Shimano Flight Deck

In article said:

Is anyone using the Shimano 6501 Flight Deck computer?
Like it? Hate it? Too many bells and whistles? I kinda
like the gear indicator and the fact that you can punch up
info from the buttons on your hoods...mto

I like it, for the same reasons you do, you can work it from
the hoods and I like keeping my hands near the brakes 🙂

Definatly over priced though

--
| Joel Mayes | /~\ ASCII Ribbon campaign Accordionist | \_/
| stop HTML mail and news Musician | / \ Music Teacher |

My wife has a flight deck (since 1999) and really likes it.
The virtual cadence is pretty good, saves me the hassle of
running a wire to the rear chain stay. My only complaint is
that it goes through batteries rather quickly. Typically, I
install a new one in March and then need to replace it in
July or August. There also isn't any warning that the
battery is going low. If you can live with that, then I'd
recommend it.

Jim

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

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

mtoverton said:

Is anyone using the Shimano 6501 Flight Deck computer?
Like it? Hate it?

Too

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

many bells and whistles? I kinda like the gear indicator
and the fact

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you can punch up info from the buttons on your
hoods...mto

I like it, for the same reasons you do, you can work it
from the hoods and I like keeping my hands near the
brakes 🙂

Definatly over priced though

--
| Joel Mayes | /~\ ASCII Ribbon campaign Accordionist |
| \_/ stop HTML mail and news Musician | / \ Music
| Teacher |

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mtoverton said:

Is anyone using the Shimano 6501 Flight Deck computer?
Like it? Hate it? Too many bells and whistles? I kinda
like the gear indicator and the fact that you can punch up
info from the buttons on your hoods...mto

I have one. Overall it's pretty good, but nothing
spectacular. I don't think having the buttons on the hoods
is such a big deal -- if taking your hands off the hoods is
a problem, then it's a bad time to be messing with your
computer anyway. It's easy to accidently hit the start/stop
button for the stopwatch, but I don't care because I don't
use that feature. The automatic start/stop for the main
features is good enough for me. All I care about is speed,
trip mileage, trip time, average speed, and clock. I use the
gear indicator too. I don't use the pace arrow, cadence, or
any of that stuff. I still haven't figured out everything
the Flight Deck does, or how to use it.

The gear indicator is neat. It's one of those things I'd
never think I'd need, but appreciate after having it. I have
one complaint with it though. The gear numbers display too
long after a shift. I don't care what gear I'm in as much as
how a shift has affected my speed. After I shift, I want to
see the speed display, but it's still showing the gear
combination. It only displays for a second or two, but
that's still too long.

I find switching between modes and functions to be
cumbersome, compared to my old Avocet. You have to hold the
button down briefly to switch functions, and hold it longer
to switch modes. So it's a push/wait deal, rather than an
instant change. This is probably to prevent accidental
switching, with the switches being on the hoods. The Avocet
would switch instantly when the button was pressed, which
seems more intuitive. The way the Avocet's modes and
functions were arranged made more sense too. Overall I think
the Avocet was better designed. But it didn't have a gear
indicator, and it was not the least bit weatherproof (which
is what killed it).

The gear display remaining too long is my only real
complaint with the Flight Deck. Overall I'm happy with it.
However, I'd probably be just as happy with any other good
computer. Bottom line -- it's great if you really want all
the features, and if the integration concept turns you on.
If not, I don't think the switches on the hoods is much of
an ergonomic breakthrough. Plus, it's an expensive little
thing. Mine came with my bike. I probably wouldn't have paid
real money for it.

Sorry for the wordy and muddled review. But as the saying
goes -- if I had more time, I could have written you a
shorter letter!

Matt O.

jmk said:

My only complaint is that it goes through batteries rather
quickly. Typically, I install a new one in March and then
need to replace it in July or August. There also isn't any
warning that the battery is going low. If you can live
with that, then I'd recommend it.

Mine had a new one at the beginning of November, which I
had to replace a few days ago. So roughly 5 months
battery life...

Mine does indeed have a battery warning. It says "low bat"
right on the display, and goes for awhile like that before
it stops working.

Matt O.

