Back-Lit Cycle computer?

[LI-ghtcycle]

So I went the Turnigy Watt and Power meter route (as opposed to the Cycle Analysit) and I am still not happy with my mid-grade cycle computer for one reason: no back light.

Even if I used some form of mini light on the handlebars to shine onto my cycle computer, it just washes out the screen, already tried even a special bar mounted light just for that purpose, and it was worthless.

Sooooo I can't believe there isn't a cycle computer out there that is back-lit

I'm not wanting to break the bank, but I WOULD like to see my speedometer at night!

Anyone found a reasonably priced cycle computer that is back-lit AND lets you keep it on? :lol:

I found an in-expensive bell one that lights up (it's on my dad's bike) but it's much like the garmin GPS, it lights and then goes off again in a moment or 2, and you have to push a button to activate it so it's pretty much worthless.

 

[amberwolf]

Yes, it's called a Palm PDA. Running the free VeloAce software.

The old monochrome screens with the green backlighting (hold power button for a second or two to turn the light on or off on most of them) are the ones to use for it, since it won't run on newer models correctly. Nice thing is they can be found for a couple bucks if you look at thrift stores and stuff. I probably see one for $2 to $10 every other month at Goodwill or Deseret Industries, and I don't go that often these days, so I'm probably missing a lot of them.

Most of these PDAs run off AA or AAA batteries, so you can just keep some rechargeables around and swap them out as needed. Or rig up a DC-DC converter out of a celphone charger to run it off your pack (though I still use batteries, myself)

All you have to make yourself is the cable to the wheel sensor, which will just plug into the serial port end of the sync cable (yeah, these are all old enough they won't have USB). Take any old reedswitch wheel sensor from your old cycle computers, and cut the cable at the cycle computer end. You'll have two wires. Get a male style DB-9 connector, often found on old RS232 serial extension cables. Also on old 9-pin monochrome, CGA, and EGA monitors (that's what mine came from). Solder one wire to pin 3, and the other to pin 4. Doesnt' matter which is which.

If you want a wireless sensor, you can build the simple circuit he has on the Veloace page, which sends via IR to the PDA, but which will shorten PDA battery life due to having the IR enabled.

Here's some pics of what it actually looks like mounted on my bikes. The first pics are from back when DayGlo Avenger had a motor, which has been a while now. The last pics are just of the screen in the dark on CrazyBike2 prior to the headlight changeover (so now the front half of the bike's frame isn't lit like that):



View attachment 2

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

Wow! Your quite the electronics whiz there Amberwolf! :bow:

I'm hoping that site has all the necessary pictures and directions? Much of what you said went over my head, the parts about the types of cables and what pins to solder to. :wink:

I think I have seen a few of those palm pilots and such at Goodwill too, I haunt there regularly, and today I even scored what should be more than enough to make my E-Bike handlebar mounted mini fairing!

But tonight I just want to get my battery hangers finished so I can ride it with complete confidence that the hangers will hold up.

 

[amberwolf]

well, first just make sure that the palm you get has the hotsync cable with it, or else you won't be able to put the program on it, much less hook it to the bike, unless you use IR to send it back and forth. most computers don't ahve IR, some laptops do, most PDAs do (or used to).

Once you have that, you can ask me for help with the cable making; it's easy enough. the site itself doesn't have any specific directions, just the basic wiring and expects you to know how to do the rest.

 

[MrKang]

Why don't you just buy a 2nd hand or new PNA with navigation software on it ?
They also have inbuild speedo meter.

i bought mine last summer for 50 euro's including a new Igo8 navgation pack.
http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/ultraportable-35-inch-touch-screen-gps-navigator/

this one is the cheapest and smallest model they have. I bought then the 5" model with a larger screen.
But the software stays the same.

Is this a nice cocpit screen on your handle bar or what !

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

Ooooo that looks nice MrKang! I'll definitely look into those too ...