Español Next to the new Edge 1030Today, Garmin also announced its Vector 3 pedals. The third version of its pedals with integrated potentiometer brings quite a few important new features, greatly improving on the Garmin Vector and Garmin Vector 2 pedals that the American firm previously marketed.
Garmin has completely redesigned the pedals, eliminating the need to mount an external pod with all the data transmission electronics (which is now housed inside the pedal body) and, above all, making installation much simpler and allowing the change of pedals from one bike to another to be done in a matter of seconds.
This is the path taken by all manufacturers who had a pedal power meter. The first to make this simplification were the PowerTap P1, which at the time represented a revolution in power meters of this type.
Shortly afterwards, the Italian company Favero launched the bePRO, which is very similar in concept and cuts the selling price considerably. Despite the fact that it is not too complicated to install, it does require its special tools when changing from one bike to another. Recently, Favero has introduced the Assioma model, which eliminates the need to install it in a certain position and slightly reduces the size of the transmission pod.
Well, the new proposal of Garmin is even more reduced in size, and that is that unlike these Assioma and as I indicated above, all the electronics are located inside the pedal.
But back to the Garmin Vector 3, it's still a power meter that measures the watts in both legs, independently. Each pedal contains a gauge, so there's no need to double the power in one of the two legs. That's what the Vector 3S does, which only has sensors on one of the two pedals, for a more economical price.
The redesign of the pedal is not the only novelty, it now also incorporates dual connectivity. The classic ANT+ connection from Garmin is joined by Bluetooth which, in addition to allowing connection to computers that use this technology (for example Polar or Suunto) will also allow data to be sent to applications such as Zwift or TrainerRoad. And why not say it, also update the pedals directly from the phone.
Vector 3 will be available in the coming weeks at a price of 999 Euro for the dual version, while Vector 3S (which doubles the power of the left leg) will be priced at 599 Euro.
With the Favero Assioma for 200 euros less, it won't be easy for Garmin, although we must also bear in mind that Garmin offers the dynamics of cycling... although no one so far has been able to get the best out of it. Of course, Garmin's distribution network is not even close to what Favero can get, which is much more unknown.
You know, if you have any other questions, use the comments to ask. And thanks for reading!
there is an exact date to buy them? Thank you very much for your blog it's a great reference.
No, there is no firm date yet, but before the end of the year for sure
Greetings, the ElPolar V800 is then compatible with Vector 3?
Yes, since the pedals transmit via Bluetooth.
Hello Eduardo, I want to know if Vector 3 dual version is already available and how to contact for other conditions.
Also, if it is necessary to buy the Edge 1030 or the pedals are compatible with Edge 820. I am interested in both accessories, if necessary, we should contact.
Thank you and greetings
No, Vector 3 is not yet available, it should be throughout January.
You can use them with any other device, you don't need an Edge 1030.
Let's see if we have analysis soon 😉 Thanks and congratulations for the Web, I'm hooked on your ratings.
Well, it's quite complicated to see it... logistically and in terms of devices to compare with, I don't have the elements to work on a comparison. My power meter is precisely some pedals, so I would need at least another two, which I don't have. I think I could request a Powertap wheel from the national distributor, but I would still need a third device. And managing three test devices with the calendars that they handle for loan to the media is totally unfeasible.
Hello!
You would say that you can get a lot out of the dynamics of vector 3? cycling. Some say not much but they seem interesting.
Greetings
They have a very relative use... like comparing making a climb by pedaling more time sitting or more time standing, and checking times one way or the other, for example. But as the test is on different days there are many other variables...
In the end what we all go to is the power data and related to it (IF, NP, etc).