Backlit speedometers

Daniel Crispin

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.

David Kerber

In article <b75Fc.12575$t55.701399@wagner.videotron.net>,
calendyr@videotron.ca says...
> 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.

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Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in
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Dave

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" <calendyr@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:b75Fc.12575$t55.701399@wagner.videotron.net...
> 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.

Bill Davidson

Daniel Crispin wrote:
> 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

Bill Davidson

David Kerber wrote:
> 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

Daniel Crispin

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" <billdav@cox.nospam.net> wrote in message
news:vxfFc.7830$151.2443@fed1read02...
> Daniel Crispin wrote:
> > 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

Austinmn

Daniel Crispin begged long and lud for:
> 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.

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