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Cateye Wireless not for commuting

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Old 03-12-09, 08:30 AM
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Cateye Wireless not for commuting

Guess my Cateye wireless isn't up to the commuting. Fails everytime it's below about 20F. New batteries don't help. I emailed Cateye but no response. Starts working as soon as it warms up a bit.

My guess is that the reed switch in the sender probably can't take the cold.

Frustrating.
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Old 03-12-09, 09:17 AM
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I doubt it's a mechanical switch in the sender. I suspect that the cold causes the battery voltage to drop below the threshold needed to operate.
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Old 03-12-09, 09:53 AM
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Under 20 degrees ... that's pretty cold for a little-bitty battery.
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Old 03-12-09, 09:59 AM
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I really doubt it's the reed switch, since wired computers use the same switch and have no problems. I'd guess it's a battery problem, probably in the transmitter. I've used 3 different wired computers, including a $8 one from Kmart and never had a problem, except the $8 one wasn't very waterproof.

Both my Sigma and my Planet Bike Protege have worked fine down to < -20*F. Admittedly, the display was basically useless, but it did work and keep track of miles; when it warmed up at the end it was reading the proper number of miles for the trip.

I've never used a wireless one, because I can't imagine why I'd want one. I don't want to pay extra money for the privilege of interference, extra battery consumption, less accuracy and less weather tolerance.
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Old 03-12-09, 10:06 AM
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The extra battery consumption I can agree with. But the rest, not really. I got a new wireless bike computer because the last one broke because the wire snapped when my handlebars twisted around (it was wrapped around the bar going down to the fork like it said in the instructions). And I like wireless also because it makes my bike have a cleaner look without having to pay the huge price for a GPS system.

It's totally waterproof, no interference, and as far as I can tell, more accurate than my old wired one.
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Old 03-12-09, 10:06 AM
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Battery may be the issue, I'd expect this to be a common complaint if it were though. Especially in this forum. That's kinda why I posted it here.

Every one of these sending units I've disasembled had a little reed switch as the sensor. I can't really think of how else it could work, especially since there is no on/off switch.
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