Computer with "Temp Gauge"
#26
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,700
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Liked 4,537 Times
in
2,522 Posts
You set an altitude on them during setup of the computer. The altitude is pretty easy to find now. The device then assumes that the barometric pressure is relatively stable. It isn't, of course, but I wouldn't go looking for 0.01 meter accuracy either. If it's anything like my barometric watch, the altitude is good for ±10 meters.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,206
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
You set an altitude on them during setup of the computer. The altitude is pretty easy to find now. The device then assumes that the barometric pressure is relatively stable. It isn't, of course, but I wouldn't go looking for 0.01 meter accuracy either. If it's anything like my barometric watch, the altitude is good for ±10 meters.
#28
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: S/W U.S.
Posts: 806
Bikes: 2016 Novara - Safari
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Its sister model does have an altimeter, but this one has an ETA function that I thought may end up being even more useful. Too bad they don't have a version of this unit that has both.
Last edited by AdvXtrm; 02-08-17 at 06:53 PM.
#29
Senior Member
BTW, stand alone thermometers also give crazy high readings if left sitting in the sun, so I have not really found mine to be any worse than a stand alone one.
#30
Senior Member
I consider a thermometer of some sort both convenient and important on tour. It’s convenient to know what to expect when I get out of my warm sleeping bag and to have some idea how to dress when I get on the bike in the morning. Personally I have a hard time estimating the temperature above 35c (95f). I’m down to my shorts and jersey at that point so there is no more de-layering. Given enough water and proper electrolyte replacement I do just find at 35c but push the heat up to 45+c (113f) and heat stroke starts becoming a very real concern. Conversely when the temp start dropping towards freezing and black ice or snow seem to be a possibility I start thinking about getting off the roads or even riding on to get to a lower/warmer elevation before nightfall.
So yes I always tour with a means to tell the temperature. I currently have a Planet Bike Protégé 9 wireless computer. It is accurate enough. When I check it against bank reader board temperatures it is pretty close. But no it is not backlit.
So yes I always tour with a means to tell the temperature. I currently have a Planet Bike Protégé 9 wireless computer. It is accurate enough. When I check it against bank reader board temperatures it is pretty close. But no it is not backlit.
__________________
On a trip you've got worry as a companion, for you're always concerned about what happens next and sticking to an itinerary. . . . on a journey you never have to worry. Something always happens next.
- Gordon Hempton: One Square inch of Silence
On a trip you've got worry as a companion, for you're always concerned about what happens next and sticking to an itinerary. . . . on a journey you never have to worry. Something always happens next.
- Gordon Hempton: One Square inch of Silence
#31
The Sigma's temperature reading is handy for me because of the threshold for putting on knee/leg warmers, which is around 15 deg C.
As a by-the-by, I am not a particular fan of wireless. There is a need for a second battery, and the sensor ones usually are not the same as the computer's. They also have a habit, in my experience, of giving up the ghost at the most inconvenient time.
Power transmission lines also can, in my experience, interfere with the signal from the sensor to the computer. And they need careful set-up with the sensor on the fork to ensure it isn't too far away from the computer.
As a by-the-by, I am not a particular fan of wireless. There is a need for a second battery, and the sensor ones usually are not the same as the computer's. They also have a habit, in my experience, of giving up the ghost at the most inconvenient time.
Power transmission lines also can, in my experience, interfere with the signal from the sensor to the computer. And they need careful set-up with the sensor on the fork to ensure it isn't too far away from the computer.
#32
Senior Member
As a by-the-by, I am not a particular fan of wireless. There is a need for a second battery, and the sensor ones usually are not the same as the computer's. They also have a habit, in my experience, of giving up the ghost at the most inconvenient time.
Power transmission lines also can, in my experience, interfere with the signal from the sensor to the computer. And they need careful set-up with the sensor on the fork to ensure it isn't too far away from the computer.
