After using a Sigma 1606L for 2-years, and a separate Polar HRM, I decided to upgrade to the Sigma 1909 in order to a) be able to obtain average HR data after a ride, b) obtain temperature, c) be able to download ride info to the Sigma Data Center for review. It all sounds and looks great, but I've run into issues. I'd like to see how others are making out with this computer, so please post your results or other recommendations.

Not sure if others have seen this, but the older, wired 1606 seems to have a higher fidelity on cadence. That is, the wired versions seem to register changes in cadence quicker, whereas the 1909 seems to give a longer rolling average. What I don't like about this is that when terrain changes I'll bump gears to find one to settle into. I like to have an idea of where I am "when" I make the shift; not 3-minutes later. So this is a bit frustrating.

I've also had some trouble with the cadence sensor working reliably. The magnet comes with an extension base, to get it close to the pickup. However, that extension makes the stack too tall, and would have the magnet hit the sensor. But without the extension, I have to "lean" the sensor over to get it closer to the magnet. Therefore, on "my" bike, I get an intermittent signal from the cadence.

On the HRM itself, I haven't had good success either. The first few times I used the HRM it seemed to be OK. Two days later I rode an ADA Tour de Cure for 63-miles, and no matter what I did, I couldn't get a read from the HRM (or cadence sensor). I moved my cell phone to my trunk bag and turned it off. Still nothing. I later pulled the battery, and still couldn't get the HRM to work.

I wound up returning the HR strap to the LBS and got a replacement. That seems to be working OK, but the update on the HR's are very sluggish. For example, from watching my stand-alone Polar HRM when I charge a hill, I know my HR peaks at about 175 when I feel the need to sit back down. And I also know that my HR drops very quickly when I coast. But my 1909 seems to be holding some longer-range average, or perhaps it's simply dropping out and holding a "last-read" value?

In any event, Sigma Customer Service has been great to work with, and has told me that I might be in the 10% that doesn't get good HR response. That number seems high to me, especially after 2-years of flawless HR monitoring by my stand-alone Polar HRM.

In the end, "my" 1909 has been a great disappointment, which I'm very surprised about.

What are others comments on going from wired to wireless, the 1909, or comparable computers?

Thanks in advance,

Terry T.

I've had a similar problem with the cadence transmitter. I don't use the extender so therefore have to lean the transmitter out a little bit. Rarely it won't register a reading but usually if I just lean it a little closer and remove and replace the computer it works again.

I've never had a problem with the heart monitor. It does seem a little delayed but I don't care that much.
Quite frankly I think I can just about guess my speed, cadence, and HR by now. The computer just verifies that I'm pretty close.

One more thing, the temp seems correct in the garage or on a overcast day but in the sun it reads high.

I like the unit though. In the future however I think I'm going to get a gps map/speed unit

One more thing. I still can't buy the computer interface for the Sigma. Did you find one?

Hello Mike,

I too have had the same issue of not being able to get the cadence sensor as close as optimal, and also have had to lean the sensor a bit. Last night I tried to adjust it again, and found that if I place the magnet almost all the way to the end of the crank arm, that I can wind up with little lean to the sensor. We'll see how that does this morning.

On the docking station, no, they have not been released yet for the 1909 (per Brian Orloff, Managing Director, Sigma-USA). I had ordered one previously through Amazon, but the supplier came back and canceled the order, as they weren't available.

Yes, I like the promise of all the features of the 1909, and don't know what other HRM to go to. When I read other reviews on Amazon and REI, it appears that many of the others have just as many problems. So I don't want to go from bad to worse.

I'm tempted to get a Polar, as their stand alone HRM/watch has worked flawlessly for me over the last 3-years. It's fidelity is outstanding, so I'd like the 1909 to operate similarly. After all, what's the sense of downloading my rides for analysis, or to gage improvement over time, if my (peak) HR readings are bogus?

If you go to something else, what are you looking at?

Thanks,

Terry

By the way, I was also told by Brian, that the docking station for the ROX 8/9 would not work for the 1909/2205 computers. I just checked on-line again now, and nothing appears available (still) for the 1909.

