Submitted by
willtsmith_nwi
a Weekend Warrior
from Valparaiso, IN Date Reviewed: October 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Outback Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Zim's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Data display, size of the display, data options, configurable menus, data logging and easy computer synchronization, easy to use software to analyze rides.
Weaknesses:
Rise rate computation is slow. The logger doesn't track instant cadence only average cadence. The software lacks long term analysis options. High learning curve on computer interface.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing simialiar, only Cateye Micro Wireless.
Bike Setup:
Karate Monkey X-9/XT setup.
Bottom Line:
Number one on my list was a computer that displayed multiple pieces of information on the screen simultaneously. And by this ... I don't mean displaying average and total metrics at once. The Sigma packs 3 data lines of info, each independently configurable and the top will condense to display heartrate, cadence, altitude and rise rate simultaneously.
And of course, it records my ride and allows me to view it later. To help, the big button on the unit allows you to set waypoints so you can tag them later as being different locations on the trail.
The software is easy to use and is excellent for analyzing a single ride. However, there really is nothing in the software for long term analysis.
The learning curve on the software is a little steep but once you get used to it, it makes a LOT of sense. Despite the myriad of menus on the computer I can easily find them all. This compared to my Micro Wireless which I still forget how switch from one wheel to another due to only having two buttons.
Speaking of buttons, the Rox has 5 of them. They enable you to navigate menus with ease. There are only a couple of options that you have to "memorize", manual resync, backlight enabling and altitude synchronization.
Overall this is by far the most enabled bike computer in it's price range. It has everything but GPS. Some of the Polar unit's come close but fail at their small screens and pickups that don't allow you to replace the battery.
Finally, don't be tempted to go with the ROX 8.0. It does not have logging functions so it only records average values for a ride. Just get the 9.0.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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