Power transmission lines also can, in my experience, interfere with the signal from the sensor to the computer. And they need careful set-up with the sensor on the fork to ensure it isn't too far away from the computer.
I have found that around home I don't mind or even like wireless ones, but on tour have had more trouble with them than they are worth. I found that they tended to give bogus readings too often. For me the most common problem was mileage read due to interference when the bike is parked near a neon sign outside a store or diner.
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: S/W U.S.
Posts: 806
Bikes: 2016 Novara - Safari
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I consider a thermometer of some sort both convenient and important on tour. It’s convenient to know what to expect when I get out of my warm sleeping bag and to have some idea how to dress when I get on the bike in the morning. Personally I have a hard time estimating the temperature above 35c (95f). I’m down to my shorts and jersey at that point so there is no more de-layering. Given enough water and proper electrolyte replacement I do just find at 35c but push the heat up to 45+c (113f) and heat stroke starts becoming a very real concern. Conversely when the temp start dropping towards freezing and black ice or snow seem to be a possibility I start thinking about getting off the roads or even riding on to get to a lower/warmer elevation before nightfall.
So yes I always tour with a means to tell the temperature. I currently have a Planet Bike Protégé 9 wireless computer. It is accurate enough. When I check it against bank reader board temperatures it is pretty close. But no it is not backlit.
So yes I always tour with a means to tell the temperature. I currently have a Planet Bike Protégé 9 wireless computer. It is accurate enough. When I check it against bank reader board temperatures it is pretty close. But no it is not backlit.
The Sigma's temperature reading is handy for me because of the threshold for putting on knee/leg warmers, which is around 15 deg C.
As a by-the-by, I am not a particular fan of wireless. There is a need for a second battery, and the sensor ones usually are not the same as the computer's. They also have a habit, in my experience, of giving up the ghost at the most inconvenient time.
Power transmission lines also can, in my experience, interfere with the signal from the sensor to the computer. And they need careful set-up with the sensor on the fork to ensure it isn't too far away from the computer.
As a by-the-by, I am not a particular fan of wireless. There is a need for a second battery, and the sensor ones usually are not the same as the computer's. They also have a habit, in my experience, of giving up the ghost at the most inconvenient time.
Power transmission lines also can, in my experience, interfere with the signal from the sensor to the computer. And they need careful set-up with the sensor on the fork to ensure it isn't too far away from the computer.
+1
I have found that around home I don't mind or even like wireless ones, but on tour have had more trouble with them than they are worth. I found that they tended to give bogus readings too often. For me the most common problem was mileage read due to interference when the bike is parked near a neon sign outside a store or diner.
I have found that around home I don't mind or even like wireless ones, but on tour have had more trouble with them than they are worth. I found that they tended to give bogus readings too often. For me the most common problem was mileage read due to interference when the bike is parked near a neon sign outside a store or diner.
"Digitally encoded three-channel wireless transmission
The tried-and-tested SIGMA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM (STS) is the digitally encoded transmission system for all transmitter data from the speed transmitter, the cadence transmitter, and even the heart rate transmitters for the high-quality basic devices and top models. The transmitters collate the data they have received and send this to the receiver integrated into the computer as a data package. The transmitters also regularly send stored test data for data comparison purposes.
The digital encoding of the SIGMA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM prevents transmitter data from being corrupted by external interferences such as power sources or other transmitters. The interference of Sigma products, e.g. LED lights, can also be prevented."
Also, the batteries for both the computer and the transmitter are the same very common CR2032. They should both last many months without issue even under heavy use. Also, these checks and status warnings should cut down on any surprise dead battery situations,
"All devices from BC 14.16 upward come with a battery status indicator. The power status of the battery in the computer head unit or STS transmitter is checked at regular intervals. If the battery is low, an early warning is displayed on the computer head unit."
