Customer Reviews

Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless 9-Function Bike Computer with 4-Line Display and Temperature

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

I kick away my brand new CatEye only for this item! Actually, I wanted to see all, my speed, time, distance, ride time all in one screen without switching and loosing concentration. Another reason was the 'Temperature' was the major factor. The Temperature is accurate (I checked with my Atomic Clock Thermometer), no issue in there.

The entire ride info (Distance, Average Spd, Max Spd) all remains stored until I hold the switch for 3 sec to reset. Someone wrote 15 minutes, it is wrong. The info stays until I reset. It is only switches to `power save' clock mode. Press the button to see your previous info.

The actual model is Black. Go to PlanetBike web site. Then Products-> Computers to see the actual item. The Amazon picture is wrong (I requested Amazon to update).

The only thing I dislike is the switch. It should have a real push button switch. The switch it has is fake, just to slide the computer over its holder to change the mode. I gave my rating 4 only for this reason. The slide switch I did not like.

The computer is large enough and easy to view and super easy to install.

Remember to align the Spoke Magnet at the same level of the Wheel Sensor where a glossy mark like (-) at the upper side (not the lower side of the Sensor). Do not get confused. See the picture in the manual.

Have fun with your computer. It is a good one.

This is a great bike computer. I have not seen a better one for the money. It is easy to install and program. I love not having to deal with wires. The display is easy to read and shows lots of data on a single screen (display shows current speed, trip time, trip distance, and a selectable 4th line (temperature and time OR avg speed and max speed OR odometer)). The operation of the display is simple as well (you cycle through the 3 options for the 4th data line by pushing a single button). Things I can't comment on because I've only used it for 2 weeks: battery life, durability (but so far so good).

I've been using the Protege 9.0 Wireless for most of this season. The wireless link has worked flawlessly even with the transmitter mounted low on the fork. Since most of the information is on the 4 line display and there's only one button the product is very easy to use. You can calibrate the wheel size(s) to the exact diameter of your tire(s) for accurate speed and distance readings. This unit has a handlebar mount, not a stem mount. People have noted the temperature can be off. I do believe that in direct sunlight the black case heats up a bit and reads higher than the actual air temperature.

With everything else already said I find it odd that no one has mentioned the magnet size. This thing is huge and heavy! Because of tight fork to spoke clearances I can't lower the thing enough to balance my wheel even with a 48mm valve stem on the opposite side of the wheel. Beyond that it also makes a very annoying "buzzing" noise when riding or when you tap on it. Since the wheel sensor is very similar to Cat Eye's wireless system, I wonder why the Cat Eye magnet is so compact? I hope to have my solution by using a Cat Eye magnet if Planet Bike does not deliver. Other than that I love the computer design and the way it slides on the mount to activate the mode switch that is placed underneath and out of the weather. The handlebar mount is sturdy and doesn't use cable ties like some brands I have seen. If the magnet was better I would rate this 5 stars!

The Planet Bike Protege 9.0 wireless bike computer gives us much of the typical information we need while cycling. Plus it has a thermometer, which is rare in this field. I wanted the thermometer to tell when it's too cold for me to ride my bicycle to work. I think the most important points for people considering a new bike computer are price, function, reliability, and ease of use and installation.

Price is 4 out of 5 stars: How can you go wrong with $33 here on Amazon, unless the product is junk, which the Protege isn't.

Function is 3 out of 5 stars: The Protege has all the "normal" functions a bike computer should have, but switching from one screen to the next is strange. Instead of a button, you have to slide the entire unit forward in the mount to initiate the next screen. If you slide it too far back it could literally slide right out of the mount. It works fine, it just takes some getting used to. The slide mechanism is a tad bit sticky until it's used a few times. I mainly bought the Protege for the thermometer. The reading is accurate, but it takes like 8 minutes to settle on the current temp. Also, the top three lines of display info are fixed and the bottom two or three are different modes (temp, odo, max speed).

Reliability is 5 out of 5 stars: I replaced my Cat-Eye due to intermittent times of inoperation, even after replacing batteries and making adjustments. The Protege has been flawless after my first 200 miles.

Ease of use and installation: 4 out of 5 stars: The Protege has more info per screen than I'm used to so focusing on the stuff that's important to me took some getting used to. The sliding mount thing is unique. I'd like more control over what's displayed on each screen. As far as installation, the fact that it's wireless makes it very easy. The magnet/sensor alignment is unique, but still only took about a minute to figure out. The unit cannot be backlit.

Overall, would I buy this thing again? Absolutely. The value and reliability factors make the Protege a winner.

Update: 02/24/11

We have well over 20 hours on the computers without a single hiccup. This is reliable unit so far.

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After reading many reviews on this unit, I bought two, one for each each of our 2 bikes.

I installed one computer on my bike and took it for a ride. Here's what came out:

1. I have zero experience with other bike computers so I will keep my comments strictly to this model. Is this the best thing going? I have no idea.
2. The unit installed in about 15 minutes and worked perfectly.
3. I saw other reviews that reported the unit was "jammed" by fluorescent lights or a head light in flash mode. I tested for both and there was no ill effects seen on the unit at all.

I will revisit this review when I have more time on it. But right now I have nothing but positives to report. The computer delivered exactly what they promoted it would.

UPDATE:

I installed the 2nd unit on my wifes bike in about 10 minutes, including calibrating for the size of her wheels and tires.

Worked flawlessly.

FINAL UPDATE:

We have used these for 1.5 months now with not a single issue.

REALLY, NO KIDDING, MY FINAL UPDATE

OK, I lied. That wasn't my final update.

After putting 268 mikes on the computer, I got a new bike.

I installed the computer on the new bike and it works flawlessly as well.

Reasonably priced, good performance. Recommended to anyone . . . some quirks:

(1) My unit does not turn on just by motion of the wheel. It must be switched on before recording mileage, etc. A minor hassle, and maybe even a flaw in my unit.

(2) Freewheeling tire can record weird speeds, i.e., 99.4 MPH. Keep the computer off if the bike wheel is not on the ground.

(3) Certain locations in our city have radio frequency interference that makes the unit go haywire for a few seconds.

I REALLY like that if you record your mileage on a piece of paper, then switch out the battery, you can restore the original mileage recording rather than having the odometer completely reset. Smart.

As for the thermometer, it appears to be accurate -- so if you park in direct sun in the summer the temp WILL read 110F. Also, temps three or four feet off the ground, on hot days riding on black pavement, will be higher than your basic weather service reading.

Over the years I've had 4 or 5 different bike computers. This one is clearly my favorite. Why? I like having all data visable without having to push any buttons, and the addition of temperature as well is great. At the beginning of a ride I reset the trip data and don't touch a button thereafter. The temp seems accurate while riding. Unit feels well built and rugged.

Actually I installed it in about 10 minutes, just a screw driver, and thats it. It has good instruction book. The wireless system work great, you have all the information in one look down, distance and speed are my favorite. Its great to have a schedule of training with this. Its worth the price, and much better than cateyes that have 2 or 3 lines of information. maybe a function to turn it off will be better (it stay with the clock on) the battery its supposed to last for 6 months, but still a great product to buy.
greetings from panama

I have used this maybe 4 times and 50 miles. It has accurate speed and distance readings. I haven't had any problems with the temperature in direct sunlight like other reviewers. You have to turn it on yourself when you start, but it will automatically come back on after a 15 minute break.

Update as of June 9, 2010: It is still working perfectly after 3 years. It now has over 500 miles on it and I have never changed the battery on the actual unit or the wireless sensor on my wheel. Recommended to both casual and serious bike riders.