4iiii Precision 3 Power Meter Firmware v1.2.0 // Now MUCH Better!

[@rickytang75]

This probably the best power meter for my amateur use case. Subscribed! You saved me from buying a Shimano power meter!

[@derekkuhl]

Thanks for the extensive testing! You are the worlds authority on power meter functionality!

[@gplama]

Cheers. I just have a lot of experience using them. There are some truly amazing people behind the scenes making (and fixing) this tech. There's also our friend Uncle Keith. He's truly one of a kind bike nerd genius.

[@derekkuhl]

@@gplama can’t thank you enough for making this available and understandable to us end users. Thanks!

[@kwakeham]

@@gplama You're doing a great job keeping on top of this stuff!

[@AlbaTech]

That was my feedback to RoadCC - this is exactly the kind of information they should have published. Keep up the good work.

[@gplama]

Thanks AlbaTech. I saw your comments which prompted me to get out and complete my final few test rides and get this video up.

[@AlbaTech]

@@gplama Your efforts are appreciated. 👍

[@michaelb6973]

@gplama would you recommend this over the stages?

[@allanbray7196]

I too have seen cadence drop outs, while outside not near any other power meters or other head units. Thanks for taking the time to confirm that the new firmware improves them and makes them usable.

[@craigbrady73]

Thank god you do these videos. I'm looking at buying a 2nd power meter, for my type of riding and the firmware advancement I think I'll go for the 4iiii. Thanks again and keep up the great work 👍

[@gavinpoupart2469]

Thanks for the info. I have had this unit for 1 year as my first power meter and it has worked well. Glad they have made improvements. Yes i get cadance drop outs, not too often but do see them. Also i have done 650 hrs with the unit and i am just on the third battery. So 300 hrs seems more like what i am getting. Still good but not 800!

[@MarkBurghouwt]

I think you are right with that theory of switching cadance modes. Sometimes I get power spikes of 2000W when pedaling easy after it drops out for a couple secs. Was better for me before, because the dropouts are really often outside

[@8rk]

Always had a soft spot for 4iiii's. I really want this one to be perfect without cadence dropouts so I can buy one with confidence and swap back to my dura ace pedals. LOVE the airtag feature. Fingers crossed for another leap in performance with the next firmware.

[@kiverrussell8369]

First data comparison, you are remarkably balanced! Having ridden a single sided 4iiii for years and then switched to Favero Assioma Duo's for the last 2 years I'd be no where near that close. Typically 54-46 but go the other way when watts go up, cadence goes down or standing, perhaps 47-53 if those conditions overlap.

[@trepidati0n533]

I think Shane has indicated that he will try to hit 50/50 on purpose many times. I personally will spend a couple weeks a couple times a year purposely focusing on my "power balance".

[@kiverrussell8369]

@@trepidati0n533 Usually your body knows best, if you aren't experiencing injury problems a bit of imbalance is nothing to worry about but interesting nonetheless 👍

[@romanlf5620]

I heard that power balance i's often explained by leg assymetery, you Can try some shims under the shoe of the shortest leg to improve power distribution and confort. Leg assymetery can also cause pain on the saddle because it makes people sit obliquely on the saddle.

[@patrickflanagan317]

My new left hand 4iiii drops out especially noticable on Zwift as soon as I stand on the pedals and go below 60 rpm. My old 4iiii never dropped out but eventually died, 4 years of life is all you get. Hope new firmware can solve the cadence drop out problem.

[@mohamadjamil3164]

Your reviews are very comprehensive and objective . Bravo

[@mseekles1972]

Thanks for the update. Happy I can keep them on my bikes. ;-)

[@LukeGJPotter]

Thanks for the follow up Shane.

[@BTcycle]

Thank you Shane. I been on the fence getting a power meter and with this firmware, I decide to go for it.

[@Greenteac]

I live in Canada and have been super happy user with their 1st gen left side power meter. Just got a new bike with R7100 and has been waiting to install a power meter but was a bit scared by the initial review...glad they have solved it! Now just need to wait for dual side 😂

[@WowRixter]

You’re timing is amazing. Just yesterday I contacted 4iiii inquiring about the P3 as I need a new PM

[@__marshie]

I’ve found my battery life has decreased. I also found it was not going to sleep when not connected to anything whilst on my trainer. Took battery out then in and seemed to fix it. I don’t need perfect data and I’m pretty happy with it. Update is definitely an improvement.