#34
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,700
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Liked 4,537 Times
in
2,522 Posts
One of the nice things about the wired Sigmas is that they work on the same mount and the mounts are relatively cheap (~$15) if you have multiple bikes. The wireless mounts are more expensive, however. Depending on the mount, they are $30 to $60 per mount.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#36
Senior Member
Pretty much of the small units will be getting altitude readings via barometric pressure, so can require calibration to keep getting accurate readings. Better ones are compensated for temperature changes, or can have smarter algorithms for accumulating total elevation changes.
GPS units don't have these kind of issues, but eat a lot more battery.
GPS units don't have these kind of issues, but eat a lot more battery.
#38
Senior Member
3 years ago I broke an expensive speedometer. I bought a speedometer from walmart. the $15(?) speedometer had temperature capability. I checked it against a wall thermometer and it was the same. go figure.
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,150
Bikes: 2013 Surly Disc Trucker, 2004 Novara Randonee , old fixie , etc
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
43 Posts
Tried a VDO (German brand) computer w/altimeter, AFAIK similar to other German brand Sigma. VDO wireless didn't work at all, should have listened to reviews. Oh well, other ways to estimate climbing & for temperature I can usually guess within 2° F.
#40
Senior Member
Yeah, different strokes. I found cadence and heart rate to both be things that I used for a while and then found that after that I had a good enough feel for both to never need those functions again.
For me, features go like this:
Need
For me, features go like this:
Need
Trip Mileage
Very nice to haveSpeed
Temperature
Odometer
Current Time
Nice to haveTemperature
Odometer
Current Time
Altimeter
Elapsed Time
Don't really care aboutElapsed Time
Cadence
Heart Rate
Maximum Speed
Average Speed
Heart Rate
Maximum Speed
Average Speed
#41
Yeah,different strokes. I found cadence and heart rate to both be things that I used for a while and then found that after that I had a good enough feel for both to never need those functions again
For me, features go like this:
Need
Trip Mileage
Very nice to have
Speed
Temperature
Odometer
Current Time
Nice to have
Altimeter
Elapsed Time
Don't really care about
Cadence
Heart Rate
Maximum Speed
Average Speed
For me, features go like this:
Need
Trip Mileage
Very nice to have
Speed
Temperature
Odometer
Current Time
Nice to have
Altimeter
Elapsed Time
Don't really care about
Cadence
Heart Rate
Maximum Speed
Average Speed
Need:
Trip Mileage
Average Speed (as a training tool since I ride pretty constant routes of various lengths)
Cadence (as a training tool)
Elapsed time (for intervals)
Very nice to have:
Speed
Temperature (though weather.com is suitable to tell me what to wear)
Odometer (but I track mileage on Excel, not including short hops less than 10 miles)
Current Time
Nice to have:
Altimeter (never used one; I have a personal grading system for hills of 1 to 6; hills are only up to about 3 around Boston)
Heart Rate (I only monitor my resting heart rate as an indicator of cardiac fitness, though maybe I should start checking riding HR)
Don't really care about:
Maximum Speed
On some past threads in various other Forums, I have posted “Those who disdain cycle computers, remind me of those who state, ‘I’m not religious but I am spiritual’. “
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 02-10-17 at 08:03 PM.
#42
Senior Member
As a by-the-by, I am not a particular fan of wireless. There is a need for a second battery, and the sensor ones usually are not the same as the computer's. They also have a habit, in my experience, of giving up the ghost at the most inconvenient time.
Power transmission lines also can, in my experience, interfere with the signal from the sensor to the computer. And they need careful set-up with the sensor on the fork to ensure it isn't too far away from the computer.
__________________
On a trip you've got worry as a companion, for you're always concerned about what happens next and sticking to an itinerary. . . . on a journey you never have to worry. Something always happens next.
- Gordon Hempton: One Square inch of Silence
On a trip you've got worry as a companion, for you're always concerned about what happens next and sticking to an itinerary. . . . on a journey you never have to worry. Something always happens next.
- Gordon Hempton: One Square inch of Silence
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FLJeepGuy
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
14
07-12-14 09:59 AM
Hasty
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
4
09-02-10 08:35 PM