How fast? How far? (Cateye Vectra Wireless Cycle Computer)

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	Cateye Vectra Wireless Cycle Computer
Date:	10/11/08 (513 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, wireless, simple to use and displays all relevant information

Disadvantages: Not water proof, can be a hassle to set up the computer

****Why use a cycle computer***

The basic information required is to know how far you've gone, how long it took and what your fastest speed was and the only way to do this is with a cycle computer.

There are more advanced and all singing and dancing cycle computers which can measure heart rate, cadence (revolutions per minute), calories burned, ascents, descents etc but the Vectra is a basic computer ideal for a second or winter bike.

A cycle computer is a tool that shows that you are actually improving.

****Types of computer****

Cycle computers can be wired or wireless. As its name suggests wired computers work using a series of wires, whereas wireless works using sensors.

Off road it is important to ensure that the amount of things that can get tangled up in hedges and branches is kept to an absolute minimum and the only option, therefore, is a wireless computer.

When road riding it is less important and a wire computer will suffice, however, wires do look messy (road riders tend to ensure their ride always looks good), easy to catch with body parts and have to be securely strapped to the bike. It is for these reasons that many people go wireless.

****The Cateye Vectra****

I stumbled across the Cat eye vectra whilst looking through the Evans Cycles site. The selection is vast and the functions, and prices, vary greatly. Since this was for a second bike, and one which is predominantly used off road and down the green trails, I only required the basic functions.

The Vectra is the most basic wireless computer that Evans sells, however, it has all the functions that I required so I bought one.

****In the box***

In the box you get the display unit, the sensor, the magnet, cable ties and backing plates and fitting/operation instructions.

***Installing the Vectra****

The instructions booklet was exceptionally thick and I naturally thoguht that it was going to be a bit of a mission. However, closer inspection highlighted that the instructions were in English, Spanish, German, Chinese, Turkish, Hindu (you name it and the instructions were in that language).

Fitting the computer was an easy task. The sensor was cable tied to the forks, the display unit was cable tied to the stem and the magnet was screwed on to one of the spokes - ensuring that it passed the sensor on the forks. It took 5 minutes.

Setting the computer up to work was a different story altogether. It was extremely fiddly. The magnet has to pass the sensor through a 'sensor zone'. This involves finding the closest spoke to the forks and putting the magnet on this. The magnet height then has to be set to ensure that this zone in passed.

The instructions state that the magnet must be no more than 5mm away from the sensor when it passes it. This is incorrect. The magnet has to virtually touch the side of the sensor as it passes it.

Getting the magnet to pass the sensor in the right place took a while. Firstly it was to far away. Then with a bit of adjustment I got the computer working. However, the magnet was rubbing against the side of the sensor. This resulted in a horrible 'tap - tap - tap' noise as I was cycling along. It was a bit like those plastic balls that I used to put on the spokes of my bike when I was a child - I think they came out of cornflakes.

Anyway, I moved the magnet again so it wasn't touching the sensor and the computer would not work. I moved the magnet and it rubbed along side the sensor. This working but rubbing and then not working went on for many minutes. It got to the point when I was ready to give up, and then.......... success. It worked and did not touch.

***Using the Vectra****

Once set up the Vectra is a good piece of kit. The functions include current speed, a clock, a trip and an odometer. It can be set up to read in kilometres or, if you are a bit of an imperialist like me, miles. The odometer cannot be re-set so it is possible to keep a cumulative of how far you have travelled on the bike.

Changing from function to function involves the push of a button located at the bottom of the unit. The button is big enough to be used whilst riding (no fiddling about and sticking nails in here) but not so obtrusive that it gets in the way. The design is very well though out.

The display unit is detachable from the backing plate (which is secured to the stem or handle bars) so it can be removed for safe storage or to stop sticky fingers taking it if you stop and leave your bike anywhere.

With the amount of adjustment required to get the computer working I had concerns that the cable ties would not be man enough to hold the sensor in place or that the magnet would 'swing' round on the spoke. These concerns have never come in to fruition. I can ride through potholes, down green lanes, down fire routes, through forests and still the computer works. Nothing seems to move the sensor. The rubber backing plate does the job - and also stops the sensor scratching the paintwork of the bike.

****Problems****

It should be noted that the Vectra is splash proof not waterproof and there is a big difference as I found out. After being caught in a heavy rainstorm the button (the one and only button) decided to stick. Whilst the Vectra still worked it was not possible to change function or reset the trip for a few weeks.

I finally managed to dry the Vectra out on the radiator and it now works fine again. It was a lesson well learnt and now if it rains I put the Vectra in a condom to keep it dry and allow me to see the screen. I'm not being a cheap skate here it's just that there is no case available for the Vectra.

Another issue is in setting up the Vectra. It is important to put the correct tyre size in otherwise the readings will be way off the mark. This is not really a problem since it just requires a bit of care.

****Conclusion****

If you are looking for a basic computer with (what I consider to be) the most relevant functions then the Vectra should be considered. Admittedly I did have a bit of fun and games in setting it all up, but I assume that this would have been the case with any wireless computer since they all work on the same principles. Now that it is set up it has been solid, reliable (unless absolutely soaking wet) and is fool proof to use. It is a lot of computer for the money and well worth a purchase.

Summary: Fantastic value for money, but remember to keep it dry.