Which Enduro Computer??

[angrytim]

I know this topic has probably been beat to death, but searching did not give me what I was looking for.

I want to purchase the best Enduro computer. I don’t care about the price.
My main decision points are:
1. Easy to program
2. Easy to use
3. Easy to view @ a simple glance
4. Easy to modify program if needed
5. Know exactly when to start after a reset (been bit here)
6. Reliability

I narrowed it to the ICO Checkmate and the Watchdog. I have looked @ their sites and gone through their demo pages.
I also read through their user’s manuals. I flip flop back and forth on which one to buy.

Thanks.

 

[Brian VT]

A bunch of us have the Watchdog. Very reliable and simple to use.
One of us has a Checkmate. The programming is a bit tougher to learn but a really nice thing is that it shows you the upcoming possibles. Also, the autocal is handy and if you get the infrared option you can download the programming from another Checkmate.

For my money, I'd buy another Watchdog. If they were the same price, I might switch to the ICO. Maybe.

 

[fury1]

you can view the possibles on the watchdog as well,they also have a dual sport mode,and a GNCC mode for multiple laps on a single race,as well as the enduro mode

 

[angrytim]

Good stuff.

 

[Brian VT]

you can view the possibles on the watchdog as well

I'll have to reread my manual. I don't remember seeing that. Thanks.
I'm guessing I need to be using a different screen if I want that info. The ICO has it all on one screen (which is not necessarily a good thing when you've only got time for a glance).

 

[angrytim]

I'll have to reread my manual. I don't remember seeing that. Thanks.
I'm guessing I need to be using a different screen if I want that info. The ICO has it all on one screen (which is not necessarily a good thing when you've only got time for a glance).

That was my concern w/ having it all on one screen. I had lasik surgery and my up close vision has suffered. See great now from a distance...

 

[fury1]

its on the screen that counts down to possibles on your left,has early/late in the middle and running keytime seconds so you know when to watch for the flip while creeping in off the street,I have mine setup to watch mileage on the left and early/late on the right side,press the main button once and it goes to the second screen discussed earlier,and it has very large numbers that are easy to read

 

[angrytim]

I'm going w/ the watchdog. Thanks all.

 

[Brian VT]

You didn't even hear from any ICO users yet !

 

[Skidad]

You didn't even hear from any ICO users yet !

I agree with Brian.

You might want to do some searching or post the question over on the orange site as this exact question has been hashed out quite a bit. The Watchdog has a heavy New England following as it's designed/built here.

Personally I'm getting the ICO Checkmate XL. I'm also getting their really nice small multi funtion odometer to use when I won't be using the computer. They share the same thumb control switch so I can switch back and forth and I won't have to worry about destroying an expensive computer when I'm just out trail riding or doing turkey runs. Yes I do find too many ways to keep hitting the ground. The infa red transfer on the regular and more expensive Checkmate is kind of neat and a fair # of guys reported using it. I really don't know if I would so I'm gonna pass on it.


Skidad

 

[Brian VT]

The infa red transfer on the regular and more expensive Checkmate is kind of neat and a fair # of guys reported using it. I really don't know if I would so I'm gonna pass on it.

I dunno. Would I trust that the other guy programmed it correctly ?

 

[Skidad]

I dunno. Would I trust that the other guy programmed it correctly ?

Really good question but I guess if your in a really big hurry or lazy...... I was kind of surprised to see people really do use this but like I said I'll pass on this feature and get the less expensive XL version.


Skidad

 

[angrytim]

The real question is "should you trust the guys on the orange site"???

I just ordered the watchdog. A buddy of mine, Lawman, has one, and after talking to him, the large screen on the watchdog seems to be the way for me to go. I listen to him more now that he's no longer on those pumpkins.

Thanks all.

 

[Loosenut]

My 1st enduro computer was a Moose/A-loop. It proved to be unreliable after 1 season. The best feature was a beeper that would beep prior to each possible. I set it to beep 2/10ths of a mile prior to a possible. I miss that feature.

I replaced it with the ICO Checkmate. I really like the ICO. It's reliable. The screen displays eveything you need, no fiddling with buttons. The IR transfer is a nice feature. While I have done the transfer, I usually show up with mine programmed. I don't think I would buy any other computer for west coast enduros. ICO dominates the woods here in the west making it easy to get help if I have issues.

I have never used a Watchdog computer, but I hear nothing but praise for the device. You can't go wrong with either choice.