The AT100 has a temperature compensated altimeter to provide quick and accurate altitude readings that let you know just how high you have climbed. An Eeprom chip saves all your valuable information during battery changes (no more losing your hard-eamed mileage). A new LED back light lets you see all the information at night, and G-Shock technology takes the abuse of off-road riding.
Submitted by
JD Parker
a Cross Country Rider
from CA Date Reviewed: July 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Many
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Altimeter.
Bike on / bike off mode for altimeter.
Value.
Weaknesses:
Lots of keystrokes for some functions.
I find the display difficult to read in some lighting conditions compared to other computers.
Similar Products Used:
Avocet, specialized
Bottom Line:
I bought the CatEye AT100 in order to track total elevation gain per ride. It has worked reliably and accurately for that function in 4+ years of service. When purchased, it was the least expensive computer with altitude capability. Because of the low cost and years of accurate service, I give the unit a high score for value.
Because of weaknesses listed above, I use a different computer (yes, I have two mounted on handlebars) for time and distance functions.
I think a basic understanding of how an altimeter works will alleviate frustration when working with this, or any, altimeter. An altimeter doesn't really know what the altitude is. All it knows is what the air pressure is. It is your responsibility to tell the altimeter if the air pressure at your trailhead is different than it was last time you were at this trailhead.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Julian, CA Date Reviewed: December 29, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$60.00
Strengths:
The Altimeter
Similar Products Used:
Avocet 50, Vetta, GPS's
Bike Setup:
Voodoo Dambala 29er
Bottom Line:
Many of you folks are way too hard on the Altimeter function. Since it is based on barometric pressure it will give different readings throughout the day based on temperature and barometric pressure. I usually find that I am within 100 feet or so of the actual altitude and that is good enough for me. To me the big bonus is the altitude gain feature which is highly accurate and repeatable. Not only do I care about distance traveled but elevation gained during my ride and it does that extremely well.
The unit has proven to be reliable over years of use and the battery life is very good.
Who cares about temperature and back lighing? I don't. That is not why I got the computer.
This computer is better than anything that is available and even at list price I find it a good value.
Too bad they quit making it. Now you guys can whine about that!
I never give 5 stars for anything, but if you look at the reviews this computer is one of the highest rated out there and I will give it 5 stars to keep it up there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: June 19, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
Excellent accuracy of altimeter - consistent to within 2m over the same 550m vertical ride done more than 20 times
Weaknesses:
complicated to reset; light is a joke (too dim, too brief)
Similar Products Used:
none with altimeter
Bike Setup:
trek fuel 80
Bottom Line:
Why would anyone buy a comp for a mtb without an altimeter: height gained (and lost!) says far more about a ride than just distance. The AT100 has performed faultlessly for over 100 rides in rain and mud and fine. It has survived many crashes including being ripped from its mount and, apart from a few scratches, is still going great. Only just changed the battery after 2 years.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Clingman
a Cross Country Rider
from Klamath Falls, OR Date Reviewed: September 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Rye Spur
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Reliable, well made. Good features. Can't beat the price for a unit with an altimeter.
Weaknesses:
Backlight is a little weak.
Similar Products Used:
Avocet, echo.
Bike Setup:
Klein pulse race. Bianchi Veloce
Bottom Line:
Have had no problems with this unit. The mileage is very accurate. The altimeter is reasonbly accurate if you follow the directions and reset the unit before your ride as temperature and atmoshperic conditions will affect the readings you get. I have put around a thousand miles on my bike since purchase and have checked the altimeter against GPS and Topo map computer programs. I'm always within 5 percent on my total elevation gain, pretty good for a unit at this price. I'm very happy with the product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dalibor
a Cross Country Rider
from Koprivnice, Czech Republic Date Reviewed: August 8, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$80.00
Strengths:
Heavy duty design, quite good precision of altimeter, battery change possibility without lost of ODO distance
Weaknesses:
Battery life time about 1 year, decreasing of altimeter precision when battery is weak (altitude ranges +/- 10 m constantly and adds nonsense to total altitude), temperature measuring over 0 degree only, trip distance precision in 0,1 km only. If you have set ALT lock when the speed is zero, the computer has falen to stand-by mode and you move with the bike after a while, it awakes and imediately jumps to a very different altitude and "frize" there. To prevent this, awake the computer with any button first and then move the bike, it will keep previous altitude.
