Hac4 Plus help

I don't get it. Stick w/ miles, but it ain't rocket science to figure out metric if you are in the mood.

I'm not all that nuts about my HAC4. Software has no manual, the darn thing is very complicated, and it ate a battery in a month. No big deal, right? Well, replacing that battery was a pain. Sure, it goes in easily (10 mins), but it takes several times to get it right so that all the buttons work and the settings aren't all screwy (sometimes the temp and altitude give crazy readings, so you start over again). Took me an hour or more. If I have to do that monthly, I'm switching to the Polar. The only reason I got the HAC4 was because the cycling computer is supposedly better. Grrrr.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by kcstueber
...I am wondering from everyones experience if the addition function of the metric unit would be worthwhile for the hassle of learning Kmh vs Mph.

Thanks for your opinions.

I have a HAC4 and like it a great deal. What exactly is the "addition function"?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by kcstueber
I have decided on the HAC4 for my computer. I am in the US, and I am wondering from everyones experience if the addition function of the metric unit would be worthwhile for the hassle of learning Kmh vs Mph.

Thanks for your opinions.

I think the information you have on different functions is out of date. I've got a HAC4 and it is settable between metric and imperial. The functions supposedly on the metric-only version work fine on the miles setting.

Sorry to hear about Aztec's bad experiences with the HAC4. Of course, YMMV, but I've been extremely pleased with the computer. I was a previous user of a low-end Polar, and I actually find the HAC4 much easier to use on the bike. The functions (e.g. auto-start/stop) work more intuitively, the buttons are much easier to manipulate, etc.. My Polar didn't have memory, so no PC software to compare.

It is true that the HAC4's PC software is quite the mishmash. Three different programs from (apparently) three different developers, with little integration between them. I can't claim to be a power user by any means, as I pretty much stick with the basic software and don't use the two advanced applications much. The basic software handles uploading and reviewing your data. The two applications are (a) a ride program that lets you do more advanced analysis and comparisons of routes, and (b) a training program that does more advanced tracking of performance. ABout the only thing I do with the advanced applications is to show my 6-year-old daughter the animated ride that replicates speed and altitude. She likes the downhills best. Next year I'll probably try to use the training program more, so I may be in for some frustration. The software itself is rather clunky, not at all polished (more like open source than Apple or Microsoft), but I haven't had any crashes or bugs. It's also obviously translated from German, so the language is a bit off sometimes. The functionality seems to be fine, however.

As for battery life, I went about a year (~3K miles) before needing a new one. The instructions are pretty explicit about how to replace the battery, and, following them religiously, I did the change in a couple of minutes with no problems.

Stephen

Thanks for ther posts. Hey, Stephen, when you bought your Hac4, did you specify Metric or Imperial?

Thanks again,

Kurt

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by kcstueber
Thanks for ther posts. Hey, Stephen, when you bought your Hac4, did you specify Metric or Imperial?

Thanks again,

Kurt

I actually ordered the HAC4 Plus Kit (includes cadence and PC interface). I didn't specify Imperial or Metric. In fact, I wasn't aware that there was a choice. I purchased it from an online medical supply outlet in the U.S., so perhaps they would only carry Imperial? FWIW, I got a huge deal, $200 for the whole package, so perhaps they were dumping an older model? I don't think that's the case, though, since my watch has all the functions advertised in the latest collateral. In any event, it has a setting to work in either Metric or English. I've never actually tried setting it to Metric, but would have to assume that would work.

I notice that some online shops show two versions (e.g. xxcycle), while others (e.g. Jenson USA) don't. Maybe it's a Europe vs. U.S. thing?

Stephen

I just bought the HAC4. Very confusing and unclear manual. Is there a HAC4 for Idiots book, or something like that? I don't have the patience to sit here for hours trying ro figure this thing out.

I miss my Avocet, when times were simple...

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by dssjinny
I just bought the HAC4. Very confusing and unclear manual. Is there a HAC4 for Idiots book, or something like that? I don't have the patience to sit here for hours trying ro figure this thing out.

I miss my Avocet, when times were simple...

Nope, trial and error and muddled instructions, baby! I did the majority of my studying in bits, during bathroom breaks.

You can go back to Avocet simplicity if you want... :-)

sathomasga said:

I think the information you have on different functions is out of date. I've got a HAC4 and it is settable between metric and imperial. The functions supposedly on the metric-only version work fine on the miles setting.

Sorry to hear about Aztec's bad experiences with the HAC4. Of course, YMMV, but I've been extremely pleased with the computer. I was a previous user of a low-end Polar, and I actually find the HAC4 much easier to use on the bike. The functions (e.g. auto-start/stop) work more intuitively, the buttons are much easier to manipulate, etc.. My Polar didn't have memory, so no PC software to compare.

It is true that the HAC4's PC software is quite the mishmash. Three different programs from (apparently) three different developers, with little integration between them. I can't claim to be a power user by any means, as I pretty much stick with the basic software and don't use the two advanced applications much. The basic software handles uploading and reviewing your data. The two applications are (a) a ride program that lets you do more advanced analysis and comparisons of routes, and (b) a training program that does more advanced tracking of performance. ABout the only thing I do with the advanced applications is to show my 6-year-old daughter the animated ride that replicates speed and altitude. She likes the downhills best. Next year I'll probably try to use the training program more, so I may be in for some frustration. The software itself is rather clunky, not at all polished (more like open source than Apple or Microsoft), but I haven't had any crashes or bugs. It's also obviously translated from German, so the language is a bit off sometimes. The functionality seems to be fine, however.

