If you know about these models, which one would go with: the Pro 3D or the Pro PC1? Does the 3d capability make a big difference? Just curious what you think. Thanks for any thoughts.
3D model, no question about it. Graphics are much better and now with the expanded programming, you get all the courses you can handle with the 3D. PC-1 graphics is like the old Nintendo.
Ironjack
I second Ironjack. I have the Pro3D.
Third. Pro3D or don’t bother. All the new courses available are for the Pro3D software. If you’re not in a hurry to get one for this winter, then they usually sell them for a few hundred off over the summertime. If you are looking to buy now, buy it through Slowman. He will charge you the same as Racermate, and will give you some good CT usage guides. ( It ain’t brown-nosing if you expect to get no benefit ;p )
Cool, thanks for the follow up info.
i’ll buck the trend. i have the pc1 and because i use it in ergo mode mostly anyway, the graphics don’t matter. plus, how many ct users are really staring at the computer screen as opposed to the tv?
i say pc1 - save the $$ and get a renn disc!
Handlebar unit only. Use in Erg or Slope mode. No PC. No fuss. No wires. No BS. Watch DVDs; they’re more interesting than staring at the silver pacer’s butt. Spinscan is pointless. The only reason to get a “better” Spinscan score is to get a better Spinscan score. There is exactly zero evidence that a better Spinscan chart leads to time gains over any race distance. Just because an engineer came up with the software doesn’t mean it has anything to do with cycling physiology.
hey ashburn, i use my pc1 in ergo mode usually by just setting the wattage and riding. i discovered recently that there are programs you can ride in the ergo mode but i don’t know how to access the course descriptions. on the handlebar unit, it just says program 1,2,3, etc.
does that make sense?
Those programs increase in resistance setting, but are basically steady state resistance. I use them a lot, and they are convenient, but you don’t know the wattage associated with each setting because the CT guide doesn’t say.
depends.
I haven’t ridden a 3d course in over a year.
During the year, I get workouts from my coach in watts. I create workouts and plug them into the coaching software.
When I just want to ride while watching TV, I ride in stand-alone mode.
If you’re the kind of person who oohs and Ahhhs over 3d graphics, then get the pro3d version. If you just want to ride and get a workout, skip it. The software is buggy (I’ve had 3 computers and never got the dang 3d software working properly) and overpriced.
that’s odd. why would they just be steady state programs when you can so easily do that yourself? that sucks ass.
Maybe it’s trying to simulate a resistance trainer, but with distance, cadence, MPH, and elapsed time.
Personally, I’d use the erg feature more if it had all that, because the one thing I don’t know with the Px modes is the output I am achieving.
it does have all of that - you just have to scroll using the display button (i think).
I know that it has that for running P1-10, but if it does all that for ergometer mode too, well, I guess I haven;t figured it out, and don’t recall seeing it in the manual. I’ll have another look.
hey ashburn, i use my pc1 in ergo mode usually by just setting the wattage and riding. i discovered recently that there are programs you can ride in the ergo mode but i don’t know how to access the course descriptions. on the handlebar unit, it just says program 1,2,3, etc.
does that make sense?
Yes, there are programs embedded in the handlebar unit. 0-10 are fixed resistance levels. You can choose a level (3-4 are most “road-like”) and then use the bike’s gears to vary total work effort.
20-29; 30-39; 40-49 are 1/3/10 mile courses, respectively, with 10 levels (each) of difficulty. 50-59 is an endless random variation of the 10-mile loop.
The 1/3/10 mile programs offer automatic variation in effort (“hills”), but I don’t know exactly what the profiles are.
I use fixed watts mode mostly. Warm up, set it on 225-250 (depending on my fitness) and try to hang on for 20 minutes. Rest for 2 minutes and do it again. Workouts don’t get much simpler than that one.
For variable workouts (say, 1 minute hard, 1 minute easy,…) I use the program 1-10 settings and shift the gears on the bike to increase/decrease effort.
that’s odd. why would they just be steady state programs when you can so easily do that yourself? that sucks ass.
They’re not just steady state programs. Only the first 10 are. See above post.
I don’t follow this comment? You’re using what I would call ‘adjustable mag-trainer’ mode Programs 0-10 and you can’t see your generated power???
Press F2 and the display will cycle through speed, watts, distance and calories when using programs 0-59. Hold F2 down until the display fades off, then back on, and it will cycle automatically.
See? The handlebar unit has all sorts of nifty stuff built right in, and you don’t even need a PC!
BTW – the program choice says “Grade” on the display, but they’re not really grades, as in hill slopes. They’re just numbers.
I know that it has that for running P1-10, but if it does all that for ergometer mode too, well, I guess I haven;t figured it out, and don’t recall seeing it in the manual. I’ll have another look.
In erg mode, you get watts on the upper right, cadence and time someplace else. What more is there? There is nothing else to see.
Speed is irrelevant in erg mode because you can be in any gear you want.
Hey, man, I’m a triathlete. There are always more numbers to obsess about. ;p
I choose the PC1 last year… and don’t regret it. I very rarely use the graphical software anyway. I use the unlicensed version of the coaching software on 95% of my indoor rides. No need to watch a screen other then a glance to see spinscan numbers, cadence, HR and power.
Where can I get the “unlicensed version of the coaching software”?