Thorn Cycles Forum
Technical => Lighting and Electronics => Topic started by: Andybg on October 14, 2012, 03:27:24 PM
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Does anybody on here have any experience of using the Cateye Adventure?
I am needing a new computer and for the money it seems to give a lot of other fun information on top of the basic strada i normaly use.
Looking for reviews on the web it seems to get mixed reports from great to save up and get a garmin.
I am not convinced my riding warrants running a gps command centre from the handlebars so it is looking the favorite but always nice to get some backup opinions before spending pennies.
Cheers
Andy
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Hi Andy. Did you make any progress with the Cateye?
I am thinking of buying one
£67.99
Cyclestore free postage.
Quite tempted but wonder what you went with?
Matt
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Some reviews:
http://www.patricklyford.com/2012/05/cateye-adventure-bicycle-computer.html
http://road.cc/content/review/17592-cateye-adventure-wireless-altimeter-computer
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/gadgets/cycle-computers/product/review-cateye-adventure-computer-10-39400
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/656075-Cateye-Adventure-review
http://www.rei.com/product/799563/cateye-adventure-bike-computer-wireless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzSXGHqkGzI <-- Video portrayal by CatEye; little if any info but some in-use video
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/754176-Cateye-Adventure-(CC-AT200W)-altimeter-problem
Just a general note re: altimeters. Most are of the barometric type, and can be affected by changes in barometric pressure. That means this sort might show an increase or decrease in altitude even while standing still. Hikers using barometric altimeters sometimes view this as an advantage, as it can signal a storm's arrival or better weather ahead. Those wishing for the most accurate altimeter might choose one using GPS to determine altitude and gain/fall.
Introduced in 2010, the Cateye Adventure CC-AT200W seems to be headed toward the door, judging by some of the excellent prices I'm seeing online. Perhaps a new model is due soon to replace it?
Hope this helps.
Best,
Dan.
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Hi Matt
Not progressed with it as of yet but it is still what I plan on getting. I am not sure the accuracy of the altimeter is anything special but I think it will give enough accuracy to make it an interesting additional piece of information plus the shown gradient of the hill will give some "comfort" on those long slow climbs.
I run a cateye strada on my Nomad and have found it very accurate and reliable and to the best of my knowledge the advnture uses the same technology with with the addition of the barometer so should be reliable.
Andy
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The main advantage over gps sysetems being the good battery life (and cost)
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Good battery life? That's a winner for me. ;)
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I have been using the Cateye Adventure for about 18 months. I do value it for a few extra features a regular computer doesn't have. The altitude function is handy, but does become subject to weather changes eg. on more than one occasion I have looked in horror to see that I was below the sea :o. However the gradient calculation is not hindered by this and it is god to see what the slope of the hill you just climbed was. Gradient is not recorded, it is instantaneous, also there is a calculation-lag that is good as you can see the figure after the lung-busting section has been dealt with.
The temperature reading is also useful on hot/cold rides - it does need to be taken in the shade however, as the temperature reading goes sky-high when the (black) unit has been sitting or ridden in direct sunlight.
Otherwise it is a fairly standard computer unit with wireless sensor and multiple distance recording. No cadence or heart-rate recording, but I don't really need that. It doesn't replace a gps for me however - very different purposes. I like the unit for what it does.
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Thanks for that review padrone. I have it on the list for my eXp pnce I decide she is staying but it is nice to have someones first hand experience before going ahead with it.
Andy
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Going cheap on ebay - 2 sold (one to me) and 5 left.
RRP 100ukp so a definite good buy
Andy
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And the link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Boxed-Cat-Eye-Adventure-Digital-Wireless-Cycle-Computer-/151008186207?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Activity_Monitoring_MJ&hash=item2328ca0f5f
Andy
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And the link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Boxed-Cat-Eye-Adventure-Digital-Wireless-Cycle-Computer-/151008186207?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Activity_Monitoring_MJ&hash=item2328ca0f5f
Andy
Jeezo! Are you cyclic? I was watching that and then came across your shout out.
Amazing.
Just bought it.
;D
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OK.
I have fitted it and been out for a ride today.
I ran it alongside my Garim Etrex gps unit.
Distance on Adventure, 31.22 miles
Distance on Garmin, 30.10 miles.
While riding the speed was always slightly out, although is understandable given the varying update rates.
Question folks. Best way to adjust and or gauge the accuracy of the Adventure or any other bike speedo.
Matt
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Measure your tyre roll-out and then set the computer tyre size to to the exact cm rather than just using the published tyre size listing.
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Question folks. Best way to adjust and or gauge the accuracy of the Adventure or any other bike speedo.
HI Matt!
I've found the most accurate way is to load the bike as it will be when ridden, then carefully mark the tire and do repeated rollouts with me on the bike, averaging them to the millimeter. Don't forget to allow for food and water when you measure with a load.
Your manual should detail a rollout procedure. I usually cut a fine wedge of masking tape and place it on the ground, then do the same for the tire sidewall, matching the points on the ground, then rollout from there. Your manual will also have a quick-set chart that will generally get you "close enough" for most use.
This means if you ride the bike unladen with tire pressures to match, the results will be different if you're loaded for touring and adjust the tire pressures accordingly. This is why I gravitate toward cycle-computers that allow the user to switch between two wheel sizes.
While riding the speed was always slightly out, although is understandable given the varying update rates.
Yep. Distance can also vary slightly, and for the same reasons.
Best,
Dan.
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Thanks lads.
