Best bike computer/heart monitor?

[e.e.cummings]

Any recommendations? This is my first time looking at getting a really nice bike computer - it will be a gift for my husband. It would only be used for cycling, not transferring to other sports. I would appreciate any advice. (If he likes it I will probably end up getting one for myself).

[wildeny]

What's your budget? That would define which one has the best value.

[e.e.cummings]

To be honest I am not really sure - I have not even been out in the stores to start comparing yet. I had a friend recommend the Trek Ach Digital - 2.4 ghz which I see on-line retails at $189.99 US. I am okay with that price, of course, if there is anything just as good for less, I am always interested. But I don't mind spending that or a bit more for something has good features.

[roadie gal]

What features do you want? Do you need/ want cadence, wireless, GPS, altitude, etc? Wireless, in general, will cost a little more than wired. Cadence is extra. Some computers will allow you to add a cadence monitor later if you're not sure you want it.

Once you decide what you want look through a bunch of different sites or do a search. The prices can vary widely for the same unit.

[e.e.cummings]

I would like heart monitoring, cadence, wireless - I also heard that one shows you how many calories you have burned, which sounds pretty cool. Since I am at the beginning of my search I am not familiar with everything available. I planned to go to my local bike shop today to have a lot at what they have and talk to a salesperson.

My friend has one that he tells me has all of the above, but the one feature he does not like is that there is no automatic on/off of the monitoring - sometimes he will forget to shut it off right after his workout. So I guess I would want to have the auto on/off as well.

[Eden]

I'd say don't put calories burned on your must have list - in general it is very inaccurate...

As far as brands go, I'm partial to Sigma. They seem to be the most accurate HR monitors going and the products are generally well designed and easy to use.

[wildeny]

My friend has one that he tells me has all of the above, but the one feature he does not like is that there is no automatic on/off of the monitoring - sometimes he will forget to shut it off right after his workout. So I guess I would want to have the auto on/off as well.

How can a heart rate monitor has auto on/off? How does it know when to start/stop? Mine does turn it off after some time without signal. Some people don't like it because they forget to turn it on.

I don't have all functions in one device. I have Sigma BC1606 (wired) with cadence & Bike 2 options (I have two bikes). Since it's wired, it automatically turn on when the wheel move. I like it wired so that the data can be more accurate.

I have Sigma Onyx Fit for heart rate monitor.

To me, these two provide the best value of my needs under my budget.

I do love to have one with GPS/altitude etc. But at that time I didn't know how serious I'm in the training. Next time when I upgrade my bike, I would consider one like Sigma Rox 9.0 (or the new Garmin Edge 500).