[@mikeprytherch8875]

I've had 3 of the 4iiii previous gen and had no issues, really like them, however, 2 months ago I purchased a Stages, firstly because the Gen 3 wasn't accurate (from you and Ray) but also it wasn't worth waiting, 4iiii used to be cheaper than Stages, now they are the same price so why bother waiting for something that doesn't work that isn't cheaper than the competition, obviously they are using battery life as the major selling point, but Stages is perceived as a more upmarket power meter (rightly or wrongly), so why would you buy a 4iiii when you can get the market leader for the same price, I feel 4iiii has lost it's main reason to buy (price) and replaced it with battery life

[@fabianmolyneux2308]

Thanks Great update

[@Spareroom-music]

Love your content. I know you say its hard to compare power meters but I have to ask..... would you recommend stages or 4iii for a left crank only power meter? Thanks!

[@marquesreyes3287]

I have both, I prefer the stages, less quirks on the single sided. SRAM (quarq) is the best; however, going dual sided Stages is comparable

Hi and thank you. I have this PWMTR that came with a Canyon Ultumate. It failed twice, they sent me a new one twice. It's not totally waterproof, I think. Power n,umbers seems to be correct but in my case, big reliability concerns. Be careful when washing your bike with this toy.

[@svendeclercq5160]

I have a quark one side rival power meter on my gravelbike, a presission 4iiii on by spare racebike and a power2max on my main roadbike. My élite suito and power2max have almost exactly the same power output. But the two other bikes with the single leg power meters 4iiii and quark are average 10% less tgan my suito so glad Both power meters have adjustment capability , so all my single power meters give me the same power outputs as my suito and power2max dualsided afther 10% adjustment

[@RidingBikes07]

Hey Shane. How do you find the Garmins since your original review? Are the issues with drift resolved? I’m looking at the RS100 and the 4iiii Precision 3 and I’ve gotta say it’s a tough decision. I know you probably get tons of these questions, thanks for any help!

[@gplama]

Garmin issues remain unresolved. 4iiii have had a few hiccups with their P3 Pro Plus left only which looks to have been resolved with a recent firmware update.

[@RidingBikes07]

@ thanks a ton! 4iiii it is!

[@JelleDeconinck]

Love your videos! Looking for my first power meter ever. Thinking about the Garmin Rally RS100 or the 4iii P3 ULTEGRA R8100. Any thoughts / suggestions between those two? What would you go for?

[@pantster9855]

Damn it! I went with the older version cos reviews seemed to be suggesting this was hardware issue rather than software.

[@gplama]

Older version is still a good option.

[@pantster9855]

@@gplama yeah I've got a couple of others so it works for me. Figured the P3 wouldn't be able to be rescued

[@saintuk70]

Thank you.

[@brianmolloy5217]

How long should one of these 4iiii single sided power meters last for? I've had 2 die this year and bith were about 4 years old. Does not seem very long for a product costing £250-£300 pounds. Be interesting to hear the average lifespan of a 4iiii s/s PM

[@jsva8661]

@gplama I am having issues with mine. Got a 3+ r7000 and a r8100.. my issue is (what I believe) to be the unit constantly switching back and forth between “gravel” and “road” modes thanks to UK pothole ridden roads. When the unit switches modes it disconnects for 30 seconds or so. Annoying! 4iiii should give us the ability of exclusively using one mode over the other. My stages left-sided never had any issues. I just hope favero sorts out their duo shi issues.. (bearing/bushing play)

[@8rk]

Hey Shane! Will you be testing 2.2.0 soon? VERY interested to see if there's even more improvement.

[@gplama]

Not on the cards at this point. (I didn't know there was a 2.2.0? Was that their AirTag firmware?)

[@8rk]

Oh I just periodically check 4iiii because I’m interested in the unit. Saw this today. Looks like it’s been out for a bit. Key Features of the 2.2.0: Specific improvements to gyroscope/accelerometer algorithms for better data accuracy and consistency switching between modes. Cadence improvements with start/stop detection system. Improvements in unit zeroing for both accelerometer and gyro.

