Cateye has updated two of their more recent cycling computers to add functionality and connectivity. The Padrone Smart gets Bluetooth to link to your smart phone for automatic uploads, and the Stealth EVO+ becomes the top model with input from the Jelly Belly pro cycling team.
The upgraded and new features of the Stealth EVO+ include average & max heart rate, power and cadence; manual start/stop button; GPS-based current altitude; and a programmable display. It also adds Power Balance, which is the ability to display individual left and right leg power measurements if you have a crank based power meter with individual sensors. Rotor and Pioneer come to mind.
It keeps all the other ANT+ compatibility, GPS tracking and other features, too. The best part? It also keeps the $150 MSRP as the Stealth 50, adding all these features with no price increase.
The Padrone was introduced at Interbike 2013 as a large format computer for those wanting or needing an oversized display to make the numbers easier to read. Now, those needing glasses or contacts have an improved option that pairs with the Cateye Cycling App on iOS and Android phones.
The computer will also pair with Bluetooth speed, cadence and heart rate sensors on the bike, allowing it to capture basic ride data without a smart phone in tow. Add the phone, and you gain GPS data for the ride, and call/text alerts can be shown on the Padrone’s screen in real time. Like the Stealth EVO+, it’ll also let you upload the ride data immediately to Cateye’s system, Strava or TrainingPeaks.
Their Volt headlight lines get new 100 and 700 lumen models. The $35 Volt 100 gets a USB rechargeable battery and three modes (high, low, flash), side visibility, and both handlebar and helmet mounts.
The 700 runs $130 and bumps the light output and uses the cartridge battery system of the 350 and 50, letting you carry a spare while still having USB recharging. It has five modes, including a hyper burst mode that pushes output to 800 lumens to really get folks attention in otherwise distracting urban areas.