Quoted message said:

Mine had a new one at the beginning of November, which I
had to replace a

few

Quoted message said:

days ago. So roughly 5 months battery life...

I wonder why you guys are having such trouble with short
battery life? We typically see it in excess of one year,
usually closer to 18 months or so (easy to track in our
customer history database when people come in for new ones).

Is you computer going into "sleep" mode when not in use?
When you wake it up, do you need to push one of the buttons
on the underside of the head, or does it wake up on its own
when the wheel spins?

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jmk said:

My only complaint is that it goes through batteries
rather quickly. Typically, I install a new one in March
and then need to replace it in July or August. There
also isn't any warning that the battery is going low. If
you can live with that, then I'd recommend it.

Mine had a new one at the beginning of November, which I
had to replace a

few

Quoted message said:

days ago. So roughly 5 months battery life...

Mine does indeed have a battery warning. It says "low bat"
right on the display, and goes for awhile like that before
it stops working.

Matt O.

In article said:

My wife has a flight deck (since 1999) and really likes
it. The virtual cadence is pretty good, saves me the
hassle of running a wire to the rear chain stay. My only
complaint is that it goes through batteries rather
quickly. Typically, I install a new one in March and then
need to replace it in July or August. There also isn't any
warning that the battery is going low. If you can live
with that, then I'd recommend it.

Jim

something funny is happening there, I've had the same
batteries in for about 9 months now (since new) with
no problems.

--
| Joel Mayes | /~\ ASCII Ribbon campaign Accordionist | \_/
| stop HTML mail and news Musician | / \ Music Teacher |

My Flight Deck battery would only last 2 to 3 months (I ride
20+ miles every day). Brought the unit back to the LBS and
he replaced it. My "new" unit has been going for over one
year now without a new battery. The sending unit has never
had it's battry replaced. I can only guess there are some
bad units out there.

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

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Mine had a new one at the beginning of November, which I
had to replace

a

Quoted message said:

few

Quoted message said:

days ago. So roughly 5 months battery life...

I wonder why you guys are having such trouble with short
battery life? We typically see it in excess of one year,
usually closer to 18 months or so (easy to track in our
customer history database when people come in for

new

Quoted message said:

ones).

Is you computer going into "sleep" mode when not in use?
When you wake it up, do you need to push one of the
buttons on the underside of the head,

or

Quoted message said:

does it wake up on its own when the wheel spins?

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jmk said:

My only complaint is that it goes through batteries
rather quickly. Typically, I install a new one in
March and then need to replace it in July or August.
There also isn't any warning that the battery is going
low. If you can live with that, then I'd recommend it.

Mine had a new one at the beginning of November, which I
had to replace

a

Quoted message said:

few

Quoted message said:

days ago. So roughly 5 months battery life...

Mine does indeed have a battery warning. It says "low
bat" right on the display, and goes for awhile like that
before it stops working.

Matt O.

I was talking to my LBS about the Flight Deck and he
recommended against it. He said that the Cateye products
were much less complicated and more reliable. In addition,
he mentioned the availability of rear pickups for other
brands. I'm still undecided. I do like the simple Cateye
computers like the Mity 3. Many other brands like the Topeak
Panoram are too complicated to use.

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

Mine had a new one at the beginning of November, which I
had to replace a few days ago. So roughly 5 months
battery life...

I wonder why you guys are having such trouble with
short battery life? We typically see it in excess of
one year, usually closer to 18 months or so (easy to
track in our customer history database when people come
in for new ones).

All bike shops should be so thorough!

Quoted message said:

Is you computer going into "sleep" mode when not in use?
When you wake it up, do you need to push one of the
buttons on the underside of the head, or does it wake up
on its own when the wheel spins?

Mine wakes up when the wheel spins.

BTW, I'm not bothered by this. I just bought a 2-pack of
these batteries the other day for $3.79 at Wal-Mart. But
let me know if something's wrong, or if I'm not doing
something right!

Matt O.

Mike and others,

After going through this thread and seeing the differences
in battery life, something occurred to me -- there could be
a big difference in the quality of the batteries people are
using. "2032" cells come in regular alkaline and lithium
versions. The lithiums would last a lot longer, maybe 3
times, especially with heavy use. There's likely to be some
difference in the quality of the alkaline cells too.

