XOSS G+ bike computer and cadence sensor test

We have previously scrutinized several IGPSPORT bike computer, and I basically liked their products, but they weren't perfect. That's why we dragged their direct competitor, the smart device called XOSS G+, to the test table and asked them to add a cadence sensor. The smart little devices promise to be real price/value champions, the G+ costs HUF 11 BGHU1171 with code, for the XOSS Vortex, which also displays the speed BGHU1172 and with a coupon they ask HUF 6300. Both can be ordered with Banggood Express shipping, which costs a minimum, in exchange for Banggood paying the VAT and customs duties on the products in advance.

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Everyone should start from there to read it About IGPSORT products wrote our test, because it provides a sufficient benchmark for today's test, and at least with I got an idea of ​​what such devices are capable of. XOSS G+ is a direct competitor of IGPSORT's stuff, equipped with very similar parameters and accessories, but even its concept is almost identical to that of its competitors. The packaging is simple, but to the point, the computer itself is located under a plastic cover, the and on a holder covered with orange paper is the QR code required to download the app it is disrespectful.

Underneath are the accessories, what is in a plate, its silicone insert, the rubber rings required for recording, the description and the in a micro USB cable are manifested. From the latter, it can be guessed that a XOSS G+ is also a battery-equipped bicycle accessory, i.e. no battery replacement, only charging. The operating time 25 hours, which is pretty much it IGSPORT IGS20E parameter, and it takes approximately 2-3 hours to charge the XOSS device.

The features of the watch can be said to be standard in this segment,

On Bluetooth 5.0 able to communicate with the mobile app via, while ANT + standard, all kinds of additional sensors can be connected to XOSS G+. These are typically the following:

The data can be read from a 1,8 inch display,

unsurprisingly, its size is also the same as that used for competing IGPSPORT products. The encapsulation meets the requirements of IPX7, i.e. it is practically waterproof, but it will withstand even a muddy condition up to the neck in case of a rougher beating. In the case of the use of materials, they strove for resistance rather than beauty, plastics are not bad, but for functional devices like this one, they don't really strive for beauty. On the contrary, it is ease of use is a basic requirement, and things have not been overcomplicated.

You can press a total of two buttons, the one on the right is for turning it on and off, and it can page through three screens of data. Not surprisingly, approx. it returns the same information as the products of competing companies. Speed, elapsed time, distance, length of the journey, maximum and average values, and, if you use sensors, heart rate and cadence. It is definitely worth downloading before playing sports XOSS app and sync G+ time to your phone to show accurate data. Typically there is also a new firmware version - at least I had it - it is also worth updating.

Like all bike computers, it must be configured before use,

for this, both buttons must be pressed at the same time. Here you have to set the wheel size (P1), a unit of speed (P2) and that time zone (P3), and you can also pair external sensors, like the Vortex. But don't do these for now, because the same can be done from the XOSS app, only much easier.

The application rightly applies for the glorious title of program with the stupidest name, henceforth I will simply call it XOSS app. The I liked the app much better than IGPSPORT's own, on the one hand, it is not full of unnecessary nonsense like all kinds of "community-based self-promotion", on the other hand it is very easy to navigate and use. I especially liked that the device you want to use is on the home page, and not in a fourth submenu, and the program doesn't force all kinds of unnecessary functions on you.

Instead it shows that e.g how full the backup is - it can store 1520 km of trips - what the status of the connection is, you can save your trips so far, etc. At the bottom, four pictograms indicate other options, such as starting the exercise - which in this case is cycling, but it could be e.g. running too -, your previously recorded routes, and finally the settings. In the latter, you can linger for a while, on the one hand, because the XOSS application can also pass it on to external processing programs – Strava, TrainingPeaks – data, and on the other hand, here is the so-called routebook, which can be used to plan routes, or Import GPX files.

It is also worth switching the application to a European server connection, because then things will speed up a little. The other important menu item the data containing the user, here you can set your age, weight and the like. The app is also politically correct, there is also an "other" option under gender. And if you need an accessory, you can download the XOSS webshop, but somehow the company presents this in a way that doesn't push it in your face, but just shows their stuff in such a nice and sympathetic way.

However, even more important than the above is that the XOSS app worked flawlessly throughout, and I think this is the most important information for everyone.

The XOSS Vortex sensor must also be included in the app under the sensors menu item. It can work in two modes, indicates speed – in this case, the cog will cost – or cadence, that is, it counts cadence - in this case, by definition, you have to put it on the pedal. Which mode it is in indicates with a cool LED after switching on, flashing one of the stems of the X forming the initials of the word XOSS.

I tried both methods, but obviously, in addition to a GPS-based on-board computer capable of measuring speed, I found the latter more useful,

so I ended up leaving it in “Cadence” mode. However, it is worth knowing that such a gadget provides more accurate speed data than satellite positioning, so those who really care about it should leave it in "Speed" mode.

