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Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Oak Park, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | POTOWATAMI !!! ROCKS | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$36.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | NOTE This is for a VDO C3DS Wireless not Aero8.0. This is THE BEST computer I have ever used. All others are toast. 1) It is not fussy whatsoever about the gap between the magnet and the sensor. Mine is like at 5-6 mm.. all other brands are VERY fussy 2) The menu structure is SUPER EASY to learn and use... about 2 minutes, and virtually impossible to forget it is so intuitive. 3) The transmitter has a little green LED on it that blinks when it is transmitting so you know it works 4) It uses a digitally encoded transmission which virtuallly eliminates interferance from other computers or other EMI sources. 5) The readout is relatively large and easy to read. 6) It's a nice XT silver color which matches my bike perfectly. 7) It's not fussy about the distance or line of sight from the transmitter to the head unit... most other brands can be very fussy. I haven't tried it yet but VDO claims a range of over 1 meter so it should be possible to mount the speed transmitter on the rear so that it will work when the bike is on a trainer. I am planning on getting a 2nd transmitter and mount kit and trying this unit on my road bike. 8) The magnet has a really slick little mounting system that doesn't mar or nick the spokes. 9) It has lots of really great features and provides all kindof cool ride data. My last pricey Vetta wireless is now on its way to it's final resting place... the local landfill.. where it belongs.. Value is based on does it work, does it last, did it cost less than a 747. Cheap is cheap... You can buy other wireless units for less but no a single one stacks up to the VDO C3DS. MountainBike Europe's #1 best pick computer.. | | Weaknesses: | NONE NONE NONE (except maybe a bit $$$$, if I had to buy it at normal street price ~$65).. Don't know about durability yet. But you get what you pay for.. | | Similar Products Used: | Vetta C-5, 15, 20, 100 Wireless, Ascent wireles, Cateye wored and wireless Miti, Gary Fisher wireless | | Bike Setup: | Pre Trek Klein Pulse II, All mega 9 XT with Marzocchi Z2 Atom 80, Profile carbon bars, DT Hugi/Mavic 517 wheels, Raceface rings, profile stem, syncros sea post, WTB SST Ti saddle, XT cassette, XTR chain, AVID Mag brakes, Rockinest bad AXX black single track hardtail on the planet bar none.. | | Bottom Line: | Install was a piece of cake. Setup and use is a slice of pie. This unit just plain works. This computer, or the 1DS, 2DS or 4DS are the ones to buy (depending on what features you want and how much $$$ you wanna spend). Check out the VDO web page for more details
Do yourself a favor and buy one of the VDO DS series computers... You will not regret it.... I will write another review after some more experience with the unit.
PS: MTB Review.... Please start a category for VDO DS computers... movee this review there. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erki
a Weekend Warrior
from Tallinn, Estonia
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | No wires, easy to set up and use, good big display. | | Weaknesses: | No backlight (if it is, please email me (click on my name)). | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 820. | | Bottom Line: | Pretty good product. I don't have the problem about its weakness, it has fallen several times with and without a bike, but it's still working well. Setting it up is a snap, I took it from my old bike and put it to new, no problems. Lacking of wire is also very good, this eliminates the problem of breaking the wire, also a criminal can't cut the wire. I replace the computer's battery roughly once a year, in my opinion, this isn't much, as the cost of battery doesn't kill me and of course, wireless computers eats more than the usual wired ones.
But mine doesn't have a backlight. It doesn't have a blue button too. It looks like this: http://www.wrower.pl/sprzet/akcesoria/liczniki/images/vdo_aero80.gif . If anybody knows, how to activate backlight, PLEASE EMAIL ME (click on my name). Thank you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anders
a Cross Country Rider
from Italy
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The alps | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | This is the only computer that I ever had for my MTB, and it has worked just perfect for 3 years. | | Weaknesses: | If you want to change the wheel size......... It's impossible. I have absolutely no idea. I have tried and tried and tried with no luck. If anybody knows how to, please mail me | | Bike Setup: | Quite normal freerider OLMO MTB. | | Bottom Line: | When you're on the first battery and initial configuration everything works fine. If you would like to change anything..... you're stuck. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
-k
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria/taipei
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | closing out store last day | | Strengths: | PLEASE NOTE: this review is for VDO sprintlux. Don't know number.
functions, reliability, low battery consumpt | | Weaknesses: | slips out easily | | Bike Setup: | older RM hardtail updated. X-vert Super, fat tires etc. pretty basic
VDO Sprintlux, don't know number | | Bottom Line: | I've been using this thing for almost 4 years now. Still on 2nd battery. I have around 7000 KM on it. A rough guess. Don't watch the odo much.
