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STAC ZERO: STAC Control Panel app

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Note: STAC Control Panel is no longer available on the App store. We recommend connecting with a compatible app instead. The 4iiii app will connect with your STAC Zero Halcyon, allowing you to update your calibration. However it has limited capabilities as a training app. 

Introduction 

STAC Control Panel is STAC's free app. 

It lets you:

  • View, record, and share ride data
  • Try out the Halcyon's smart trainer modes
  • Personalize various trainer settings 
  • View your battery level  

Android Users Download the STAC Control Panel Android app in  Google Play Store.
Apple Users Download the STAC Control Panel iOS app in App Store.

While it is possible to use STAC Control Panel as a training app, we strongly recommend you check out one of the many awesome compatible apps to experience more extensive features, graphics, and workout plans.

 

Using STAC Control Panel with the Halcyon

Menu:

  1. Connect to the trainer
  2. Navigate the app 
  3. Halcyon Tweaks
  4. Start a ride

Connect to the trainer 

  1. Make sure the unit is on and lights are blinking.
  2. Make sure that no other devices in the area are connected to the STAC Zero Halcyon. When the Halcyon is connected to a device via BLE the green light on the electronics housing will pulse bright and dim.
  3. Start up the STAC Control Panel app. Your trainer should show up as “STAC Zero Halcyon” in the device list.
  4. Select "connect."

Navigate the app 

Getting started 

If this is the first time you have opened STAC Control Panel, a helpful tutorial will run. We strongly recommend going through the tutorial! If you wish to skip it for now, press the back button in the top left corner to return to the main menu. 

After the first time, connecting to a trainer will take you directly to the MAIN MENU. Don’t worry, you can still access the tutorial from the MAIN MENU at any time.

Once you have connected a bar will appear at the top of all screens giving you up-to-date information including mode, instantaneous watt readings, battery power, and any changes in connectivity. The APP CONTROL icon (top right) can be toggled on and off - useful if you are changing settings in STAC Control Panel while doing a workout in another training app.

Menu Options 

SETTINGS AND FIRMWARE
Use this menu to:
1. Re-calibrate your power readings to exactly match another powermeter.
2. Change your Halcyon’s Bluetooth device name. If there's more than one STAC Zero trainer in your household, we recommend giving them different names.
3. Update your brake rim circumference.

INITIAL TUTORIAL
Revisit the tutorial.

MANUAL POSITIONING
Use this menu to manually position the calipers if needed. You generally will not need to do this unless troubleshooting is required.

Note: Avoid adjusting calipers by hand as this contributes to wear and tear on the motors.

HALCYON TWEAKS
Use this menu to:
1. Upload a default warm-up or workout to your trainer 
2. Adjust ROAD FEEL in Simulation Mode 
3. Adjust TRANSITION SPEEDS in Erg Mode 
4. Enable cadence detection for Erg Mode 
Note: Adjustments made in Halcyon Tweaks affect all training apps.

PAST WORKOUTS
STAC Control Panel automatically records workout data (date, length and average power) when it is connected to the trainer. View your records here, or upload the files to another app.


LOGGING
Use this page to view detailed trainer operation data. Select SEND LOG during troubleshooting to speed up support requests.

RIDE
Use this menu to start a workout using STAC Control Panel.

Halcyon Tweaks

Adjusting settings under Halcyon Tweaks will affect every app that you use with the STAC Zero Halcyon. 

SIM mode road feel enhancement 

Inertia is the tendency of your wheel to maintain its forward momentum. Outdoors your bike has lots of momentum, so you will rarely feel your wheel slow during the less powerful part of each pedal stroke. The trade-off: the amount of power you are generating while being carried by momentum- and therefore the difficulty of your workout - is less

  1. Open STAC Control Panel, and connect to the trainer.
  2. Click Halcyon Tweaks.
  3. Use the slider labeled Sim Mode Road Feel Enhancement.
  • Sliding to the right increases the inertia in your wheel, resulting in an improved road feel.
  • Sliding to the left increases resistance, allowing you to achieve higher watts on a flat course.
  • Adjusting Road Feel Enhancement will start a flat Sim course, to allow you to experience the new road feel.

For best results, we recommend selecting a value in watts slightly higher than to what you can sustain on a flat track.  

ERG mode transition speeds 

The near-instantaneous transitions the Halcyon is capable of let riders hit their targets in workouts with many short intervals, but they can be uncomfortable. 

STAC Control Panel lets you adjust how quickly the trainer transitions from one wattage to another.

  1. Open STAC Control Panel, and connect to the trainer.
  2. Select Halcyon Tweaks from the Main Menu.
  3. Use the slider labeled Erg Mode Transition Speed.

This will start a simple Erg Mode interval workout to allow you to experience the new transition rate.  

