Test: With the Pure GPS, the GPS bike computers from Sigma have grown this season. The range of functions reduced to the essentials, paired with simple setup and operation and a low price, makes the Sigma Pure GPS an excellent companion, especially for beginners.
The search for the right bike computer is like an endless odyssey, especially for beginners. The choice of different manufacturers, features and sizes is tiring, the price range goes from 10€ to 400€. It is often not easy to keep track of things. Beginners or hobby drivers in particular often make the mistake of buying a completely oversized model for their own needs and shooting at very small sparrows with the much-cited cannons. There are bike computers that are literally crammed with features - but the compact design does not necessarily make it easier to use and without a manual it is usually not even possible to set it up.
So our tip: More functions does not always automatically mean that you get a better bike computer and you should therefore think carefully about which features you need and use - and which ones you don't.
The new Sigma Pure GPS, with its low street price of well under €100 and its reduced but not spartan range of functions, is primarily aimed at hobby drivers and beginners. The extremely simple setup also suits the target group well: the Pure GPS lives up to its name and obtains all the data it collects from internal sensors – speed and route via GPS, altitude is measured using a barometer. This saves the installation of an external speed sensor. Due to the missing ANT+ and Bluetooth, however, it is unfortunately not possible to connect external sensors afterwards.
The most important features of the Sigma Pure GPS
- Barometric altitude measurement
- Speed display via GPS
- track recording
- Comparison with third-party providers such as Strava
- Training memory for over 100 hours
- Temperature Display
- compass navigation
- Backlight
- Communication with the smartphone via NFC
Sigma Pure GPS: scope of delivery, assembly and setup
In addition to the bike computer itself, the compact and rather inconspicuous packaging of the Sigma Pure GPS hides the puristic mount that Sigma users already know from the Rox models, a micro-USB cable and two cable ties for installation. The bracket can be mounted with the latter either on the handlebars or stem and then also holds on the MTB very well and without twisting. However, the use of cable ties makes switching back and forth between different bikes a bit more cumbersome - but the holder can be bought later for less than €10. The computer can be easily and securely fixed to the bracket with a twisting movement.
The good instructions help with the initial setup. In any case, it is recommended to first install the free Sigma Data Center software on the PC or Mac. When connecting, the bike computer is then automatically updated to the latest firmware. In addition, the current AGPS data can be transferred to the device, which means that the satellite fix is much faster. The basic settings such as units/language/date etc. can also be made and transferred here. Alternatively, you can of course do this yourself on the bike computer.
With that you are basically ready to start. Thanks to GPS support, there is no need for sensors to be coupled and there is no need to set the wheel circumference or put on different wheels. It really doesn't get much easier or faster.
Sigma Pure GPS: operation and display
Operation via the three easily accessible buttons at the bottom of the Pure GPS is simple and intuitive. On the left you switch through the height functions, on the right through the other features. The middle button is only used to start and stop the training and to reach the settings. Double assignments of the keys can be achieved with a long press. Even beginners should find it easy to use after a quick look at the instructions. Sigma has done a really good job here. Also very positive: the keys have a firm and clearly perceptible pressure point. The Pure GPS can also be operated well with thicker gloves in autumn and winter.
The large monochrome display has a pleasant contrast, which can also be adjusted to your own wishes in the settings. All functions are shown in large numbers and are easy to read at all times, even in direct sunlight. Thanks to the backlight, using the bike computer in the dark is not a problem.
The speed is always shown on the upper half of the display - you can also use the function keys to display and switch through a second value in the lower half: In addition to standard values such as distance traveled or elapsed time, you can also use the integrated altimeter in conjunction with the GPS data display the current incline and even a rudimentary route profile. A narrow bar on the outer upper wheel shows the charge level and the time.
Sigma Pure GPS: app and software
The app called Sigma Link works very well and, like the software, is free. Communication with the bike computer takes place via NFC, which in most cases works without any problems. If you have a smartphone without NFC, you can connect the Sigma via a USB cable - whether this works depends heavily on the cell phone model in question. We would have preferred the proven Bluetooth as an alternative.
You can find your way around the app immediately if you have already gained experience with fitness or tracking apps in the past. First, the tour data must be transferred from the device itself to the app. From there you can then easily synchronize them with the stored Strava profile, for example. In our case, this has always worked very reliably. In addition, Sigma Link itself also offers various evaluations of the collected data, presented nicely and clearly. The competition can definitely learn a lesson here.
In terms of its range of functions, the Sigma Data Center corresponds almost completely to the smartphone app. In addition, current firmware updates can also be transferred to the device here.
Sigma Pure GPS: function with light and shadow
We were out and about with the new bike computer from Sigma for a few months and it had to prove itself on gravel bikes and MTBs. If you have transferred the appropriate AGPS data for your region to the device when setting up the Pure GPS, the satellite fix is usually successful within half a minute. The display then shows the speed – this works quite well, but cannot keep up with an external sensor in terms of accuracy. There are problems especially with rapid changes in speed, which the device only registers with a delay. In addition, the signal in underpasses and tunnels naturally breaks off for a short time and the data is lost. When used on MTBs, the Sigma had difficulty keeping the signal stable, especially in bad weather and in dense forests.
For clarification: The inaccuracies are certainly negligible for hobby drivers and absolutely within limits. However, anyone who attaches great importance to accurate records and the most exact comparability possible could be disappointed. In addition, the problems when used on the road are far less serious than in the thicket of the forest.
The recording of the altitude meters works very well and reliably. The display of the current slope in real time is particularly nice and even a rudimentary route profile can be displayed. Hardly any other bike computer in this price range can offer that. Thumbs up! The really successful operation is also to be praised - after a few trips, all functions became second nature and thanks to clever detailed solutions, handling is child's play. Would you like an example? If the device does not record any data despite registered movement, the values on the display are shown inverted. This way you can see at first glance whether the recording is running or not.
The Sigma Pure GPS also has an auto-stop function. If the device registers standstill, the recording is automatically stopped. That works pretty well – almost a little “too well” for our taste: Depending on the weather, a small pedestrian bridge over the road and the very brief loss of the GPS signal are enough for the Sigma to briefly switch to stop. If you are riding a mountain bike in the forest on steep paths and at a correspondingly low speed, it can also happen that the bike computer stops the recording, even though you are just cranking up the slope with your last effort. If you want to see it positively: You try even harder to pedal a little harder. Incidentally, the Pure GPS usually resumes the recording only a few moments later; Again, hobby drivers shouldn't really care five meters or not.
Bike computer and GPS. If you read both terms in one sentence, you will probably also ask yourself: Does the Pure GPS also have navigation? The answer is... yes. The Sigma computer has a compass navigation on board that shows the linear distance to a destination specified by the app. A small arrow also shows the general direction in which to go. We like the feature that the Pure GPS can navigate back to the start of the tour at any time, even without having to use your smartphone for this.
The battery life of the puristic companion is very good: We got almost 13 hours with a continuous GPS connection, which is only slightly below the manufacturer's specification of 15 hours.
