Stages power meter issue

My Stages always has trouble initially connecting to everything. Will be trying it on the trainer for the first time in an hour or so and let you know how it goes.

My Stages always has trouble initially connecting to everything. Will be trying it on the trainer for the first time in an hour or so and let you know how it goes.

Stages is known for being the weakest signal of any power meter out there today. Garmin users of the Fenix 3, 920XT and more have had issues for years in particular if the Garmin was worn on the wrist or an out front mount because newer Garmins tend to have less receptive antennas than in the past. The Fenix 5 sadly seems to have gotten even worse and numerous users are having issues with the Fenix 5. Pair a weak signal with a bad antenna and its a recipe for problems.

That said you can try to use bluetooth since the Fenix 5 now supports using ANT+ *OR* Bluetooth for power meters. The catch here is bluetooth output from the Stages can only connect to one device at a time so you'll have to accept turning off the iPhone connection to the Stages but its something to try. Stages is currently blaming Garmin and Garmin has continually referred problems to Stages. Hopefully Bluetooth might be a solution.

Complete fail..... Stages connected OK, but dropped 90% of the time :(

Was going to try by BT connection, but was riding in Zwift and Stages was connected to the iPad on BT channel.

So

Ant+ Stryd --> Fail
Ant+ Stages --> Fail

Not such a great record so far, very disappointing.

Balls! from stages site....

Where is the head unit located on the bike?

The location of the head unit on your bike can have a big effect in its ability to consistently receive power data. Most cycling head units are designed to work when located on the handlebars, but even in this position it's possible to have objects in the way that block or weaken the signal.

Multi-sport watches
Certain multi-sport watches can be very sensitive to their position in relation to your power meter. For some, simply moving to the left wrist can offer an improved signal. We have seen the best results from multi-sport watches used on a handlebar mount due to the static position in relation to the meter itself. To test if this is the problem, we suggest mounting the watch in a fixed location such as on the handlebars (base bars if they are aerobars) or in your bottle cage, then perform a test ride to see if you see any improvement. It may be easiest to experiment with this on the trainer in order to make it easiest to move your head unit.

might be worth trying

I'm guessing you've already seen this thread (it won't help you, but at least you'll know it's not 'just you'), but if not: https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?372091-Poor-ANT-Connectivity.

Although I think there's a hope that Garmin could improve their antenna reception and hopefully resolve some of the lesser connectivity issues with other devices, the Stages problem with it is so bad I don't ever see that being resolved (i.e. Garmin may be willing to compromise battery life slightly to increase the gain a little bit to resolve 90% of the issues, but why would they compromise it even further just for the sake of accommodating Stages who have to take responsibility for their decision to output such a weak signal?), so much so that I have now bit the bullet and replaced my Stages PM with a 4iiii one, which connects perfectly. Just hope I can recoup some of the cost selling my Stages on eBay.

Yeah the Stages signal has always been disappointing, but compared to other multi-sport watches I have used with it, the fenix 5 has been the worst for dropping the signal. Now I would caveat that with two points; first it was only one test and second it was on the trainer, where I periodically ride without hands on bars playing with my phone, which I never do on the road. This may lead to a tougher connection scenario for the stages and the f5 and I cannot remember testing or using my other watches on the trainer really.

I also have a new power meter on my main bike now, P1 pedals, than I can easily move so Stages will not be a long term issue for me.

Not sure how easy it will be to sell the Stages though, or that it is worth it to go through the hassle being linked to the crank it is such a specific application that the market is very limited and Stages dropped their prices for a new unit since I purchased mine. Doubt I could get $200 for it.

Anybody ever tried with a 4iiii which is basically the same sort of thing? (Edit: ah I see Neil has!) Never heard of these problems with that one but I suspect far more people have Stages so that could be a factor.

I have had similar problems with my Rotor Power PM (2014 version) with all watches (910/920/735 and now 935) but it is fine with an Edge 810. As such I tend to "blame" the power meter as all other sensors (e.g. cadence, speed, HR, foot pods) all work fine with all the watches have used over the years.

Anybody ever tried with a 4iiii which is basically the same sort of thing? Never heard of these problems with that one but I suspect far more people have Stages so that could be a factor.

I have had similar problems with my Rotor Power PM (2014 version) with all watches (910/920/735 and now 935) but it is fine with an Edge 810. As such I tend to "blame" the power meter as all other sensors (e.g. cadence, speed, HR, foot pods) all work fine with all the watches have used over the years.

@TIMGROSE I understand your point of view but some of us have also owned previous Garmin watches (F3 and FR920XT) that worked just fine. Should we replace our Stages powermeters just to keep our shiny F5s? It's not a good deal at all since people who buy an Stages usually do because they used to be the cheapest :-( To me the easiest and cost inexpensive is send my F5 back to clevertrainer

Clearly if the F5 performance in this regard is significantly worse than other watches then there is a cause for complaint/concern.

I was just pointing out that for me with my PM all my watches prior to the 935 (including a 920) were no better. I don't have an F5. As such I was looking at the 4iiii as if I were to buy new a PM I would ideally want to get one where there were no adverse reports of this nature.

I should add that it is clearly a range issue. If I put my watch in my top tube saddle bag then it works OK. On the "tops" it is passable but out on the aero bars on my wrist (either one - although right is slightly better as better line of sight) then it regularly drops out. I am very tall 1.95/6'5" so that can't help either.

Still bad connection

it is in fact an old problem that will never be solved as far as I understand. Stages have sent several updates and never solve the problem. It is not on Garmin side for sure because I have a myriad of devices connected to both fênix (3 before, now 5) and my edge 1000, none have connection issues except stages. I have tried bluetooth connection, it seems a bit more stable, but if you use Fenix on your wrist, the only way to have 100% is to turn it facing down, it has no impact on GPS reading, at least to me, but it is not ideal. On a bike leg in triathlon, it one more thing to remember.

Regards,

A. Duarte