[@invisiblescout6335]

got a karoo 3 in testing yet? they've dropped prices by 35% on the K2, so clearly a clearance sale before a new release

[@luczx3144]

Wow. Such a great video. But would you recommend the 4iiii or the Quarq? Thank you

[@gplama]

What's best for you crank/spider has to be your call.

[@LukeGJPotter]

Im just back from my first test ride on the new Firmware. The Unit still goes to sleep any vhance it gets. So long coasting (or stopping to take a photo) still lags. They should really give us a Sleep Timeout in the app.

[@derx6666]

You sure the dropouts are not from the Garmin Edge devices? The x30 serie have had a long standing issue with dropouts that might have been fixed with the latest beta firmware that was just released 5 days ago, version xx.79.

[@anon7789]

Have never had any droputs in bout a year with bolt or zwift.

[@rasherdk]

Might make for an interesting short nerdy video to compare the recording of a single power meter on multiple head-units to see how much difference there is.

[@gplama]

Which units would you like thrown under the bus…. errr… tested? 😉

[@harryhollaway]

@@gplama would love for testing and information around which head units make my numbers look better 😏 #marginalgains

[@rasherdk]

@@gplama Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead are probably the most interesting. Anything else you have lying around? Stages, Bryton, Sigma - the Strava app maybe? I'd think most models would all act similarly within a brand - but maybe try an old Garmin and a newer one? Wahoo I think we know for sure runs basically the same software right? Good thing I said it'd probably make a short video - not short to make 😆

[@michaelb6973]

@@gplama would you go the stages over the 4iiii?

[@Rob_33]

@@michaelb6973 thats the exact dilemma I have. The battery life on the 4iiii seems much better but stages seems to perform better.

[@darinsteele7091]

There are other people who have the same cadance dropouts and looks like 4iiii hasnt pushed out any more firmware to fix it.

[@wilfriedjansen1125]

Hi Shane, thanks for all of your extensive testings! You‘re the man!!! 👍👍👍. Here my Question, I would like to by a single side Powermeter. Which one of the following would YOU prefere. inpeak, 4iiii, or stages, or is there an other one you could advise! I would appreciate your advise to make a final decision!,😉

[@gplama]

4iiii single sided at this point. Stages looks to be in corporate limbo/trouble with a LOT of their cycling tech staff leaving. InPeak might be ok but I haven't tested their latest meters.

[@wilfriedjansen1125]

Thanks a lot!

[@alexxbcg]

Thank you for your review! How much of a difference does pre-installed vs factory installed (my own crank) make in terms of measurement accuracy?

[@gplama]

There should be no difference.

[@stevehein9061]

Shane, I have precision 3 on a grx crank and I’m hoping you can help me on a different more extreme power variance. I did a gravel race this past weekend and while it started with the power reading at what I would consider normal but after several hours it was reported power about 300 watts too high so I pulled over and recalibrated it and all seemed well for a little bit until it started acting like it wasn’t doubling the power like it should which it did once before in a different race. I tried the calibration again but this time it made no difference on the reading so I just finished like that since I was only 15 minutes from the finish. Have you seen any crazy anomalies like this before ?

[@flaviobatista2096]

Hi Shane, did u tested the new firmware update v2.3.0 in the dual dura-ace power meter?

[@gplama]

Not yet. 4iiii meters drain my time way too much. There’s always something up with them or the company simply takes my feedback as free consulting.

[@flaviobatista2096]

@@gplama Ah... okay! It's a shame they don't give you the credit you deserve! I updated it yesterday but haven't been able to test it yet, due to the bad weather here in Portugal #zwiftlife. But are you going to do a review soon or is it not in your plans? Cheers

[@olivierdecoen5396]

Any possibility to test the new PRECISION 3+: Firmware Version 2.2.0 ??

[@gplama]

2.2.0 was the AirTag/Find My compatibility firmware, as I understand. Recent testing shows the non drive side (left crank only) data is good.

[@SuperPathfinder10]

Question: 1) is the 4iii precision ( round case white/red box) firmware upgradebel? 2) is a left crank later addebel or mixabel with a rightsided drivetrain powermeter to make it duel? Or does it double then the leftside and adds the right side? So that it shows wrong numbers?