In checking through my emails from Brian at Sigma, I came across this one, related to interference, and just now realized that my 1909 is mounted on the right handlebar, so I'm going to move it to the left side this morning.

Email from Brian Orloff, Sigma USA (5/18/2010):

"A buddy of mine had a similar issue. He could not get speed, cadence, or HR on his ROX 9.0. He would pick up the phone to yell at me, I'd go through trouble shooting tips which he did and it worked. He got back on his bike, nothing. Called again, went through the same steps, it worked. Got on his bike, did not work. Then we realized, he bought a handlebar mount for his iPhone. It was mounted right next to his computer. When he called me, the phone was no longer near the computer so it work.


Unfortunately, it seems to be hit or miss with cell phones. Some have stronger receivers than others, which we believe is the source of the interference. Due to FCC regulations, anything can interfere with "sports electronics", but sports electronics cannot interfere within anything else. Our segment of the electronics industry is deemed "non-essential".


The antennae of the bike computer receiver is along the left side of the computer. Try to keep other electronics towards the right of the head, or out of the path of transmission.


Thanks for going through the trouble shooting steps.


Brian"

It is for all of these interference problems that I prefer wired computers. I am trying to decide on the old 1606L or a new 1609....

I look forward to the computer interface. I wonder if we will have to download after every trip or will it remember some trips? It is pretty piss poor that it is not available yet.

"I look forward to the computer interface. I wonder if we will have to download after every trip or will it remember some trips? It is pretty piss poor that it is not available yet."


I agree with you. I had three bikes set up with the 1606L (older wired units) with cadence, that I liked very much. I pulled them all in order to have a) download capability, b) the ability to monitor/track/map my heart rates, c) have temperature. Of the three, the only one that works is the temperature.

I've been in touch with Brian at Sigman again. He's been very nice. I'm going to send my unit back to be checked out, and see if they find something wrong with it.

If it's determined that "I'm" just not very compatible with the 1909, then I'll change to the Polar line. The standard HRM watch has performed flawlessly for me, for 3-years.

Kind Regards,

Terry

UPDATE: I sent in my 1909 Sigma, that had been giving me issues. I received a 2209 as a replacement. Everything works as it should now. All features that where advertised are functioning properly. HRM monitor has good resolution and tracks up/down as it should. Cadence works fine, as does speed. Also had my cell phone with me, and did not get ANY interference or drop-out of data. Very pleased now. Thanks!!

All these negative reviews are scaring me. I thought I had decided on the Sigma 1909, but now I'm not sure. What's a good alternative?

Good Day,

I've had my triple wireless, Sigma 2209 for almost a year now. It has performed flawlessly. No worries about bringing my cell phone, or having my cell phone tuned on. In all fairness, the issues that I had experienced previously, must have been due to the defective computer/transceiver head.

The docking station is available for the 2209 and the other Sigmas with the larger mounting size. I've updated to the newer Data Center 2.0.2, and after some getting used to, that seems to be working just fine as well.

Be advised that the 2209 triple wireless and the lower models, can only save one trip at a time. Either that, or I haven't figured out how to set up a new trip. In addition, the 2209 and lower models, save only static data to the Data Center. That is, average speed, average heart rate, max/mins. It's odd that the 2209 has a temperature sensor, but does not download the average temperature for a ride. There's a pull-down window in Data Center, under "Notes" where you select the temp and wind conditions, to save.

From my reading up on the ROXI 8.0 and 9.0, those higher models are supposed to download dynamic data, such as performance up hills where you can look at your heart rate. But I'm getting this from their website.

Since I have 5-bikes set up with the Sigma sensors, I am looking into upgrading just the computer head to the ROXI 8.0 or 9.0, for $100 or $125 respectively.

At this point, I really would not consider any other bike computer than the Sigma. I could only think of going to a Garmin for the GPS, but they're out of my price range.

As mentioned above, the service I received from Sigma was top notch.

Kind Regards,

Terry