Polar CS200cad

Price Paid:  $25000.00 at Tokyo

Favorite Ride:
Hills

Bike Setup:
Van nicholas titanium, full ultegra.

Summary:
This isn't a bad computer. I got it principally for the combination of cadence, hrm and speed. At the time, most other computers didn't have these various functions.

In basic terms it performs well and has clear visibility displaying cadence, speed, and hr during the ride. It's also easy to flip through the various other measures whilst riding (for instance, time, etc.).

The major weakness is the data transfer mechanism which is absolutely useless. I ended up just entering my data into excel by hand. Communications with Polar on this point weren't very good either.

This point aside, I am more than happy with the performance of the computer itself during rides.

Strengths:
Range of data, easily visable display of data during ride,

Weaknesses:
Cost, data transfer system really sucks

Similar Products Used:
cateye

Price Paid:  $150.00 at on-line auction

Favorite Ride:
Whenever the temp is over 32F

Bike Setup:
Orbea Lobular, Ultrega. Solid mid level quality stuff.

Summary:
I ride 2000 to 3000 miles a year so my computers get used. There are lots of features, many I don't need. Heart rate has gone crazy a few times giving measurement well over 200 bpm which I know is wrong. Then it settles down. Attachment to bike is easy. Its easy to switch between modes while riding. Love the auto on and off feature. Trip mileage can be zeroed easily, but the unit total mileage can only be cleared by downloading a program to your PC which then "talks" to the CS-200 through its speakers and resets the mileage. What a hassell! It stopped working temporarily on two occasions after riding in the rain. Then last Fall after a battery change it would not stay powered on no matter what I did. This Spring I made a new o-ring with yellow teflon plumbing tape and now it works fine. When it works I like it a lot. Otherwise I don't know.

Strengths:
Lots of functions. No problems with interference

Weaknesses:
Will loose power and blink out for unknown reasons. You are supposed to send it to a service center for a battery change! If you change it yourself and the battery compartment o-ring breaks you have to send it to a service center for a $.05 o-ring.You pay postage both ways AND you don't have it on your bike for several weeks. Speed and cadance sensors are sealed so when those batteries wear out its about $30-40 each to replace them.

Similar Products Used:
Cat Eye and Vetta wired computers. Worked well but wires wires wires.