The XOSS sensors can be paired not only with the app, but also with the XOSS G+ on-board computer. In the former case, the sensor data is visible in the application, in the latter case the on-board computer will write out the speed data or pedal revolutions on the computer display based on the sensor signals. In other words, if you want to compare the speed based on GPS and revolutions, you can even install a bike computer and a phone on your bike at the same time, and then you will see the speed difference and the tracking times. The latter means how quickly the two measurement methods react to the speed change, unsurprisingly, the sensor is faster and more accurate.

If you have two Vortexes, you can measure both speed and pedal rotation at the same time,

so they can even be used in pairs. For the sensor you can see its charge in the app, which is important because it it is not battery-powered, but powered by a CR2032 battery, and can operate for up to 400 hours. Not only can it communicate with the XOSS app, but it is said to be a Zwift and the Wahoo with its applications, or another with devices supporting the ANT+ protocol - e.g. Garmin products - can also be used, but I could not try this. The thing worked flawlessly during the test, I can't really complain about that either.

One thing I regretted was the good little one milled aluminum bracket is not provided as part of the package, but must be purchased separately, so I could only try the silicone holder with O-ring strap. The display of the XOSS G+ is a little shiny, there is some kind of laminate on the panel, but its brightness is more than sufficient even in the sun, I could read all the data perfectly.

The speed is highlighted separately with larger characters,

but since you can switch between the current, maximum and average values ​​with a single button press, you can access any data very easily. There are two important signs at the top right that show that has the BT connection with your phone been established, and how much power is left in the battery. However, don't make the mistake of not setting the angle of the console properly, because on the one hand, the degree of reflection depends on it, and on the other hand, it is annoying to change it on the fly.

The Vortex I installed a cadence sensor on the stem of the bike's right pedal. Here because on the left side, I could knock it down with the stand, so I felt it was safer to get to the other side. It is worth installing it upside down close to the pedal, you can't kick it here and it won't even reach the chain guard. If you were to measure speed, it would have to be mounted on the rear wheel hub, they also provide a curved silicone plate. For the test a Bengguo BG-090I used the aluminum holder of the Little X3 NFC my phone, which was responsible for displaying the data, and Vortex was also connected to it. Since I am not a big bike rider, I can only tell you about the experiences of a sow athlete. The first thing I did was to set the relevant data - e.g. the wheel size, this is 26 mm for 2100 inches, and the appropriate time - and then I took the bike out on all kinds of terrain, on concrete and sandy dirt roads, in the forest and on smooth asphalt. The holder held the XOSS G+ gadget perfectly and the cadence sensor also stayed in place, that's a tick.

The data was displayed nicely on the display, but it is worth waiting for the GPS signal before setting off,

you can see this in the upper left corner. It showed the data exactly by feel, I don't think I would get false information, but obviously the GPS-based speed measurement will always be a little late, the sensor one is much better in this respect. Practical experience that the XOSS G+ did not go down a very bumpy road either, on the other hand, if I wanted to press a button with my hand and a pop-up came, I could accidentally push it so that it turned on the steering tube.

One more interesting thing, it could even be mentioned as a mistake start the measurement from XOSS's own app - which here goes by the name of workout - then it can no longer be synchronized to Strava or TrainingPeaks. I mean, just then you can transfer the current workout to external processing applications if you start it from the on-board computer side, then you download it to the XOSS application, in which case it is automatically synchronized with the previously mentioned systems.

I have to say that XOSS G+ beat the IGPSPORT products, I can't really say anything against him. It has virtually no flaws and is also cheap, and the Vortex sensor also worked well. Long operating time, meeting the IPX7 standard, excellent app, and I could go on and on. The dot on the i is the price, for that much, I can't name another competitor that is as good.

For the bicycle computer 11 600 FtDue to the conversion rates of the webshops, the prices may differ for different currencies (e.g. if you set the webshop to HUF, the prices are usually higher than if you set it to USD). The prices indicated in the article are informative and in all cases are HUF equivalents of the price displayed on the webshop's interface in USD (or in EUR, if there is no USD option) (according to the interbank exchange rate valid at the time of writing the article).are requested by BGHU1171 with a code, and the accessory that also displays speed and cadence 6300 FtDue to the conversion rates of the webshops, the prices may differ for different currencies (e.g. if you set the webshop to HUF, the prices are usually higher than if you set it to USD). The prices indicated in the article are informative and in all cases are HUF equivalents of the price displayed on the webshop's interface in USD (or in EUR, if there is no USD option) (according to the interbank exchange rate valid at the time of writing the article).will cost if you engrave the BGHU1172 string of characters. This is a pittance compared to the pricing of the average bicycle stuff, and I must point out that it is even compared to IGPSPORT computers, it is very cheap. Both can be ordered with Banggood Express shipping, which costs a minimum, in exchange for Banggood paying the VAT and customs duties on the products in advance.