Training & Nutrition - HRM & Cyclocomputer

Okay, a friend of mine just got a new Trek 5200 and wants a HRM and Cyclocomputer with an altimeter. Ideally all three in one. I did some research and found Ciclosport HAC4 Heart Monitor/Altimeter/Computer but I have never heard of the company.

The questions I have are:

a) Has anyone heard of this company and have a positive endorsement.

b) Other recommendations? Computer compatability is not necessary. Even just a HRM and CC without altimeter would work too.

Thank you very much. I am hoping to get it for him for Hanukkah.

Originally posted by presfoxm
Okay, a friend of mine just got a new Trek 5200 and wants a HRM and Cyclocomputer with an altimeter. Ideally all three in one. I did some research and found Ciclosport HAC4 Heart Monitor/Altimeter/Computer but I have never heard of the company.
http://www.ciclosport.de/eng/html/index.htm

Good company. Quality products.

I look at the HAC4 when I wanted a HRM/computer, but after a lot of looking and asking, I went with the Polar S710. To me, the Ciclosport was not easy to use. Neither is the S710, but it's more intuitive and becomes 2nd nature very quickly. When I had questions, the Polar tech support was great. I love the ability of the Polar to download the ride charts to my computer, I can see my progress (or lack thereof). Most of the people I know that have high-end HRM/computers use one of the Polars.

I have the Ciclosport 414 Alti, which is near the top of their line of bike computers. It has most of the bike-related features of the HAC4, just no HRM. It does all the usual stuff, plus has an altimeter (and related info), temperature, and cadance ability. The company is German, located near Munich, and they make a range of altimeters, heart rate monitors, and bike computers.

I only have a few thousand km on it so far, but I have been pleased. It is rugged and reliable in all areas that count. I got it in part because I wanted the cadence and altitude features.

The cadence monitor requires that you use wires instead of the wireless feature. And you have to buy the cadence set extra. (Both statements true for the HAC 4, I believe.) But, if your friend doesn't need cadence, then the wireless is a nice feature.

The altimeter is cool, too, since it provides an incline meter and a total of the meters climbed during a ride. The altimeter and temperature are accurate

My only complaint about the unit is that it sometimes gives bogus maximum descent incline readings--I know my routes don't reach the over 20% decline it sometimes reports. But, all other readings are accurate. (The problem likely comes from some curious mix of changes in atmospheric pressure and stopping the bike fast, or something like that.)

The one thing that the 414 lacks in comparison to the HAC4 is the memory feature and the computer interface, so I can't comment on those.

I would definitely recommend their units. I would have gotten a HAC4 when I got my 414, but I didn't know it existed at the time.

Cheers,
Jamie

P.S. In reference to the previous post, I do not find the 414 hard or complicated to use at all--but, I don't know if the HAC4 is different in this respect. The fact is, it has a lot of features, which requires a pretty detailed interface.

One advantage of the Ciclosport is that you can change the batteries yourself. I believe with Polar HRMs, you have to send them in and it is pricey.

I settled on one of each...simple Polar and Shimano FlightDeck wireless. Both fit nicely on the bars and out of the way. Don't have to sort out mucho info from one small display. Used this combo all last season and see no reason to change a thing.

Yeah,

I have a Cateye AT100 ($100) and a Polar A5 ($100). The combo works fine, If I'd had enough money at the time, I would've looked into a combo unit... But to get the same features, I believe you'd be into the $300 price range! Do the Polar bike computers have Altimeter functions? The only draw back to a dual computer setup is the required information wipe and start and stop time synchrinization.

Hi,
years ago, I got an altimeter watch when I was hiking. As reported above, they often give impossible readings due to weather related changes in air pressure. Bit of a gimmick. Your friend might benefit from this....

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1884737935/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/104-4150183-5371926?v=glance&s=books

Thank you for all the feedback. I think the Ciclosport is the way to go.