Bright Computer Display for Nightime training

Cyclosis

Hi Folks,

Doing a fair bit of training these days in darkness, and low light. Does anyone else find their bike computer a nightmare to read in these conditions, even with the backlight on? (I've got a Garmin 500)

What I would love is a nice bright display so I could see my HR or Power out of the corner of my eye, rather than constantly peering down at it when trying to stay in an HR or wattage zone.

My dream would be something like the bright red LED displays on an F1 steering wheel.

Anyone know of such a device/display? Nice and bright and easy to see. Preferably with ANT+ so I can use my existing HR strap, cadence and power meters.

Cheers,

Jim

drlodge

My Garmin 800 works fine in the dark, it turns to a black/white colour scheme at sun down.

cougie

Cyclosis wrote:

Hi Folks,

Doing a fair bit of training these days in darkness, and low light. Does anyone else find their bike computer a nightmare to read in these conditions, even with the backlight on? (I've got a Garmin 500)

What I would love is a nice bright display so I could see my HR or Power out of the corner of my eye, rather than constantly peering down at it when trying to stay in an HR or wattage zone.

My dream would be something like the bright red LED displays on an F1 steering wheel.

Anyone know of such a device/display? Nice and bright and easy to see. Preferably with ANT+ so I can use my existing HR strap, cadence and power meters.

Cheers,

Jim

You can get glasses with F1 style lights to tell you your readouts - but an easier option would be to set audible alarms when you go over or under - HRM and Garmins can do that. I'm not sure looking at computers in the dark with the crappy roads we have at the moment is the best move.

slowbike

Cyclosis wrote:

Nice and bright and easy to see.

Sounds like a good way to destroy night vision!

Ultimately you're after a GoogleGlass type display - I'm not sure any such device exists on the consumer market though.

I found it much better when the GPS was mounted in front of the bars - and when after TT efforts, it was better to reduce the number of readouts to only what was vital (hence larger) - why not put on some Aerobars and mount it on the end of that?

Cyclosis

cougie wrote:

You can get glasses with F1 style lights to tell you your readouts - but an easier option would be to set audible alarms when you go over or under - HRM and Garmins can do that. I'm not sure looking at computers in the dark with the crappy roads we have at the moment is the best move.

Yeah, I've seen them, the 4iii ones. It's a neat Idea, but you have to click them to glasses and pair them with an iPhone, which is more faff, expense, and would no doubt drain the phone batteries pretty quick.

I've tried the audible alarms, but it's a right fiddle to set up and use — switching workouts and the like mid ride. Plus I'd like to be able to see time and HR/Power for intervals.

Yeah it's not that safe peering down at a display like Chris Froome in the dark. That's why I'd like something nice and bright I can see out of the corner of my eye.

Cyclosis

Slowbike wrote:

Cyclosis wrote:

Nice and bright and easy to see.

Sounds like a good way to destroy night vision!

I found it much better when the GPS was mounted in front of the bars - and when after TT efforts, it was better to reduce the number of readouts to only what was vital (hence larger) - why not put on some Aerobars and mount it on the end of that?

No matter where it's mounted it's still going to need some form of effective back lighting.

I can read the dash on my car very effectively without destroying my night vision.

Shame no one makes basic red LED bike displays like they've started using in a lot of those health monitor wrist bands.

ai_1

Slowbike wrote:

Cyclosis wrote:

Nice and bright and easy to see.

Sounds like a good way to destroy night vision!

Exactly what i thought when I read the 1st post.

thegibdog

Have you tried turning the backlight up on the Garmin?

meanredspider

Yes - I'd have thought that setting up screens with only the information you need for each workout - like just power and time etc and switch between them.

I'd have also thought that if audible alarms are too much of a faff to set up, so would LEDs.