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Share your ride in real-time with Quarq Qollector

Written by Cory Benson
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Qollector2016-5

We’ve covered the Quarq Qollector before. We first saw it just over a year ago at Eurobike 2015, and then our own Jayson O’Mahoney used one to live stream his progress on this summer’s Dirty Kanza. But up until now it has been pretty much unobtainable, really only being loaned out to a select few at events supported by SRAM’s Quarq team. Well now it is coming to consumers with a new QuarqNet web platform that will seamlessly sync your ride. Hop past the break for real-world pricing and availability…

QuarqRace-online-cyclist-positioning

Aimed at endurance athletes who want to share their position and performance in real-time with friends, family, and even fellow riders, the Quarq Qollector is a simple stand-alone GPS tracking device that uses its built-in mobile phone network data connection to upload data at regular short intervals (10-60 sec) to Quarq’s new QuarqNet web platform. Using ANT+, the Qollector can collect ride metrics from paired devices like heartrate monitors, power meters, even electronic gear selections and add that to the live data stream.

quarq-qollector_live-ride-tracking-device_quarqnet-mobile-mapping quarq-qollector_live-ride-tracking-device_quarqnet-syncing-services

The new QuarqNet takes all of that live data and when your ride is done will effortlessly sync it with popular 3rd-party tracking sites Strava, TrainingPeaks, and more. QuarqNet itself uses a mobile-friendly website design that will let users see the live tracking and performance data, even on the go, making it easy to connect up with others while out on a ride.

quarq-qollector_live-ride-tracking-device_led-indicators

quarq-qollector_live-ride-tracking-device_colored-led-indicators Qollector2016-2

The device itself is both impact resistant and waterproof, and is a similar size to many full-featured cyclo-computers, with easy to use multi-color LED function indicators. We used it in its case zip-tied behind the seatpost. The Qollector claims a 24-hour battery life, meaning it might make it through your next 24hr solo attempt. It weighs 115 grams (plus the mounting setup), and requires an up to date mobile data plan.

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We’ve had fun playing with it, and now we can all get ahold of the Qollector outside of a predefined cycling event environment. The Qollector will go on sale in the US on October 11, direct from Quarq’s website for $350 including the first 6 months of mobile data service. After that you’ll have to pay $100/year to keep uploading and syncing to QuarqNet. Based on AT&T 3G connectivity, even international roaming outside of the US is provided for no extra costs. The Qollector is anticipated to go on sale worldwide in 2017.

Quarq.com/Qollector & QuarqNet.com
Cory Benson
4,348 articles

Cory Benson is the EU Tech Editor of Bikerumor.com.

Cory has been writing about mountain bikes, enduro, cyclocross, all-road, gravel bikes & bikepacking for over 25 years, even before the industry created some of these names. Prior to Bikerumor, Cory was a practicing Architect specializing in environmental sustainability, has designed bike shops & bike components, and worked as a bike shop mechanic.

Based in the Czech Republic for 15+ years, he is a technical mountain biker, adventurous gravel rider, and short & medium-haul bikepacker. Cory travels extensively across Europe riding bikes, meeting with key European product developers, industry experts & tastemakers for an in-depth review of what’s new, and what’s coming next.

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aaron
aaron
8 years ago

Beacon athlete tracking does this too. But it is more focused on triathletes.

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Jeff
Jeff
8 years ago

Or you use a Lezyne GPS Y10, does the same for less.

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whatever
whatever
8 years ago

I use Glympse on my smartphone, and it’s a free app. Send a link through a text message to my S.O, so that she can follow where I’m at in my ride. Has the added advantage of allowing me to set and expiration time on the link. I’m very happy with it.

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myke2241
myke2241
8 years ago

@jeff & @whatever. This entirely different. There is no interaction between you and the device. There many services that have live tracking but those that use your cell phone are flawed. Quarq has a battery life of 24 hours. That is twice as long a any computer or cell phone and the thing has a radio built in.

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Josh
Josh
8 years ago
Reply to  myke2241

@myke2241 That Lezyne Super GPS actually has a more than 24 hour battery life. Plus you don’t have to pay the service contract.

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JimmySan
JimmySan
8 years ago

@Josh, the Lezyne has a battery life of more than a 24hr battery life, but does the phone it is paired to? The battery life of the computer is not teh relevant factor for the real time tracking, it is the phone battery life.

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Longbeard
Longbeard
8 years ago
Reply to  JimmySan

Phone is fine if you have a compact battery pack with you. Not a big deal for someone who needs the extra duration of phone life.

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whatever
whatever
8 years ago

myke2241, my phone says Glympse drains the battery at 2% per hour of use, I often do not charge my phone for 2-3 days. What’s more I can carry a spare rechargeable phone recharge pack (bought a pair of these for $30) that doesn’t weight anymore than the Quarq that will add another 24 hours. Lastly, not many people ride a bike 24 hours at a time. You may go camping or similar, but then I’m turning the phone off anyway, and if I’m camping then 2-4 of the recharge packs are a minor extra carry. JMHO, this is an expensive device lacking a market. Certainly would never pay $350 for it with $100 year after that to keep it working.

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myke2241
myke2241
8 years ago
Reply to  whatever

Glympse is not even close to this thing either. Qollector tracks all of your ride metrics(HR, power, speed, cadence etc) in real time extremely accurately. It’s a very focused product that was designed to track racers during events. It’s for people who need a rock solid turnkey platform that can be deployed on various scales with major compatibility issues. If your thinking you can compare a phone to Qollector you probably really don’t understand the goal of the product.

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whatever
whatever
8 years ago
Reply to  myke2241

Actually, it is you who is not understanding. If your not on a professional team with major resources with a professional coach, there is very very little market, and even then, almost entirely is a race where those might be useful remotely in real time even for that tiny segment. Some people will track, some of these metrics, but few track all of them, and fewer yet will have anyone but themselves need to be looking at it in real time, and certainly not need to do so remotely. Otherwise, Joe/Jane Bike Public could not care less about nearly all of this. Outside of perhaps distance, average speed, total distance for month/year, maybe elevation gains, and real time location for select persons, Joe/Jane Bike Public will not be concerned. Like I said, little to no market.

But Ok, sure. MILLIONS will be sold…..

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myke2241
myke2241
8 years ago
Reply to  whatever

No offense but it is clearly you in the wrong here. I mearly stated who this device is marketed to. I never said these would sell like hot cakes or speculated what Quarq sales goals are. This device sold solo would be for a serious cyclist who wants turnkey redundancy and zero dependence on a cell phone for live tracking (all of which are subscription based products, just like your cell phone). There are only a few devices on the market that do that and non to my knowledge that track your metrics as deeply.

Majority of the public think cell phones can be a solution for every problem. But that is not reality and it won’t be for a very long time.

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Lars Danner
Lars Danner
8 years ago

It wouldn’t work in remote areas without cell coverage, like most of the Western US and Alaska.

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