Commuting - What brand/models of bike computers work in cold temps?

It's getting colder and colder just the way I like it but the bike computer I have right now starts to lag around the 5C temp. At around -6 with the windchill that night the computer was wokring but very laggy. I'd like to know are there any brand of computers that work well in cold temps? Are there any warmers or something like that to keep the bike computers working?


Thanks in advance.


Zero_Enigma

It's getting colder and colder just the way I like it but the bike computer I have right now starts to lag around the 5C temp. At around -6 with the windchill that night the computer was wokring but very laggy. I'd like to know are there any brand of computers that work well in cold temps? Are there any warmers or something like that to keep the bike computers working?


Thanks in advance.


Zero_Enigma
My VDO computer has worked without problems in -32c temptures, although it was a bit sluggish. Until about -10c it works flawlessly.

I've got a sigma that works fine down to 0F. Of course it was dark out and I couldn't really see it anyway.

The batteries are probably the problem, not the computer, unless it got hit or too wet.

As batteries get colder they don't work as well. Put the computer under some clothing for a few minutes and try again. 98.6 is nice and warm. If it's really cold you may have to do it every so often. You could try a chemical hand warmer under or next to it.With some insulation around everything excep the viewing screen. Most people just live with the situation.

Try a brand new battery too.

My computers dont DISPLAY very well at low temps, but they still record trip stats accurately. These are cateye mity and a older-than-dirt vetta wireless.

The LIQUID crystal display may be a bit laggy in cold temps, as well as the problem mentioned with the battery. Careful with it getting too cold, LCD's can be fragile when frozen.

The LIQUID crystal display may be a bit laggy in cold temps, as well as the problem mentioned with the battery. Careful with it getting too cold, LCD's can be fragile when frozen.

Can the LCD freeze solid and stay in that frozen state when warmed up? Meaning will there be damage?

I might have to use a GPS then in the colder temps and wear it around the neck under the outer most layer of clothing to keep it warm yet hopefully still keeping the signal. I like to keep a log of my day to day ride progress and wear/tear on my stuff.

I'll try that new battery thing and see if it yields any better results.


Zero_Enigma

Can the LCD freeze solid and stay in that frozen state when warmed up? Meaning will there be damage?

I might have to use a GPS then in the colder temps and wear it around the neck under the outer most layer of clothing to keep it warm yet hopefully still keeping the signal. I like to keep a log of my day to day ride progress and wear/tear on my stuff.

I'll try that new battery thing and see if it yields any better results.


Zero_Enigma

No, the car and watches don't freeze liquid crystals. You just need a warm or new batterry.

Can the LCD freeze solid and stay in that frozen state when warmed up? Meaning will there be damage?

I might have to use a GPS then in the colder temps and wear it around the neck under the outer most layer of clothing to keep it warm yet hopefully still keeping the signal. I like to keep a log of my day to day ride progress and wear/tear on my stuff.

I'll try that new battery thing and see if it yields any better results.


Zero_Enigma


I've never had any get damaged just from the cold, but I did have a digital watch that froze at a time while I was snowmobiling. I bumped my watch and the face spidered. When I got a new face it was fine, kept time while it was frozen, just didn't display in -5F weather.

on a side note, aside from specialized's elite computer are any other computers back-lit, i do most of my riding at night and cant read my current computer

I've never had any get damaged just from the cold, but I did have a digital watch that froze at a time while I was snowmobiling. I bumped my watch and the face spidered. When I got a new face it was fine, kept time while it was frozen, just didn't display in -5F weather.

Good point. Plastic can get brittle at very cold temp. I lost a digital camera once because the plastic bracket that worked fine most of the time broke in 0 degree temps. makes me re-think taking off the computer to put it under your clothes to get it working. You might snap the plastic catch that holds the computer on the bracket.

I don't bother with a computer on my snow bike. It's just one more thing that has problems in the cold. I'm going so slow it's better to not know anyway!

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At temperatures of below approximately minus thirty degrees centigrade (-30o C)
the liquid crystal material will cease to switch and therefore it may be useful to also
incorporate a lower operating temperature limit. However, no permanent damage is
caused and the display will operate once again when heated back to the operating
temperature range once more.

I have found the wireless computers do not work well below about 20 degF. The screen works just no signal from the sensor..

The batteries are probably the problem, not the computer, unless it got hit or too wet.

As batteries get colder they don't work as well. Put the computer under some clothing for a few minutes and try again. 98.6 is nice and warm. If it's really cold you may have to do it every so often. You could try a chemical hand warmer under or next to it.With some insulation around everything excep the viewing screen. Most people just live with the situation.

Try a brand new battery too.
Exactly, computers love the cold
You could probably hack the battery into a cloth pouch or something.
That or just surround the whole thing with cloth and have some clear stuff over the screen.

on a side note, aside from specialized's elite computer are any other computers back-lit, i do most of my riding at night and cant read my current computer

Yeah, Cateye has one at my LBS, wireless and backlight, for $49.99, seen for $39.99 online, but what with shipping and such, it evens out roughly.

Specific name is Cateye Micro Wireless. Don't know about it's low temp ability, but it rarely get's anything below 25' in GA, so it's more than fine with that.

on a side note, aside from specialized's elite computer are any other computers back-lit, i do most of my riding at night and cant read my current computer

The new Sigma I have on one of the folders is backlit. 1606L DTS or something like that. Very nice computer but the speed sensor is for the front wheel, which is no good on a trainer so I'll only use it on the folder (plus most of my night riding is on the folder anyway).

I have found the wireless computers do not work well below about 20 degF. The screen works just no signal from the sensor..

The transmitter needs more juice from the too cold battery. The screen does not need much power.

cold batteries