Posts Tagged ‘Bike Computer’

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Suunto Universal Bike Pod Wireless Transmitter

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Suunto Universal Bike Pod Wireless Transmitter




Engineered by Mavic, the Suunto Bike POD turns your Suunto t3, Suunto t4 or Suunto t6 into a wireless bike computer with current and average speeds, distance and interval alarms.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Suunto Universal Bike Pod wireless Transmitter
The Suunto bike pod is easy to install in a few minutes, and worked, as advertised, paired with the Suunto T3, Training Effects/Heart Rate monitor. Unlike other wireless cycling computers used in the past, the Suunto bike pod does not require micro positioning on the bike and continues to send reliable signals to the Suunto T3, even in bad weather and over rough terrain. Although bike pod includes provisions for mounting the Suunto T3 on the handle bars, this configuration is not required for use. The Suunto T3 is a wrist-worn training effects and heart rate monitor, and works fine when worn on either the left or right wrist, receiving wireless signals from the bike pod as well as the Suunto heart rate transmitter worn around the chest.

1 Star 3 months and still not working
I bought this product in January but did not try to use it right away. I waited until I bought a new bike then began my unsuccessful attempts to use this product. If you buy this product, be aware it is tricky to pair. I followed the instructions, but never saw the “paired” message that indicated it was successful. After several attempts to contact their “24hr” service phone (which is NOT open after 5pm EST Friday until Monday), I talked to someone there who told me it was seemingly paired because I was able to get the Speed/Distance mode on my T3 to display. I thought Great! but when I went to try to test it out, it does not actually read any speed/distance data. So it was back to the phones (after waiting *another* weekend). This time it there were no answers and I was told I had to go online and create a service request (and register the product for warranty). So I am attempting to do so, but the product warranty registration requires a serial number which is not labeled on the product (though I have tried some 20 odd combinations of the numbers/letters that are printed on the POD, all unsuccessfully). So I am going to have to try to call again. I won’t even mention the “ask a question” I filled out some 3 weeks ago on their website which has not been responded to. I’ll update this review if I *ever* get a working product.

4 Stars it works and is flexible for various bikes
The main advantage of this over other units that work with Suunto is that this is the only one that will actually work with all bicycles because it simply zip ties to the front fork. The other two units that work with Suunto are more elegant but do not work with all bike set ups.

The only concern is that the plastic looks brittle, but I have it on a mountain bike and have not had a problem with durability yet.

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Suunto Road Bike Pod Wireless Transmitter

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Suunto Road Bike Pod Wireless Transmitter




Turn your Suunto heart rate monitor into a wireless bike computer with the Suunto Road Bike Pod. The compact unit, which combines speed and distance functions with detailed heart rate analysis, creates one of the most advanced cycling- specific training tools available, making sessions in the saddle more fun and productive than ever before. The Road Bike Pod measures your cycling speed and distance by calculating the relation between the circumference of your bicycle wheel and the speed at which it rotates. Measurement is effortless and, when properly calibrated, also very accurate. Once paired with your Suunto T3, T4, or T6 wrist-top computer, the Road Bike Pod also displays the distance from the start and the lap distance, while also storing lap times automatically according to the distance set by the user. Other details include too- fast and too-slow alarms, a distance-based interval training function, a water-resistant housing, and an integrated quick-release design that’s optimized for high-performance road riding.

The lightweight Road Bike Pod, which weighs 2.4 ounces, offers a transmission range of up to 10 meters and is backed by a two-year warranty.

What’s in the Box?
Road Bike Pod, skewer, battery, magnet, user’s manual.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Suunto Bike Pod
First one did not work at all, 2nd one does. It seems to do the job and I like the fact it does not have to be mounted on the fork.

4 Stars Hit or miss
First unit was DOA. Second one seems to work OK but the magnet sensor doesn’t really have a good place to go - my winter bike has fenders and you can’t have the wing in an aerodynamic location when you have them. So… Is it a road bike and is a road bike skewer appropriate, for me? Oh, come on! That’s hardly fair!

Also note, this comes with a bar/wrist adapter so the item description is deceiving/wrong. It may be purchased frequently with one, but just because all of the other people are jumping off of the bridge doesn’t mean that you should!

5 Stars Works well for me
The earlier version of this didn’t work well, or didn’t work at all, on racing bikes. The new version works like a charm on my Softride Triathlon Bike.

I use the bike pod in conjunction with Suunto T-6 watch.

4 Stars Better then Polar
Had Polar and am now switching to Suunto. You can either wear the HRM or mount it on the handlebars if you want to keep tracking your performance. Information is consistently accurate.

5 Stars great product
I’m VERY pleased wit this product! It’s very convenient, keeps the magnet close to the hub, and never misses a beat. I’m using it with a SRM Wireless Pro, and once it was paired up, no problems. I’m buying more for my other bikes!