Other Settings: 

Cadence Detection: See the article on Cadence

Erg Mode Change Delay: Because most smart trainers have a slight delay in implementing app commands, certain training apps have adjusted by automatically sending commands early. The Halcyon does not experience this delay, but you can add one in order to better synchronize your training experience with your app’s screen. 

Magnet Keepout Positions: The minimum distance between the magnets and the wheel. We recommend trying these suggestions to address any concerns before adjusting this setting. 

Hill Strength: Increase the maximum gradient. Note that increasing this setting will impact road feel, and may result in wheel rubbing with some wheels, either because of their lower aluminium content, or because of the degree of flex in the wheel/bike/trainer set-up. 

Start a ride

ERG Mode

In ERG Mode, the trainer holds you to a specific number of watts. Expect to feel the resistance increase if you let your speed drop, and ease off as you speed up. Always use ERG Mode in your highest/fastest gear.

  1. Open STAC Control Panel, and connect to the trainer.
  2. Select Ride from the Main Menu.

Basic ERG Workout

  1. Drag the slider labeled ERG Level to your approximate target wattage. Once you move the slider, a dialogue box will open that allows you to choose an exact wattage.

Note that changing the Resistance Level slider on the same page will change the mode from ERG Mode to Resistance Mode. The Mode currently controlling the trainer will be highlighted in green.   

Interval Erg Workout

  1. Once in the Ride menu swipe right once to access the Interval
  2. Use the sliders to set your rest and hard intervals.

SIM Mode

  1. Select Ride From the Main Menu.
  2. Swipe right twice to get to the Strava tab
  3. Select a pre-loaded route by checking the box to the left, then press Ride.

To add more courses in Sim Mode you'll to make an account with Strava

Resistance Mode 

Resistance mode is like returning to a classic STAC Zero.  Your magnet arrays will remain static, providing a steady resistance throughout your ride. You adjust the difficulty by adjusting your wheel speed: either pedalling faster, or gearing up while maintaining cadence for more watts.

Use Resistance Mode

  1. Open the STAC Control Panel App and connect to the trainer.
  2. Select Ride from the Main Menu.
  3. Use the Resistance Level slider to set your desired resistance.

Note that changing the ERG Level slider on the same page will change the mode from Resistance Mode to ERG Mode. The Mode currently controlling the trainer will be highlighted in green.  

For the best road feel we recommend shifting to your highest gear first, then setting the magnet arrays so they create the highest degree of resistance you plan to use during your workout.

Uploaded Workouts 

The STAC Zero Halcyon allows you to upload one workout in the form of a .erg file directly to your trainer, and make it the default program. This means the workout will start each time you activate the trainer, until another app sends a command.

Benefits of uploading a workout:

  • Start your most frequently used warm up or work out by hopping on the trainer and pedalling, no set up required.
  • Pre-load a race warm up or a work out for times when you’re not sure you’ll have internet access adequate to support your training apps, or don’t want to pay for data.

Download a workout to your device in .erg format

TrainingPeaks allows you to create workouts and save them as .erg files: https://help.trainingpeaks.com/hc/en-us/articles/235164967-Structured-Workout-Builder 

You can access saved files in your device’s storage, Google Drive, or Dropbox from STAC Control Panel. Make sure you remember where you save the file so you can navigate to it later.

Upload a work out
1. Open the STAC Control Panel App and connect to the trainer.
2. Select HALCYON TWEAKS from the MAIN MENU.
3. Select UPLOAD .ERG FILE TO TRAINER.
4. Use your device’s file selection dialog to select a .erg file.
5. STAC Control Panel will upload the file to the trainer. You will see a message confirming the upload once it is complete. Once uploaded, it becomes the trainer’s default program

 

Using STAC Control Panel with the Powermeter

 

Connect to the trainer 

  1. Make sure the unit is on and lights are blinking.
  2. Make sure any other apps or devices in that have been connected to the Powermeter unit have been disconnected.
  3. Start up the STAC Control Panel app. Your STAC Zero Powermeter should show up as “STAC Zero” in the device list.
  4. Select "connect."

Navigate the app 

main_menu_scp_pm.png

Top Bar: View your current power output and battery level. 

Settings and firmware: 

  • Update your brake rim circumference for accurate power reporting
  • Change your trainer's Bluetooth name. If there's more than one STAC Zero trainer in your household, we recommend giving them different names.
  • Update your firmware (please read linked firmware article before update firmware). 

Initial tutorial: Run the tutorial to make sure you're set up properly to get speed, force and power readings from the trainer. 

Past workouts: View your past rides in STAC Control Panel at a glance, share them to your Strava account, or save the data as a TCX file. 

Logging: Send detailed data to our support team when you require troubleshooting. 

Ride: Start a simulation in Strava.

