VDO MC1 0 Altimeter Cycle Computer
The VDO MC 1.0 is the perfect tool for the enthusiastic climber featuring 9 altimeter functions and 13 cycle computer functions. The Matrix-display shows your tour-relevant topographical data plus your regular cycle computer readouts. The programmable NAVIGATOR makes following road book instructions a piece of cake. Functions: Current Speed (in Miles or Kilometers); Trip Distance; Total Odometer; Elapsed Ride Time; Clock; One Button Operation; Auto Start/Stop; Average Speed; Maximum Speed; Pace Arrow; Hands Free Auto Scroll through functions; Trip Distance 2; Dual wheel programmable; Auto/Manual Stopwatch; Odometer for Wheel 1; Odometer for Wheel 2; Freeze Frame function; Wired Version. Easy to read 3-line display; Current Altitude (m or ft); Current Temperature (C or F); Current Climb in %; Trip Climb Total; Max Altitude per Trip; Average Trip Incline; Maximum Trip Incline; Total Climb (all trips); Maximum Altitude (all trips); Home Altitude Memory (auto recalibration of home altitude); Service interval indicator.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars best altimiter computer I’ve tried
I love the MC 1.0 it works great on two bikes (you need another mount but they’re cheap since it’s not wireless). The display is a little small at first, but you quickly get used to where to look for what data and then you’re so glad it shows so much all at the same time. I’ve never had a problem with it not recording a ride (unlike with wireless computers) and having the temperature always displayed is especially useful. The menus are easy to navigate and make great sense. The only thing missing is a backlight. I use mine for mountain biking and road riding and it’s stood up to a lot of abuse over the last year.
5 Stars Cyclecomputing,…… with an altimeter!
I’ve used an Avocet 50 for about the last 15 years. It still works but the new VDO altimeter is much more sophisticated. I can recommend it.
Pros: Lots of functions, works well, easy to mount and use. The mileage to 2 decimal places,.. hundredths of a mile is great! But,…
Cons; I’m seldom interested in my speed, usually I already pretty well know it. As a tourist, I watch mileage very close. The speed is in big numbers but the mileage is difficult to read, numbers at the bottom of the screen are too small!
And the operation using all the keys to do one thing is too complex. Seems like another key and a simpler sequence would have been easier.
But,.. overall it does seem to be a good computer, I’ve already got about 250 miles on it and it has worked with no problems!
5 Stars Compact unit, lots of info
I got this computer to replace my recently-defunct Avocet 50, one of the earliest bike computers with an altimeter. The Avocet had a single display with big numbers and only two buttons: it was quite simple.
In comparison, this VDO has a wealth of information, but to display it all requires much smaller numbers and three buttons. So of course there are pluses and minuses: the small numbers can display a lot of info at once but are hard to read when the light is dim (I ride a lot at twilight). It’s hard to remember which buttons to press to find the display you want. And two of the buttons are side buttons, which IMHO are much less convenient than buttons on the front (top) face.
Another minor plaint: the documentation is unnecessarily printed in micro-type, and is not especially easy to follow.
But overall, it’s a positive: the gradient feature is nice even if it may not be too accurate, and the ability to switch between two bikes obviates the need to have two computers.
The altimeter function increments by one meter at a time (the Avocet’s minimum step was four meters or ten feet) which suggests rather incredible resolution in their barometric strain gauge, but it works. The unit appears to be well made.
4 Stars All was as expected
All was as expected from the seller. As far as the product goes, I wish it had a better mounting system.
5 Stars Highly Accurate VDO Cyclometer
I’ve had this unit for about 6 weeks and have found it to be very accurate for all of the usual key metrics: Distance, Ride Time, etc.
I really bought this unit for the altimeter functions. It took me a while to learn my way around the unit and find all of the features. Based on riding a marked and measured century in San Diego County on my 2nd ride, I found distance, elevation gain, incline %, max. elevation, and actual elevation at several marked locations on the ride to be extremely accurate (elevation within 4′).
My only complaint is that there is so much data jammed into the display that I can’t really see some of the smaller type. I usually wear reading glasses, and can still read everything if I am stopped, but “at speed” you don’t want to be studying the display too closely, lest you run into something.
Based on my research, the price at BikeSomewhere was the lowest by quite a few dollars. I bought directly from their website (sorry Amazon, I found out later that you had the link too) and shipping was free. Now, I’m going to buy a 2nd mounting bracket and sensor so I can set it up on my MTB bike as well. Which reminds me that the unit allows you to preset 2 bikes and keep track of mileage and elevation gain separately for the 2 bikes.
Buy/More Info