It works nicely. easy to set up. wire snapped unexpectedly, was able to separate conductors and reconnect.
I don't do higher drops, but it has fallen out on smaller stuff and the occasional fall. I'm used to it and check for it before I ride away. If i get into regular riding that makes it fall out often, I can easily throw an elastic band or a zap strap to keep it on. Haven't had any problems with breakage like the others. There is a reset button if there is.
I have managed to get the backlight stay on for an extended period of time (pushed blue button again to turn off)on a couple of later night rides. I have absolutely no idea how. I would really like to know how to do this reliably. Please email me if you know the secret. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ekim
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Shorthills | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | I don't have the VDO computer that is listed here. I own the VDO \ C10+ wireless computer which is easy to set up and use, has two wheel sizes for road and mtb. easy on \ off click system for switching to other bikes. | | Weaknesses: | Drop it once maybe it'll work for you, drop it twice and it's toast. | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye | | Bike Setup: | Trek (road) Norco (mtb) | | Bottom Line: | Great computer if it was a little more durable. Buy it but don't drop the darn thing. Overall rating is affected because of how fragile the computer is. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fulco
a Cross Country Rider
from Neuchâtel
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Bike Setup: | Very easy! | | Bottom Line: | I riding with this speedometer since more than 6 years now, and made more than 20'000km with it. It never broke down-only this year I changed the battery- and it's always working reliably.
Some other "computer" will have a lot more options than this one, but for me it has the most important features: speed, riding time, time from starting point (including breaks), cumulative KMs and finally the clock.
It even sustained heavy rain one day, which I was sure to lose it, but it hold on and is still working :)
Great stuff!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zac Nesper
a Racer
from Palo Alto, CA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Up Kings Mtn, down Canada Rd. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | This product was fantastic when I first got it. It read accurately and flawlessly for about 3 months. | | Weaknesses: | Once you sweat on this thing it's all over. Typically at about 18 miles on a warm day, this thing shuts down because of sweat. It's almost uncanny how predictable this problem is. The unit goes haywire...often reads that I'm going 42mph up hill-That would be nice, and maybe possible if I was churning at a cadence of 214 like the readout suggests. | | Similar Products Used: | Avocet | | Bike Setup: | Guerciotti with Dura Ace | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy it!(unless you don't sweat). VDO is on the verge of having a fantastic product—they need to work around the sweat/water issue. Until they do, stay away! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rod
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedro's Festival | | Strengths: | Looks good | | Weaknesses: | Never worked from day one! Try getting it replaced or repaired. The #!@%* company is in Germany! For the cost of the long distance phone call, you could probably replace the damn thing with a specialized. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek | | Bike Setup: | Everything else is great. Giant NRS 1.
Kenda Crystal tires. | | Bottom Line: | Buy a name brand from your local shop. If it doesn't work out of the box, you have recourse. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Saratoga Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | www.bikeworld.com | | Strengths: | Good display. No wires. | | Weaknesses: | Super-fragile piece of junk. Expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Sigma BC 800 | | Bike Setup: | Yeti AS-3, Marzocchi Z.1 X-Fly, Chris King, Mavic D521, XT. | | Bottom Line: | This computer was great until I accidently dropped it. It only fell like 3ft. from the ground. The display now only shows just a bunch of jibberish. I figured there's no point trying to get this weak piece-of-crap computer fixed, it just isn't worth it. I don't recommend this computer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Homer
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati,Ohio
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | roads of blue ash | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike world | | Strengths: | Easy to install, easy to use | | Weaknesses: | I bought this computer after reading the rave reviews.
The wireless setup was a snap.
After using it for two months, it fell off my bike, hitting the floor, and stopped working. I honestly told Bikeworld the problem may have been my fault. They sent me a new one for a 20% discount. I had that one for two months, and then I knocked it off a bench while changing handlebars.
It stopped working.
A cycle computer should be able to take a two-three foot drop on the floor without failing.
Them computer worked, but was absolutely the most fragile piece of junk or computer I have ever owned.