Similar Products Used:
CC-MT100
Bike Setup:
XC, RST381R fork, Alivio
Bottom Line:
In spite of some weaknesses it's a very good computer, one only should learn how to prevent from them. I had beed using it even before I bought my first MTB but just then I enjoyed its features!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Kim
a Cross Country Rider
from Covina, CA USA Date Reviewed: February 19, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Rugged Design that can take the jolts and bumps. Back lighting in cool blue color. Accurate Speedometer. Some usefull functions. Altimeter
Weaknesses:
Very inaccurate Temperature readings. Takes about 10-15 minute before a closer accuracy temp can be taken. Basically the temp does not cycle fast enough. The altimeter can be a bit confusing to understand and set up.
Similar Products Used:
Other Cat Eye Cyclocomputers including wireless models.
Bike Setup:
1998 Giant MCM 980 Carbon Fiber Dual Suspension Bike.
Bottom Line:
Once the speedometer was calibrated correctly, I found the accuracy of it to be very good. In my line of work, I work with a vehicle dynamometer and I calibrated my AT100 to within 0.3MPH accuracy up to 60MPH. The altimeter function is very cool and a interesting tool when biking. It has the ability to function also away from the main pod. Usefull when hiking. The battery life seems quite good lasting over 1 year life. The speedometer pickup might seem a little cheap, but a lot better than other models I have seen from other manufactures. The computer has MAX speed, MAX ALT GAIN, Total Distance, Inaccurate Thermometer mainly used for Altitude compensation, Back lighting and a 12 hour clock with timer. So far it is the best computer I have ever owned from Cateye.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a
from Monterey, CA Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz, CA
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Joselyne's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Alt. and total ascent amount. Mileage and speed are accurate when compared with a riding partners GPS stats.
Weaknesses:
Non programable odometer.
Similar Products Used:
Lower end Cateye and Specialized. None with an alt.
Bike Setup:
Haro Werks XLT full susp.
Bottom Line:
So far I only have a little over 150 miles on the unit but so far it seems to work great. I used on a 15 mile 2300' climb ride where another ride had a GPS unit on his bike. Our speeds were identical throughout the entire ride and the altitude and total acent figures were never more than 20' apart.
I've done one ride on three seperate occassions and the total ascent has been within 30' all three times. My home altitude has always been within 20' after returning from a ride.
There is some error when riding flat terrain, but that is best explained by one of the other reviews.
Bottom line is that so far this has been well worth the $
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
elbow
a Cross Country Rider
from San Anselmo, Ca Date Reviewed: March 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Goosebury Mesa
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Ebay New
Strengths:
Zip!
Weaknesses:
Highly inaccurate if it's actually working! V. erratic, quitting in middle of ride. Changed batteries, cleaned, chanted, beat w/ large hammer, no response.
Similar Products Used:
Avocet Altimeter 50 Model - 10 years old - dead reliable!
Bike Setup:
Full Pimp Scalpel
Bottom Line:
Looked soooo good on paper! Worked imperfectly for 3-4 weeks.
Spoken to others w/ identical problems!
Good looking garbage @ best!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Warner
a Racer
from O'side, Ca. USA Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
road
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
Oerformance
Strengths:
T A D M modes.
Weaknesses:
ODOMETER Bottom Cover (S/S) came loose: had to glue back on w/cement glue. low grade wiring for sensor. Only a 12 hr. clock. Altimeter needs resetting at the beginning of each ride -- for Best results. Cheap Quality Backlight.
Similar Products Used:
1st computer ever used/purchased
Bike Setup:
Masi Gran Corsa Campagnolo 9-speed chorus
Bottom Line:
The ODOMETER LOCKING UP on me: I depend on this to keep track of my total mileage. USELESS Altimeter & Thermometer. Notes were kept in my bike diary. At times, alt. was 10% off accuracy. I got so tired of this inaccuracy, I stopped relying on it. Began using an outdor tool w/alt., therm., etc: carrying it along in my jersey.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Abraham Altamirano
a Weekend Warrior
from Puebla, Pue. Mexico Date Reviewed: May 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Many different
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Puebla, Pue. Mexico
Strengths:
The japanese guys are great with the computer because it´s accurate and has good functions like the termometer, altitude gain and backlight.
