Does Fenix 3 supports dual-side powermeters?

fernandolc
1 month ago

I have an old Fenix 3 that is still working well after almost fifteen years of use. I am looking at buying a Stages dual-sided powermeter and wonder if the Fenix 3 has support for it, showing left/right power balance.

I would appreciate any feedback on this.

Thank you,

Fernando

  • 0 1 month ago

    I found the answer is no. The device is not compatible with "Cycling Dynamics". The list of compatible.devices.can be found in: support.garmin.com/.../

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to fernandolc

    Dual sided power and cycling dynamics are different things. 

    Power balance is not a cycling dynamic feature.

    Cycling Dynamics covers items such as power phase, platform center offset and seated/standing detection.

    Power balance is part of the standard ANT+ profile.

    That said I don't I know if the Fenix 3 displays or captures power balance. I would suspect that if there is not a power balance data field in the list of power data fields that it does not.

  • 0 1 month ago

    I can’t help with your direct question, but:
    Why do you want to have power balance?
    I paid up for dual side powermeter but the only thing wich was really „useful“ was the (only a few single percentages) higher accuracy. I tried 3 years to get use of the left/right power balance and didn’t find one.
    BTW: if you buy a Stages, be warned that you can kill the rubber seal of the battery compartment quit easy when changing batteries. Then moisture creeps in and you will get power readings higher than World Tour level.
    Stages was always helpful and replaced those units, but with their bankruptcy I wouldn’t bet on that.

  • 0 25 days ago in reply to aweatherall

    Thank you for clarifying Cycling Dynamics, @aweatherall.
    I just checked, and the Fenix 3 does have a Balance power field as well, as a "Pedal Smooth." field
    I'll be able to test those when I'm back home in a few weeks.

  • 0 25 days ago in reply to BeneGi

    Unfortunately, that is exactly the one PM I bought mid-last year from a heavily discounted unit, @BeneGi
    I wasn't able to assembly it before leaving for a long trip, will do so in a few weeks. I'll pay attention to the rubber seal, thank you for the tip!
    Most likely, I will get to the same conclusion as you re: L/R. I reckon I was just scared that a single leg PM would not make sense, despite all indications of the contrary. I have been a long time SRM (wired) user.