Ant+ Cadence and HR on an Android phone?

[Berk on a Bike]

Does anyone use an Android phone to record cadence and heart rate data via Ant+?

I have a Sony Xperia Arc and was initially looking at the feasibility of Bluetooth sensors, but it seems my phone is too old to upgrade to the latest technology. However, the handset does have Ant+ connectivity. As far as I can tell, the Garmin Fit Android app reads Ant+ data so my questions are:

Does anyone use such a set-up and does it work well?

Given I don't have any Ant+ kit, would a shop allow me to test before I buy?

I know well this community's love for Garmin head units, but at the moment that's not an option.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[john59]

My Samsung S4 can read my Ant+ heart strap using the S Health app. Running android 4.4.2.
If I was you I'd look out for anyone using a Garmin Edge unit and ask , if they didn't mind, to see if your phone can pick up their signals.

John

 

[Berk on a Bike]

My Samsung S4 can read my Ant+ heart strap using the S Health app. Running android 4.4.2.
If I was you I'd look out for anyone using a Garmin Edge unit and ask , if they didn't mind, to see if your phone can pick up their signals.

John

Thanks, @john59
My Xperia's upgrade path stops at 4.0.4 so that's a question mark. Good tip re. collaring a Garmin user!

 

[Sods_Laur]

I have an Xperia z1 and I've used ipbike on it with a speed /cadence sensor. It will do HR too but I didn't have a strap. From there you can upload to strava etc.

There is a website (thisisant, possibly) that will tell you your phone's compatibility with Ant+ devices. You may or may not be able to connect more than one ant device at a time. Good luck!

 

[jefmcg]

I had a previous xperia, and used a garmin ant+ chest strap with it. I synced it with endomondo and a HR program (interestingly, only one app could use the device at a time). Worked fine.

My phone never got upgraded past 2.2.x, which is why I didn't buy another Sony. Probably should dig out old strap and sell it.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

I have an Xperia z1 and I've used ipbike on it with a speed /cadence sensor. It will do HR too but I didn't have a strap. From there you can upload to strava etc.

There is a website (thisisant, possibly) that will tell you your phone's compatibility with Ant+ devices. You may or may not be able to connect more than one ant device at a time. Good luck!

Thanks, @Sods_Laur. I've not heard of ipbike so I'll check that out.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

I had a previous xperia, and used a garmin ant+ chest strap with it. I synced it with endomondo and a HR program (interestingly, only one app could use the device at a time). Worked fine.

My phone never got upgraded past 2.2.x, which is why I didn't buy another Sony. Probably should dig out old strap and sell it.

Cheers, @jefmcg. That sounds positive.

 

[Sods_Laur]

Thanks, @Sods_Laur. I've not heard of ipbike so I'll check that out.

It seems a bit clunky and the UX isn't great but functionally it's fantastic. See how you get on with the free trial version.

 

[tincaman]

I have an Xperia z1 and I've used ipbike on it with a speed /cadence sensor. It will do HR too but I didn't have a strap. From there you can upload to strava etc.

There is a website (thisisant, possibly) that will tell you your phone's compatibility with Ant+ devices. You may or may not be able to connect more than one ant device at a time. Good luck!

http://www.thisisant.com/directory/

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Quick update.

It seems a bit clunky and the UX isn't great but functionally it's fantastic. See how you get on with the free trial version.

I installed the ipbike app and initially hit a brick wall (metaphorically) with it resetting every time I tried to record a ride. However the guy who wrote the app, Ifor Powell, was very helpful via email and figured out the problem. He mailed me a beta version of the updated sensor manager and all is good. Note I haven't actually tried it with any ant+ sensors yet but the app does record properly and uploads to Strava.

 

[jefmcg]

BTW, endomondo works with ant+ devices.