Weaknesses:
The light button is very small and bad located, with gloves is difficult to activate.
Similar Products Used:
No similar products tested.
Bike Setup:
2001 Giant Warp DS1.
Bottom Line:
Very good computer, once again check your riding style and mountainbiking locations to do a smart decision. I recommend the japanese have to incorporate cadence and dual wheel size to make a more competitive product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Teiby Toribio
a Cross Country Rider
from Santiago Dominican Republic Date Reviewed: May 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Pedro Garía...
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Bici-Centro
Strengths:
Well, in the two almost three yrs I've had this unit, I loved and wouldn't buy anything else for a MTB... I live basically in a vally, beetween Mountain ranges, and most of the trails I ride, are in the two ranges, with lots of climbing to do, after long rides, I come home, and the alt is pretty close to the original ALT... the margin of error is very small close to none... Remember I live in the tropics... temp and pressure seldom change.... I noticed the extreme accuracy, cuz after climb thru the mountains, and riding about 30kms after the Mountains, you arrive to the beach... and when your on the sand it anywere form -5 to 10 metres... I use this in km/meter... Then after a long ride back home from the beach.. it's back to the normal ALT of my home town.... And the light is great for night riding, though, even though it would drain the batts, it should stay on at night, who care about changing a 2 dollar batt... and the fact you can't zero-out in on shot, to me is a plus I like it better that way, cuz what if you want the total alt gian of the hole month or something...
Weaknesses:
None really, just the little base on the handle bars, needs replacing after about a year,.... I always take my pc of the bike, when I on it, like when at the bike store of something... the metal connecters wear... and well you just need new ones for a tight fit....
Don't change, what works... I love this product and wouldn't change it for any other, I just would like a new version, with a cadence feature... i think any one with a MTB should buy it, cuz... Well mountain bike is about mountain basically right?, you have to do madd climbing, well it's nice to know what you have done on your ride....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose Date Reviewed: September 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$80.00
Strengths:
Altimeter, large display
Weaknesses:
Multiple resets needed to zero out, short backlight duration, occasional problems with rain.
Of all the altitude measuring devices I have used, the Cateye has been the most accurate, especially in the area of total altitude gain. I had used the old Avocet 50 before they discontinued it, and was dismayed by huge exaggerations in my altitude gain - the Cateye has been consistant and accurate for me for several years. I am on my 3rd At-100 (I have had one stolen, and one crushed) and they all seem to have worked identically well.
I wish it was easier to zero everything, as it is I sometimes still forget to reset the total ascent, even after zeroing everything else. And I wish the backlight stayed on longer.
I have noticed user complaints about the unit failing in the rain, and I have noticed this too. What happens is water gets underneath the unit and shorts the two metal connectors on the mountaing bracket. Taking the unit off and wiping the mounting bracket (and the bottom of the unit) has worked for me in 90% of wet situations.
I am a gadget freak and have had various GPS units on my bike for long (over 1000 mile) trips, the latest being the Garmin Summit, and although it has a nice altitude graphing and total ascent feature, the cateyes ascent feature has been so dependable and accurate, I keep it on my bike even when all the features are duplicated by other gadgets (Now using the polar s-710 for the cycle computer functions) because of this.
Its a great, classic unit.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder CO Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Fairly accurate altitude readings, the total altititude gain measurement seems to be very accurate. Easy to use and many features.
Weaknesses:
May be prone to water problems. Raced in the rain where it wouldn't keep speed. May have just been another problem, but I'll see next time I ride in the rain.
Bottom Line:
Seems to be a very good computer / altimeter. I live at 5400 feet and ride anywhere from 6000 -12,000 and it is always within 100 feet of correct altitude after an initial calibration. DOn't know how it works at low alititudes, but out here it is a big help when trying to see how much you have climbed since flat trails are non-existent in CO.
