i-Vortex to Vortex Smart Upgrade

Hello everybody.

Some months (years?) ago, I found a very good discussion in the "old" Tacx forum regarding a "hardware upgrade" of an i-Vortex to a Vortex Smart.

Unluckily the old forum was finally shut down a few days after Tacx made the announcement and I had not the time to make a backup of this discussion.

I can remember that such an upgrade was possible (piece of circuit board to be exchanged) but there have been some constraints.

Has anybody some details to this topic?

Wich part to update and where to get it?
Compatible with all revisions of the i-Vortex?
Is the i-Vortex controler computer still working then?
Compatible with TTS 4?
Further important things which I should know when considering the upgrade ...?

It would be gread if someone has more info on this.

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0 8509425 over 4 years ago in reply to DavidBrits

I have clone my Hard drive to a SSD. So the movie that is included by default still works but not the movie that I have purchased. This is not acceptable after the money that I have spent on the i-Vortex and the movies

0 dandanclose.com over 4 years ago

So.. after starting to train with a few years break my vortex wouldn’t communicate with the new iOS Tacx software. After frustrating research I realized it didn’t have Bluetooth and nothing was offered as an upgrade. Then I started researching the newer ivortex models and came across a parts diagram!!! Bingo. So all you need to do is replace the “electro Unit” or motherboard. It’s a simple procedure as long as you can get the part :)

“Tacx Electro Unit only for Vortex Smart Brake Unit, T2181.25”

I found mine on amazon.com $161.41 US

0 8509425 over 4 years ago in reply to dandanclose.com

Thanks, it is currently unavailable but I will keep looking for it

0 a1234.garmin over 4 years ago in reply to 8509425

May be it worth to try https://store.npe-inc.com/cable-connect-ant-to-ble/ ? It should convert ANT+ to Bluetooth so every new app will be satisfied.

0 QuelleVue-Mike over 4 years ago in reply to a1234.garmin

If anyone is still following this discussion, I too would just LOVE to get my i-Vortex talking to apps like Zwift. The trainer is in excellent condition and although I've enjoyed TTS, it is time to move on. I'm surprised Tacx haven't issued some sort of adapter - or an upgrade solution. I don't mind spending money, but seems a waste to throw away a perfectly good trainer.

0 QuelleVue-Mike over 4 years ago in reply to dandanclose.com

0 QuelleVue-Mike over 4 years ago in reply to a1234.garmin

But I dont think that the i-Vortex communicates using standard ANT+ signals so the converter may not work?

0 QuelleVue-Mike over 4 years ago in reply to dandanclose.com

Did you ever get a solution?

0 1906139 over 4 years ago in reply to QuelleVue-Mike

The Cable converter did not work unfortunately.

0 Browdee over 4 years ago in reply to dandanclose.com

Hi Dan

Thanks for contributing to this and working out a solution!

I think I found the part...https://tacx.com/spare-parts/vortex-smart/

Can you confirm if it is the right thing? It should be, as it is described as the complete end unit on their website. It comes in at £119 UK, which is $152US, so a good price me thinks.

Also, is swapping the end unit out an easy thing? Should be a case of a couple of screws?

Thanks

Tom