I'm sure there's a simpler answer. But if we can't figure it
out, batteries are a possibility.

Matt O.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Is anyone using the Shimano 6501 Flight Deck computer?
Like it? Hate it? Too many bells and whistles? I kinda
like the gear indicator and the fact that you can punch
up info from the buttons on your hoods...mto

I have used the Shimano FD wireless (6501 head) for 3 years
with no problems I have about 10,000 miles logged on it with
only very minor problems.

Pro's
1. Made to interface with Shimano
2. Excellent installation on bike no wires, no tie wraps,
easy to install
3. Easy to use, push the appropriate button it takes you to
the screen combo you want
4. Battery life for both sending and receiver excellent
mine last at least 12months or better
5. Handle bar mounts accommodates 26.0 or the 31.8
oversized and puts the screen in front of the stem
centerline for easy viewing.
6. Weather resistant, I've rode in down pours still
functions perfect.
7. Holds basic setup data long enough to install a new
battery also, allows to input mileage number
8. Good compatibility with other wireless accessories ( no
interference)

Cons
9. Price for the total package (wireless about 110.00)
10. Plastic mount for computer has a tab that secures the
head broke with 30 degree weather
11. Setup kinda strange gotta love the guys that write
the manuals

I'm sure everyone has their own take on this but it has
served me well.

Mike

Matt O'Toole said:

The gear numbers display too long after a shift. I don't
care what gear I'm in as much as how a shift has affected
my speed. After I shift, I want to see the speed display,
but it's still showing the gear combination. It only
displays for a second or two, but that's still too long.

There is a solution to your problem. Depending on which
feature you are showing it will display the gear combination
or not. I forgot which one but it's easy to find it by just
going from one display setting to another and then shift. If
you don't have your bike handy you can Google it since this
was discussed here not too many months ago.

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

Matt O'Toole said:

Mike and others,

After going through this thread and seeing the
differences in battery life, something occurred to me --
there could be a big difference in the quality of the
batteries people are using. "2032" cells come in regular
alkaline and lithium versions. The lithiums would last a
lot longer, maybe 3 times, especially with heavy use.
There's likely to be some difference in the quality of
the alkaline cells too.

I'm sure there's a simpler answer. But if we can't figure
it out, batteries are a possibility.

Matt O.

Not if your computer wakes up as the wheel spins. That makes
it seem like it is never going into sleep mode when not in
use. I have to push a button on the underside of the
computer to wake it up from sleep mode.

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

Quoted message said:

I was talking to my LBS about the Flight Deck and he
recommended against

it.

Quoted message said:

He said that the Cateye products were much less
complicated and more reliable. In addition, he mentioned
the availability of rear pickups for other brands. I'm
still undecided. I do like the simple Cateye computers
like the Mity 3. Many other brands like the Topeak Panoram
are too complicated to use.

Reliability of the Shimano Flight Deck seems to be directly
related to the number that a shop has installed. We sell
(and install) 400+/year, and the number coming back to us,
despite the complexity of the interface (not just the setup
on the computer, but the way the wiring harness attaches to
the levers), is EXTREMELY low. Its reliability is on par
with CatEye, which mean excellent.

Having said that, it's funny how often the few
"defective" computers are ones installed by newer
mechanics. The guys who have been around for a while
never have them come back with problems. It's the sort of
thing where after you've installed 10 or 20 of them,
you've got it down good and you'll never have a problem.
Most of the issues deal with the connection between the
harness and the brake lever, by the way.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Is you computer going into "sleep" mode when not in use?
When you wake it up, do you need to push one of the
buttons on the underside of the head, or does it wake up
on its own when the wheel spins?

Mine wakes up when the wheel spins.

Matt: For quite some time the FliteDecks have required that
you push one of the buttons on the underside in order to
wake them up; I'd assumed (apparently correctly) that this
was a more aggressive sleep mode that helped to conserve
battery life. In my opinion, your unit is *not* working
correctly. The problem is that it may be so old that Shimano
no longer considers it a warranty item, but I would at least
bring it to the attention of the shop that sold it to you
and see if they could try to get Shimano to see differently.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

Mine had a new one at the beginning of November, which
I had to replace a few days ago. So roughly 5 months
battery life...

