I have a wireless Vetta V100 w/ wireless cadence, and a wired Sigma something-or-other. I bought the wireless for a bike with S&S couplers- wireless is pretty mandatory for a bike that gets taken apart and put into a box.
Overall, the vetta works ok and the no-wires look is cleaner (point for wireless), but the wired computer has less frustrating issues.
I find that the wireless batteries (larger, more expensive and more numerous) last me about 6 months compared to 1-2 years for the wired computer. And the batteries always seem to die at inopportune times, such as during an event I had hoped to clock. (2 points for wired).
When the batteries do go, it isn't always clear what is happening or why- the signal seems to fade in and out and interference starts to occur for a little while before the device stops receiving a signal entirely (in contrast, the wired display just slowly fades out over a period of weeks or months, and continues to record complete data throughout) (point for wired).
When the wireless batteries start to go, I find myself wondering if the transmitters got out of alignment with the magnets at first, or why I suddenly seem to be getting more interference, before tinkering and realizing that the problem is the batteries. Even then, I end up replacing all 3 batteries (head unit, fork transmitter, cadence transmitter) before it fixes the problem.
Having had this happen twice now, I hope that I will be quicker on the uptake next time, and just replace all 3 batteries immediately.
I have not noticed wireless interference except when the batteries are about to die.
Also, the wired computer updates instantly, while the wireless seems only to resend signals every 3-5 seconds. Not a huge deal, but a 1/2 point in the wired column.
On the other hand, the wired cadence on my Sigma just gave up the ghost. The mount is made with slots to plug in the cadence wire, and I think the contact leads got screwed up somehow- I probably yanked on the wire inadvertently. A new cadence wire might fix it- I haven't tried to find one yet. (a point for wireless).
I think this adds up to 3.5 points for wired and 2 for wireless.
Finally, I couldn't get the cadence transmitter to work at all for the first few weeks after I installed it. Eventually I gave up tinkering and left it alone- after about 2 weeks it magically started to work, and has been pretty much fine ever since. A point the "weird" column.
Quoted post said:Originally posted by Mike
Thinking about buying one of these. Are there any drawbacks
to it being wireless i.e. battery usage etc.?
Thanks
