Manatee Monkey Mentors SHUT (Poptart or pet pic bribes considered) (Page 99)

I think I saw earlier someone mentioning that I had a Bia watch... which I ended up returning. 

I became very frustrated with the thing after 3 uses. Actually, that's not true, I became frustrated with it out of the box.  I didn't like that there were NO instructions whatsoever in how to get the thing set up.  It was only after contacting their help desk that I was told to "check with their external web forum for instructions" and it ticked me off that not only did they not include such a basic thing as how to set up their product, but then I was going to have to register with an outside forum to find out anything else about how to get the thing to work?  Frustration #1

The first thing I did with it was go for a run, which they had touted several times would have an unlimited walk/run function (good for me since running and I have a mutual hate).  So, I strapped the Bia on, went out, and clicked the button until the "Run - walk/run" was showing on the display and then clicked that... to which I got an error message on the screen saying  "sorry, not available yet, but should be coming soon!".  Frustration #2

I then tried to go for a bike ride with it, and all I ended up with was a bleeding wrist from the off-center point digging into my arm.  Frustration #3

Finally, I tried swimming with it and in less than a single length it had fallen off twice in the pool because of the crappy velcro.  Frustration #4 

And that was enough for me to send it back.  

So you're saying that Stacey can cross the Bia off her list?

I think I saw earlier someone mentioning that I had a Bia watch... which I ended up returning. 

I became very frustrated with the thing after 3 uses. Actually, that's not true, I became frustrated with it out of the box.  I didn't like that there were NO instructions whatsoever in how to get the thing set up.  It was only after contacting their help desk that I was told to "check with their external web forum for instructions" and it ticked me off that not only did they not include such a basic thing as how to set up their product, but then I was going to have to register with an outside forum to find out anything else about how to get the thing to work?  Frustration #1

The first thing I did with it was go for a run, which they had touted several times would have an unlimited walk/run function (good for me since running and I have a mutual hate).  So, I strapped the Bia on, went out, and clicked the button until the "Run - walk/run" was showing on the display and then clicked that... to which I got an error message on the screen saying  "sorry, not available yet, but should be coming soon!".  Frustration #2

I then tried to go for a bike ride with it, and all I ended up with was a bleeding wrist from the off-center point digging into my arm.  Frustration #3

Finally, I tried swimming with it and in less than a single length it had fallen off twice in the pool because of the crappy velcro.  Frustration #4 

And that was enough for me to send it back.  

I think I saw earlier someone mentioning that I had a Bia watch... which I ended up returning. 

I became very frustrated with the thing after 3 uses. Actually, that's not true, I became frustrated with it out of the box.  I didn't like that there were NO instructions whatsoever in how to get the thing set up.  It was only after contacting their help desk that I was told to "check with their external web forum for instructions" and it ticked me off that not only did they not include such a basic thing as how to set up their product, but then I was going to have to register with an outside forum to find out anything else about how to get the thing to work?  Frustration #1

The first thing I did with it was go for a run, which they had touted several times would have an unlimited walk/run function (good for me since running and I have a mutual hate).  So, I strapped the Bia on, went out, and clicked the button until the "Run - walk/run" was showing on the display and then clicked that... to which I got an error message on the screen saying  "sorry, not available yet, but should be coming soon!".  Frustration #2

I then tried to go for a bike ride with it, and all I ended up with was a bleeding wrist from the off-center point digging into my arm.  Frustration #3

Finally, I tried swimming with it and in less than a single length it had fallen off twice in the pool because of the crappy velcro.  Frustration #4 

And that was enough for me to send it back.  

Sounds like they worked a little too hard on form and forgot about function.  Dumb!

sounds like a great product!

Ha!  Short version of my rambling above = don't get one!    

Maybe next time Yanti peaks in.

Originally posted by StaceyK

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by StaceyK For all you gadget guys I have a question. It looks like I am in the market for a new bike computer because I finally liberated and replaced the battery from the rear wheel sensor on my bike, but it is still not working. That means no speed and distance info (on the trainer where I do most of my riding), I still have cadence but because of the no speed and distance part the computer screen keeps going into sleep mode. So I am a gadget dunce. I know how to turn my computer on and do what I need to do and that is about it. I have an iPhone 5 and use the runkeeper app when I run and ride outside and I have a timex triathlon watch with heart rate strap (which I never use). My question is should I just buy a new wireless bike computer or should I bite the bullet and buy a basic GPS watch that I can connect to a cadence sensor on the bike? lets say I have a budget of around $3-400, would this even be enough for the second option, if I sourced it online? If I go the watch way I would prefer something smallish that I can wear all day like I currently do with my timex if possible. I like numbers so would having this sort of data be a helpful motivation with my training?

