Opinions on wireless computers?

Preston Crawford said:

I got my rain bike worked out. Now I need a computer for it. I'm
considering wireless because I've noticed (haven't computer shopped for
like 3 years) that wireless has gotten a lot cheaper).

In general, how well do these work, especially in rainy weather? Does the
weather even interfere with computers? Secondly, here are a couple I'm
considering...

Why wireless? I mean, we have all gotten used to remote controls (even on
small-screen TVs -- I even have one on an office air conditioner),
cordless phones, and computers. But these are wireless because you move
them around, or you don't want to bother getting all that exercise to
actually get up off the couch.

But your bike computer sits on its mounting bracket on the handlebars, and
the pickup is carefully positioned to sense the magnet. You aren't moving
it around --- even if you use the same computer for more than one bike,
you need a second mounting bracket and sensor for the second bike, you
don't just move the computer. Where is the advantage of wireless? You
then have a second set of batteries to replace, you have to worry about
interference and performance in the rain, all for?? Just not having a
wire on the bike? But you've got cables all over the thing already unless
you are riding a fixed gear with no brake (dumb idea, too).

--

David L. Johnson

__o | You will say Christ saith this and the apostles say this; but
_`\(,_ | what canst thou say? -- George Fox.
(_)/ (_) |

Preston Crawford said:

I got my rain bike worked out. Now I need a computer for it. I'm
considering wireless because I've noticed (haven't computer shopped for
like 3 years) that wireless has gotten a lot cheaper).

In general, how well do these work, especially in rainy weather? Does the
weather even interfere with computers? Secondly, here are a couple I'm
considering...

Why wireless? I mean, we have all gotten used to remote controls (even on
small-screen TVs -- I even have one on an office air conditioner),
cordless phones, and computers. But these are wireless because you move
them around, or you don't want to bother getting all that exercise to
actually get up off the couch.

But your bike computer sits on its mounting bracket on the handlebars, and
the pickup is carefully positioned to sense the magnet. You aren't moving
it around --- even if you use the same computer for more than one bike,
you need a second mounting bracket and sensor for the second bike, you
don't just move the computer. Where is the advantage of wireless? You
then have a second set of batteries to replace, you have to worry about
interference and performance in the rain, all for?? Just not having a
wire on the bike? But you've got cables all over the thing already unless
you are riding a fixed gear with no brake (dumb idea, too).

--

David L. Johnson

__o | You will say Christ saith this and the apostles say this; but
_`\(,_ | what canst thou say? -- George Fox.
(_)/ (_) |

"Preston Crawford" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Once again, just looking for opinions. I'm doing plenty of research
online, but curious as to what others think.

The only thing I might suggest is that you find one with an auto start
feature. I don't know how many times I've been out riding, stopped to take
a break, and forgot to turn the damn thing back on when I got back on my
bike. Not a big deal unless you like to accurately track your mileage, and
I do.

Dave

David L. Johnson said:

But your bike computer sits on its mounting bracket on the handlebars, and
the pickup is carefully positioned to sense the magnet. You aren't moving
it around --- even if you use the same computer for more than one bike,
you need a second mounting bracket and sensor for the second bike, you
don't just move the computer. Where is the advantage of wireless? You
then have a second set of batteries to replace, you have to worry about
interference and performance in the rain, all for?? Just not having a
wire on the bike? But you've got cables all over the thing already unless
you are riding a fixed gear with no brake (dumb idea, too).

I would normally agree. The thought was that if the price point was
identical and performance was identical, then why NOT the wireless, since
then it would be easier to install? That's my thinking. If the performance
is worse than a wired, then definitely I'd go with wired.

Preston

Raoul Duke said:

The only thing I might suggest is that you find one with an auto start
feature. I don't know how many times I've been out riding, stopped to take
a break, and forgot to turn the damn thing back on when I got back on my
bike. Not a big deal unless you like to accurately track your mileage, and
I do.

Agree there, auto start is nice. I have a Cateye Wireless 7, works fine, easy to install.
Don't get it near you cell phone while on a call, it goes crazy. Not common while riding,
but noticed it once before the ride.

I often forget to start my Polar heart monitor, missing a few minutes, no big deal I
guess.

---
"BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
Eugene Oregon

Same topic - different question...

Has anyone seen a wireless computer that also does cadence? I can't
find one and I'm guessing the second sensor/transmitter is "too much"
for wireless.

Same topic - different question...

