I recently started biking to work and was looking for something that had a clock on it (to see how much time I have left before my meetings start). In addition to a clock, I thought it would also be nice to see how fast I was going and total distance travelled. A wireless setup would also be nice (to avoid having to run wires on the bicycle frame).
There are some cheaper alternatives out there, but they have a rash of negative comments about not calculating distance correctly. In fact in one video of a cheaper alternative, it shows that a cell phone will cause fake readings on the computer.
Having had a good experience with Topeak products (I have also have their beam bike rack), I decided to go with the Topeak Panoram V10.
I was surprised at how small the unit was, measuring just about 1.5" in width and slightly larger in length. Still the LCD screen is quite legibile. It also looks quite nice being such a small unit mounted where the handlebar meets the frame.
Setup was fairly straightforward. On the unit itself you have to tell it the circumference of your bicycle tire (this to calculate distance). It only accepts this entry in metric though, so be prepared to convert your bicycle tire size from inches to centimeters. Everything else can be seen in either traditional or metric units.
The pieces mount to your bicycle using zip ties. The main unit (screen) mounts where you can see it, typically near your handlebar. The wireless transmitter mounts on your wheel fork, also with zip ties.
I've been using this computer for over two months now, and it has kept accurate time and running totals (distance and average speed). More importantly, I have compared what the trip computer has calculated for distance with both a GPS unit as well as google maps. They all report the same thing, which tells me this little trip computer is very accurate.
In summary, a sturdy and reliable trip basic trip computer. It does exactly what I need in a tidy package.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 5.7 x 4 x 2.2 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 4.8 ounces |
| Item Weight | 4.8 ounces |
| Brand Name | Topeak |
| Suggested Users | Cycling |
| Manufacturer | Topeak |
| Part Number | 67001021 |
| Model Year | 2010 |
| Sport Type | Cycling |
