Math, computers, and recommendations, please!

[Owlie]

I'm wondering if all computers do this. I looked at what my computer (Serfas 4.4) says is my "average speed" the other day. It's apparently 9-ish mph. I'm pretty sure I'm faster than that. :D I'm wondering if it takes into account the zeros from stop signs and whatnot. DBF says his (the Shimano Flight Deck) doesn't record zeros. Mathematically, recording zeros doesn't make sense, but since I'm not walking my bike all that much, it shouldn't make that big an impact on average speed.

While I'm at it: For other reasons, I'm about ready to throw this computer out the window. Anyone got one they like? Also, if anyone can comment on the benefits of wired vs. wireless, I'd be grateful. I know wired computers are cheaper and aren't so prone to interference, but doesn't all that stuff get in the way?

[azfiddle]

I have a Garmin 305 unit - it's more than a bike computer, but my husband programmed it to not count speeds below 3 or 4 mph into the average.

[withm]

Did you make sure you have the correct number entered into the computer for your tire size? This could make a significant difference in your readings.

[OakLeaf]

Properly installed sensor wires aren't "in the way" of anything. They can be prone to breakage if they're installed loosely.

What features are you looking for? What parameters do you want to be able to track? Do you want to be able to download your workouts onto your "regular" computer? There are all kinds...

The computer isn't "recording zeroes," it's dividing distance by time (which includes stopped time). It actually takes quite a bit of sophistication to be able to exclude stopped time from your average. Then there's the question of whether you want tweak your data before you download it, or whether you want to download it all and use other software (like SportTracks) to tease out particular bits of data.

[Owlie]

Did you make sure you have the correct number entered into the computer for your tire size? This could make a significant difference in your readings.

If by that you mean wheel diameter, yes. Its default setting is 700. :)

Oak: Having some knowledge of programming, I can see why it would take something a bit more sophisticated to exclude those "data points." I could write a program in Java or Matlab that would do it, but telling something that's about as sophisticated as a four-function calculator to do that... This makes me think: Is the Flight Deck really not counting stopped time, or does BF just think it does?

Features I want--speed, average speed, distance (trip and total, though I can just subtract!), time (both trip and clock). The odometer should be programmable. Anything else is superfluous, really. While the Garmin sounds cool (I can get rid of those spots where I have to walk? Cool!) Trip average as well as overall would be cool, but I can do metal math.

[zoom-zoom]

I have a Garmin 305 unit - it's more than a bike computer, but my husband programmed it to not count speeds below 3 or 4 mph into the average.

Ditto. I have mine set to pause below 3mph...mostly because every time I'd be stopped to chat with a friend when I had it set to stop at 0mph it would pause/unpause/pause/unpause constantly and one time lost the entire previous portion of my recorded map.