[Review] iGPSPORT's BSC200S cycle computer is an entry-level model with a level of perfection

It is positioned as a color version of iGPSPORT's cycle computer ``BSC200'', which will be released in January 2023. However, it is not simply a color version of the BSC200; its performance makes it more worthy of being called a ``low-cost version of the BSC300''.

It has all the necessary functions packed into a compact package, but since it doesn't have a map, it's significantly cheaper than the 300 series.

• Small and lightweight at 65g (actual measurement)
• Although it does not have a map, it has a navigation function that displays routes.
• App-related functions such as editing page fields are equivalent to those of higher-end models
• The case and LCD resolution are the same as the BSC300T.

Specifications

Below is a list of basic specifications.

• Screen size: 2.4 inches (320 x 240)
• Body size: 82 x 53 x 14.1 mm
• Actual weight: 65g (nominal 66g)
• Price: 11,880 yen
• Memory: 16GB
• Runtime: 25 hours
• Waterproof standard: IPX7
• Maximum number of display items: 8
• Interface: USB Type-C

It is equipped with a color LCD screen and has higher resolution, making it a major improvement over the BSC200. If you look closely, you'll see that the case is exactly the same as the BSC300T.

There are fewer differentiating factors between this model and the higher-end BSC300, but it is still a great bargain at just 11,880 yen.

BSC series specification comparison

Here is a comparison of the specs of the BSC series. The biggest performance improvement on the BSC200S is the LCD, which has been increased from 160x240 to 240x320.

Package and contents

The packaging is white, unlike the black one used for the BSC200.

The following items are included in the box. In addition to the main unit, there is a Garmin compatible mount, rubber band, and manuals in various languages. A charging cable is not included.

Actual weight

The actual weight is very light at 65g.

exterior

The dimensions of the main unit are 82 x 53 x 14.1, almost the same as the BSC300T. In fact, if you look closely, you'll see that the case and buttons are exactly the same as the BSC300T.

The physical buttons are arranged in a standard way: power button at the top left, decision button at the top right, scroll button at the bottom right, lap button and start/stop button at the bottom. The charging port is located between the buttons at the bottom.

The mount is Garmin compatible. An out-front mount is not included, so if you need one, you should purchase it separately.

The screen is 2.4 inches, 240 x 320 pixels. This is also the same as the BSC300T. Since it is now in color, readability has improved significantly compared to the BSC200.

■Review

What you can do with the app

After turning on your iGPSPORT product, first connect it to your smartphone using the app.

This is the top page after connecting. The top page displays eight main menus, and we will introduce the main ones first. If you tap the two "Other" buttons, menus other than the eight will be displayed.

First, edit the page field. Go to Ride Mode ⇒ Page Field in the menu to see the following screen. Tap the pencil mark in the upper right corner to enter edit mode.

This is the edit mode. To add or delete items, tap "Add Data" at the bottom.

A list of items that can be added will be displayed. Currently set items are red. To delete an item, tap the check mark on the right. The maximum number of items that can be displayed on one screen is eight, so if you tap more than the limit, an error message will be displayed.

By default, several screens are provided. You can freely set the number of items on pages 1 to 4, and it is also possible to display only one item on each of the four pages.

If you want to change the page order, drag and drop the bar on the right side.

In the Alerts menu, you can set alerts to display for these items.

These are the items that support automatic recording. Automatic laps by location are also supported.

In the theme menu, in addition to the theme settings mentioned above, you can also set dark mode.

These settings are available in the Display and Brightness menu. The backlight can be set separately for daytime and nighttime. As usual, even 10% is too bright at night, so I'd like to be able to set it to around 5%.

About runtime

The runtime is 25 hours. The BSC200 had a runtime of 30 hours, but performance has improved, so it's not surprising. If you're riding for 5-6 hours on the weekend, you can use it about 4 times without charging it.

When I actually tried it on a ride, the battery dropped by about 16% after four hours of use. The drop rate per hour is 4%, so it's almost as advertised. The conditions were three sensors connected and the backlight setting was 0%.

Even in brevets, you can use it safely up to 300km.

Actual driving review

I used it for actual driving during the New Year holidays.

About the sensor

First, register the sensor.

All major sensors are supported. Although it is not compatible with radar taillights, I was able to connect it to the iGPSPORT radar SR30. Also, the power meter is only ANT+ (this is also the case with the BSC300 series).

I actually tried adding it, and it was recognized immediately after searching and connected very smoothly. The setup was completed while I was waiting for the traffic light to turn on.

About Navigation

This type of navigation does not include a map, so it only displays the route on the screen.

Set the route before you leave by going to the "My Page" ⇒ "My Route" menu in the iGPSPORT app. After connecting the BSC200S to your smartphone, transfer the route to the BSC200S.

After the transfer, click "Navi" on the top screen or display the Navigation page after starting the ride, press the top right button and select "Ride Menu" ⇒ "Navi".

Next, select "Route Navigation" ⇒ "Course to display" ⇒ "Navigation".

After starting, the route to the destination is displayed. It is quite practical because it shows the remaining distance along with guides for turning right and left.

The problem with this kind of route navigation is intersections with more complicated shapes than five-way intersections, or Y-shaped intersections. For example, this is a nearby intersection, which is a combination of five-way intersection and Y-shaped intersection. There is an overpass ahead to the right, and a road on the left side of it. I want to go to the overpass.

Here is the navigation displayed. I can see that it curves slightly to the right, and the guide for turning right and left indicates to turn right, but it's still a tricky route.

If you want better performance than this, you'd be better off just buying a model that comes with a map.

By the way, the image shown is track-up (the direction of travel is up), but it can be changed to north-up (north is up).

The GPS is highly accurate and supports GPS, BEIDOU, GLONASS, GALIEO, and QZSS. The acquisition speed after powering on is also good.

Recently, a convenient feature called "High-Speed Navigation" has been added to the iGPSPORT app. This is an app feature, so it is not specific to the BSC200S, but we will introduce it here.

This function seems to be for quickly creating a route that is not too complicated (such as going to the nearest station or convenience store a few kilometers away). First, tap "Quick Navigation" from the menu on the top page, and a list of nearby stores (within a radius of about 500 meters) will be displayed.

A radius of 500m is too close, so I'll display the area around my destination on the map. This time I want to go to the legendary Sutadon restaurant, so I'll tap the store and "confirm."

The route will be pulled and transferred to your device at the same time.

The usual creation steps, such as naming and saving a route, have been simplified, so I think I'll be using the navigation system more often.

In urban areas, you often need to turn right and left to go to a cafe 2-3km away, and it's a hassle to create a route using the normal procedure. That's why I used to take out my smartphone and check it every time I was waiting at a traffic light, but with this function, I think that won't be necessary in the future.

Easy to see the screen

The screen is much easier to read. It is comparable in readability to higher-end models such as the iGS800. The Di2 shift display is also very easy to see, and the functionality gap with the BSC300T and other models has been reduced.

Up to eight items can be displayed on one screen, which is more than enough. I have 12 items displayed on the iGS800, but there are many items that I don't need to check in real time, such as calories burned and the current time.

These items can be set on the second screen, so this is all you need.

■ Summary

The BSC200S's LCD display is the same as that of the BSC300, and the case is the same as that of the BSC300T, making it a significant improvement over the BSC200.

The ease of use of the BSC200, including the price, remains the same, and it has functions comparable to higher-end models, making it a very good value model. In the future, if you need a touch panel, you'll want the BSC300T, and if you don't, the BSC200S, and I even wonder if the BSC200/300 will be discontinued.