Customer Reviews

VDO C2DS Wireless Bicycle Computer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I got a great deal on this on sale--more than half off--but it's easily worth twice what I paid. The packaging is really nice, making it seem like a high-end product, with an instruction book in like 10 languages. Installation and configuration was a cinch. It mounts easily on either the bars or stem. Took it out for the first time and after 46 miles had no problems at all. I used my cell phone near it and I rode by plenty of other riders with computers too. The transmitter I mounted on the fork even wiggled a bit farther from the magnet than the 11mm it says it has to be, but it kept on working. (It mounts with zip ties and I apparently didn't pull them very tight.) The only minor "quirk" I noticed is that it only measures speed in one-half mph increments (e.g. 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, etc.) rather than tenths. Also, there's no backlight for people who ride in the dark. Bottom line, I love it and I can't wait to get the VDO C Series DS Wireless Cadence Kit.

This would be a nice setup, if it was wired. I simply cannot trust this unit to be accurate at all, and the signal is lost so often that frustrates any attempts to use it as intended. Can't speak on moisture affecting the main unit. I would buy the wired version of this if available.

I've been using various bike computers for a while, and have had VDO's elevation-measuring MC1.0+ for about 5 years. More recently, I needed a more basic computer for my commute bike that could do double duty on our tandem, mounted on the stoker's handlebar.

At first it appeared wireless wouldn't cut it for the long transmission range needed for the tandem, but then I found a few folks who reported success with the digital transmission of VDO's DS-series computers. Sure enough, this computer works like a charm! No ugly wires running half way across the bike, either.

The functions are basic (no altitude, cadence or heartrate on this model), but it features 2 wheels sizes for use on two bikes (I've since moved it off my 16" folding commute bike and onto my wife's 29"er, since she's the primary user of it on the tandem), plus all the usual average / max speed / timing features.

A word about VDO's customer service: Excellent. I've had no problems with this unit, but had an off-trail experience with my MC1.0+ which caused a small button part to become lost. I emailed my problem to VDO, and within a couple of days, I had an envelope in my mailbox, postmarked from Germany, that MORE than took care of my problem. Truly awesome!

It's good to have the option of a quality product such as this. It truly stands out among the usual brands, and is superior to the $20 and $30 "house brand" computers sold by many online retailers.

I have used various cycle computers for more than 20 years. In that time I can honestly say this is the worse computer I ever purchased. For the money you are getting features that can be had for at least twenty dollars less. You can also be assured that the cheaper computer will work better than this abysmal product. After three months of poor performance this computer earns two thumbs down. Accuracy is terrible, it eats batteries, and the transmitter signal is so weak a light breeze will disrupt it (before an electrical engineer jumps in to correct me---please take the figurative decription, not the literal). Did I mention how the computer hates water, be it sweat, rain, or even the moisture from your breath? Finally, forget about the 5 year warranty VDO advertises. I received one polite email from the manufacturer after I sent an email to customer support. The rep told me the computer module was defective and would be replaced under warranty. After that point, no follow up or response to queries. Did the company go out of business? Fortunately, the company I purchased the item from, Bike Nashbar, is a first class operation and agreed to accept the return.

I bought two (brother, myself). If seem to work fine the first couple of rides. Then it got cooler out (Thanksgiving 55-60 F). The computer starts and stops when it wanted to... I thought the computer just like warm weather because it start to work in 65 F +.

Now it seem like it does not work more that it does in any temperature. Today, I spend most of my ridding time moving the computer around to see if the position has something to do with the pickup. Some time it starts to work and then it's not working again. My brother states similar results, moving the computer around and spending too much time play around instead of enjoying the ride.

So it now May '11 and it still not working correctly. I'll try changing the batteries and see what happens.

Update: I'm changing my rating from 1 star to 3 stars because VDO replaced the unit with a newer version which works fine. They are apparently aware of the signal/communication problems and replaced the problematic unit under their 2-yr warranty by simply checking the serial number. They sent the replacement within 1 week (from Germany).

Original review:
Set-up was great. Good hardware. I had high hopes...and then started riding with it. Completely unreliable! The signal gets lost so often, the computer is practically useless, even with new batteries. The only time it consistently gets a signal is when you ride with hands on the tops right next to the computer. Pretty disappointing to come home from a 3-hr ride and have the computer tell you that you rode a walloping, cramp-inducing 23 miles!? Am I that old??? Lame wireless sender/receiver that loses signal constantly. Stay away from this computer and get something that works properly.