Wireless Computers

Scudme1

This is my first post, so Hi everyone.
I'm thinking of buying a Vetta V100 computer with wireless speed and cadance for my new bike. Does anyone use this type of computer and are they any good? Or maybe someone can recommend another wireless type.
Thanks...

robalert

i've often wondered about wireless computers

some people have told me you can interference from power lines

and is it really worth dbl the $$ for the wireless function?

__________________
Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

scotty72

Gee, i'm thinking of just getting a cheapy from K-Mart

BrettD

Hi,

I have been using a Cateye CD300DW for about a month now and love it. I ran it beside an Enduro 8 for the first 3 weeks to compare readings, and the distances were always within 20-30 meters of each other over my 20k round trip commute (half road half bike path).

I wouldn't pay the $290 AUD they are in bike stores, but at $140 new from ebay delivered to my door, I am a sucker for any cool looking gadget.

I really like seeing current speed / current cadence / trip time & distance all at once, and since my ride home is often after dark, the backlight sure beats squinting as I go under a street-light

Can't comment on the Vetta though, as I havn't seen it.

Brett

netta_s

I've got the one model down - same but with no cadance, no backlight and no average speed.
Looking back I regret buying it and not one with the annoying wires. I got it in May and since then it's been 3 times that my highest speed was over 200kph. I know I'm fast, but not that fast!
Having that happened, I just can't fully trust the accuracy of the computer the rest of the time.
Talking to a very helpful guy at the my local bike shop he told me that it happened to him as well and although more wires are annoying - they're much more trustworthy. He also said that Specialized computers are even worst, coz (well, at least in Melbourne) trams mess with them and you get to ride 200kph much more often.

BrettD

Are you sure it was a wireless malfunction? I have had this happen once or twice with both wired and wireless, and finally discovered that when I stop at traffic lights I sometimes twich back and forth a tiny bit, and If the magnet is hovering over the sensor both computer types are fooled.

Brett

1id10t

I have a Cateye Micor Wireless on one bike (my mountain bike) and a Cateye Mity 3 on my commuter. I like the wireless as my other mity 3 on the mountain bike had the cable caught between the rim and brake pad; this despite the cable being securely cable tied to the forks. Anyway, managed to get the wireless one cheap and started using it. I both like it and find it annoying. It sometimes cuts out when going through certain areas such as parts of the harbour bridge. Also, sometimes I want to take the measurements from a certain to another. However, if the unit is within reading range of the sensor it will still continue to increase the readings. For example, I don't want to include the time it takes for me to take my bike up the lift at work and walk it through to the back of the office where I park it. Anal I know but I want to get a specific measurement. The cable type can just be removed and placed in your pocket and the measurements stop. Anyway, just my twenty cents worth. Personally, if I hadn't managed to get my wireless one cheaply (retailer incorrectly marked the price and was obliged to sell at the heavily decreased value) I would just buy a standard computer. As long as it does the job.

jur

I have a wireless, not the model you name, and the biggest gripe I have with it is that it does not auto switch on and start counting. I have to press a button to switch it on. AFAIK, the wire types all switch on auto as soon as you start off. I forget sometimes.

The other problem I had was that on my suspension forks I could not get the pickup close enough to the display unit - it tended to miss pulses especially on cold mornings. I had to mount the display on the top tube. Now it works well, never had a problem since with false high readings.

Not having to mess with wires is great.

netta_s

I actually didn't even think about that! I thought that it was a wireless thing because of what the guy at my LBS said.
After my next ride I'll try to do what you said with stoping and twiching back and forth a bit and see if that's all. Coz I do like having as less wires as possible.

Netta

1id10t

I'm not fluent with all the different models but i'm sure mine has an auto and manual option. In auto, it will automatically start reading when the wheel spins. In manual, you have to start the reading using the start/stop button (kinda makes sense) at the base of the unit. I leave it in auto for convenience; but maybe i've just answered my own gripe about it continuing to read when I actually want to stop it at a particular readout (see earlier post). Anyway, check your manual, it might say something about how to switch from one mode to the other.

ward17

Hi Scud
I have a Vetta V100 wired version. I have not had it long enough to form any opinion on it just that it works as advertized. I agree with Brett dont buy it in Australia. Get one on ebay Americia, 3ringcycles, probikekit or do a google.
If you go for the cateye I can recommend geargurl. Fast, friendly and they dont rip you off on shipping.

BrettD

I'm with you! Geargurl was the ebay seller that I bought my computer (and a few other bits 'n' pieces) from. Top service and prices.

Brett

netta_s

Riding the bike yesterday I checked what you said about stoping and then twiching back and forth a tiny bit quite a few times... The fastest the computer showed was 10kph:-( So I'm guessing that it is a wireless malfunction...

Ashley3

There's another thread going on which I've commented about the Vetta, so, this is a bit of a repeat, but ...
I had the very Vetta you're thinking about buying. I liked it. The fact that it was wireless was a plus and there were no problems. (I didn't like the fact that the stopwatch function ran until doomsday unless you remembered to flip it off.)
Then, after 1,175 miles, it conked completely two miles into a race. A friend who had the same model had far more problems than I did, and hers conked too. When we took them back to our LBS, where we'd gotten them, they told us they were having a lot of problems with Vettas (and two or three of the guys who worked in the shop were among those having problems) and that they were switching them out. I rode today for the first time with the Polar CS200 Cad and liked it a lot. Nice features, easy to use. Obviously I've got miles to ride before I can pass judgment, but I've used Polar wrist HR monitors for years and find them very reliable, so I'm optimistic.
Bottom line: up until the day if conked for no good reason (nope, wasn't a dead battery), I liked the Vetta a lot, but after hearing about the numerous problems others were having I couldn't see sticking with it. (And I cursed a bunch during the race without a computer!)