Garmin Cadence Sensor - problems

ROK ON

I am having issues with the Garmin cadence sensor. Just wondering if anyone else has these issues?

In the past 15 months two sensor units have died on me. This morning it looks like a third one has.

This last one began with funny cadence readings a few weeks back - it seemed to be double counting cadence when on the turbo.

Now it's dead completely.

I have changed batteries.
That is the other issue - I seem to have to change batteries on the sensor regularly - when the bike it's on is not used that often.

I have a cadence sensor on another bike and it has not required such regular battery maintenance even though that bike is used a lot.

Bile is stored in an insulated shed. If the bike is ridden in the wet I clean and dry the bike. I also dry off the Cadence sensor unit.

It's hard to believe that all of this is happenstance and I am wondering is there something else?
For example the location of the bike with the failing sensors is Kerry - it can get very damp - could that be a factor?

rigal

Yes, same problem here. Bought a new one for the winter bike 2months ago and it died after about 3 weeks use. Also noticed the odd cadence readings on the turbo before it died. Tried a new battery, cleaning contact points etc but no go.

I bought mine separately off amazon - do you know if garmin will accept the return directly? Can't see a part number on the unit itself.

funnights74

I feel your pain, i have 2 sensor units, one works perfectly and it's predecessor after a few spins went dead on me, it does pick up the heart monitor but not cadence or moving speed, i've tried everything but zilch
Even the one thats working goes lala with cadence, yesterday it said my highest cadence was 180 per minuite !!.
The shop where i bought it wasn't much good, they said try the garmin site and despite a few e-mails no reply, pretty poor customer service imo.

Inquitus

I had to stop using mine, it started giving crazy cadence and speed readings, that said I have a pretty good idea of my cadence these days and the gps speed reading is grand, so I have been doing without.

Inq

yop

Wow, thought that was only me, I am on my 4th in a year, brought a spanking new one there in Nov and put it on the bike on the turbo, its NEVER been outside, but was only on it there for a short workout last week and it kept losing the the 510 and then at times it was reading 80kmph + !!! Crazy stuff.

I'vw got the last 3 from handtec unless they are selling sh*!Te sensors?

ROK ON

OK - I am now wondering that it is simply a design issue. Bunch of lemons perhaps.

The reason that I thought it maybe done to weather/damp is that one is on a bike in Kerry (damp) and the other in Dublin (relatively less damp).

Both kept in sheds.

Never had an issue with the one in Dublin for some reason.

I cant face doing a turbo session withoout cadence - it is important for the drills that I do on the turbo. But at this amount of battery consumption and unit failue I may have to consider another option.

Any other cadence sensors out there that are compatible with a garmin 500 head unit?

yop

ROK ON wrote: »

OK - I am now wondering that it is simply a design issue. Bunch of lemons perhaps.

The reason that I thought it maybe done to weather/damp is that one is on a bike in Kerry (damp) and the other in Dublin (relatively less damp).

Both kept in sheds.

Never had an issue with the one in Dublin for some reason.

I cant face doing a turbo session withoout cadence - it is important for the drills that I do on the turbo. But at this amount of battery consumption and unit failue I may have to consider another option.

Any other cadence sensors out there that are compatible with a garmin 500 head unit?

Same as that, I am limited as to what I can do, but at the same time I like to keep correct records.
What is strange is that the one I put on my main bike has been on it for 3 years now with zero issues.

I think we need to get onto them. I have now 3 units sitting in the shed as good as useless, over 100 euro.

clog

These work fine with garmin 500/800 etc. Using one on one of my bikes for the last couple of months with no problems. (That said I have garmin sensors on 2 other bikes and have not had any problems with them either)
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/ant-speed-rate-sensor-cycle-computer-id_8181211.html

CheGuedara

ROK ON wrote: »

Any other cadence sensors out there that are compatible with a garmin 500 head unit?

Burned through two GSC-10s last year in a six month period. No abuse/crashes, just normal riding. Changed to the Bontrager interchange speed+cadence sensor. No failures or crazy readings since. Only issue is the rubber strap for fitting is a little on the short side for modern deep carbon fibre chainstays, so unless you can get hands on longer straps its cable ties FTW.

calistro

Had similar issues last year, if you contact the UK customer support through the Garmin website they will replace the unit FOC, although I did need to produce proof of purchase.

yop

CheGuedara wrote: »

Burned through two GSC-10s last year in a six month period. No abuse/crashes, just normal riding. Changed to the Bontrager interchange speed+cadence sensor. No failures or crazy readings since. Only issue is the rubber strap for fitting is a little on the short side for modern deep carbon fibre chainstays, so unless you can get hands on longer straps its cable ties FTW.

And no issue working with 500 series units then? Does it work with the ANT+ stick?

Raam

Stop buying cadence sensors: problem solved.

j0hn1

ROK ON wrote: »

Any other cadence sensors out there that are compatible with a garmin 500 head unit?

Coincidently, one of the lads in our club directed me to this website recently
http://www.thisisant.com/directory/

Full directory of compatible ANT+ accessories for most devices you can think of. The only trouble with most is sourcing them

CheGuedara

yop wrote: »

And no issue working with 500 series units then? Does it work with the ANT+ stick?

