Cateye V3 or Polar CS200cad

cyclistbruce
cyclistbruce Posts: 88
edited April 2010 in Road buying advice
Looking for a cycle computer that also does cadence and HR. Anyone have any experience of the Cateye V3 or Polar, or opinions over which is better. Was a bit put off by the fact that the Polar Cadence sensor has a non-replacable battery?

Comments

  • daveydave43
    daveydave43 Posts: 200
    polar cs200 is excellent. i have one and it's been briliant, replaced a cateye strada because i wanted the cadence and HR functions.
    I found that my cadence sensor got bashed about a bit, being at the side of the downtube, so i took it off.

    http://www.phd-fitness.co.uk/store/p/34 ... 00Cad.html

    has the computer for £80 atm
    Go for the break
    Create a chaingang
    Make sure you don't break your chain
  • cyclistbruce
    cyclistbruce Posts: 88
    Does that mean that you don't/cant use the cadence function anymore?
  • daveydave43
    daveydave43 Posts: 200
    yes i took the sensor off, and turned the cadence function off.
    i didnt find it particularly useful as a training tool, more as an interesting figure.
    Go for the break
    Create a chaingang
    Make sure you don't break your chain
  • uptonspark
    uptonspark Posts: 47
    I have had the V3 since last summer and find it great, for a relevant novice like me that is. Gives you speed, cadence and HR permanently in either average, max or actual and then you can choose a 4th display from a list of about 5 or 6. Easy to set up out of the box and, so far, no probs with picking up other sensors. Hope this helps.
  • justrideallday
    justrideallday Posts: 29
    I have the v3 and find it a good computer.

    Have had no problems as such and it has been much more durable than the vdo ones i have had in the past (broke a vdo c4 by dropping it - dropped the cateye v3 a few times and its fine).

    The only niggles I have with the v3 is the screen is a bit small and the hr monitor eats batteries and it isn't as secure as my polar hr monitor.

    Once you learn how to use the v3 - lots of functions - its a great computer.

    Hope that helps
  • PIY
    PIY Posts: 3
    I've found the same as daveydave with the cs200 and have also taken the cadence sensor off. On the first run with mine it kept dropping the speed but read that turning the auto start/stop off sorts this and its been spot on since
  • Brommers76
    Brommers76 Posts: 234
    Had problems with my CS200 - after 2 months it stopped picking up the speed. Retailer said I had to post it to Polar which I refused and with a bit of kicking and screaming they replaced it.

    9 months later and the new unit stopped detecting speed past 16mph which isn't much use. Sent it to Polar and they repaired it. It did mean 2 weeks with no computer though. Google it and you may find similar stories.

    When it works it is good value and does everything I need so it is a shame.
  • what brakes
    what brakes Posts: 328
    i have a V3 and find it great! all the data is there on the one screen! the only niggle is if you want the trip distance then want your trip time you have to scroll through a few things but overall it great and would buy another for my training bike when funds allow.
  • Pork Sword
    Pork Sword Posts: 213
    I've got a few Polar CS100 and 200's and they suck! They're just so unreliable. I wouldn't buy another and will get a Cateye V3 next time or even the new Garmin Edge 500 if finances will stretch that far!
    let all your saddles be comfy and all your rides less bumpy....
  • louismichaels
    louismichaels Posts: 118
    I had the Polar CS200. It sucked big time.
    The first one didn't work at all, and cadence unit on the replacement unit has repeatedly failed. The head unit cuts out regularly too.
    The speed sensor and cadence sensor don't have user replaceable batteries. That's really annoying and expensive.
    HR function fine.
    Really disappointed.
    Won't buy another.

Categories