Powerpod ANT/BLE Power Meter

I had trouble installing the product on my bicycle. I contacted customer service and got no response, but I managed to get it to work.After 6 months of use, the connector that is used to charge the unit stopped working. I emailed customer service, they said to return it to the address in the email, but there was no address in the email. When I wrote them back telling them this, I got no response.I waited three weeks after that before I wrote this review.

Great idea. The calibration is a little complicated, but it wasn't that hard to do with the instructions in hand. Its greatest issue is mounting. My bikes have cables. It claims to use a GoPro mount, but the combination Garmin/GoPro mounts I bought fit loose. The PowerPod needs to be mounted consistently, and tightly. The mount that comes with it is OK, but it mounts right under the handlebars where it gets maximum cable interference. Velocomp sells a combo mount - $59. Give me a break. Even on the combo mounts, you have to push them so far forward to get the PowerPod level that the Garmin device is pointed at an off-angle toward the front, making reading more difficult. I am still working the mounting issues, but the function of the meter was great. Consistent power reading during my one ride.

It has no adapter for all the guidons

I purchased this to get my start using power for my training. I wasn't sure how easy it was to set up but its actually pretty easy. First off is the Cons that I noticed. For discussion PP equals Power PodNumber 1. I couldn't install the software on a Vista Laptop. I got an error that you had to have at least Windows 7 to run. This isn't a big deal because I have a desktop but for some it might matter. There's two different files that you have to install to get Isaac (PP software) to work with the PPNumber 2. If your going to use Isaac software a lot you will either need a laptop near the bike or remove the PP each time to do the downloads into your computer. This is only one screw to remove it but still takes a couple of minutes.Number 3. If you use the supplied clamp you will need to get the mount close to your stem to take advantage of the larger diameter. I didn't want to use a rubber spacer on the mount.Number 4. Led light is small and with the sun out its sometimes not easy to see.OK, THE PRO'S I'll skip the numbers because I could list a bunchMount is super strong. You could probably hang your bike by the mountPP only weighs 50 grams.Easy to mount, comes with a screw and a screw with a thumb handle for easier use.Easy to pair with Garmin (I have the 810)Seems to have quick readings and output.When you calibrate it the PP tells you when to turn around. Super easy.I'm getting lots of data that I didn't know it does, like coasting time and gearsI road a little in the rain with no effects or reading problems.Charges pretty quickly.Final Thoughts: I would buy it again for sureIts going to help my training and maybe keep me from blowing out on hillsMight buy a laptop to keep with my bike for ease of use but which is easier removing PP or messing with a laptop? Might depend on how much I need to download the data from the PP. There's other options for getting readings besides Isaac. All of the data also goes on your Garmin as well.you just don't see the detailed graphs.UPDATE; I've been using it awhile now and still love it. I've used tech support a couple times after I had to change computers and have quickly gotten an answer from them. The data I'm getting seems to be accurate and consistent. I would buy it again for sure.

UPDATED REVIEW 8/12/19I've had this a year and can now say that I have little to no faith in the power readings. Maybe I got a bad one or something. Here's what gets me - A ride I do every week is 15 miles from my house to the beach. It's very slightly downhill overall, and pretty much always has a headwind. Going there I seem to average 90 watts. Then, I turn around, go very slightly uphill with a tailwind and suddenly I'm holding 150 watts. It seems to completely miss the headwind but overcompensate for the slight incline or decline. Another annoying thing is that it assumes that if you're going on a significant downhill that you're pushing zero watts. I think we all know that you can work hard on a downhill, but this gives you no credit for it.I do feel the fault lies mostly in the algorithms that calculate the power.Sadly, I'm now in the market for a power meter that measures directly from the drivetrain. Your experience may be better than mine, but that's where I am after having it for a year. Quite simply, I've spent a year looking at it and thinking "that's interesting" but never feeling it was very useful.Equipment-wise I have switched from using my phone to the Wahoo Elemnt and am very happy with that.ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW (still useful for setup)I'm hoping to save you some of the mystery of buying this by giving you information I couldn't find prior to buying it. I can say that having used it twice (once for calibration and once on a training ride) I already love it. If things go south anytime soon, I will update this review. So far, it's solid.1. You must use a BLE or ANT+ speed/cadence sensor with this (not included). This is necessary for the PowerPod to do the calculations it needs to figure our your power.From the documentation that came with the purchase of the PowerPod (that I couldn't find anywhere before):The PowerPod works with:a. Garmin "magnet-less" speed and cadence sensorsb. Wahoo Fitness BLE/ANT+ speed and cadence sensors ("dual band" operation)c. iBike speed/cadence sensor-- not from documentation, but my experience - I have GXG-1987 Black Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 ANT Fitness Tracker Bike Cycling Speed and Cadence Sensor Speedometer for iPhone Android and Bike Computers and it worksThese speed/cadence sensors WILL NOT work with the PowerPod:a. Garmin GSC-10b. Giant RideSensec. Velocomputer2. You need something to receive and display your power reading (and speed/cadence). Other reviewers say they've used various Garmins, and I'm sure those work and may get one in the future, but I used my iPhone. I had no trouble connecting everything to Strava. I did have to upgrade my Strava membership to show live data (it just shows you averages if you don't), but so far it's doing the job.Setting everything up was kind of a mystery. There's no display that you're doing it right until it's all done. Had I not been trying to verify it every step of the way and just done it, it would have taken much less time. When it was all done, though, it all worked.Since I mentioned that I used my phone, this is the mount I use for it - Reserwa Bike Phone Mount with Quick On Off Mount 360 Degree Rotation Motorcycle Phone Mount for Handlebars Bike Phone Holder with One-button Released for iOS Android Phone GPS Other Devices (Black). I got it because I already had their armband for running and really like it. It may seem like these aren't secure enough, but in my experience they are more than capable of the job.I hope this information helps somebody. Good luck!