 

Using Strava with STAC Control Panel

Strava can be used to track your workouts and simulate real life outdoor courses. To use Strava with the STAC Zero Halcyon or Powermeter, you'll need to both a Strava account and the STAC Control Panel app. Download the Strava app from App Store or Play Store, or create an account at https://www.strava.com/  

How do I access Strava in STAC Control Panel? 

  1. Turn on your trainer
  2. Open STAC Control Panel, and connect to the trainer. 
  3. Select RIDE From the MAIN MENU
  4. Halcyon: Swipe right twice to get to the STRAVA tab from the RIDE main page.
  5. Halcyon and Powermeter: Select SIGN IN TO STRAVA. If this is your first time, select AUTHORIZE to allow STAC Control Panel to access your Strava profile data. 
  6. Select a route by checking the box to the left, then press RIDE

How do I get my Strava routes to show up in STAC Control Panel?

To ride a simulation of a real cycling route in STAC Control Panel, you have to "star" the segment you want to ride in Strava. Start from Strava's main page: https://www.strava.com/ 

To ride a route you've done in real life with Strava:

  1. Open your route from the "training" tab.
  2. Click the star icon to the left of the segment you want.  

 To ride a new segment: 

  1. Select "explore"
  2. Select either "segment explore" or "segment search," and pull up the segment you want. 
  3. Click the star icon to the left of it. 

Here's an article from Strava on creating segments in your routes:
https://support.strava.com/hc/en-us/articles/216918157-Create-a-Segment

Strava only makes the information available to the app as segments, however you can create a long segment. 

Once you log in to Strava in STAC Control Panel, all the routes you've starred will automatically show up in your menu. 

 

Troubleshoot STAC Control Panel 

STAC Control Panel is useful for updating your settings. It is not necessary to to use Control Panel to set up the trainer, and we strongly recommend you use one of the many compatible apps as your primary training app. 

Learn how to navigate STAC Control Panel with your Halcyon or Powermeter before reading this section. 

Menu

  1. I can't connect in STAC Control Panel
  2. I keep losing Bluetooth connection with STAC Control Panel
  3. STAC Control Panel crashes or freezes
  4. I can't complete all the steps in the tutorial
  5. The app's wheel centring tool isn't working (Halcyon only)
  6. I can't update my firmware using STAC Control Panel

I can't connect in STAC Control Panel

  • Make sure the trainer is turned on. 
  • Pedal. 
  • Wait 20 seconds, then hit re-scan. 
  • Always connect from within the app, not from you phone's main Bluetooth menu. If you've tried to connect in the phone's Bluetooth menu previously, put your phone briefly into airplane mode to ensure it's disconnected. 
  • Make sure the trainer is not connected to another app or device. On the Halcyon, if the green light is blinking, the trainer is already paired. Close other training apps and put devices briefly into airplane mode to ensure they're disconnected. 
  • Make sure Bluetooth and location services are enabled for your device. 
  • On Android, enable Bluetooth and location permissions  for STAC Control Panel. If you have denied location permissions in the past, go to Android settings to enable location permissions.
  • Tap the "Bluetooth error" text. This should bring up a detailed information dialog. Some error messages are human-readable, such as when you need the location permission.
  • Close and restart the app. 

 

I keep losing Bluetooth connection with STAC Control Panel

  • It is normal for STAC Control Panel to momentarily disconnect from the trainer while the wheel is stationary. This should not affect your ability to navigate the app. Connection will resume automatically next time you spin your wheel again as long as you do not remain disconnected so long the trainer turns off again (5 minutes).  
  • If STAC Control Panel is disconnecting despite the wheel spinning, troubleshoot the spoke magnet alignment. 
  • Troubleshoot your Bluetooth connection to eliminate interference in the environment.

STAC Control Panel keeps crashing or freezing

iPhone: 

  • Users with an older iPhone (iOS earlier than version 12) may have access to an early version of STAC Control Panel for iOS that is known to crash. Update your phone, remove the existing STAC Control Panel version, and re-download the current version from App Store. 

All phones: 

  • Close and re-open the app. 
  • Remove and re-download the app. 

I can't complete all the steps in the tutorial

  • 90% of the time you just need to spin the wheel faster to check both check-boxes! If you're spinning the wheel by hand, pedal instead. 
  • Troubleshoot the spoke magnet alignment. 
  • Click the "back" arrow in the top left of your screen to exit the tutorial and go straight to the Main Menu. 

The app's wheel centring tool isn't working (Halcyon only)

  • Very rarely, the trainer can get a bad initial reading on the wheel position. Shutdown the trainer a reattempt after 10 minutes. 
  • Contact support. When combined with other symptoms, this may indicate a ribbon cable has been knocked loose. We can guide you through a re-insertion. 

I can't update my firmware using STAC Control Panel

See Firmware updates 

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