Powermeter compatible bike computers which use coin cell batttery?

[Mark McM]

For years I have used, and been satisfied with, typical wireless bike computers that use lithium coin cell batteries. Sure, the battery(s) must be replaced occasionally (maybe once a year at best), but at least most computers give you adequate warning before the battery is dead.

I recently got a power meter, which as most do today, connects to a computer with ANT+. But I'm haven't found a decent ANT+ computer that doesn't need to be recharged often (every 10 hours or so, or about once or twice a week). I've used a (rechargeable battery) GPS bike computer in the past, but I found that I don't often have use for the GPS feature, and when I haven't stayed on top of the recharge schedule, its died in the middle of rides. With the coin cell computers, I can just jump on the bike and go without worrying about the computer lasting for the entire ride.

I suspect the biggest battery drains are the GPS, and possibly a backlight for some of the fancy color displays they sometimes put on these gadgets. But I don't need any of these. I did find one coin cell ANT+ computer, the Powertap Joule, but I found this computer did not have a well designed layout, and could not be configured for some of the features I desire.

So, are there any other bike computers with ANT+ compatibility that either don't use rechargeable batteries, or that can last most of a seaons on a single charge? GPS functionality is not necessity, although an altimeter would be nice.

[FlashUNC]

Can turn off GPS on the SRM PC8, extends the battery life on those quite a bit.

[shovelhd]

Right, but the PC8 does not use a user-serviceable battery. It must be recharged via the USB port, and replaced by SRM. It's never died on one of my rides though. I did a 7 hour one recently and the battery was only at 50%. I'm very pleased with my PC8.

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

Right, but the PC8 does not use a user-serviceable battery. It must be recharged via the USB port, and replaced by SRM. It's never died on one of my rides though. I did a 7 hour one recently and the battery was only at 50%. I'm very pleased with my PC8.

True, but I'm hard pressed to think of a power meter that has the total combination of features the OP is looking for.

The PC8 checks at least what seem to be the more important boxes in that list.

[chiasticon]

I know it's not what you want to hear, but I'm just in the habit of charging the computer after every ride, same as with my lights. having the computer die wouldn't be the end of the world, but losing a light could be a big deal. I mean, I have to charge my phone once a day usually so it's not a huge deal to me. but is one more thing to worry about when getting ready or coming in from a ride.

[Mark McM]

I'm not against rechargeable batteries per se, but I'm looking for a unit which can go a long time (more than 30 or 40 hours) without some kind of battery servicing (recharge or replace).



(As an aside, I wonder what kind of bike computer Ultra Marathoners use - they often ride 20 or more hours a day, and sometimes several days straight.)

[shovelhd]

Well, the PC8 does have a USB charging/download port, and you could use an external lollipop power pack that would probably go 40 hours and add a few ounces of weight.

[shovelhd]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

(As an aside, I wonder what kind of bike computer Ultra Marathoners use - they often ride 20 or more hours a day, and sometimes several days straight.)

I bet they use a power pack and swap computers daily, charging the backup in the chase vehicle.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by chiasticon

I know it's not what you want to hear, but I'm just in the habit of charging the computer after every ride, same as with my lights. having the computer die wouldn't be the end of the world, but losing a light could be a big deal. I mean, I have to charge my phone once a day usually so it's not a huge deal to me. but is one more thing to worry about when getting ready or coming in from a ride.

What a sad world we live in today that we can't go to long or to far from our device recharging tethers (bike computers, cell phones, electric car chargers, etc.).

[shovelhd]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

What a sad world we live in today that we can't go to long or to far from our device recharging tethers (bike computers, cell phones, electric car chargers, etc.).

Says the guy who wants a power meter

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

Says the guy who wants a power meter

But at least the battery in the power meter can last a year without recharging!

[foo_fighter]

The Lezyne GPS computers last 24hrs. I'm not sure if you can extend the battery by turning off GPS though.

[jruhlen1980]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

I bet they use a power pack and swap computers daily, charging the backup in the chase vehicle.

Some computers (Wahoo, certain Garmins) can be charged in use.

[chiasticon]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

(As an aside, I wonder what kind of bike computer Ultra Marathoners use - they often ride 20 or more hours a day, and sometimes several days straight.)

a guy I ride with recently did the seattle to portland ride, and a number of 200+ miles rides this summer with this computer: http://www.brytonsport.com/products/rider530?lang=eng

he seems to like it, but I have zero experience with it. seeing it on his bike was the first I'd ever heard of it, in fact. claimed 33 hour battery life though.

[ptourkin]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

Well, the PC8 does have a USB charging/download port, and you could use an external lollipop power pack that would probably go 40 hours and add a few ounces of weight.

I've recorded the whole Silver State 508 on my PC8 more than once ~40 hours. The PC8 battery is 1300 mAH and a lipstick battery pack is 3900. I get over 15 hours without charging no problem.

Everything else about the PC8 is 2013 technology though. We still do not have bluetooth, will never have any navigation and the Wifi upload is deadly slow and can't be used in a random coffee shop on the road.