Ant+ and the other (slightly older) that like yours, won’t!

I can confirm that the pedals perform very well when paired via Ant+ and track very closely with the Neo 2T i.e. mostly within 2-3w (V3 normally higher) and this is usually accounted for by drivetrain loss with the 2T.

I cannot work out why my older V3’s won’t pair with Zwift via Ant+ (power meter firmware fully updated) as they connect fine to my Garmin head unit, and other devices such as the Neo pair fine to Zwift via Ant+ so the dongle to my Mac is working.

If you managed to solve this I’d be very happy to hear how!

14

Unfortunately, no, @Nick_Bateman, I have never gotten it to work with ANT+.

I tried to use different computers (albeit both Macs); neither one of them worked with Zwift.

I tried two different ANT dongles; that did not work either.

I installed Sufferfest and another Zwift-like platform—I cannot remember which one now as I did this months ago—to see if they detect the Vector 3s. It turned out that they DO. So at the very least the problem is in part with Zwift.

I did not know that not all Vector 3 pedals have this issue. Lucky me. :man_shrugging:

As for the fluctuation issue—I think, although I have not looked at it closely recently—that once I installed the latest iteration of the Vector 3 battery covers and using one larger battery in each pedal (rather than two smaller ones), the fluctuations are less wild. The fluctuations are still a bit more than what is reported by the Neo 2T, but that may be due to a smooth algorithm. The averages are similar to yours—they are always close. The differences are likely due to drivetrain loss and/or the 1 percent accuracy range.

15

I had the same issues with the V3 pedals which I resolved by getting another set through a warranty claim. Second set is rock solid in both ANT+ and BLE. I pair them through ANT+ to the Zwift app on a desktop computer using a dongle and extender cable. I also pair them to my Garmin Forerunner 935 through BLE to get the rest of the story; pedaling dynamics, etc. They work very well for most rides. I’ve found it’s better to use the Wahoo Kickr power output for workouts though as it’s hard for the pedals to transmit the resolution required for workout feedback.

16

Thanks Tim,

I’m going to have one last try at deleting the V3’s from my head unit and Garmin Connect then re-installing to see if this works.

If not, then I’ll simply swap them to my other (outside/IRL bike).

I’ll post if the delete/re-install works!

17

I had the same issue, my pedals connected by ANT+ originally and then suddenly stopped working. ANT+ is better than Bluetooth, so it was annoying. Its a software issue, plug in the dongle. On your computer go into device manager, find the ANT dongle and update you drivers. Restart the computer and it should work. If it doesn’t, search for and download a driver online, it should be easy to find one specific for indoor traing platforms.