Review of Echowell U9 cycle computer

With a little more time on our hands here we are reinstating our product "Thrash Test". The idea of a Thrash Test is to use a product to the end of its natural life and let you know how far they made it as well as quality and use ratings along the way. We also combine with this customer feedback, so by looking at how many we have sold and how many came back to us with complaints, we can get an idea of general quality and durability, beyond the few we Thrash Test. So here we go with the Echo U9 computer review.  (Review will periodically be updated as we get further into the Thrash test) Background: This product in one that we brought into the shop along with its big brother the U12 as a way to replace the Sigma computers which we were have a lot of problems with and complaints about.  The Echo computers were offered as a value item and compared to the CatEye computers which tended to have similar features, at a higher price.

We very quickly realized that most customers were not interested in the U12 version because the added features were not really worth the extra money,  so we sold off the rest of our U12 computers at the U9 price and thereafter only stock the U9.  After selling in the neighborhood of 50 or these with no complaints coming back from customers,  we decided that it might be time to pull one off the shelf and Thrash Test it. 

Features:
the 9 in U9 stands for 9 functions.
Current Speed
Average Speed
Maximum Speed
Trip Distance
Odometer
Riding Time
Speed Pacer
12/24 Hours Clock
CO2 Saving

Most people really only care about the first six.  The slightly less expensive u6 doesn't include max speed which most people like to know.  The more expensive U12 includes total CO2 saving, auto scan and total ride time which people generally don't care about,  so the U9 really is the sweet spot of the U series computers.

For those of you wondering what the CO2 saving thing is,  the computer figures that the average car produces 0.17g of CO2 emissions per Kilometer. It uses this number to tell you how much CO2 you would have produced if you had driven instead of ridden.    Because the computer has no way to input the actual emissions of your car this number is a neat idea, but wildly inaccurate and largely useless. 

Setup and Installation:
This is a wired computer and sets up relatively easily.  In other words, we did not notice anything that was either more difficult or especially time saving in the installation of this computer compared to others we have done.  The U9 does get points for using rubber band mounts rather than zip ties which allow the mount to be moved around if needed without having to waste or find new zip ties. 

Setting the computer was relatively easy,  most common tire sizes are listed in the instructions,  so there was no measuring needed.   All and all by following the instructions it took less than 20 minutes the install and set the computer.  If you have never installed a computer before you may wish to allow 45 min to an hour.  Usually the trickiest part is wrapping the wire around the brake cable so that you use enough wire so there is not slack,  but there is enough slack so that the sensor can reach the spoke magnet.

Ease of use:
Once the computer is installed.  There is only one button to push.  Pushing this button will scroll you through the different bits of data, like distance, max speed etc.  Current speed will always be displayed,  and the other information is displayed in smaller numbers below.

Overall First Impression:   After installing one of these on a commuter and putting about 50 miles on it,  we are happy with how it works.  It is easy to see, and does what it says it will do.  As of yet there are no real surprises for the good or the bad.


Pricing:
 MSRP for the U9 is $25 but pricing will vary dramatically especially online.   The variation is due to a relatively lax pricing policy.   Other brands like Cat Eye and Sigma are very strict with pricing control which means you will find most retail stores and online stores have them priced about the same.  The companies do this so that shops can compete with online retailers.  It has always been our opinion that you can expect to pay a premium at a shop because you will have a shop guy to help you pick out and install your computer.   If you are shopping online, doing the research yourself, and installing it yourself,  you should be able to save a little cash, and with Echowell,  you can.  Remember,  higher price doesn't necessarily mean better quality,  sometimes it is just price control and hype. 

Recommendation?

So far we like this computer and our customers seem to feel the same way.  It is a great value and does all the basic things that most people want out of a cycle computer.   We will put a couple thousand miles on it and see how it fares,  but so far it is a good choice,  especially if you are the type of person who likes to buy parts online and save yourself some cash by doing it yourself.