KISS…“Keep It Simple, Stupid!” This is the acronym for a principle to remind designers and engineers to avoid unnecessary complexity. Sometimes I feel that certain manufacturers miss this concept and make their products overly complicated. I was reminded of this recently while trying to program a cycling computer…I was so frustrated by the unclear layout and logic of programming that I nearly chucked it out the window. StemCAPtain has a product out there that reminds me all of the time of the ‘KISS’ concept. It is simple, yet provides information at a glance with not fuss once it is setup properly.
For the past couple of months, I has been using the thermometer version of the StemCAPtain on three different bikes. If you are not familiar with their products, we did an entry on the company back in March of all of the different versions of their products under that they offer. We received both the clock and thermometer versions to evaluate a few weeks later. I was most interested in the thermometer version since the none of my cycling computers have a thermometer feature.
I had the option of receiving either the black faced or white faced version of the thermometer. Though the black would have probably looked better than the white on most of my bikes, I was more concerned with the accuracy of the temperature readings. In theory, the black face would absorb more of the light from the sun and in turn give a reading higher than the actual temperature.
In the earlier evaluation of the clock version , I noted a few installation and aesthetic observations which apply to the thermometer version as the fit is exactly the same. Where the two versions deviate is in how they are setup and function. The beauty of the thermometer version is that there are no batteries required. Once the thermometer is calibrated, no other maintenance is required.
The first thing I did upon receiving the thermometer StemCAPtain was to compare the reading to three other thermometers. Over the course of a few days, I found that its reading was consistently lower by approximately 5-7 degrees through all temperature levels. I wanted my readings to be as accurate as possible, so I followed the instructions on their website to adjust the calibration. After the calibration was completed, I had no issues with the readings being different than any of my other thermometers.
Already having the clock version of the StemCAPtain allowed me to easily move the thermometer version between two bikes. The first ride that I did was at Heil Ranch in Boulder County – the same place that I tested the clock version. As expected, the thermometer did not move in the base, and though that trail is fairly rocky, the thermometer was just as accurate once I arrived back at my vehicle. The constant jarring did nothing to knock the StemCAPtain out of calibration. During the following weeks, I switched the thermometer version between my mountain bike and fixed geared cross bike with the same results… an accurate reading still to this day.
The past few weeks saw the thermometer version being moved to the tandem that my wife and I ride. She is also wanting to know information while we are riding so I figured that I could now also report on the temperature. 
It is during these rides that I did notice a rise in the temperature reading when we left the bike to go refuel at convenience stores during our rides. The temperature reading would climb about 5-10 degrees if the bike was sitting in the sun, but once we were rolling, the temperature reading dropped back to where it was before while riding. This seems to go back to the absorption of sunlight in black colored items, but this time it is probably the surrounding stem that is contributing the inaccurate reading. When the bike was parked in the shade, no noticeable reading difference was noticed.
The only real negative that I can report regarding this product is that the chrome is wearing off of the edges surrounding the face. I might be noticeable in the photos, but in person the edges are now appearing to be a copper color which seems to be the base metal below the chrome. Personally it is not that big of a deal and maybe it is just happened on my production run of this product as I am not noticing any chrome wear on the clock version.
Overall, the thermometer version of the StemCAPtain performs as advertised. Once setup, this product does not require any maintenance or batteries. It is a simple product that simply does one thing…it tells you how hot or cold it was during your ride. Now you have another thing to brag about on Facebook!