Road Cycling · Public discussion

Backlit speedometers

Started by Daniel Crispin · · Last activity · 8 posts · 450 views

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Road Cycling
Published
2 July 2004
Last activity
8 July 2004
Original author
Daniel Crispin
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8
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  1. I was out training tonight when I realized that not having a backlight on my
    speedometer is a real pain when cycling at night.

    Anyone know of a company that makes backlit models? Cateye doesn't
    seems to think it's something useful.

  2. In article <[email hidden]>,
    [email hidden] says...

    Quoted message said:

    I was out training tonight when I realized that not having a backlight on my
    speedometer is a real pain when cycling at night.

    Anyone know of a company that makes backlit models? Cateye doesn't
    seems to think it's something useful.

    Specialized does, but it doesn't stay lit continuously; you have to push
    a big button to light it up, kind of light the back light on an LCD
    watch.

    --
    Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
    newsgroups if possible).

  3. Problem is that the backlight trashes the battery in the computer. Better
    bet is a handlebar mounted "computer light". It has a small LED in it that
    provides enough light to read the display but not so much it burns batteries
    or causes disorientation at night (as in another light source other than
    your headlight, which I assume you use ;-). Costs about $10, and the one I
    have is by SigmaSport. Mine was given to me as a gift, but you can get em I
    think at Performance or Nashbar. Works great on my pre-dawn rides....

    Dave

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

    Quoted message said:

    I was out training tonight when I realized that not having a backlight on


    my

    Quoted message said:

    speedometer is a real pain when cycling at night.

    Anyone know of a company that makes backlit models? Cateye doesn't
    seems to think it's something useful.

  4. Daniel Crispin said:

    I was out training tonight when I realized that not having a backlight on my
    speedometer is a real pain when cycling at night.

    Anyone know of a company that makes backlit models? Cateye doesn't
    seems to think it's something useful.

    There are several. The cheapest seem to be made by Specialized
    but there it's still only on their higher end wireless models.
    If you don't like wireless, then these won't be for you. See
    the Specialized site for more detail. Cateye also has some high
    end models with backlights. Some are wired. Some are wireless.
    All are pricey. Their cheapest is the CC-AT100 (wired) which is
    their altimeter model for around $90-$100. These high end Cateye's
    seem to be hard to find. See their website for details and see
    Google to find them for sale. Campagnolo also has a backlight on
    their Ergobrain computer and it's also an expensive high end
    computer.

    Topeak's Panoram used to have a back light and was priced around
    $50. Unfortunately, the new 2004 models no longer have a backlight.
    If you're very lucky, you may find a place that has stock left of
    the old models. If you find a wired one, please let me know, as
    I'm looking for one myself.

    Topeak, Vetta, Avocet, Sigma Sport, Shimano, Planet Bike, Nashbar
    and Performance don't seem to offer backlights in cyclocomputers
    at all.

    I asked about wired+backlight computers in the r.b.t last week. I
    got zero responses.

    I don't understand why a backlight is considered an elite feature
    to only be put on high end models but that's how the cyclocomputer
    makers see it (or at least the few that even bother). My $15 Casio
    watch has lots of functions including Indiglo. I don't see why a
    bike computer can't offer this feature cheaply.

    --Bill Davidson

  5. David Kerber said:

    Specialized does, but it doesn't stay lit continuously; you have to push
    a big button to light it up, kind of light the back light on an LCD
    watch.

    The batteries wouldn't last very long if you left it on
    continuously. It's acceptable to have to touch it to read it.

    --Bill Davidson

  6. Thanks for all the answers.

    I know about the High end Cat Eyes models, but I don't need a super powerful
    bike computer, just one I can read anytime 😉

    I agree it's nuts they would think only competing athletes need this, any
    basic
    watch has it, plus several types or ringers and the battery still last 2
    years and more.

    I would not mind changing the battery once a year to get this.

    I think I will try to find a led lamp that could fit on the handle bar, it's
    a great idea
    until they wake up 😉

    "Bill Davidson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:vxfFc.7830$151.2443@fed1read02...

    Quoted message said:
    Daniel Crispin said:

    I was out training tonight when I realized that not having a backlight


    on my

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    speedometer is a real pain when cycling at night.

    Anyone know of a company that makes backlit models? Cateye doesn't
    seems to think it's something useful.

    There are several. The cheapest seem to be made by Specialized
    but there it's still only on their higher end wireless models.
    If you don't like wireless, then these won't be for you. See
    the Specialized site for more detail. Cateye also has some high
    end models with backlights. Some are wired. Some are wireless.
    All are pricey. Their cheapest is the CC-AT100 (wired) which is
    their altimeter model for around $90-$100. These high end Cateye's
    seem to be hard to find. See their website for details and see
    Google to find them for sale. Campagnolo also has a backlight on
    their Ergobrain computer and it's also an expensive high end
    computer.

    Topeak's Panoram used to have a back light and was priced around
    $50. Unfortunately, the new 2004 models no longer have a backlight.
    If you're very lucky, you may find a place that has stock left of
    the old models. If you find a wired one, please let me know, as
    I'm looking for one myself.

    Topeak, Vetta, Avocet, Sigma Sport, Shimano, Planet Bike, Nashbar
    and Performance don't seem to offer backlights in cyclocomputers
    at all.

    I asked about wired+backlight computers in the r.b.t last week. I
    got zero responses.

    I don't understand why a backlight is considered an elite feature
    to only be put on high end models but that's how the cyclocomputer
    makers see it (or at least the few that even bother). My $15 Casio
    watch has lots of functions including Indiglo. I don't see why a
    bike computer can't offer this feature cheaply.

    --Bill Davidson

  7. Daniel Crispin begged long and lud for:

    Quoted message said:

    I was out training tonight when I realized that not having a backlight on


    my

    Quoted message said:

    speedometer is a real pain when cycling at night.

    Anyone know of a company that makes backlit models? Cateye doesn't
    seems to think it's something useful.

    Try this from Sigma Sport (Link is to Colorado Cyclist site):

    http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q10352EB8

    I have one and it does OK, but not great. I fond I have to position it so
    that I can see what I want on the display because it doesn't light the whole
    thing. It does what I need, but not a bit more.

    Austin
    --
    I'm pedaling as fast as I durn well please!
    There are no X characters in my address

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

    Quoted message said:

    Daniel Crispin begged long and lud for:

    Quoted message said:

    I was out training tonight when I realized that not having a backlight


    on

    Quoted message said:

    my

    Quoted message said:

    speedometer is a real pain when cycling at night.

    Anyone know of a company that makes backlit models? Cateye doesn't
    seems to think it's something useful.

    Try this from Sigma Sport (Link is to Colorado Cyclist site):

    http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q10352EB8

    I have one and it does OK, but not great. I fond I have to position it so
    that I can see what I want on the display because it doesn't light the


    whole

    Quoted message said:

    thing. It does what I need, but not a bit more.

    Austin
    --
    I'm pedaling as fast as I durn well please!
    There are no X characters in my address

    Thanks! Very appreciated 😉

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