The HR1000 brings both the cycling computer and the heart rate monitor functions into a single electronic package. The computer functions are present speed, 12 hour clock, stopwatch, odometer, tripmeter, average speed, maximum speed for the ride, and the freeze frame function spoken about in the C15 description. The heart rate monitor functions include, current pulse rate display, upper and lower limit programming to establish the target zone, records time during each workout that was spent below, in and over the target zone limits. A bezel below the clear plastic "crystal" that protects the LCD display, divides into two, top to bottom. The upper larger portion of the display is for the cycling functions, while the lower third is used to display the current heart rate.
We'll discuss the cycling functions first. The cycling display has two display lines, the upper has 8mm tall characters, while the lower is 6mm tall characters. The speed functions can be displayed in MPH or KPH, though we will describe in MPH. The 12 hour clock is displayed on the lower line. It doesn't include an AM/PM indicator. The current speed is an upper line display. It will measure speeds between 2.5 and 99.5 MPH by the .5 MPH. The elapsed time since the ride began is displayed on the lower line while the speedometer is displayed. This stopwatch function is activated and stopped only by wheel movement, so must come to a stop to even temporalily turn it off, This wheel movement switching is the HR1000's auto stop/start function. Pressing the right key once allows the unit to display the speedometer on the upper line and the tripmeter, or distance traveled since the ride began.
The tripmeter will record up to 1000 miles traveled, aaccurate to the 1/10 MPH. Pressing the right button once more brings the average speed to the upper display line and the odometer function tot the lower. The has the same range as the speedometer and is also accurate to the .5 MPH. The lower odometer will increment up to what we believe to be 9999 miles or kilometers traveled before reset, the owner's manual is ambiguous on this and we don't have the time to cover the distance. Pressing the right button once more brings the maximum speed achieved during the ride to the upper line and the 12 hour clock to the lower.
The maximum speed is represented as a two digit whole number with tenths of a MPH or KPH to the right. The clock displays the hour and minute, no seconds. Like the C-15 the auto stop/start function won't permit you to review how you may have performed at the finish line of a race. Because the revolving wheel will continue to give present readings past the finish line and the display will "write" over the finish line performance, the "freeze frame" function will permit it stop and hold one reading. This is accomplished by holding the left button down, which "grabs" present readings, then repeatedly pressing the right button cycles you through the displays of "frozen" information. While the "freeze" is in progress the computer continues to update the cycling and heart rate information, which will be displayed when the left button is pressed again to "un-freeze" the unit.
The current heart rate is displayed in 6mm tall characters, on the lower half of the display. Its range is from 44 to 199 beats per minute, and heart shaped emblem on the display flashes show that the reciever is recieving properly from the chest worn, wireless transmitter. The target zone for your optimum heart work can be programmed into the unit. The upper limit available is from 100 to 199 beats, while the lower limit can be set between 40 and 179 beats per minute. To alert you during your workout that you heart rate is either above or below your target zone the heart rate portion of the displays flashes. When your heart rate falls into the target zone the display stops flashing. The lack of audible tones as you enter and exit the target zones on this model will obigate you to continue to look at the display, rather than the road. Over the course of the ride, the HR1000 accumulates the time your heart worked at less than, in , and in excess of the target zone range. At the end of the ride pressing the right button scrolls the times and their meaning accross the upper display, with the time in each on the lower line.
A word now, about the LCD display itself, which you will see we weren't able to get a very good image of, because it is so dark. It was originally announced as the result of Vetta having "pioneered a new technoloy" and having "far greater contrast than any other (cycling) computer on the market". The screen cover, or what on a watch would be the "crystal" on the HR1000 is made of plastic with what appears to be a green tint. The owner's manual says it uses a SuperTwist LCD, and that above 90-100 degrees F in bright sunlight the display changes from Green to Blue, and that below 30-40 degrees F it will turn Red. We put the unit in a freezer with a photographic thermometer to reduce the temp to 35 degrees and then walked out into August afternoon daylight, and noticed no color change to Red. However, during a heatwave, we left the unit in 91 degree heat and the color of the display area chaged to a Turquoise color with the characters appearing a lighter Black in color. The truth is, the Green crystal acually makes the characters more difficult to see, because even though the contrast between the "on" and "off" elements of the LCD appear more noticable, the overall brightness of the screen is greatly diminished by the Green color. It's like finding a way to sharpen the Black mask on a TV picture tube, but having to turn the bightness down to 1/3 or 1/2 the normal setting.
The wireless chest transmitter is held in place using elastic strap. Because the HR1000 is meant to be used explicitly for cycling, the transmitter, though somewhat water- resistant, isn't to be used while swimming. The transmitter case can be opened to replace the 3 volt lithium CR2032 battery inside, which is said to have a 600 hour useful life before replacment. The compurter head uses the same type of battery with the same life expectancy. The wheel sensor for the computer is front wheel mounted using a 33" long wire harness with the sensor attached to the bike via a sturdy, custom, adjustable clamp. The computer head itself is mounted on a quick releasable shoe on the handlebar, and is removed or re-installed in just a moment.
The transmitter and strap weigh 81.5 grams, and the computer head, wire harness, and wheel magnet have a total on the bike weight of 74.5 grams. The entire system was made in Hong Kong, in Black only. The HR1000 was replaced by the VHR series. We sold the HR-1000 for $49.99
The VHR 25 combines a 7 function Cyclometer and wireless HRM into a single compact unit that mounts on the bike handlebar. It uses a 2 line display. The upper line is 8mm tall, the lower is 6mm. The computer functions are Current Speed, Maximum Speed per ride, Average Speed per ride, Trip Distance, Total Distance (odometer), Trip Timer and Clock. The Heart rate functions permit you to program the upper and lower target zones. The display will flash <blink> when you are out of the zone and stop flashing </blink> when you inside them. It keeps track of, and will display the total time per session spent inside the target zone. The VHR 25 features a backlight display to make night viewing possible. Total weight on bike of computer/hardware of 49 1/2 grams. Hong Kong $ Price in Catalog
Wrist mounted heart rate monitor shows Current Heart rate, Hi and Low training zones with visual alerts. It has 2 line display with the clock or timer on the upper line and the heart rate displayed on the lower line. The timer will tell time spent in the programmable target zones. The display flashes when you are outside the target zone. Hong Kong. $ Price in Catalog
The VHR 50 combines a 7 function Cyclometer and wireless HRM into a single compact unit that mounts on the bike handlebar or can be worn on a wrist watch style holder to use in sports other than cycling. It uses a large 2 line display. The upper line is 9mm tall, the lower is 8mm. The computer functions are Current Speed, Maximum Speed per ride, Average Speed per ride, Trip Distance, Total Distance (odometer), Trip Timer and Clock. The Heart rate functions permit you to program a set of upper and lower target zones. The heart rate display will flash when you are out of the zone and stop flashing when you inside them. It keeps track of, and will display the total time per session spent inside the target zone.
The VHR 50 features a backlight display to make night viewing possible. The computer/HRM "head" rotates 90 degrees counter clockwise and it can lift out of the handlebar holder and then replaced in reverse in the wrist watch styled holder. In the wrist version, all the cycling functions are in-operable. Total weight on bike of computer/hardware of 65 1/2 grams. Hong Kong $ Price in Catalog