Back to Specialized | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye 2, yuk
Specialized, great
| | Bike Setup: | Colnago, Campy, Spinergy, 3T
| | Bottom Line: | Maybe you'll have better luck than me. Having had two fail with just a mild impact from a two foot drop, I'd never buy another one. The electronics are just too fragile.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Halverson
a
from Henderson, Nevada, USA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Excel Sports | | Strengths: | Sleek design and solid mounting. | | Weaknesses: | This computer flips out if the wheel is stopped with the magnet on the sensor. At a stop lights I have picked up 5 or 10 miles on my trip distance and my maximum speed can jump to over 100 MPH. This defeats the purpose of even having a cycle computer, I can guess my trip distance and max speed better that this. | | Similar Products Used: | Nashbar cordless | | Bike Setup: | Casati road bike With Campy-Daytona 9-speed. | | Bottom Line: | Get the Nashbar cordless computer. It's mounting is not as clean, but is less that half the price and I have yet to see mine flip out with the wheel stopped. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed Elefante
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, Arizona USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All of 'em!! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.swissambicycles.com/ | | Strengths: | Compact and several easy to use functions, plus it has a nice blue (Indigo type backlight). Has 2 tire memory, in case you switch between 2 different sized tires, like I do, between slicks and off-road tires... | | Weaknesses: | Manual for unit wasn't too detailed but fairly self explanatory.... Price? These were labeled Kienzle Sprintlux VDO's. The model was fairly new back then and I didn't know what a good deal for it was... so I don't know if $45 is a good price for these.... | | Similar Products Used: | heard these were great so I only have used this one. | | Bike Setup: | Trek VRX200 - Stock components: Shimano LX Components, JetDesigns Light System, great bike! | | Bottom Line: | If you haven't tried any computer system or want to upgrade, these are the ones to get... Simple to use, has the backlight for nightriding viewing.... Easy to mount and dismount... what more can you ask for! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasadena
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | this thing is great -- accurate, reliable, durable. Same company made the speedometer on my Audi. | | Weaknesses: | got to measure the front wheel circumferance, but this is pretty easy | | Similar Products Used: | have had some Avocets in the past | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR Works and Enduro Expert | | Bottom Line: | buy it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peeter
a Weekend Warrior
from Estonia
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Durability, looks, stays put to it's correct place | | Weaknesses: | The sensor has to be mounted very precisely | | Similar Products Used: | I've tried similar VDO's which have not been wireless and some VETTA's and some products from Sigma Sport but I have actually owned only VDO's (both aero 8.0). | | Bike Setup: | 2000 KHS Alite 3000 with RockShoxx seat post | | Bottom Line: | Easy to use, good looking, durable, compact state-of-the art bicycle computer from the famous VDO company which produces similar products to cars like Audi and VW. In 1998 when I bought my first mountain bike (UNIVEGA DS 800) I also bought this wonderful piece of equipment and fell in love with it. Since then the bikes have changed but VDO Aero 8.0 is still the best bicycle computer I've ever tried. It's relatively expensive but either way - even if You have tried something else, it remains the best. And which is the best - You can't lose it even with heavy riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ML
a Cross Country Rider
from SF
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Reliable,durable, east to use and good functions | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | EVERYTHING | | Bike Setup: | ROAD AND MOUNTAIN BIKE | | Bottom Line: | I have had at least six different computers in the last two years and this is by far and away the best. I have had wire-less , and every feature you can think of. But this thing just works!! crashes, bad weather, batteries it just keeps going. Never thought I would write a review about a computer but sometimes the simplest things make the biggest difference. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Backbone - corral Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Easy to mount/use. Brand name instrument manufacturer | | Weaknesses: |
None noticed yet | | Similar Products Used: |
Nashbar wireless, specialized wireless | | Bike Setup: |
Psycle werks Wildhare, Manitou XVert shock | | Bottom Line: | Replaced my wireless nashbar computer. Has all of its strengths and none of its weaknesses. It will automatically come on when the wheel begins to move, one can choose auto-time or stopwatch, and unlike the Nashbar it clicks into place and one needs to press a lever to remove it (I lost my Nashbar on a bumpy singletrack because it did not securely lock into place). It is great looking but a little pricey. It is available at BikeWorld for about $62.The manufacturer is VDO, a German company, which makes instrumentation for many cars | | Overall Rating: |
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