#Wireless garmin ant agent Bluetooth

If Bluetooth Smart isn’t available, you can use an ANT+ dongle to connect to your smart trainer.Īn ANT+ dongle is a small device that fits into a USB port, and serves as an external receiver for ANT+. Most smart trainers nowadays communicate via Bluetooth Smart or ANT+, but in order to connect to another device, that second device needs to enable one of those protocols. It’s a shame that not all of our devices – laptops, smart TVs, tablets – will not automatically connect to ANT+. In other words, ANT+ grants certain products the “FE-C” label as long as they deem the product’s performance to be sufficient for training apps and software, such as Zwift. The FE-C is a control and communications protocol created by the ANT+ organisation that sets a certain standard level of operation for smart trainers and controllers which use the protocol. This allows Zwift to wirelessly communicate with the trainer, and automatically adjust the Kickr's resistance to match the gradient in the app.

The Wahoo Kickr, for example, uses ANT+ technology to connect to training apps on a tablet, such as Zwift. ANT+ enables us to connect and measure multiple sensors without interference, and without the need for multiple cords or devices to connect them.Īlmost all smart trainers use ANT+ and Bluetooth FE-C (Fitness Equipment-Control) technology to wirelessly communicate with other devices such as the best computers and tablets for indoor training, as well as smart TVs and smartphones. That means that you can measure your power, heart rate, and cadence on the indoor trainer. (Image credit: Elite Cycling) ANT+ and indoor trainersĪs previously mentioned, ANT+ protocol supports the use and connection of multiple ANT+ supporting devices at the same time. However, some devices are built to handle multiple concurrent Bluetooth connections, and Bluetooth can transmit data significantly faster than ANT+, about 16x faster. For example you can only use Bluetooth to connect your heart rate monitor to one other device, such as Zwift, or a head unit, but not both.

That means that you can connect your heart rate monitor with both Zwift and your head unit without interference.īluetooth-enabled devices can only connect with one other device, not multiple like ANT+. Another big difference between ANT+ and Bluetooth protocol is the ability for ANT+ broadcasting devices to be picked up by more than one ANT+ receiver. This is because Bluetooth is designed for high-consumption devices and applications, such as those used for streaming audio.ĪNT+ is optimised for cycling-related technology such as heart rate monitors, power meters, and smart trainers because of its desired battery life, working distance, and processing rates. ANT+ is a subset of ANT, and is much more restricted and limited in its capabilities.īluetooth operates at a significantly higher bit-rate and consumes more battery power. The maximum range for some ANT sensors is around 30m (100ft), and most support data rates of less than 500Kbps.

Designed as the low power – and low bit-rate – sensor network, ANT+ works in small networks, or short distances, often less than 1.5m (5ft). (Image credit: Josh Croxton) ANT+ vs BluetoothĪNT+ protocol uses the same frequencies as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (usually 2.4 GHz), but with a lower transfer rate.

Wireless garmin ant agent