Sigma BC1706HR DTS Wireless Bicycle Speedometer with Heart Rate Monitor

I am a veteran of many bike computers/heart monitors, most recently of the Vetta brand, a model, apparently, no longer available. The Sigma BC1706 HR DTS Wireless seemed to meet my needs. After 3 months of annoyance, I'm not sad that it has died.There is much to like about this monitor/computer, but the speed function is so inconsistant, it makes all the readings suspect. Riding three times a week and averaging over 100 miles a week, I had hardly a ride in which the speed did not mysteriously dropp to zero. I tinkered often to overcome the issue and don't know if I really made a difference or the device just started working again on it's own. At times I'd just keep riding and the function would return. Today, I spun the wheel before I started, and speed registered. I got on my bike and rode a block, but the speed read only 00. Changed the battery, checked alignments, nothing helped. I'm tired of messing with it. I read reviews on some other Sigma computers and discovered I am not alone with this problem. Bought a different brand.

This is my 4th bike computer over the years. The dual bike functionality is brilliant. The addition of pulse monitoring is awesome. The layout of stats is excellent -- I especially like the fact that half are triggered by one button, and half by another. That means that rather than stepping through all 20 (or so), you can access a given stat in 1/2 of the number of button presses.The only issue is that on my trail bike with the giant, shock-forks there is a lot of metal between the wheel sensor transmitter and the receiver on the handlebars. I do lose the signal on occasion. I suspect that if I spend the time to move the receiver and transmitter around, I can improve reliability. As pointed out by others, the manual sucks. I'm not particularly pleased that all parts are held on by rubber o-rings -- not sure what UV and weather will do to those over time. The o-rings are certainly more adaptive to different diameter mounting situations, but I would much rather screw them down with clamps. Would love a temperature function, but suspect that it is not possible since device is always in direct sunlight.Negatives aside, bottom-line is this is the best bike comp I've ever owned and would buy again/recommend to friends.EDIT - 7/2011 followup: it has been two years now. I purchased a 2nd cradle for my street bike. The unit works flawlessly on that bike. I am pretty disappointed with its reliability on the trail bike though. It is basically unusable. I'm also kind of unhappy with the entire wireless concept -- one of my riding buddies' wireless comps clobbers my signal when we get within 5 feet of each other. I'm knocking off 2 stars for these two issues. If you have a street bike and no conflicts I still recommend though.

I've been using the device for 2 months now and am very comfortable with its operation. This is my first computer, and as well bike since I was a kid. At 62, I wanted to track my daily exercise so distance and heart rate monitoring were musts. It took about a week to actually learn how to use it, both initial setup and daily reseting the collected data. The instructions are a little weak. Also, it is critical that the chest strap is moistened prior to use. Cadence was not a requirement, so this one was perfect for me.

Pros:-Cheap compared to other brands with similar functions.-Nice, when it works.Cons:-I dont like the o-rings the use to mount everything. Seem stable enough.. but I prefer zip-ties.-Finicky. My first ride I got "too many signals" error message for the first 2 miles, even though I was by myself, and not using the HR monitor. My second ride, the speed sensor worked 95% of the time, but the HR monitor kept reading 0, even though I had wetted it as described.-Some people prefer the 4-button interface, but I don't. Hard to remember what each button does in each mode. Not a big deal though.I gave this one a try... but in the end I returned it and when with the Cateye Strada Wireless, which took 2 minutes to install, and works perfectly.

The bad: When I didn't quite get the user guide in English, I tried German.Remember: Sigma is a German company and writes their manuals in German first. But by whom? By a German rocket scientist who also holds advanced degrees in nuclear physics, applied mathematics and rare Amazon biology? S/he probably can't boil rice though; too every-day. It still confused the heck out of me, and I do speak both English and German (more or less) fluently.The good: eventually you figure out how this thing works (I put little stickers next to the four buttons). And then it's an excellent bike computer/heart-rate monitor, nicer than anything else I looked at. Installation is "un pezzo di torta" (piece of cake), especially if you use the little rubber o-rings. The wireless transmission works flawlessly, the computer starts and stops as you move or stop your bike, the device is supposed to be water (rain-) resistant, the transmitter (chest-band) hooks up with the receiver without a hitch, the display is larger than most and very readable.Your bike rides take on a new quality monitoring - and pushing - your heart rate. Especially good, if you're going after fitness and/or fight the middle bulge. Like me.Four stars; five if Sigma finds a lay-person to re-write those darn manuals of theirs. In the meantime, this monitor is worth the aggravation of a bad manual.

Upon opening the package and hooking it up I found it not to work. The batteries in 2 of the three units were dead. No big deal I was going to replace the battery, however when taking the battery out of the computer a tiny clip used as the battery ground fell out. This clip slides into base of the unit and certain way and would be near impossible to ensure that it be put back the right way. So my opinion is this is a throwaway unit after the battery dies. The vendor did refund my money quickly and without question. If the unit worked for 2 or 3 months then died I would be SOL..and out about $100.