Customer Reviews

Vetta RT277 Heavy Duty Cycling Computer

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

 

 

The RT277 is one of the very few computers that will display cadence along with speed and trip distance. Cadence is the only other function that I care about most of the time. The other functions like ave/max speed, ave/max cadence are nice to look at once in a while and record in a log.

Installation was straight forward. The heavy duty wires are overkill and a bit bulky. They were long enough for a rear wheel mount on recumbent.

The included distance gauge MUST be used to set the gap between the magnets and pickups. The gap is less than other computers but works through wheel covers.

Programming setup was straight forward. Circumference is the way to go for wheel size.

The computer has been in service for 6 months and is reliable while commuting in all types of weather.

Only two disappointments - no back light for low light viewing and no two bike function. Both are features on other Vetta models which I mistakenly assumed were included with the 277.

The Vetta RT277 is a bike computer that provides cadence, still can't get it to work right, and distance and speed (all ok here). I use this on a trainer in my basement...that is proabably all I would recommend it for. IF you plant to use it on the road, buy your own plastic zip ties. The ones that come with the computer are about as cheap and poorly put together as the instructions and the device itself. Altogether, it works but I'm relatively disappointed with the quality of engineering and thought into actual installation and use that went into this device.

I have had this for several months and still can not get the cadence to work. Don't waste your money on this POS.

Update - After numerous emails with the mfg'r and the total lack of function of the unit, they finally agreed to replace the unit. Waiting for their response with a non functional unit and about to go on a trip, I bought a Cateye with cadence and it works fine. So much for Vetta. Now let's see if I can get my money back.

This little RT277 works very well - but...has several flaws when it comes to installing it. Number one has to be BOTH the speed sensor & the cadence sensor look the same! There is no way to distinguish between the two without `trial & error'. Naturally I got them bass ackwards on the first try. If I remember correctly, with the unit pointed forward, the Heavy Duty, Metal Braided Cable on the right side is speed - the left side is cadence.

Secondly would be, it's a pain in the butt to mount on the stem vs. on the handlebar. Vetta does include a rubber pad for adaptation to the stem, but no clear instructions. I truly thought this unit would mount similar, if not exactly like a Vetta RT233 Cycling Computer. That unit has a simple plastic strap that can mount on the handlebar or the stem & locked down by threading it through a screw mechanism - much the same as a headlight or taillight from CatEye.

The speed sensor can be mounted by the front wheel (all bicycles) or rear wheel on most bicycles - not mine. I've got one with a 9 speed cassette & disc brakes. This makes the hub much wider & the chainstay is too far away from the spokes for proper clearance from the sensor to the magnet.

Once everything was finally installed, it works great. Gives the rider just about every bit of info needed and/or wanted. It locks in tightly to the mounting bracket & will not pop out across normal bumps & through potholes. Cadence can be read on the upper or lower screen...take your pick. If programmed with the correct tire size - it's deadly accurate. Even in today's 40 degree temps, the unit did not fade away or slow down. If you think the proper cadence isn't important - just try this unit or one like it. Pedaling at a higher cadence when climbing hills (but maybe in a lower gear) will make molehills out of those mountains. Despite the installation hassles, I still give it a thumbs up.

once i decoded the installation instructions, well once i put them aside and used logic, this is a fine cycle computer. the problem is there is one set of instructions for every product they sell and the product details are a bit shaky. this has features not in the instructions which are quite nice, but you need to figure them out yourself, perhaps some of the non=english instructions are more detailed and accurate...

that having been said, i would strongly recomend this product. speed and distance are spot on with my GPS, the cadence sensor took a bit of tweaking around, but once it was in place it works quite well. this is a rear wheel sensor so it works with a training stand as well as when riding.

I won't go into the nitty gritty with this review. Basically the product is great and easy to use. It does exactly what you expect it to. Vetta has again done a great job and made the product affordable and simple to use. The only drawback is I'd like to see the wires to be a little smaller and less obtrusive but it's a minor asthetic thing.

Do not buy if you plan on mountain biking. Use it 200 miles on the road, then about 1/2 in the woods before it fell of and GONE! Never to be seen again. The mounting bracket sucks. Any slight bump and off it goes. Caught it once or twice, but three times is a charm, GONE! Kinda hard to comment on durability and operation if it's not on the handlebar anymore.......... Better off using electrical tape to mount. Now all I have is some wires and a nice replacable face cover.

As a basic cycle computer, I really like the Vetta RT277. However, as some others have also noted in their reviews, the cadence feature does not work correctly for me. In my case, it registers too high a value - reporting my cadence as 240 (the apparent maximum) even when my actual cadence is only 60.

At first, I thought I might have mixed up the two (unfortunately unlabeled) sensor cables, so then swapped them, but with the same results as before.

All the other features work well for me, so I'll be keeping the unit anyway, but I really prefer having a working cadence, so hope the problem can be resolved. I have an Email support question in to the vendor about this, and will update this review if I learn anything useful from their response.

One more thing: the PDF manual posted on the manufacturer's site (listed here as a sponsored link) is quite a bit easier to read than the paper manual in the package.

Update 9/3/10: I've sent 3 Emails to customer service at Vetta this week, 1 asking for advice, and 2 asking for an RMA#, as required by their Website to obtain a warranty repair, and have received no response, so I've cut my rating for this product down to 2 stars.

I've now confirmed that passing either magnet next to either sensor cable registers as both cadence and speed/distance. Most likely there's a short somewhere between the two cables, causing them to both sense what only one should. Since the cables are not user-serviceable, I'll be returning the unit, either to Vetta (if they ever respond), or to Amazon.

Update 9/7/10: Vetta never responded, so I've just arranged to RMA the unit to Amazon for a refund, rather than replacement, due to the non-response from Vetta.

This cycling computer gives me what I want (cadence, speed, distance, average speed and average cadence) in a format that is easy to read and which is simple enough for me to understand. Price is low too, about $35. I expect a computer that gave altitude and temperature would be much more and be more confusing to scroll between functions

It took a good amount of searching before I was able to find the Vetta RT277, which also has cadence and under $30. I didn't want a wireless bike computer because many have reported the transmission isn't that good and for me, more batteries to replace. I also like the wired RT2xx series computers because of the thicker, steel braided wiring. The wiring should hold up better against damage if it's snagged.

The installation on the RT277 is very straight forward and it comes with a spacer to properly align the sensor and magnets. Also included are rubber mounts that are flat and offset depending on where the computer will be attached on the handle bars, along with zip ties and tape for the wiring (they don't recommend using zip ties on the wires), plus a clear (spare) cover for the computer.

I'm using it on a '08 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR. The speed sensor for the wheel spoke magnet is too far spaced from the chainstay on the SJ FSR. I used a sticky rubber feet (similar to the sticky felt circles, normally used items to prevent surface marring) on the chainstay to get the speed sensor closer to the wheel spoke magnet. One thing to check for before zip tieing the cadence and speed sensor is identifying which one is which. The sensors are not labeled. Take one of the magnets and make a few passes over the sensor to identify it. Aside from the manual neglecting to mention which sensor is cadence and speed, this is an excellent computer with the cadence feature.

Feature wise, the computer has the usual: current speed, average and max speed, indicators if you're above or below your average speed, tripometer, odometer and ride timer. Being a cadence computer, it also has current, average and max cadence. It has service or maintenance reminders either based on ride time or distance (handy for maintaining suspension components). It also has lap functions to track time or training purposes--I haven't used this feature though, mainly bought it for speed, distance and candence functionality.