Vado SL 4 with Garmin Explore 2 - Data Field Question

[mfd14534]

I just migrated from a Wahoo Bolt 2 to a Garmin Explore 2. On the Wahoo, the assist modes show up the same as on the bike (ECO, SPORT, TURBO). However, on the Garmin they show as 1, 3, 5. Is there any way to edit this data field so it more accurately matches the bike mode?

Thanks!

 

[stompandgo]

I have an Edge 840, and there is no way to change this as far as I know. It has to do with how Garmin implemented LEV ANT+.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I just migrated from a Wahoo Bolt 2 to a Garmin Explore 2. On the Wahoo, the assist modes show up the same as on the bike (ECO, SPORT, TURBO). However, on the Garmin they show as 1, 3, 5. Is there any way to edit this data field so it more accurately matches the bike mode?

Thanks!

It is a known glitch feature of all Garmin Edge computers. You can install a Garmin app by name "E-Bike Field" by Jan Capek. There is a configuration text file that allows you mapping the assist mode numbers onto user defined names such as ECO or SPORT. Remember the Vado SL might have these assist modes:

• OFF
• ECO
• SPORT
• TURBO
• SMART (if Smart Control is used from the Specialized App)
• MICRO (Micro Tune, if it is a Mastermind Vado SL)

The thing which is bad about Garmin computers is these cannot detect and report the Range Extender battery. Wahoo ELEMNT computers can.

 

[stompandgo]

I figured that someone would create a Connect app for this. There are three modes with the HPR50. I'll check it out.

 

[mfd14534]

It is a known glitch feature of all Garmin Edge computers. You can install a Garmin app by name "E-Bike Field" by Jan Capek. There is a configuration text file that allows you mapping the assist mode numbers onto user defined names such as ECO or SPORT. Remember the Vado SL might have these assist modes:

• OFF
• ECO
• SPORT
• TURBO
• SMART (if Smart Control is used from the Specialized App)
• MICRO (Micro Tune, if it is a Mastermind Vado SL)

The thing which is bad about Garmin computers is these cannot detect and report the Range Extender battery. Wahoo ELEMNT computers can.

It worked once. After I turned the bike on a second time the data didn't display.

 

[stompandgo]

Was the app (it's really a shim) installed as a Connect IQ app?

 

[mfd14534]

Yes it was installed through ConnectIQ. But after reading the description, is says to disconnect the eBike sensor before using Ebike Field because they can't be used together because of a Garmin limitation.

 

[stompandgo]

I'm confused. So you have to delete the Garmin E-bike sensor, and use this one instead?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I'm confused. So you have to delete the Garmin E-bike sensor, and use this one instead?

"E-Bike Field" app connects to the e-bike directly.

 

[stompandgo]

Right, but he said that he cannot have the third party sensor and the bike sensor at the same time.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Right, but he said that he cannot have the third party sensor and the bike sensor at the same time.

He cannot. Garmin computers are a pita for Specialized e-bikes. Wahoo is perfect for them. No wonder my Garmin 540 ended with my brother as Garmin is the best option for Giant e-bikes.

 

[stompandgo]

I know you worship Specialized and hate Garmin. You don't have to repeat it ad infinitum.

The bike's E-Bike sensor sends more data than assist level. If the third party sensor sends assist level correctly, does it also send all the other E-Bike sensor data? And why would the third party sensor not reconnect after a power down?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I know you worship Specialized and hate Garmin.

No wonder my Garmin 540 ended with my brother as Garmin is the best option for Giant e-bikes.

I appreciate Garmin (and Giant) whenever appropriate.

You don't have to repeat it ad infinitum.

What's happened to the freedom of speech? I also hate Bosch E-Bike if that matters
You also could stop reiterating you are a UCI referee

The bike's E-Bike sensor sends more data than assist level. If the third party sensor sends assist level correctly, does it also send all the other E-Bike sensor data? And why would the third party sensor not reconnect after a power down?

I'm neither Garmin nor Jan Capek. I owned a Garmin 540 and was dissatisfied with the LEV Travel Mode handling by Garmin. Installed the E-Bike Field. Turned out the six (and now perhaps 7) Specialized assist modes had a very weird nature of their numbering. Eventually, I managed to sort it out. In the end, I decided having a proper native e-bike sensor was more valuable than operating the one controlled by the app. Finally, I got rid of Garmin

I wonder what happens when @mfd14534 buys an SL Range Extender and discovers the Garmin does not recognise the RE

"There is an old Polish proverb that says
An uncle has swapped a good axe for a stick"
/Inspector Banacek/

 

[mfd14534]

I appreciate Garmin (and Giant) whenever appropriate.


What's happened to the freedom of speech? I also hate Bosch E-Bike if that matters
You also could stop reiterating you are a UCI referee


I'm neither Garmin nor Jan Capek. I owned a Garmin 540 and was dissatisfied with the LEV Travel Mode handling by Garmin. Installed the E-Bike Field. Turned out the six (and now perhaps 7) Specialized assist modes had a very weird nature of their numbering. Eventually, I managed to sort it out. In the end, I decided having a proper native e-bike sensor was more valuable than operating the one controlled by the app. Finally, I got rid of Garmin

I wonder what happens when @mfd14534 buys an SL Range Extender and discovers the Garmin does not recognise the RE

"There is an old Polish proverb that says
An uncle has swapped a good axe for a stick"
/Inspector Banacek/

Ironically I just had Pączki and I think you are talking about my uncle Jasio!

So what I think happens is if the E-bike Field app connects to the bike before the Garmin does, E-bike Field displays the assist mode correctly. But as soon as the bike connects to the Garmin or something changes on the Garmin display, E-bike Field.

I was actually trying to create a simple app that intercepted the Mode field and displayed the actual mode. For example. If Mode = 1 then display ECO etc. The problem is I am not a programmer so I was trying to use ChatGPT to do the programming. For whatever reason I couldn’t get past an icon size error that neither I or ChatGPT could figure out.

Wahoo vs Garmin. Wahoo can’t display the Range and Garmin doesn’t do a good job with Mode or the Range Extender. So I guess you need to pick what’s most important to you.

 

[stompandgo]

You also could stop reiterating you are a UCI referee

I never said that, because I am not, and never have been. But you are free to think I am I work for the NGB.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Wahoo can’t display the Range

Yes, Wahoo has the LEV Range field only the e-bike needs to be able to calculate that value and transmit it.

What model year is your Vado SL? You see, the Mastermind e-bike should be able to calculate ans transmit the Range while TCU 1 cannot do it. What you have in Garmin for sure is Smart Range that calculates the range based on the main battery charge and the distance ridden so far. However, this does not work with Range Extenders, either.

Ironically I just had Pączki and I think you are talking about my uncle Jasio!

Haha! The right time! We had the Fat Thursday last week!

Fat Thursday is the national frenzy in Poland. People are making advanced orders, stand in long lines and pay high price. The photo is from the day after: each Pączek cost just 28 U.S. cents or 1 PLN (It was a giveaway price!)