Total altitude gain seems to be very accurate and this is definately the best function and best reason to get this computer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darin
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff, AZ .... USA Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
online
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up review from last April. Today I just turned the odometer over to 700 miles. Considering that this was done in just over 2 months, I'd say the computer has proven itself. Ride on!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
næstepq
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area, California Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Cambria
Strengths:
Altimeter Function; Large Display; Backlight; Large Buttons; Solid Sensor Mount; Low Price
Weaknesses:
Large Unit; Thin Cord; 3 Seccond Backlight "on" time; Speed Function Shorts Out in Rain; Requires 3 Separate Resets to Zero Out; Temperature Slow to Respond to Changes
Similar Products Used:
Cateye All Terrain Computer; Advocet
Bottom Line:
Although I've listed quite a few weaknesses, I've owned this unit for almost 5 years now and highly recommend it. Overall, I find the altitude measurements to be about as accurate as can be expected, and the speed, time and distance measurements function as well as any other computer I've used or owned.
INSTALLATION
I like CatEye's style of fork leg sensor mount: heavy duty plastics that don't budge once installed properly. The handlebar clamp is almost as good. The weakness here is the wire used, as CatEye chose a thinner gauge wire than even some of the less expensive bike computers are produced with. However, I've had no problems to complain about.
The computer speed and distance functions will become inoperative during a wet ride. The solution is a dab of dielectric grease (available at any auto parts shop) on each of the contacts. It's not the cleanest solution, but it does work.
TEMPERATURE FUNCTION
If CatEye could have anticipated these reviews, they probably would have eliminated the temperature display from the unit. The sensor works, but there is a noticable delay in response to substantial environment changes. It's taken anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to reflect a change of 100°+ in a hot parked car to a more reasonable 70°-80° with the air conditioning on.
I spoke to a CatEye engineer who confirmed my suspicions: the temperature measurement is an internal system support function that is intended to measure temperatures inside the casing. Air pressure, the primary source of altitude measurement, needs to be corrected for fluctuations in temperature to obtain an accurate number. As you can imagine, the sealed plastic case retains heat quite readily and therefore the temperature display must be read with a skeptical eye.
ALTITUDE
I find the altitude measurements to be quite accurate. I've got a number of sources to calibrate to: there is a survey monument in the street near my house, some of the trail maps that the local park district print include elevation contours as well at spillway & dam, lake, and peak elevations, plus I've got a mapping program (Topo!) with fairly accurate elevation measurements.
The altitude measurements are never perfect, so expect inaccuracies as high as 100-200 feet per 1000 feet, although usually much less. The CatEye is subject to the same inaccuracies as an aircraft altimeter, namely non-standard temperatures and pressures, but also pressure abnormalaties along the front and backside of ridges and ridgelines on windy days. Any brand of altimeter you purchase, whether in the form of a bike computer, a watch, or an actual aircraft altimeter, will be subject to these errors. Anyone claiming otherwise is either lucky or foolish. The only reason planes don't smash into eachother is because they are all flying around with the same erroneous altimeter reading.
If I begin my ride with my altimeter set to zero (which I usually do in lieu of setting it to the correct local elevation), I can count on it being withing 100 feet of zero when I finish the ride. Sometimes it's zero, sometimes only 10 or 15 feet off, and sometimes 60 feet off.
This depends largely on the length of the ride. Over the course of the ride, the local barometric pressure is likely to change. On a calm day, it may be just a few tenths of an inch. On windy days, it's usually a whole lot more. Keep this in mind: for every 1/10" the barometric pressure drops during your ride, your altimeter is going to show an increase of about 10 feet. A three-hour ride on a windy/stormy day might see a 1" drop in pressure, resulting in a 100' inaccuracy by the end of the ride.
ALTITUDE ACCUMULATION
My initial unit had a funny quirk — it accumulated both altitude gain and loss. So at the end of any ride in which I started and ended at the same location, my altitude accumulation for the ride amounted to zero.
I contacted CatEye, and they arranged for an exchange for an "A" model. Looking on the back of the unit, model numbers beginning with a numeral accumulated both gain and loss, but subsequent models beginning with "A" (or, I assume, another alpha character) will measure gain only.
