Vado SL Compatible Garmin

[Dave1520]

Are there any Garmin model bike computers that are compatable with the Vado SL? I am looking primarily for assist level, battery level and bike vs. person power outputs? I have a Garmin 510 and it picked up my Vado’s power meter and cadence meters automatically once I paired it to the bike but I cannot find a screen field on it for the other items I am looking for.

I see some of the newer Garmins that have Shimano Steps Ebike compatibility but not sure if that is compatible with the Vado SL or what features it provides

 

[Nubnub]

I'd be interested in this as well. I have a Garmin 130 and it also picks up the Vado SL's power and cadence sensors. I'd really like to see the bikes and rider power displayed simultaneously as I think I've seen on other bike's versions of Mission Control. I know the SL's version of mission control is missing the acceleration and shuttle sliders that other bikes have. Not sure why the SL's Mission Control is hobbled.

The bike's digital battery level would be a nice to have on the Garmin and I can get that to display using the fake channel option on the Mission Control app. But it means giving up the rider power or cadence info and I'd rather have those since rough battery level is on the top tube.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Not sure why the SL's Mission Control is hobbled.

Specialized only support all Mission Control parameters for Turbo Levo, as their flagship e-MTB.

 

[Nubnub]

It also occurs to me after seeing the motor comparison sheet in the Vado/Como thread that not all motors are created equal and it is likely the SL motors don't have the smarts to report the motor power.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Maybe. One thing is sure: the latest Levos with the 2.1 motor are the only ones that can use all the features of the MC.
Back on-topic: Do you people use the TCD display on your Vado SL?

 

[Dave1520]

I use a TCD but as I have several bikes I like to switch the Garmin (or considering a new Wahoo ) between them. I also like riding in stealth mode on the Vado SL which is why I would like battery and assist level info available on the computer.

I bought a TCD when I bought my SL 4.0 but now wish I hadn’t as I prefer a more robust cycling computer.

 

[ofcounsel]

Are there any Garmin model bike computers that are compatable with the Vado SL? I am looking primarily for assist level, battery level and bike vs. person power outputs? I have a Garmin 510 and it picked up my Vado’s power meter and cadence meters automatically once I paired it to the bike but I cannot find a screen field on it for the other items I am looking for.

I see some of the newer Garmins that have Shimano Steps Ebike compatibility but not sure if that is compatible with the Vado SL or what features it provides

The Garmin 530 should show you most the data you're looking for. For example, it can show you assist level and battery level, but not sure if it can show bike v. person power.

 

[Nubnub]

The Garmin 530 should show you most the data you're looking for. For example, it can show you assist level and battery level, but not sure if it can show bike v. person power.

From the description on the Amazon page, it doesn't appear to provide the bike power. Not sure if the SL motor can actually broadcast that. Also appears the e-bike compatibility is limited to certain Shimano based ebikes.

 

[ofcounsel]

From the description on the Amazon page, it doesn't appear to provide the bike power. Not sure if the SL motor can actually broadcast that. Also appears the e-bike compatibility is limited to certain Shimano based ebikes.

I guess I can't speak for the Vado SL, since I don't have one. To be clear, I surmised that since the Creo SL and the Vado SL have the same electronics, motor, and battery, and it definitely pairs up with the the Creo SL, it should work for Vado SL. I don't see why it wouldn't.

 

[Nubnub]

I also like riding in stealth mode on the Vado SL which is why I would like battery and assist level info available on the computer.

I found this in the Garmin Connect IQ store https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/1532f0d9-fd19-4b63-b038-435d8fd670a4

It lets you add a data field containing both battery and assist level to your Garmin screens. When I first added it, it disabled my cadence and power displays. Since I prefer them to the battery/assist display, I uninstalled the Ebike field from my phone. However it appears the garmin still was able to show the battery/assist levels as well as the cadence and power. This was even after a couple of syncs. Wierd but it might work for you in stealth mode. I like it since the top tube is hard to read on bright days.

I do note that the battery level does not include the range extender in its display.

 

[GrayFox]

Ebike field does offer support for the range extender. I have my Vado SL set to draw down the batteries at the same percentage. When both batteries are fully charged Ebike Field shows 100%. When the Ebike field shows 50% Mission Control will show both batteries at about 50% and the TCU lights show the same draw down.