Ciclosport HAC4
By James Sharp

"Step right up, don’t be shy. I have the latest, the greatest device that will make you ride like Lance Armstrong!" O.k., I don’t have a device that will make you ride like Lance, but you can use the same data acquisition that the Postal Team uses, the Ciclosport HAC4. HAC stands for heart rate monitor, altimeter and computer.

The HAC4 has 57 functions. That’s not a typo, 57 functions in a device that is a little larger than your average watch. Rather than list the functions here, I would refer you to Ciclosport where they are all listed by category; bicycle computer, altimeter, heart rate monitor, and watch. I will just go over some of the highlights.

In addition to the usual bicycle computer functions, namely speed functions and distance functions, the HAC4 has power output in watts, percent incline and decline of the road or trail, and it logs 64 hours worth of data that can be uploaded to your PC for analysis later, using the available transfer kit and software. The data link and software is standard on the HAC4+ model. Cadence (wired) is also included in the HAC4+ model.

The HAC4 is truly a multi-sport device. It knows if you have it connected to the bike mount or not. If it isn’t, the bike functions are deactivated, simplifying navigation when it is used as a watch. If the user wants to look at the bike data, they can re-activate those functions, like speed and power output, by pressing the upper and lower right buttons simultaneously. This will only activate the functions for a few moments, but it is long enough to scroll through and find the information you are looking for.

I found the bike mount to be simple to use, and ingenious in it’s design. It utilizes the same pins that the watchband uses. Since the watchband is a simple hook and loop strap, it is easy to remove and replace without taking the pins out. The bike mount is secure; I never lost the computer off road or on. However (we reviewers love to put in howevers) the mount uses double sided sticky tape and an elastic strap to hold it in place, instead of a more secure screw. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, but since there are so many functions and only four buttons, the user needs to push two at once often. The lack of stability of the HAC4+ mount makes this difficult on the go.

My biggest complaint is the user interface. It’s not that it is hard to use; it just isn’t immediately intuitive. Plan on spending some quality time with the manual, which, by the way, isn’t the easiest to follow, but well worth the effort. Fortunately there are pictures, and this helps immensely; in my time with the HAC4 I have only accidentally reset everything to zero once. Don’t expect to be up and running 100% the first day. Ditto that with the PC software. Speaking of the PC interface, why in the world would the fine engineers at Ciclosport saddle the HAC4 with a serial interface? USB is more mainstream and many newer PCs have front USB ports. There are several serial-to-USB adaptors out there, though we haven’t tried any with the HAC4.

Having my heart rate monitor and bicycle computer in one device, and freeing up valuable space on my handlebars for lights is great, throw in the altimeter and data logging and you have a fantastic tool, or toy depending on how you look at it. To me, the most important feature that the HAC4 has is the data logging. I wouldn’t mind losing some of the other features, but do not take away the data logging. It is a valuable training tool to be able to go back and look at power output and heart rate at different mileage and incline. It is amazing that this level of sophistication is affordable to the masses.

Summary: All in all, the HAC4 and the HAC4+ are the ultimate in data acquisition for the cyclist in training, or for the numbers nut, like myself. No longer would you need to say things like, that hill was really, really steep. You could now say, "We found ourselves descending a 54% slope" and impress all your friends. The HAC4 retails for $310; the PC interface is an additional $110. The HAC4+ with the PC interface and cadence kit retails for $439.

James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
Veltec Sports Inc.
1793 Catalina Street
Sand City, CA 93955-3746
Phone: 800.578.5790
E-mail: veltec@veltecsports.com
www.veltecsports.com