Altitude accumulation is a tough one. CatEye tells me that they accumulate all altitude gains, which means that riding along a dead flat road, showing 5 foot spikes in your current elevation (which is normal — the unit measures in 5 foot increments) could theoretically cause you to show a large amount of altitude accumulation. But you've climbed nothing! The alternative is to only accumulate altitude after you've climbed a pre-determined amount, such as 20 or 30 feet (I believe the old Advocet unit used this method), but then the unit wouldn't accumulate any small climbs that you do, such as what you experience on most rolling sections of trail.
Truth is, I don't see the big deal here. I don't ride enough flat sections of trail to be bothered by (or even notice) phantom elevation gains. What I can tell you is this: I regularly ride an 18 mile loop at a local regional park that consistantly shows about 2300 feet of elevation gain. I regularly ride a 12 mile loop at that same park that consistantly shows about 1700 feet of elevation gain. Those figures normally fall within a +/- 100 foot range each and every time. How accurate is that 2300 or 1700 foot reading? I don't know exactly, but that's tough to judge without dragging along a survey team, and even taking along a GPS reciever is going to bring up the same issues as to what is and isn't elevation gain.
OTHER STUFF
The zero/reset leaves a bit to be desired. To completely zero the unit, you've got to reset altitude accumulation, current altitude, and time/distance/speed, all from separate screens. The flexibility is that you can reset distance data without touching evevation data, or you can adjust you altimeter without affecting anything else.
The altimeter can be taken out of "bike mode", allowing the measurement of elevation changes off your bike (normally you'll set it to only recoginze elevation changes if the tire is spinning, so you don't accumulate altitude during a trip in the car). This is kinda fun skiing or hiking, but even cooler in an elevator.
When your batteries become low, the first thing to go is altitude accumulation — it becomes wildly inflated. Press the backlight button a couple of times and you'll see the display fade. As a rule, I replace my batteries twice a year. A low battery indication would be nice.
The three second backlight is a joke. The backlight is dim enough that the display is difficult to read if you're in motion (hmmm... probably a good thing). Even stopped, you'll find that 3 seconds isn't enough time to switch to the proper screen to find the data you're looking for. Unfortunately, there is no workaround short of disassembling the unit and providing an external power source to the backlight — yeah, right!
Even for the generous size of the display, the unit itself is large and clunky. The buttons are large, weatherproof, and actually give some tactile feedback, so I guess this could be considered an acceptable tradeoff. You might find that it eats up a little more handlebar space than expected, especially if your running lights or *blush* a bell.
IN SUMMARY
If you can accept the fact that altitude measurement is not an perfect science, you'll appreciate this unit. The numbers it produces are accurate enough to represent what you've really accomplished during your ride. If you're looking for altitude measurements precise enough to find your way with a compass and a map, you might consider a GPS receiver.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mr_spin
a
from Los Gatos, California Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Reliable, nice backlight
Weaknesses:
Altitude feature doesn't work worth a damn.
Similar Products Used:
All kinds of Cateye, Sigma, Avocet computers
Bottom Line:
This is a good computer overall, but the main feature, the altitude measurement, is so unreliable as to be useless. I don't even bother to check it anymore. Calibrating it before a ride doesn't help. There is a surveyor mark outside my door that gives my exact altitude (excluding recent tectonic activity), so I know what it is supposed to be.
The instructions say the algorithm works best above 3000 feet, but it doesn't work all that well there either. I've been atop passes in the Sierras, and the value is closer, but still off enough to be no more accurate than asking a nearby child what they think. And really, what percentage of the population lives above 3000 feet? I'll be most people live closer to sea-level. Funny how the 3000 feet thing doesn't appear in any ads. You only find that out after opening the box and reading the micro-font instructions.
Just for fun, whenever I pass an altitude sign, I like to compare the value with the computer. Every once in a while, it actually comes close, but usually the value is absurd. Riding along the ocean one day, almost in the water, I got a value of 300 feet! Yeah, that sounds right. Sea level=300 feet.
And by the way, those reviewers below that say that the altitude reading is off but the gain value is correct have created a nice little fantasy world. How can the gain be reliable if the value it's based on is wrong? I guess that big gain number looks too good after a hard ride to be wrong. Try riding flats for 20 miles and check your gain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DARIN
a Cross Country Rider
from FLAGSTAFF, AZ ... USA! Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Checked out computers that fellow riders have ... Specialized, Avocet, Echowell
Bike Setup:
'98 "Wicked Green" R.M. Element Race with every sweet part you could want.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is this ...
