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Velocomputer Announces Smartsensor 4, App + Device Tracks Performance

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Velocomputer bike smartphone computerVelocomputer just announced a new mobile app in conjunction with the SmartSensor 4 bluetooth device for tracking cycling performance. Measuring time, distance, speed, acceleration, cadence and slope grade, Velocomputer makes the claim it’s 360 times more accurate than other cycling sensors.

The waterproof Smartsensor 4 body sits on the chain stay and is wired to a magnetic field sensor beside the rear hub. As a magnet on the wheel spins, data is collected and streams to a bar mounted smartphone (either Android or iPhone 4s) via bluetooth. They claim it’s great for all disciplines of cycling. Measurements are roughly 1.5 inches high and long, 0.5 inches deep.

Right now, they’re offering an early bird pricing of $100 the first 100 sensors sold. Retail is $200 after. Get the full details at VeloComputer or SoundofMotion. Click ‘more’ for a screenshot and specs…

Velocomputer SmartSensor 4 Android Iphone App

  • Detects 1cm ( ~ 3/8″ ) of distance on a standard 700C wheel.
  • At least 360 times more accurate than traditional cycling sensors
  • 1 second latency, up to 7 times faster than a traditional cycling computer
  • Built-in 3-axis accelerometer
  • Measures data with precision:
    – time in 0.001 of a second
    – distance in 0.01 of a meter
    – speed in 0.01 of a kilometer (KMH) or a mile (MPH) per hour
    – acceleration in 0.01 of a KMH or a MPH per second
    – cadence as low as 1 rotation per minute (RPM)
    – slope grade in 1% increments
    3-axis X, Y and Z G-forces
  • Bluetooth 4.0 SMART (low energy)
  • Replaceable 3 volt CR2032 coin cell battery
  • Rigid plastic enclosure
  • Waterproof
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naytan
naytan
11 years ago

Am I missing something?

The Edge 500 is only $50 more.

If I felt like using a head unit I couldn’t read in the sun I’d probably just use a free ap.

Erich
Erich
11 years ago

So this calculates power? How accurate would it be?

Erich
Erich
11 years ago

looking on their facebook page I see this (looks like I might be getting one):
(Now if only samsung galaxy S3 would issue a fix for the bluetooth 4.0 problems)…

David Bermingham Hi, just wondering how accurate the power data is in comparison to the more “traditional” crank power meters like Quarq etc? Thanks
7 hours ago · Like

SoundOfMotion (VeloComputer) Hi David Bermingham, when comparing to “traditional” crank or hub power meters you will have 2 different data sets. Crank or hub power meters provides you with applied/input power whereas the VeloComputer provides you with propulsion/output power. If you have both systems you can see the “economy/efficiency” of the ride, and analyse how much power you loose between input and output. If you use the VeloComputer by itself it still provides very high accuracy because of the 1 degree precision. I hope that answered your question?

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
11 years ago

It’s power calculation has to be less accurate than iBike’s because at least iBike has a process for calculating coefficients for aero drag and for rolling resistance. Further it’s certainly questionable whether such high precision measurements are even useful

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
11 years ago

That should have read “Its power….”

ridein
ridein
11 years ago

I would like to get the sensor if it would make my Garmin more accurate, but it doesn’t have the ANT sport wireless protocol.

Peter M.
Peter M.
11 years ago

This is just useless. Why do we need this level of accuracy? I want to know how many km i have gone, not how many mm.

And the power thing? Cycling is all about aerodynamic, and that’s not even taken into consideration.

Jeff
Jeff
11 years ago

It doesn’t sound like cadence is measured directly; it sounds to me like cadence is somehow extrapolated from the wheel speed. When’s the Android app gonna be available?

Russ
Russ
11 years ago

I have been looking closely at this.
The unit body itself contains the cadence sensor and the wheel sensor is at the end of the cable. So two separate magnets are used including the cadence one on the crank.

James
James
10 years ago

Cadence measured directly from sensor on chain stay from magnet on crank

October 2013 Paid for a new version they were supposed to be launching in November 2013…Now it is January 2014 and still no word or delivery besides their post on FaceBook at the end of December https://www.facebook.com/VeloComputer

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