As for battery life, I went about a year (~3K miles) before needing a new one. The instructions are pretty explicit about how to replace the battery, and, following them religiously, I did the change in a couple of minutes with no problems.

Stephen

what is the addtion function and if you can change the metric to imperial please tell me how THIS IS CONCERNING A HAC4-- SOMEBODY HELP [email hidden]

sathomasga said:

I think the information you have on different functions is out of date. I've got a HAC4 and it is settable between metric and imperial. The functions supposedly on the metric-only version work fine on the miles setting.

Sorry to hear about Aztec's bad experiences with the HAC4. Of course, YMMV, but I've been extremely pleased with the computer. I was a previous user of a low-end Polar, and I actually find the HAC4 much easier to use on the bike. The functions (e.g. auto-start/stop) work more intuitively, the buttons are much easier to manipulate, etc.. My Polar didn't have memory, so no PC software to compare.

It is true that the HAC4's PC software is quite the mishmash. Three different programs from (apparently) three different developers, with little integration between them. I can't claim to be a power user by any means, as I pretty much stick with the basic software and don't use the two advanced applications much. The basic software handles uploading and reviewing your data. The two applications are (a) a ride program that lets you do more advanced analysis and comparisons of routes, and (b) a training program that does more advanced tracking of performance. ABout the only thing I do with the advanced applications is to show my 6-year-old daughter the animated ride that replicates speed and altitude. She likes the downhills best. Next year I'll probably try to use the training program more, so I may be in for some frustration. The software itself is rather clunky, not at all polished (more like open source than Apple or Microsoft), but I haven't had any crashes or bugs. It's also obviously translated from German, so the language is a bit off sometimes. The functionality seems to be fine, however.

As for battery life, I went about a year (~3K miles) before needing a new one. The instructions are pretty explicit about how to replace the battery, and, following them religiously, I did the change in a couple of minutes with no problems.

Stephen

tell me how to change from metric to mph on this hac4 and kilommeters to feet an celsius to farenheit will the hac 4 do [email hidden]

www.hac4.com

it has alot of info.

Welcome to the website that gives you all the information
you need to know about the CICLOSPORT HAC4

Ironmanbrad said:

www.hac4.com

it has alot of info.

Welcome to the website that gives you all the information
you need to know about the CICLOSPORT HAC4

Hi, when trying to access the above site I got a message stating that I am not authorized to view the site. Anyone an idea?

thanks, Dennis

dhamerling said:

Hi, when trying to access the above site I got a message stating that I am not authorized to view the site. Anyone an idea?

thanks, Dennis

I assume you've got the operating manual, but if not here's an online version.
ciclosport.de2hac4eng.pdfOpen ↗

RapDaddyo said:

I assume you've got the operating manual, but if not here's an online version.
ciclosport.de2hac4eng.pdfOpen ↗

Thanks. Yes I have the manual. The main problem I have, is that when I download the data from my HAC4 using the CicloTour software (v1.31), it only downloads some old data, not the recent data. Today I did some tests (I started recording by pressing the UL and LL buttons, saw the mountains symbol blinking, and stopped recording by pressing the UL and LL buttons again. The HAC4 showed the time elapsed and the distance covered, yet it did not upload properly to my laptop...

dhamerling said:

Thanks. Yes I have the manual. The main problem I have, is that when I download the data from my HAC4 using the CicloTour software (v1.31), it only downloads some old data, not the recent data. Today I did some tests (I started recording by pressing the UL and LL buttons, saw the mountains symbol blinking, and stopped recording by pressing the UL and LL buttons again. The HAC4 showed the time elapsed and the distance covered, yet it did not upload properly to my laptop...

Sorry, can't help you with that one. Now that I have a power meter, I only use my HAC4 for climb grade and the stopwatch functions. I never download the files. Kind of expensive for a couple of functions, but it looks cool. Have you tried looking at the files themselves? They're probably pretty simple files, less than 10 columns and 1 row every 15 seconds if I recall correctly. Is it possible it's full? I can't remember how to clear old data, but I think there's a way.

Ironmanbrad said:

www.hac4.com

it has alot of info.

Welcome to the website that gives you all the information
you need to know about the CICLOSPORT HAC4

That site just gives a "you are not authorized to view this page." Any suggestions?

dhamerling said:

Thanks. Yes I have the manual. The main problem I have, is that when I download the data from my HAC4 using the CicloTour software (v1.31), it only downloads some old data, not the recent data. Today I did some tests (I started recording by pressing the UL and LL buttons, saw the mountains symbol blinking, and stopped recording by pressing the UL and LL buttons again. The HAC4 showed the time elapsed and the distance covered, yet it did not upload properly to my laptop...

Try using the HacTronic software instead of the CicloTour. I remember trying the ciclotour software and thought it was totally worthless. HacTronic gives you all the graphing tools, and lets you do a very complete ride analysis.

As for the upload, make sure your software is set to receive from the correct port. The HacTronic must also be set to receive data from the watch - to do this, press the button that looks like a watch in the top left corner of the screen (or go to File > Connecting). Then plug your Hac4 into the cradle, hold down the UR button till it beeps, then press UR 12 times till it says PC, then pres UL and LL at the same time to start the download. This should download all your recent rides.

I'm holding out for Garmin's Edge 305 !!!!
Ships in January 2006

http://www.garmin.com/products/edge305/