Name: vPower: Virtual Cycling Power Meter
Rating: 3.8 (139 reviews)
Author: vCorso

vPower estimates your cycling power every second using the sensors your Garmin already has. It is not a replacement for a real power meter, but it gives you a dependable guide to your effort for training, pacing and tracking progress.

HOW ACCURATE IS IT?
Tested ride by ride against a pedal power meter, ride averages came within about 6% of real power and 30 second power was typically within 30 W. Second by second values move around more than a real power meter, and results vary between riders. Accuracy is best when riding solo on sealed roads. Drafting, heavy braking and gusty wind make vPower read differently from a real power meter.

HOW IT WORKS
vPower adds up the power needed to:
- climb (slope from your device's barometric altitude)
- roll (your tyres and the road surface)
- push through the air (your size, riding position, speed, air pressure and temperature)
- accelerate
With a cadence sensor, vPower reacts as soon as you pedal harder and shows 0 W when you coast. There is nothing to calibrate: the model is already tuned against a real power meter.

FREE FEATURES
- Power every second, shown in watts or w/kg
- Three bike profiles (for example road, MTB and gravel), each with its own weight, tyre and riding position. Auto mode picks the bike that matches the activity you start.
- Uses the weight and height in your Garmin user profile
- Indoor trainer mode for supported trainers
- Power, max and average saved to your activity and shown in Garmin Connect
- Display averaging from instant to 30 seconds (2 seconds by default)

vPOWER+ LIVE WEATHER
Wind is the biggest unknown when estimating power. vPower+ adds live weather to the calculation:
- Wind speed and direction, applied as a headwind or tailwind based on your direction of travel
- Live temperature and humidity for accurate air density
- Weather updates every 30 minutes or 10 km while you ride
- Headwind saved to your activity file

Get vPower+ as an annual or lifetime licence at https://vcorso.com/vpower
Enter your licence key in the data field settings and the label changes to vPOWER+. Needs a Connect IQ 3.2 or newer device, with your phone connected through the Garmin Connect app while you ride. One licence covers up to 3 devices.

GETTING STARTED
1. Check your weight and height in your Garmin user profile.
2. In the data field settings (Connect IQ app on your phone), set your bike weight, tyre and riding position, plus kit weight for bottles and accessories.
3. Add vPower to a data screen in your cycling activity profile.
4. Pair a cadence sensor for the fastest response. A speed sensor helps too.

HELP AND CONTACT
Need help with your device, your settings or your vPower+ licence? Get in touch through the vCorso contact page:
https://vcorso.com/contact

If you enjoy vPower, please leave a rating. It helps other riders find the app.

Happy training!