Has anyone seen a wireless computer that also does cadence? I can't
find one and I'm guessing the second sensor/transmitter is "too much"
for wireless.

[email hidden] wrote:
|| Same topic - different question...
||
|| Has anyone seen a wireless computer that also does cadence? I can't
|| find one and I'm guessing the second sensor/transmitter is "too much"
|| for wireless.

Some heart-rate monitors have wireless speed and cadence, so there is no
reason it can't be done.

In article said:

Same topic - different question...

Has anyone seen a wireless computer that also does cadence? I can't
find one and I'm guessing the second sensor/transmitter is "too much"
for wireless.

Have you looked at the Mavic wireless?
Does cadence with an additional sensor. I think the whole kit is about $140 US
at Performance Bike.

HTH

--
"Freedom Is a Light for Which Many Have Died in Darkness"

- Tomb of the unknown - American Revolution

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Same topic - different question...

Has anyone seen a wireless computer that also does cadence? I can't
find one and I'm guessing the second sensor/transmitter is "too much"
for wireless.

FlightDeck comes in a wireless model that calculates virtual cadence
for you. It only has the one sensor up front. I'm not sure how
accurate the calculation is, but it seems to be a pretty good
approximation.

Regards,
Richard Stanz

on 9/6/2004 12:18 PM David L. Johnson said the following:

Quoted message said:

Why wireless? I mean, we have all gotten used to remote controls (even on
small-screen TVs -- I even have one on an office air conditioner),
cordless phones, and computers. But these are wireless because you move
them around, or you don't want to bother getting all that exercise to
actually get up off the couch.

But your bike computer sits on its mounting bracket on the handlebars, and
the pickup is carefully positioned to sense the magnet. You aren't moving
it around --- even if you use the same computer for more than one bike,
you need a second mounting bracket and sensor for the second bike, you
don't just move the computer. Where is the advantage of wireless? You
then have a second set of batteries to replace, you have to worry about
interference and performance in the rain, all for?? Just not having a
wire on the bike? But you've got cables all over the thing already unless
you are riding a fixed gear with no brake (dumb idea, too).

I agree. Unless you travel through heavy brush or have other
requirements that preclude the use of wires, I say wired is the way to go.

Wireless seems to add additional concerns to an already reliable
solution. Why worry about interference from cellphones, power lines, etc.,

If you don't need cadence, look at:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=12090&subcategory_ID=4110

I've been happy with the "no-button" design of this unit.

--
David
dja--dot--mail--at--comcast--dot--net

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Has anyone seen a wireless computer that also does cadence?

See the new Cateye CD300DW:

http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=2&catId=6&subCa
tId=0

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18258&subcategory_ID=
4110

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Dave

Sweet! Thank you.

On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 14:21:45 -0600, David Newman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Has anyone seen a wireless computer that also does cadence?

See the new Cateye CD300DW:

http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=2&catId=6&subCa
tId=0

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18258&subcategory_ID=
4110

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Dave

David Newman said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Has anyone seen a wireless computer that also does cadence?

Quoted message said:

See the new Cateye CD300DW:

Quoted message said:

http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=2&catId=6&subCa
tId=0

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18258&subcategory_ID=
4110

IMHO, the "center mount" this thing comes with is [censored]. Way too bulky
and flimsy for what they charge for this unit. I emailed them to see if
other mount options were available and got no response.

The cadence sensor is too big. there wasn't enough room between my
chainstay and crank arm to mount both the sensor and magnet. I had to
remove the magnet from the plastic holder and glue it to the crank arm.
(Habanero Ti road frame with Dura Ace 770x crank.)

The display is rather difficult to read, too: poor contrast and small fonts.

"Raoul Duke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

"Preston Crawford" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Once again, just looking for opinions. I'm doing plenty of research
online, but curious as to what others think.

The only thing I might suggest is that you find one with an auto start
feature. I don't know how many times I've been out riding, stopped
to take a break, and forgot to turn the damn thing back on when I got
back on my bike. Not a big deal unless you like to accurately track
your mileage, and I do.

My Echo W2 has autostart. It's two-thirds the price of the Cateye too.

--

A: Top-posters.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

Someone said:

Has anyone seen a wireless computer that also does cadence? I can't
find one and I'm guessing the second sensor/transmitter is "too much"
for wireless.

My Polar 720i has a wireless cadence option, and it works fine. If
you aren't interested in the altimeter function of the 720, the less
expensive 520 model also does cadence.

Ciclosport also offers a cadence option, but I think it's wired.

--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/