Ciclosport CM8.3A

[pedaler]

I have hesitatingly gone to print here not least because I'm still in discussions with Ciclosport (I think) but I'm also very frustrated with them and want to share my experiences with anyone thinking of buying their products.

Ciclosport cycle computer CM8.3A :javascript:void(0);

I bought one of these over a year ago after losing my previous one when the rubber band holding it, broke. That model, the forerunner to this one, plugged directly into a PC for efficient data transfer.

This latest one only connects via a dongle, which has to be bought separately, and it’s not cheap.

The dongle is my main cause for concern – I’ve not been able to transfer any data to any of 3 lap-tops and 2 PCs (one of which is only a month old) and I have 2 dongles.

What has not helped is the completely useless customer service from the company. I have e-mails galore and have been in touch by phone and got no replies to most requests. I find this company very difficult to work with and very unreliable. On top of this they have failed to help me resolve the problem. Individuals seem nice and helpful but fail to follow-up on promises or reply to requests.

As well as the data transfer problem, the unit failed to start after a stop and would only start after following a certain procedure (it should start easily). My unit was replaced but has not been extensively used yet. It also was unreliable over about 10000 feet (been to high altitude) and would frequently cut out.

I have lots more details on the problems I have had and will willingly share them with anyone interested - e-mail address supplied

In summary, stay away from this company and its products if you want reliability and anything approaching good customer service.

[DaveB]

I'm sorry for your problems and only hope that you get them resolved.  However, I can offer an alternative product, the Garmin Forerunner 305.  Disclaimer: I have NOTHING to do with Garmin or selling their products.  I'm just a satisfied customer.

The 305 is aimed at runners but works very well as a cyclometer and data logger.  You can measure and display all of the normal cyclometer functions (speed, distance, ride time, etc.) but also altitude, total climbing and decent, heart rate and it is a simple GPS.  It doesn't have maps but will record way-points and point you to your destination.   The display can be customized to show the functions you want and there are three different screens you can scroll through so you can watch a lot of different things.

Data can be downloaded to any computer with the provided software and an included USB cord and the internal battery can be recharged from an AC adapter (also included) or the USB connection.

Best of all, it's very reasonably priced at less than $150 from Amazon including the optional bike handlebar mount.  Finally, Garmin's customer service is extremely good which is a real plus.

[Tourista829]

It is too bad this is not working out. Those "dongles" can be a real menace. Thank you for letting us know about this. Did you purchase this via a credit card? Surely there must be some recourse.

[pedaler]

I have a Garmin so will be using this when I do the Sierra Cascades route this year. 

The 'advantage' of the Ciclosport is its low battery requirement and presence of a thermometer, though the latter is a nice-to-have.  Its downside is the storage capacity - not enough my tours

I also agree with your comments on Garmin's customer service - excellent - Ciclosport, note.

[Tourista829]

Pedaler, if I may make two inexpensive solutions if you want a thermometer. I believeACO still offers the Stem Captain, which replaces your stem cap. $25. The 2nd soluion is the Thermobell. If  I am correct, less than $15 which is multi functional. Neither option requires power.

[pedaler]

Thanks for the thermometer suggestions.  The original CM8.3A was bought over a year ago and never worked fully.  I have a replacement now but still the same problem.  I'd also bought it from a German company via e-bay and so given these complications, think I've lost out.

P

[DaveB]

  I'd also bought it from a German company via e-bay and so given these complications, think I've lost out.

That's the problem with e-bay, you have little recourse if the product is mis-represented or defective.