Garmin USB2 ANT Stick In-Depth Review

 

The world of indoor training with techno-devices is moving forward at an alarming pace. Gone are the days of staring at a clock on the wall while on the trainer, we're now hooked in live to whatever application we choose that can take advantage of a multitude of sensors. Heart rate, power, cadence, speed, all flying through the air ready to be captured, displayed, and analysed.

While the competing standards of ANT+ vs Bluetooth Smart (4.0) grows, at this point in time we need to get ANT+ signals into our PCs and Macs to take advantage of these next gen applications.

Using my love for technology, DC Rainmaker, and creating content that is pretty useless, I thought I'd do an in-depth review of Garmin ANT USB2 sticks.

Unboxing:

Mine didn't actually come in a box. It came in a little plastic baggy.

Baggy opened. The unboxing is taking shape.

Success!

Endless opportunities to store small things awaits.

Garmin USB2 ANT 'Stick'... or is it?

What we've really got is a Dynastream Innovations Inc ANTUSB-M

Side view. I'm still at least 34 photos down on DC Rainmaker at this point.

I've had the original 'stick' version of the USB2 key for a few years now, so that box is long gone. Just imagine all the excitement of the above unboxing occurring again, with more stick.

USB2 stick. More like a stick than the other one. The Dynastream Innovations Inc ANTUSB2-OEM.

Comparison.

ANT no mountain high enough.

Naming Convention:

Now here is where things get confusing. The original USB2 'stick' was somewhat stick shaped, like a lot of early USB devices. Along comes the not-so-stick shaped USB...er...plug/adapter thingy and it still gets branded a stick!?

Similar, kind of.

Not similar.

With a modification of the stick to stick-m, it isn't too far off.

The two Garmin USB2 ANT Sticks are different products, with different device/product ID codes. They both should do the exact same job, and should draw the same current. I'll look into wireless range tests in the near future. 

You're less likely to stub your toe on the ANTUSB-m.

Driver installation is taken care of automatically on both Windows and Mac platforms, assuming you have a working Internet connection. If you're reading this, you do. Gone are the days of having to throw out the supplied compact disc of outdated drivers.

Field Test:

In true DC Rainmaker style, I strapped both USB sticks onto my arm and ran around the block. A pointless exercise as this isn't their intended use.

What they both successfully did was resolve this when loading Zwift:

This ANT a problem any more with either USB device.

Comparison Table:

Function/Feature	ANTUSB-m	ANTUSB-OEM
USB2	Yes	Yes
ANT+	Yes	Yes
Stick like	No	Yes
Likely to lose it	Yes	Maybe
Weight	1g	7g
Waterproof	Not willing to test it	Ditto

Further Info:

The Suunto Movestick Mini stick has the same form factor as the ANTUSB-m, but is an ANTUSB-OEM cut down to size (Device/Product ID 1008). Has exact same function as the other two Garmin branded products.

Beware of potential confusion when ordering a "Garmin USB2 ANT stick" without knowing the product code. Below is a Garmin iPhone ANT adapter...not USB.

USB2

 Yes

 Yes

ANT+

 Yes

 Yes

Stick like

 No

 Yes

Likely to lose it

 Yes

 Maybe

Weight

 1g

 7g

Waterproof

 Not willing to test it 

 Ditto