I bought this product as an "open box" return for maybe 20% of retail.The guy had replaced all of the batteries (there are about 8 of them, the little coin type).I didn't have high expectations, but if it worked at all, I'd be happy, and it does work!Here's what it does: records your speed and cadence (how fast your pedals turn), plus barometric pressure, altitude, heart rate, and temperature.It records in the watch's memory and you download it to your PC with software that comes with the unit.You can plot the recorded variables against time or distance.
I'm going to pick on it now.I shouldn't, because I got it so cheap, but just in case you buy this one, or the newer RP109, you'd be smart to have a heads-up.The RP107's "dock" to download to your computer is RS232 (a "COM port").Most "modern" computers have not got a COM port anymore, just USB.The software, copyright 2005, looks clunky, but basically works (don't expect a lot of flash with the software).At first I couldn't get the watch to download to my computer at all.Then I discovered a small plastic "china" sticker on the back of the watch that was preventing a ground connector from contacting the watch (groan...bad manufacturing quality control).Removal of the sticker solved the problem, though, and it downloads great now. The altitude function isn't very accurate.I start a "tour" and do a round trip, so my total uphill should be equal to my total downhill, and those values should be around 175 feet, but they might come-out with a difference of 30 feet.In general, the altitude thing works, just not highly accurate.It seems like the beginning of the tour it's erratic, then settles down.
Ok, batteries were a big discussion item on my poking around the net.The situation doesn't seem that bad to me.I've used the unit every day for a month.The chest belt heart rate battery got weak and sent data erratically (zero, then valid, then zero, etc).I replaced the battery and it works again.My work-around is to just pull the battery unless I'm using it.I'll have to update this review (as if someone cares!) concerning the longer view of battery life.
This device has a lot of functionality, and it works as designed. Originally was just looking for just a heart rate watch, and the price I paid was the same as a new one of those, so I can't complain, even if I need to buy batteries now and then.
EDIT: This thing does go through the batteries.After about six weeks of daily use, the speed and cadence sender batteries have run out.Each sender uses two RL44 batteries.Since I don't care about cadence, I'll keep feeding just the speed sensor new batteries (which cost about $0.50 each on eBay in lots of 10).It would be a pain to remove these batteries when not riding, so I guess I'll just invest the $10 per year to keep the speed sensor working.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Oregon Scientific RP107 Altimeter/Barometer Watch with Wireless Bike Computer and Wireless Heart Rate Monitor
Product Description:
The Outbreaker Sports watch is an altimeter watch that takes altitude and vertical speed measurements. It also features a chronograph stopwatch timer and heart rate monitor, all rolled into one reliable timepiece! The watch is programmed for audible and visual alarm or optimal heart rate training and features a HiGlo LCD screen with a 12 or 24-hour clock. The watch is bundled with PC software, docking station and computer port linkage that allows you to download information from exercise routines into your computer. The sophisticated sports watch also monitors outside temperature and barometric pressure.The heart-rate feature with stopwatch has memory that records time spent below, above and within personal heart rate zones. A wireless sensor can also be attached to a bicycle frame and measure wheel speed, pedal cadence and trip distance up to 999.9 miles!
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