I have permission to borrow Mrs. Matt's tape measure and will be rolling out the Old Bird on Sunday.
Or is that, I have permission to borrow the Old Bird's tape measure and will be............
;)
And your opinion....
Which is going to be more accurate on distance? The GPS or the Adventure? I don't want to run the GPS all the time.
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Which is going to be more accurate on distance? The GPS or the Adventure?
As with many things, "It depends", Matt.
If the GPS loses contact (i.e. in a "city canyon" or under heavy foliage, when it relinks to the satellites, it will attempt to draw the distance from the last waypoint as the crow flies (straight line) to make up the gap. In that case, the CatEye would be more accurate.
Also (depending on the profiles available in your GPS), if you have the GPS set to "snap path to road", there will be some minor inaccuracies compared to actual distance traveled as shown on the CatEye. Error aggregation probably won't get you, but it it something I have to acknowledge when traversing featureless deserts.
Also, if the GPS is sometimes turned off during your ride, the CatEye will also be more accurate! ;D
Otherwise, it is roughly a wash, in my experience, with the slightest of margins generally going to the bike computer 'cos it is measuring wheel turns directly, rather than extrapolating from "ping points" on the satellite.
Best,
Dan.
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I have been happy with the Adventure since buying it over a year ago.
In July it stopped working with no warning but x2 new batteries put things back on track.
Yesterday it stopped working with no warning.
In July I had nothing on the screen but this time I have the screen working but not picking up any data from the sensor.
I fitted a new battery to the sensor and made sure the spoke button was set correctly but no joy.
I also pressed the small button on the sensor to link it to the main body but nothing happened
The main body shows up the time and other data fields ready to start receiving but nothing changes.
The time is correct and the temperature changes.
Very strange indeed. Any thoughts folks?
It was a good new recognised make of battery put into the sensor.
The only thing I have been unable to do is fit a new battery to the main body. The screw fitting does turn but the back won't pop off. (Any ideas on removing it?)
Given that data shows up on the screen I would think it unlikely that the main body battery needs replacing.
Any comments on that thought?
Can't link it to a knock or other man made fault.
Cold weather? Not to bad here in Scotland. Wet? Nothing exceptional.
Thanks folks
Matt
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Matt, sometime sensor devices tend to be a bit finicky during battery changes especially when the previous battery has depleted to supply critical levels. Replacing with a new battery sometimes leaves the device in a sort of limbo state, so it's recommended practice to remove batteries and then leave for approx. 10 minutes (I generally leave it overnight) before putting in a new, hopefully good e.g. known brand, battery.
It's worth a try as it's free to do, and the current situation's not working ;D
Robbie
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i think i'de be sending it back to cateye ,i sent my polor cad200 back 2 times first time they fixed it broke again after a week sent it back and with a bit of hassle from them they thought better and sent me a new one. ;D
worth a try.
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Matt
Just a quick thought. It may be worth going back through the pairing setup on the two units. The cateye adventure needs this on initial setup and and it may resolve the issue. The other option is removing the battery from the main unit (I know you are having issues with this - I have found that if you use a coin almost the perfect size (thickness) you can then sue it to twist and then "prise" the back off) and do a full reinitialise.
I had the same issue with mine when I borrowed the battery out of the sensor unit for a run on another bike. A needed to do the above to solve the issue
Andy
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Matt
Just a quick thought. It may be worth going back through the pairing setup on the two units. The cateye adventure needs this on initial setup and and it may resolve the issue. The other option is removing the battery from the main unit (I know you are having issues with this - I have found that if you use a coin almost the perfect size (thickness) you can then sue it to twist and then "prise" the back off) and do a full reinitialise.
I had the same issue with mine when I borrowed the battery out of the sensor unit for a run on another bike. A needed to do the above to solve the issue
Andy
Thanks Andy. Still,having an issue with getting the back off the main unit. The coin does turn the back disc but then nothing pops off. The seal is very tight so I will keep on trying.
Like you say, resetting both units is hopefully the way to go. I have made a note of the total milage, so can key that in when doing the reset.
Nice piece of kit - when it works!
Matt
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I had a similar problem with mine when I was touring Italy. I could not get the d=sensor unit to link with the main unit when pushing the reset button. In the end I was going to wait until I got home and chase it up with my local bike shop, but then the computer got smashed in transit when I left it on the bars in the bike bag.
So now I have a new computer (Elite) which does all the tings the Cateye Adventure does and doesn't reqire this resettting/connecting process. It works very well for me so far
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Thanks Andy. Still,having an issue with getting the back off the main unit. The coin does turn the back disc but then nothing pops off. The seal is very tight so I will keep on trying.
Like you say, resetting both units is hopefully the way to go. I have made a note of the total milage, so can key that in when doing the reset.
Nice piece of kit - when it works!
Matt
Just managed to get the back off! Flipping think was well stuck on and must confess to chewing up the back slot a bit. Eventually put some thin oil around the edges and a couple of twists flipped it off.
Took out the battery. Left if over night to cool down, or was that me!
Put it back together, reset the settings and linked it up to the wheel sensor.
And bingo! Looks like it works. Out for a wee test run shortly in a damp Aberdeenshire.
Matt.
Thanks for all advice folks
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I have it and I don't like it. Signal get lost, specially if the phone is near, or if it is too cold. It runs out of battery way too often as well.
But I don't like Garmin neither, I would just buy a cheap wire cateye and use my phone as GPS or any other GPS tracker, but I don't like how this cycle computer works.