As a third alternative, you could get a speed/cadence sensor to work with your iPhone:  http://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/blue-sc.html.  This runs US $60 or so.  I guess you'd also want to get a bike mount for your phone as well?

Yes, $300-400 will get you a multisport GPS watch but the mutlisport watches are not small or really meant to be worn all day.  The 310XT is the older Garmin multisport GPS watch and the 910XT is the newer model.  Apparently a Garmin will be releasing another model in the next 6-12 months.

Monica (welcome back!) has a BIA and she may be able to tell us if that's a Wear All Day kind of watch but that is also in the right price range.

The Garmin 15 is something that you can wear all day and use for running.  It has an activity tracker as well *but* has no bike mode so it's a no go.  I thought I'd mention it because of the all day wearing + motivation thing.  The rechargeable battery is rated for 5 weeks which is excellent for the category.  It's US $169 ($199 with the HR strap).

So does anyone have a Garmin 510 or 810? Looking at DC Rainmaker reviews and wondering if this might be the way to go. I can get a bundle including heart rate strap and speed/cadence sensor for A$399. Then maybe I can get a Forerunner or something like that later (there is still my birthday and Christmas before the end of the year ) To replace the sigma wireless computer that I have on my bike (very basic no GPS) will cost me $100+ postage.

I just picked up a Garmin Edge 500 to replace my wireless Cateye system.  Really, the Cateye system worked great.  It was accurate, and very trustworthy.  If having the GPS data isn't important to you, I would recommend sticking with one of these systems to save the $$.

But the Garmin 500 I picked up is nice.  It does everything I need it to in a very compact package.  I spent $160-ish on Craigslist.  The other models didn't add anything that I felt necessary.  At least, not in my current pay range.

Also, I have a Garmin 310XT, and that works great as well.  I used that as a semi-bike computer until I got the 500.  I got a speed/cadence sensor at the same time as the 500, and so made the switch straight to that.

But yeah, the Cateye worked great, and beyond that I pick up my Garmin stuff used or refurbished.

Question... do you have to also have the 910, or can you just use the 500 as a stand-alone bike computer?  I certainly like the price of the 500 better than the 510!!  

 Person is in Florida, which has a massive level of wackiness, but still doesn't use metric. 

Reading his review, it still seems that the pros outweigh the cons for the 510, other than the price? 

The Catseye one that I had for years finally kicked the bucket, so I'm somewhat, though mostly not, kind of looking for something to replace it.  Sorta.   

Question... do you have to also have the 910, or can you just use the 500 as a stand-alone bike computer?  I certainly like the price of the 500 better than the 510!!  

I think I saw earlier someone mentioning that I had a Bia watch... which I ended up returning. 

I became very frustrated with the thing after 3 uses. Actually, that's not true, I became frustrated with it out of the box.  I didn't like that there were NO instructions whatsoever in how to get the thing set up.  It was only after contacting their help desk that I was told to "check with their external web forum for instructions" and it ticked me off that not only did they not include such a basic thing as how to set up their product, but then I was going to have to register with an outside forum to find out anything else about how to get the thing to work?  Frustration #1

The first thing I did with it was go for a run, which they had touted several times would have an unlimited walk/run function (good for me since running and I have a mutual hate).  So, I strapped the Bia on, went out, and clicked the button until the "Run - walk/run" was showing on the display and then clicked that... to which I got an error message on the screen saying  "sorry, not available yet, but should be coming soon!".  Frustration #2

I then tried to go for a bike ride with it, and all I ended up with was a bleeding wrist from the off-center point digging into my arm.  Frustration #3

Finally, I tried swimming with it and in less than a single length it had fallen off twice in the pool because of the crappy velcro.  Frustration #4 

And that was enough for me to send it back.  

Question... do you have to also have the 910, or can you just use the 500 as a stand-alone bike computer?  I certainly like the price of the 500 better than the 510!!  

Each system can act as a standalone unit.  Both the 910XT and the 500/510 talk to the same heart rate strap.