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Post by lenodd on Jan 20, 2015 11:31:36 GMT
so, I've been pondering grabbing a bike computer for a while. The thing that's holding me back is I've got a computer on me that tracks GPS all the time; my phone. So why pay £££ for something that does the same job? (I have a samsung S4 running strava)
Was looking into the RFLKT and it talks a good game, but does anyone have one? +ve or -ve experiences?
I'd like to see Heart rate, cadence, speed, distance, not too fussed about maps. Was thinking also about the Garmin 500 as they're loads cheaper than the other fancier versions, or even just a cat eye stealth.
I may just buy a wahoo HRM and look at that post ride as a start, but surely there's a product out there that doesnt cost the earth and does what i want?
Ta in advance!
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Post by goffski on Jan 20, 2015 11:45:09 GMT
I was using a RFLKT with a HR and a SC for a long time on my bike and over all they worked pretty well. I used Cyclemeter which is a great app and from there i posted direct to Strava. Cyclemeter is great and you can customise your screens for RFLKT and display what stats you want. Battery life over all was pretty good, as long as i had most things turned off the phone would last for a 6 hour ride. More recently the battery on the iPhone has been a bit hit or miss and not lasting as long.
For a long time i said i was happy using the Wahoo stuff but the main thing that let it all down was the RFLKT not being able to display routes. Eventually i gave up and started looking into Garmin's and got a Garmin 810 for Xmas.
For the price of a RFLKT, HR and SC sensor you could probably pickup a 510. I'm loving the 810 even though there's a few things i preferred from using my phone, you prob won't need the 810 as you don;t want mapping but if you're budget will stretch it's well worth it especially for long rides when you really don't want to get lost.
A long time ago i reviewed the RFLKT and said it basically does everything i want and i have no need for a Garmin, over time i changed my opinion.
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Post by Whitestar1 on Jan 20, 2015 15:41:30 GMT
Love the Garmin. I intend to get the new one this year - 1000, currently using a 510 but now I fancy the mapping feature hence the reason for getting the 1000.
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Post by jim1966 on Jan 20, 2015 16:19:55 GMT
I have a RFLKT which I got in an Amazon Lightening Sale at Christmas. I use it with my rooted S3 running CM11 along with a Polar H7 HRM and an Igot-U speed cadence sensor. On Android you have to use the Wahoo app in order to use the RFLKT as the Strava android app doesn't support it whereas the Iphone app does.
So far it works. Longest ride I've done with it is about an hour and a half and that has used 20% of my phone battery. The Strava app would have used less so for longer rides I'm considering buying a battery booster gizzmo to take with me.
The Wahoo app uploads to Strava so that bit is easy, however, it is still in development so there are bugs, eg paused time recorded on the Wahoo app (comfort break, cake or whatever) has to be manually paused on the device and restarted. Strava will do this automatically. When you then upload to Strava, any paused time is ignored as such and all pauses lumped together with the riding time so bringing down the averages. I have reported this bug to the developer who has added it to the bug list so I'd say support is good: they listen!
The other thing I've noticed, especially with speed is that it seems laggy. This may be the case with all GPS devices, I don't know as I've no experience of others but I still have my sigma computer on the bars and it seems to respond instantly to a change of pace whereas the phone app doesn't.
Would I buy again? Probably not. It was discounted so I had a punt. I really wanted a Garmin 500 but having got bluetooth sensors I couldn't justify spending £160 on the 500 bundle.
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Post by ianmoss on Jan 20, 2015 16:56:28 GMT
I've kept it simple, personally I'm not bothered about heart rate. I use Strava to log the whole ride The Sigma 16.12 STS + Cad is doing great for me, wireless, compact, loads of features. Currently available for £32 Amazon.
I'll probably invest in a Garmin at some point when I want to go on routes I've not done before and need some sat nav guidence. (at the moment I run a route on Strava on an old android phone, crudely stem mounted!)
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Post by jim1966 on Jan 20, 2015 19:25:22 GMT
The Sigma 16.12 you mention is what I have fitted still. Great computer and cadence is useful too. Problem is when I turn on the LED lights then it kills the transmitters signal!
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Post by ianmoss on Jan 21, 2015 9:21:36 GMT
The Sigma 16.12 you mention is what I have fitted still. Great computer and cadence is useful too. Problem is when I turn on the LED lights then it kills the transmitters signal! Interesting, is there a big battery interfering with it maybe? Can either be moved to be wider apart?
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Post by lenodd on Jan 21, 2015 10:30:51 GMT
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Post by ianmoss on Jan 21, 2015 10:51:37 GMT
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Post by Quizshow Legend on Jan 21, 2015 13:12:43 GMT
My phone is a big easily broken computer I need for work. Would rather not take it out on a ride. My Garmin 500 does the job, is made to be seen while riding, is weatherproof and has already survived one spill. I like the fact I can add the other Ant+ bits to it as needed.
And hello all.
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Post by ChrisD on Jan 21, 2015 14:21:02 GMT
The Garmin 500 can be had for less than the cost of the Stealth on Amazon at the moment so it might be worth doing a close comparison on features.
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arranj
Peloton Rider
Posts: 281
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Post by arranj on Jan 21, 2015 16:52:55 GMT
Edge 500 > phone.
However there is nothing an Edge 500 doesn't do compared to more expensive units, except for maps. Keep it simple, keep it 500, Cadence and HRM and GPS. BOOM.
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Post by jim1966 on Jan 21, 2015 18:30:34 GMT
The Sigma 16.12 you mention is what I have fitted still. Great computer and cadence is useful too. Problem is when I turn on the LED lights then it kills the transmitters signal! Interesting, is there a big battery interfering with it maybe? Can either be moved to be wider apart? Yes, the battery is quite a lump which I have put into a bottle and then into the sloping bottle cage. If I route the cable and fit the light to the offside of the bike then I can get away without interference. Leds are a pain for this sort of thing, DAB radio is also killed by them!
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Post by ChrisD on Jan 21, 2015 19:02:35 GMT
Edge 500 > phone. However there is nothing an Edge 500 doesn't do compared to more expensive units, except for maps. Keep it simple, keep it 500, Cadence and HRM and GPS. BOOM. The 500 is a great unit but route navigation on the Edge 800 etc is something I'd consider.
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Post by ChrisD on Jan 21, 2015 19:03:53 GMT
Interesting, is there a big battery interfering with it maybe? Can either be moved to be wider apart? Yes, the battery is quite a lump which I have put into a bottle and then into the sloping bottle cage. If I route the cable and fit the light to the offside of the bike then I can get away without interference. Leds are a pain for this sort of thing, DAB radio is also killed by them! I put my battery under the saddle on the seatpost and then run the cable along the top tube.
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