Used it with the 500 and 800 no problem and know another who is using one with a 510 so just the 810 an unknown (though its ant+ so I don't imagine there should be any issues). Can't say about the ant+ stick, never used one myself.

yop

I emailed their CS and told them I have the invoices for the last 3 sensors. I also highlighted this thread and told them I am not alone with this issue. We will see what they say now.

AstraMonti

It's a bad device, 5 of mine have gone the last 4 years. 2 of them still work, but they want a new battery every 3-4days. I bought a cycleops the last time, hasn't give me any trouble so far.

funnights74

funnights74 wrote: »

I feel your pain, i have 2 sensor units, one works perfectly and it's predecessor after a few spins went dead on me, it does pick up the heart monitor but not cadence or moving speed, i've tried everything but zilch
Even the one thats working goes lala with cadence, yesterday it said my highest cadence was 180 per minuite !!.
The shop where i bought it wasn't much good, they said try the garmin site and despite a few e-mails no reply, pretty poor customer service imo.

I spoke too soon, the cadence sensor on my unit has died, I've tried resetting, new battery and the rest but no joy, even though the little red/green light is flashing there is no reading showing up, seriously furious about this, it's not like they're cheap to buy.:mad:

inc21

After my Garmin cadence sensor started reading double I came cross this thread. My problems started when I put it on turbo first time. Readings were all over the place. sometimes double even.
My today's ride. Look at the cadence.

Today I think I have it sorted.
This is what I did:

1. Took the sensor off the bike.
2. Removed battery and the cover.
3. Gave it a good clean.
4. Poured this down open battery hole.
5. Covered opening with my palm and gave it a good shake (like 5 min or so)
6. Repeated steps 4 & 5 few times just in case.
7. Dried it out with hair dryer.
8. Made sure it is bone dry before replacing the battery.
9. Fixed it back on the bike (remember to reconnect with the Garmin).
10. Put the bike on Turbo to test my handy work.

For now everything seems to work fine. No double reading. Will go out for a spin tomorrow and post the results here.

There is guy's here with many sensors gone bad, try this (on your own risk of course) and let us know.
I'm in Mallow Co. Cork, post it down to me if any of you can't do it yourself for some reason. Would be interesting to know if it works on other sensors too.

yop

Well lads, I contacted Garmin CS.

Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe.


When using an ANT+ accessory with a Garmin fitness device, it is possible to lose connection and experience problems trying to pair the two products. ANT+ accessories include the Speed/Cadence Sensor (GSC 10) and Heart Rate Monitor (HRM). If a Garmin fitness device is unable to pair with an ANT+ accessory, consider the following:

Activate accessory within main menu of device
Restart scan for the ANT+ accessory
Change battery in device (see product instructions for additional details)
Update device software using myDashboard
Ensure GSC 10 magnet is as close to sensor as possible without touching
Ensure HRM is tight as possible without being uncomfortable
If issues persist after attempting the troubleshooting steps above, continue with the recommendations below:

Remove battery from the ANT+ accessory
Leave battery out of the accessory for 30 to 60 seconds
Place battery back into the accessory with the positive side facing up
Once these steps have been followed, activate the accessory in the appropriate manner:

GSC 10 - Press reset (white button) on GSC 10 and a red and green flash should show while pedaling; this will insure the magnets are placed appropriately
HRM - Wet sensors on HRM before putting it on and elevating heart rate
Be sure to restart the scan for the accessory in question once the steps above have been executed. Refer to the owner's manual for instructions on pairing a fitness GPS with the ANT+ accessories, if needed.

Referenced Links:

GSC 10: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1266

HRM: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=15490

myDashboard: https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/dashboard/dashboard.htm

Manual: https://support.garmin.com/support/manuals/searchManuals.faces?refresh=true







If there is anything else I can help you with then please let me know. Alternatively you can search for a solution here: http://www.garmin.co.uk/support

Kind regards,

Emma

Garmin Europe

wendell borton

My bile is stored in my gallbladder.

inc21

inc21 wrote: »

After my Garmin cadence sensor started reading double I came cross this thread. My problems started when I put it on turbo first time. Readings were all over the place. sometimes double even.
My today's ride. Look at the cadence.

Today I think I have it sorted.
This is what I did:

1. Took the sensor off the bike.
2. Removed battery and the cover.
3. Gave it a good clean.
4. Poured this down open battery hole.
5. Covered opening with my palm and gave it a good shake (like 5 min or so)
6. Repeated steps 4 & 5 few times just in case.
7. Dried it out with hair dryer.
8. Made sure it is bone dry before replacing the battery.
9. Fixed it back on the bike (remember to reconnect with the Garmin).
10. Put the bike on Turbo to test my handy work.

For now everything seems to work fine. No double reading. Will go out for a spin tomorrow and post the results here.

There is guy's here with many sensors gone bad, try this (on your own risk of course) and let us know.
I'm in Mallow Co. Cork, post it down to me if any of you can't do it yourself for some reason. Would be interesting to know if it works on other sensors too.

Well 3 hours of pedaling today and Garmin sensor din't misbehave once.

http://app.strava.com/activities/107446841