[@gplama]

1) Yes. 2) I believe the same generation 4iiii sensors can be paired to make a L/R power meter. Best contact 4iiii support for further information.

[@SuperPathfinder10]

@@gplama Thanks i do. I wonder if these apps also work on a windows PC-System via wireless or bluetooth, not all seem to do. That is the reason i ignore a lot of products as a pc guy I can' not stand dummphones. I find that really anoying ignorant and backward not to deliver for pc compatibel apps.

[@SuperPathfinder10]

@@gplama Thanks for your phantastic job calling this companys out on theire BS. That brings value to the bike community. You get tons of likes from me :). One more thing. Are 4iiii and stages mixabel with left right? According to your tests the crank based systems do what they are supposed to. It might be complicated it they need different apps. But i feel there are better deals combined with cranksystems and different pedals can be run this way. Crank and crank arm swapping is fast and easy for me.

[@gplama]

4iiii and Stages don't mix unfortunately. I'd also keep clear of Stages for the time being. The company no longer exists, so support and warranty will be non-existent.

[@SuperPathfinder10]

@@gplama Thanks

[@tilexcan]

That’s interesting because they are out of stock everywhere on ULTEGRA meters. Only reason I’m looking is because of the Shimano crank recall

[@gplama]

There's something interesting happening with 4iiii and their battery doors. There's a stop-sell in the US as I understand until they can design a new battery cap/door.

[@tilexcan]

Oh my!! Looks like I will be without for a while now if that’s the case. I really enjoyed my Stages so now I may be out of luck all around for awhile. I’ve had my stages for five years with no issues.

[@a.m.d.6679]

@@gplama Hmm. With Stages now being kaput, there might be a run on other left-crank PMs. Both 4iiii and Inpeak now have Shimano left ride-ready cranks in stock. Although you've put out positive video reviews on both, on another reply upstream, you leaned towards the 4iiii vs Inpeak. With this battery door issue, might it now be a safer bet to choose Inpeak? thx ..

[@guidogoerz1854]

Hi, thx for this great video. How does the pwoermeter works with the edge 1040. What does it show?

[@gplama]

Power and cadence.

[@20dpb]

Mine has just died. Won't read power only provides cadence and won't zero offset?

[@hannesstrickner371]

Is it possible to turn off cadence if it’s not working properly? Because I‘m already using a cadende sensor.

[@gplama]

Not for the purposes of power measurement (which requires cadence to calculate watts). You can use a seperate cadence sensor if you wish. It’d still give phantom watts in the scenarios shown.

[@guineapig13]

How does this unit compare to the older Precision 2?

[@4iiiicom]

Hi Alistair, with the PRECISION 3, you get the extended battery life, new Realtime Terrain Auto-Optimizing Firmware, and a slimmer profile design - making it compatible with virtually any frame.

[@gpsheepy]

First!

[@WonderSausage]

It's a shame that 4iiii won't step up and offer firmware updates to the now-abandoned Specialized Power Cranks which are rebranded 4iiii. I know it's not technically the fault of 4iiii, but I still avoid them because they let Specialized screw over their mutual customers.

[@Andy.Dr.Walton]

Interesting they're claiming it fits any frame on the market but their clearance tool says it wont fit on my 2022 Cervelo P5. I've basically given up as they've said they can't do a factory install in a different position like previous versions. I'm looking at getting Garmin Rally pedals now despite my preference being 4iiii's.

[@4iiiicom]

Hey Andrew, check your inbox. We sent you a follow up email regarding your clearance. We will have no issues installing a powermeter on your P5.

[@lincolnlu9869]

​@@4iiiicom any chance it'll fit an XT 8100 crankset on a Kona HEI HEI cr?

[@jules43434]

Maybe off topic but searching for a solution: I have a 2nd gen 105 left crank, but my Garmin Edge 130 gives different average and peak powers then the 4iiii app for the same ride(this is always the case, not a one time event). How can I fix it, or why does this occur? ( I calibrate before each ride) Garmin Edge 130 reads a bit lower then the 4iiii app ( around 5-25 watts on average)

[@gplama]

Recording devices can/will average things differently. Sample rates also come into play if there’s a lot of start/stop. You’ll need to compare steady state efforts with software designed for the job.

