Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Cyclocomputer Question

I have been searching, and have come close a few times, but I am starting to think the critter I am looking for just doesn't exist.

Is there something out there that does speed/cadence/altitude change (via barometer) along with any other optional niceties like temperature/odometer and such, in a preferably wired system so it works reliably, but doesn't go ahead and add other significantly battery draining features like HRM and GPS?

There is a model from VDO that comes so close to being perfect (VDO MC1.0 Wired (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=22231&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Show%20All%20Products)), but it lacks cadence. I really would like to get something like this to start collecting information from my rides, but I really don't want to be mucking with batteries every few days and the most popular one these days it seems is Garmin Edge series, which is impressive, but I rarely buy anything knowing I am going to be going through two battery replacements every week.

Does such a beast exist or is something like this just not in demand so nobody makes one?

If you want to use electronic equipment on a bike it will require power from either a battery, a solar panel, or a long extension cord. If you don't want to mess with the battery option try one of the other two choices or just get over it. Batteries are here to stay.

Obviously it has to get power from somewhere, and batteries are a great choice, but how quickly they drain varies quite a lot between different devices. From everything I have read, including here, the fancier Garmin Edge is lucky to get 6 hours of life before needing to be recharged. Other devices can last for much longer. Wired devices typically require less power than wireless ones do (and thus have longer battery life). Powering GPS receivers and receiving telemetry from a heart rate monitor (also wireless) also puts extra strain on battery life.

I am inquiring about the availability of a product with the specific list of less power intensive features in a unit that will not require constant battery maintenance. You knew that, you just opted to be an ass.

FWIW, there are also generators that can supply power. You forgot that option in your completely condescending, and pointless, response.

Well, the Sigma BC2006 has most of those functions. But it is also wireless and has a HRM. But even with those you should still get better than 6 to 8 months of battery life. GPS based systems are really power hungry. Don't confuse what you've read about those with non GPS cyclocomputers. Even the so called extra power consumption of wireless and HRM is really not all that bad.

FWIW, I get more than a year from my cyclocomputer batteries. That includes a wireless unit.

Just to point out, the Edge 305 lists a battery life of 12 hours, but it is rechargeable through a USB cable. The speed and cadence sensors have an expected battery life of 1.4 years at an hour per day.

All you would have to do is plug it in to download your saved training data and leave it plugged in to charge. I don't think this sounds much like "mucking about with batteries"

The speed and cadence sensors have an expected battery life of 1.4 years at an hour per day.Depending on the type of riding and temperature, that may be grossly overestimated. When I had a wireless comp (Sigma, no cadence) in my commuter bike, I had to change sensor batteries several times per year due to cold weather. That was one of the reasons I went back to wired.

--J