Originally Posted by
gsa103
ANT+ and BT are basically immune to interference from lights. What the OP is seeing is basically standard for LED lights and non-digital wireless computers.
Most LED lights have 2 settings, ON or OFF. High = ON continuously. Flash is usually a long burst (~100 ms) at full power. To achieve settings other than OFF or HIGH, the manufacturers rapidly pulse the light at ~kHz frequencies. If the light isn't well-shielded (most-aren't since shielding is expensive and heavy), the light puts out a bunch of RF noise at the pulse frequency.
The battery type used by the light has absolutely no impact on if it generates interference or not. Some lights do, some don't. It all depends on the internal control circuitry. More powerful lights will be more likely simply due to the higher current draw and therefore larger RF spikes.
The stupid wireless computer basically just looks for a short pulse at a given RF frequency (also frequently ~kHz). The noise from the light can totally swamp the receiver on the computer.
As a general rule, I consider non-digital wireless computers not worth the money. Either get a cheap wired or move up to Garmin (or equivalent).
Thanks for the info on the BT / ANT situation. The rest of what you wrote I couldn't of said better myself.
At the OP; One of the two has to go, either the lamp or the computer. If you're dead set on keeping the Cateye wireless computer than it has to be the light. My advise; go to a store with a good return policy...buy another self-contained lamp. I would suggest something like the Cygolite ExpiliON 680. This lamp has been very well rated and has the added feature of being able to replace the battery when needed. Also consider the Cateye Volt; self-contained two emitter set-up. Since it's made by Cateye who also makes wireless computers perhaps it is better shielded against RF interference. REI sells both of these products and has an excellent return policy. Whatever doesn't work just take back.