Is a Computrainer worth it?

I don't htink it's worth it.  I bought (well, I bought the similar TACX Fortius) and now it just collects dust.  I went and purchased a $300 CycleOps to use instead and like it a lot more. 

I have both the Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer and a Computrainer.

There's pretty much nothing of real value that can be done on the Computrainer that can't be done on the Kinetic with their psuedo-power meter.  If I remember right the Kinetic plus the power thing were ~$300 total brand new.

The only advantages the computrainer offer are the automation and the ability to "force" yourself to ride at a perscribed wattage level in erg mode.  In order to get the same effect on the Kinetic you have to manipulate your gearing while keeping an eye on the power meter.  With the Computrainer you can program in wattage intervals and as long as you keep pedaling you know you're at the correct wattage.  Whether or not these things are worth the extra thousand bucks are entierly up to you.

IMO the other Computrainer features like the 3D courses and Real Course Videos are a fun game for a few minutes, but the novelty wears off quickly.  From a training persective these things are garbage compared to banging out good old fashioned intervals.

EDIT: Oh, I see this is a resurrected thread from 2010.  LOL. 

Stay away from a CompuTrainer.  It is way too expensive for your needs and IMHO is junk.  Instead, go read DC Rainmaker's buyer's guide: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/10/annual-winter-2016-2017-bike-smart-trainer-recommendations.html

To explain why I think it's junk, back in 2007-2010 I had a CompuTrainer that I bought on eBay then re-sold on eBay. This is 2017, and that thing is still stuck in the 90s.  For example, the controller unit was designed for a serial port which was common 90s technology.  Now everything is USB, and there are no serial ports anywhere.  When I had my CompuTrainer, this was a hassle because you had to go find some USB to serial port adapter to make it work.  Did RacerMate fix their unit?  Nope.  Now the just include an adapter. Go read http://www.racermateinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SystemRequirements2017.pdf

It's a solid piece of hardware, but the controller is ancient and the software is junk.  People with CompuTrainers generally suffer it, or use third party software.

Supposedly there's a new controller coming per DC Rainmaker, but that was in 2015 and the link above (with 2017/01 in the link) says it's still USB to serial. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/09/computrainer-controller-bluetooth.htm

Because the software and serial-USB was junk (and BTW I'm a software guy),  the CompuTrainer was incredibly annoying at times.  When it worked, it worked well enough in Windows 98 kind of way. But when it didn't work, then it would ruin my workout.  I wanted a bike trainer so I can conserve my time while doing Ironman training.  When I have a 60 minute ride planned, that means I get up at 6am, start riding by 6:30, finish at 7:30, cool down, shower, dress for work, and leave by 8:30 so I can get to work by 9am.  Guess what happens when the software won't boot, crashes part way through, or the thing won't connect, stops reading power, and 10-30 minutes are wasted trying to get it to work?  It means I just blew my workout for the day. 

Nothing was more frustrating to be halfway through a 20 minute Z4 time trial and have the software crash.  What now? Get off the bike and try to fix it?  Sitting her at home seven  years later that still pisses me off!

For two years now I've been considering a new electronic trainer, but the hassle factor has been scaring me off.  I just use a Kurt Kinetic with Trainer Road.  I have Garmin Vector pedals, so what I'm missing is the computer controlled resistance, "follow the course of the race" type of thing.

That is all.