Polar S625x Hear Rate Monitor

Product Details: Polar S625x Hear Rate Monitor

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Product Description: Polar S625x Hear Rate Monitor

User Reviews: Polar S625x Hear Rate Monitor

1. Great product full of features

   , January 1, 2005
   Reviewer: Snark Hunter - See all Snark Hunter's reviews

   Overall:
   Quality:
   Features:
   Support:
   Value:

   7 of 7 Yahoo! Users found this Polar S625x Hear Rate Monitor review helpful

   Pros: Tons of features

   Cons: Last lap consistently inaccurate

   I've had this one for 3 months and I'm still really learning how to use it. The distance calculations are pretty accurate once you calibrate it. I had to adjust it in manual mode after setting it in run mode. I love having the ability to beam the data down to my computer and view my times in zone. I don't think it accurately determined my HRmax value - I'm going to try determining this next week using methods described in a book that I have.
   
   I only really have a couple of complaints about it. It consistently messes up the data for my last lap when I have it beamed to my computer, and I haven't been able to figure out how to manually make the corrections. I really wish the data files werer in xml format so that I could read it and tweak it manually. I've also gone through a couple sets of batteries on the foot transmitter in just a couple of months. The next time I'm switching to rechargeable batteries.
   
   But all in all, it is an excellent product. To get the most out of it you really need to study how to train using the heart rate zones. ...

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2. The Best Out There But Still Could Be Better

   , October 22, 2006
   Reviewer: michael_cook - See all michael_cook's reviews

   Overall:
   Quality:
   Features:
   Support:
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   1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this Polar S625x Hear Rate Monitor review helpful

   Pros: Software, HRM, Speed/Distance, Temperature, Altitude

   Cons: IR Transfers Not Always Reliable, Footpod A Little Uncomfortable

   The Basics
   
   The watch comes with a HRM and a foot pod to track speed and distance. Data from the watch can be uploaded to my laptop via infrared. Since my laptop does not have an infrared port, I had to purchase an USB/Infrared port (about $40 from Polar). Also included with the watch, Polar includes their Polar Performance software to log and analyze the workout data.
   
   The HRM is fairly standard, supporting up to 5 heart rate zones, max and average during a session along with % of max. The software will breakdown a session by showing how much time is spent in each session. This can be used as a good measuring stick to make sure I'm working hard on tempo days but not too hard on easy and recovery days. I've learned a good tempo pace for me is around a 6:20 - 6:30 min/mile with my heart rate around 150-155 BPM.
   
   In my experience, the foot pod has one main advantage over my Timex BodyLink GPS: battery life. The Timex runs about 8-10 hours on one AAA whereas the Polar foot pod will go about 20 hours. While I'm able to use rechargeable batteries (2200 am/h) in the Timex the same batteries don't seem to work in the Polar foot pod. Not sure if the GPS requires less power but I think it is worth noting. The foot pod does require calibration (run around the track a couple times). The GPS units don't require any calibration although you do need to triangulate (lock onto 3 satellites) prior to starting a run which takes about 30 seconds. I've heard people complain about losing signals on tree covered trails and in mountains. I do a lot of running on trails and in the mountains and it's never been a problem for me. I've worn both devices on rainy runs and never had problems, although I've heard complaints losing GPS signals under cloudy skies. My concern with the foot pod is trail running and crossing creeks/streams and covering the foot pod in mud and dirt. It seems like the unit's seal and locking mechanism keeps things dry on the inside so this may not be a worthwhile concern. One final observation has been the foot pod has gone through a couple pair of shoe laces. During the Salt Lake City Marathon, the foot pod rubbed through a brand new pair of shoe laces 14 miles into the race. Nothing like trying to makeshift tie your shoes with only half a lace in the middle of a marathon. At the same time I was leading the 3:15 pace team. It took a few minutes to catch up after the pit stop.
   
   Accuracy: GPS vs. Foot Pod
   
   I've found little difference in accuracy between the GPS and footpod. I consider the GPS to be the most accurate measuring device. Running with both units on, I receive similar results. But all things are not equal. The footpod lasts twice as long on a single battery but it takes a little time to switch between shoes. Here's a summary of pros and cons:
   
   Footpod Advantages
   ...

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