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Polar IrDA USB Adapter Interface

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Polar IrDA USB Adapter Interface




This adapter quickly transmits data from your Polar heart rate monitor to your PC, so you can take an in depth look at your progress. Use the IR Interface to upload training zones and timers from your PC, store and analyze critical performance data and maintain a detailed training log. Adapter enables two-way IrDA communication with a PC using the USB port. Includes: IrDa USB 2.0 USB Adapter, cable, CD-ROM, user manual and driver setup. Not compatible with Polar S610, S710, S810 and E600.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars So far, so good
I’m using this product with a MacBook running VMWare (with Microsoft XP Home Edition) and so far it’s worked like a charm. I read several reviews, both good and bad, and decided to go with this one. I loaded the software for the IrDA from Polar’s website and it has worked well.

5 Stars Worked without a hitch
I have an older Polar S610i heart rate monitor and watch. The existing IR Interface would not connect to my new HP computer since it did not have a USB connector. Since I was now operating with Vista on the new computer I had to download a free new driver for the Polar software. The new Polar IrDA USB adapter then connected with no difficulty.

1 Star If you have to have this - get something else
This works with Vista - just not very good. IRDA and Vista are just not great companions. The first one of these that I had (that came with the HRM) stopped working within 5 months. Instead of working with Amazon to get it replaced, I just purchased another. This one still works - but the process of transferring files using this is so cumbersome and unreliable that I dreaded sitting down at the computer to try to transfer files. The percentage of first times that this worked for me was well below 20%. I like Polar, but this was a failure (with Vista computers).

4 Stars Now I can continue with my exercise planning
I used to run my Polar Pro-Trainer software and synchronize my bike computer on my laptop, which of course had an IR port.

Then I switched to a desktop Mac (the best decision ever), but the IrDA included with the Mac is input-only (it works for the remote, but will not sync with the Polar bike computer).

The Polar software runs inside a virtual PC running Windows on my Mac, and I could very easily redirect the USB port with my new IrDA device to the virtual PC and the Windows software took control over it in a heartbeat (or should I say, in a CPU cycle).

…not so fast; there was a quirk though, the drivers disk that comes along is a “small” CD, which cannot be inserted on the Mac drive, I had to make a copy to a normal size CD, and then use it on the Mac.

Now I’m completely migrated into the Mac. The only drawback: Not having the Polar Pro-Trainer software native on the Mac ;)

1 Star No Mac Compatability or Support
Just closed Live Chat with Polar. Have older (5 yrs) S210 and S710 HRMS, and was considering new one and data transfer adapter. However, Polar has made no progress in serving Mac users in all that time, and despite having had excellent service (repair/tune ups) from their Svc Center, I will not buy another owing to Mac incompatibility. The computing world has changed, broadened. Polar, regrettably, has not.

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Polar CS Series Cadence Sensor

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Polar CS Series Cadence Sensor




Records your cadence, average cadence and maximum cadence. Compatible with the Polar CS100b, CS100, CS200, CS200cad and CS300.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars CS400 Cadence Sensor
Excellent addition to the provided speed sensor with the CS400. Amazing computer/HRM, the software is a definite winner.

5 Stars Exactly at advertised
I added this to my Polar CS300 and the cadence function works fine. Having the bike computer and the heart rate monitor in one unit is much more efficient. Adding the cadence should improve my riding efficiency when I get back on the bike regularly. Great price and fulfillment from Amazon.

5 Stars Works as expected and advertised
Works great - easy to install, works as advertised, communicates cadence to the installed HRM. A little rain didn’t stop it…

What more can be said?

4 Stars It’s good to go for training with a “Tachometer”
Easy to install and godd instant response. It’s good to add another variable in my training controll, it helps to save some energy for the moments that will be needed.

the only thing I didn’t ,liked it’s that take a little to much time to re start the reading when you stop to pedalling, but for all the rest it’s fine.

4 Stars Works fine
Mounts easily and works well, though it must be mounted on the down tube for the signal to be picked up. I’d prefer to mount it further back on the chain stay so it is less visable, but the signal can’t be picked up.

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Schwinn 13 Function Wireless Bike Computer

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Schwinn 13 Function Wireless Bike Computer




Featuring the Schwinn brand Americans have trusted for over one hundred years this bicycle computer mounts directly onto the frame of the bicycle, providing the rider a clear view of all speed and distance measurements. Featuring a no friction and no contact design, this computer measures the amount of turns by the wheel to provide an accurate calculation without the need to touch or interfere with the performance of the wheel. No messy wires to work with or try and conceal. The sensor, transmitter and receptor unit blend seamlessly on most bicycles. PTI Sports products are designed with safety as the first and foremost concern and are constructed of high quality parts and materials to prevent degradation over time. Thoroughly tested, our products last through years of use before they are recommended for replacement, ensuring safe cycling for years to come.

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