[@jules43434]

@@gplama thanks for the reply! I will take the one with the highest powernumbers as the correct one😁

[@ivanmurdock7328]

Is the 4iiii dual good - or does it have the same issues stages had with right side low

[@gplama]

I believe 4iiii are working hard on solving the issues the occur when using the right side Shimano cranks as power meters. Unlike Shimano, they’re happy to send over units for testing in exchange for data collected.

[@ivanmurdock7328]

Thanks

[@sportnation8885]

Anyone know what that OZ QL sticker is on shimano cranks for?

[@davidhemmings8018]

Good afternoon, I am trying to install my bike radar tracker on a edge, 820. I can’t seem to find it could you tell me a where it is please if possible

[@gplama]

One for Garmin Support

[@aarongerrard6798]

Just used mine for the first time today. Have the app downloaded and it paired. Can't find my workout or any data from my ride on the app. Am I missing something here?

[@aarongerrard6798]

Is the power analysis on my Strava taken directly from my powermeter through my wahoo head unit?

[@gplama]

Yes, you'll need to record the data with something (sounds like you have a Wahoo GPS). Then upload/sync it to Strava to see the power data. The Elemnt app also has pretty solid activity analysis/overview too.

[@aarongerrard6798]

Bloody perfect. Thanks 🙏

[@k1mfor]

What about the 4iiii Podiiiium - does all of this apply to it too?

[@gplama]

No. Just the Precision 3.

[@k1mfor]

@@gplama Thanks! I was going to buy the Podiiiium because it's 70€ cheaper, but I take it Precision 3 is a better choice then? (unless Podium didn't have these problems to start with)

[@gplama]

@@k1mfor I had a Podiiiium a few years back for testing/review. I'm not sure if it has had any updates similar to the Precision.

[@NDURcycling]

I am searching for Powermeter for the grx for the driveside cause my frame is so close to the left crank. Do you know any other brands who make Powermeter for grx?

[@gplama]

InPeak do a GRX dual sided. Ping their support to see if the right side can be used as a single sided meter.

[@olithetiger]

Anything on the dual sided?

[@gplama]

I’ve had issues with the dual. I’ll revisit this when I have the opportunity.

[@MrJayceone]

Would this be applicable to their dual side PM??

[@gplama]

Stay tuned. They're sending one over in the coming weeks.

[@airguillo31]

@@gplamais it a new Precision 3 Dual?

[@gplama]

@@airguillo31 Yes

[@airguillo31]

Cool @gplama we need that review video yesterday 😂 👍🏼

[@JulianAndresKlode]

Huh, This is 299€ now and the Stages Gen 3 is 289€, the Stages did sound nicer

[@mikewow]

Cant even connect my 4iiii power meter with the app soo i ant update....😢

[@gplama]

Force close all your apps, then try load the 4iiii app. If that doesn’t work - remove the battery form the meter for a few seconds and put it back.

[@mikewow]

@@gplama thanks for your reply. I have tried closing all the apps, restarting my phone, disabling and enabling bluetooth. And now tried removing the battery. Reinstalled the app All the options didnt work. Tomorrow i will try outside will that help?

[@mikewow]

@@gplama i gave it 1 more shot and checked if my wahoo app was connected with the power meter and it wasnt. I went back to the 4iiii app and my power meter appeared. Finally updated the firmware now. Thanks for the suggestions

[@I_use_data_for]

Top much problème on thé old version. I have dual aide for like 2 months over the last 24 months. Broke twice the plastic right side. Dual side are inverted, the right connect disconnect. I pay 200$ to send it to Canada and get repaired it worked 2months. The new may be good. But you shall have send it to old costumer for free for all the drama it took a to use your brands Personally I am going on another brand for life. I don’t want to trash 1.000€ again

[@Gianniz27]

Still a crap product, using gen1 and gen2 4iii on other bikes, calibrate them only after 2-3 monts, reads always precisely. My 4iii 3rd gen needs calibration before EVERY ride, still reads under on many occasions. Also Strava does not like it, always puts off -5 watt froma average power for some reason.