I had some difficulty setting up the sensors on my front wheel / fork leg because it's made for cross-laced spokes. None of my front wheel spokes cross. However, after a little creative handy work, I got it securely set-up. The first couple of rides were intentional abuse sessions. A day in the desert outside of Phoenix, a day bouncing off many, many red rocks in Sedona and finally a snow/mud ride at 9000 ft. in Flagstaff. This thing did not flinch and my readings were right on with other rider's computers. The altitude function is a lot of fun and will be a great training tool for the Vail 100 this summer (13,000 ft climbing)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Reed Rawson
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawrenceville, GA Date Reviewed: February 6, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Features
Weaknesses:
Size (bigger than most computers) Altimiter needs to be recalibrated at the start of every ride
Similar Products Used:
Specialized
Bottom Line:
I like it and have found the altimiter to be acurate as long as I recalibrate at the start of every ride. So the absolute altitude may be a little off, but the altitude gain seems to be fairly accurate.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Grant Goodes
a
from Ottawa, Ontario Date Reviewed: November 27, 2000
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$70.00
Strengths:
o Backlight o Altitude readout o Temperature readout o Large controls
Weaknesses:
o Battery drain o Altitude functionality is inacurate
Similar Products Used:
CicloMaster CM414
Bottom Line:
I've had two of these over the last four years (both were stolen), and found it a reliable and useful bike computer. I bought it primarily for the backlight feature, as very few bike computers seem to have that, and treated the altitude function as a bonus. Just as well, since the altitude readout is very rarely acurate. As others have said, it will acumulate climb on level ground, and the absolute altitude will be wildly inacurate even a short time after setting it up. Basically, you can't really use the altitude feature as more than a toy. The other major downside is battery drain: It seems to need several batteries a year, even if you avoid using the backlight. A few weeks of night-riding and the battery is dead. A bit pricey if all you want is the backlight. I've since switched to the CicloMaster CM414, and I'm much happier (though my wallet took a hit).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, CA Date Reviewed: October 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
San Juan, Aliso Woods
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Jax
Strengths:
Altitide feature works as advertised. Gives total climbing gain so you can feel good about why you are so tired.
Weaknesses:
Temperature accuracy is poor, particularly due to sun loading. Having to reset altitude separately is a poor desing, but I've never forgotten.
Bike Setup:
GT XCR-1000
Bottom Line:
Buy it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pealy
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester Date Reviewed: October 18, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Halfords
Strengths:
Hardy fellow, handy backlight and cheap
Weaknesses:
Altimeter inaccurate, temp sensor slow.
Similar Products Used:
Various cateye's without altimeters or temp sensors, always excellent.
Bike Setup:
irrelevant..
Bottom Line:
I used this computer for the first time in Corsica last week. Its a hilly place with some big peaks and had pretty variable weather. The standard computer functions worked fine as you'd expect but the altimeter was abismal. Set it one minute and five minutes later it was up 300 feet, I found it utterly unreliable. temp sensor was very very slow but got there in the end. It's going back to the shop!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Yakima, WA Date Reviewed: September 25, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Any low traffic pavement
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
Illuminated It works Lots of information
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Many
Bike Setup:
Custom touring bike.
Bottom Line:
I am an admitted gadget freak so I am using the AT100 with a Shimano Fightdeck set up. I am using one wheel magnet for both sensors. I really like knowing the temperature and altitude and I can see barometric pressure trends to help guess the upcoming weather. All of the cyclocomputer functions and the temp / altimeter info are accurate and easy to read. I spent a half hour or so getting familiar with the multitude of information fields and have no problem navigating the screens. The back light is very affective. This is a first rate product for tourists.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jed
a Weekend Warrior
from Murrieta,Ca Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
The trail less traveled
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
A lot of functions for the price: Backlit, Altimeter, Temp, Large display.
Weaknesses:
1.The price is on the high side at about $70.00 depending on place of purchase. 2. Alt function needs to be reset for each ride. 3. Temp is slow to respond and in my opinion is not as accurate as it could be. 4. Only 12 hour clock vs 24 hour. 5. Back light last a mere 3 seconds. Way to quick: turn on light and you dont evan have time to change functions. 6. The supplied wire is cheepo and the glue drop that hold the wire as it enters the base(mounted on handle bar) has come loose. Will fix(I hope)with a drop of hot glue.