I wonder why you guys are having such trouble with short
battery life? We typically see it in excess of one year,
usually closer to 18 months or so (easy to track in our
customer history database when people come in for new
ones).

All bike shops should be so thorough!

Quoted message said:

Is you computer going into "sleep" mode when not in use?
When you wake it up, do you need to push one of the
buttons on the underside of the head, or does it wake up
on its own when the wheel spins?

Mine wakes up when the wheel spins.

BTW, I'm not bothered by this. I just bought a 2-pack of
these batteries

the

Quoted message said:

other day for $3.79 at Wal-Mart. But let me know if
something's wrong, or

if

Quoted message said:

I'm not doing something right!

Matt O.

Matt O'Toole said:

The gear indicator is neat. It's one of those things I'd
never think I'd need, but appreciate after having it. I
have one complaint with it though. The gear numbers
display too long after a shift. I don't care what gear I'm
in as much as how a shift has affected my speed. After I
shift, I want to see the speed display, but it's still
showing the gear combination. It only displays for a
second or two, but that's still too long.

I agree. Mine displays the gear numbers for 4 seconds,
which is *way* too long. I think I read somewhere that
newer ones display them for a shorter time, but it's a
pretty vague memory.

Personally I'd much rather have the constant gears display
be numerical, rather than wasting all that display area on
the cute pictures. I find it easier to read a digit than to
count out which of the nine pictures is on. But that's a
minor quibble.

Quoted message said:

I find switching between modes and functions to be
cumbersome, compared to my old Avocet. You have to hold
the button down briefly to switch functions, and hold
it longer to switch modes. So it's a push/wait deal,
rather than an instant change. This is probably to
prevent accidental switching, with the switches being
on the hoods.

It's most likely done to allow one button to have two
different functions, like having click and double-click
on a mouse.

--
Ray Heindl (remove the Xs to reply to: [email hidden])

Per Elmsäter said:

There is a solution to your problem. Depending on which
feature you are showing it will display the gear
combination or not. I forgot which one but it's easy to
find it by just going from one display setting to another
and then shift. If you don't have your bike handy you can
Google it since this was discussed here not too many
months ago.

I'll check it out. Thanks, Per.

Matt O.

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Is you computer going into "sleep" mode when not in use?
When you wake it up, do you need to push one of the
buttons on the underside of the head, or does it wake up
on its own when the wheel spins?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Mine wakes up when the wheel spins.

Quoted message said:

Matt: For quite some time the FliteDecks have required
that you push one of the buttons on the underside in order
to wake them up; I'd assumed (apparently correctly) that
this was a more aggressive sleep mode that helped to
conserve battery life. In my opinion, your unit is *not*
working correctly.

You're probably right. There doesn't seem to be a deeper
sleep mode with mine. I wondered about this when I first got
it -- I was trying to figure out how to turn it off.

Quoted message said:

The problem is that it may be so old that Shimano no
longer considers it a warranty item, but I would at least
bring it to the attention of the shop that sold it to you
and see if they could try to get Shimano to see
differently.

Well, mine came with a bike that was bought used. I'm
not the original customer. So even if it was still under
warranty, I don't think Shimano would cover it. (Or
would they?)

No big deal, anyway. Five months' battery life is still OK,
a small inconvenience.

Matt O.

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Reliability of the Shimano Flight Deck seems to be
directly related to the number that a shop has installed.
We sell (and install) 400+/year, and the number coming
back to us, despite the complexity of the interface (not
just the setup on the computer, but the way the wiring
harness attaches to the levers), is EXTREMELY low. Its
reliability is on par with CatEye, which mean excellent.

Having said that, it's funny how often the few "defective"
computers are ones installed by newer mechanics. The guys
who have been around for a while never have them come back
with problems. It's the sort of thing where after you've
installed 10 or 20 of them, you've got it down good and
you'll never have a problem. Most of the issues deal with
the connection between the harness and the brake lever, by
the way.

I'm not surprised. I had a good look at this thing when I
was retaping my bars. It seems simple, but it's actually
quite fiddly. It would not be hard to screw up an
installation.

Matt O.