Similar Products Used:
Cat Eye enduro 2
Bike Setup:
2000 GT Zaskar, added XTR crank & BB, XTR shifters. XTR front Derail soon. The Roadrunner paint is really cool. This bike is so sweet my butt needs a dentist.
Bottom Line:
This is a great Comp. If I had designed it I have a "standard" reset so you could push a button to reset to say your known elevation. The temp probe is way to slow and needs to be speeded up and should have a calibration function. This temp problem errors the altitude readout. B O T T O M L I N E : This is a fun toy that give all the functions that one could want for MTB work ( m/kph, dist, odometer, times ...) and the display is large and easy to read.The main functions are very accurate, and adjustable Calibration for wheel size is good. If you are a gadget freq this is for you. If you are an accuracy kind of guy (I am a pilot) you will be disapointed in accuracy. The altimetery feature should be a fun little tidbit of info. No kollsman window hear boys.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Reid
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Backlight, thermometer, readability; controls; bike mount; Altimeter.
Weaknesses:
battery lasts less than 6 months; hard to tell when battery is expired; no stopwatch if you also use ride time; confusing controls; Altimeter.
Similar Products Used:
Avocet 15 and 25.
Bike Setup:
Trek 1200 for commuting.
Bottom Line:
I liked the large buttons and display, as others mentioned. I especially liked the back light, which was the main reason I purchased. I also liked that the distance is in 10ths, not hundredths of a mile, as on the Avocet, which I feel is a little too "accurate". Also, unlike the Avocet, it displays speed to the nearest 10th of mph above 20mph. I didn't make much use of the temperature function. Temperature was not that accurate and just confirmed what I already knew, that it was cold or warm. The main selling point of this computer is the altimeter which measures vertical gain total and during individual ride. It also doubles as a barometer. Its a cool idea and I did use it a lot. Unfortunately, this feature is very confusing to use and does not seem to be accurate - for example, it will accumulate vertical elevation gain on a level surface and while the bike is not being ridden. I later determined that, according to the manufacturer, this is a subtle symptom of an expired battery. And yesterday the second battery went completely dead. This means that I have now gone through two batteries in less than 7 months. And I have ridden less than 500 miles! I have not yet priced the batteries, but I am about to stock up. Which I guess means I haven't given up on this product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
petr
a Cross Country Rider
from prague, czech republic Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Karls bad
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
excelent fit, solid,easy to operate
Weaknesses:
slow reaction on temperature change, no options when modes selected, clock- only 12 hours
Similar Products Used:
trek radar
Bike Setup:
shimano, manitou
Bottom Line:
Solid computer, altitude and temperature mode. Altimeter has to be set up every time you ride. dual display but does not allow to change modes separately for buttom and upper line. I used it only 4 times but last time it added some milleage after I released it from the bike in addition maxim speed showed was 356km per hour. Who can beat this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tomaz Stupnik
a Cross Country Rider
from Ljubljana, Slovenia Date Reviewed: March 25, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Krim
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Rugged main unit, very precise altimeter, backlight, lots of nice stats & features. Ecellent value.
Weaknesses:
Somewhat small numbers
Bike Setup:
Rudy Project Grafitti Pro
Bottom Line:
Probably one of the best altimeter computers available.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Farrell
a cross-country rider
from England Date Reviewed: December 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
Hits: Includes altimeter and thermometer as well as all the usual functions. Rugged main unit (saved front of bike in crash). Big main buttons which are easy to push with gloves on. Backlight. *Great* customer support.Misses: A bit big (sticks out so much it was able to save the shifters & handlebars in a crash (maybe this is a hit). Thermometer only goes down to 0 degrees C. Backlight button is difficult to push even without gloves on. Fitting the sensor with the protective bracket took 20 minutes instead of 2 without it.Overall: It looks okish, works well, is as tough as you could imagine and doesn't add any noticeable weight (unless you're the sort who peels the stickers off the frame to save those precious extra grams).
Overall Rating:
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