Reviews Written by Michael
-
October 22, 2006
The Best Out There But Still Could Be Better
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: 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
• Long battery life (15-20 hours)
• Unobtrusive
Footpod Disadvantages
• Sometimes turns off
• Requires calibration when switching shoes
• Not as accurate as GPS right out-of-the-box
More Data
The S625X provides a lot of data. The altimeter is one of the bonus features that I did not have on the BodyLink (Timex has included an altimeter on their newer trail model). Analyzing workouts and being able to chart an elevation profile can be impressive. You can also view total feet ascended/descended, max/min/avg elevation and % of grade.
Subtle Differences
But beauty is not skin deep, and the real beauty of this watch is in the features and software. It took some time to master the basic functions of the watch. Most features are nested in menus and it takes a few times to understand the menu functions of the watch. The watch also doubles as a bike computer, providing lots of data (speed, cadence and power). If you are a triathlete, I highly recommend investing in the bicycle attachments and power add-on. So by the time you have bought all the extras, the total cost is going to be around $6 ... -
October 21, 2006
Excellent Flash Player
Pros: Great Sound, Long Battery Life, Compatible with Yahoo! Music
Cons: Only 1 GB
Great little device that I use on most of my runs. Excellent sound quality and works with subscription services like Yahoo! Music. I have had the player freeze on my a couple times and lost all my music. Uses a mini-USB cable and AA battery. Haven't had 40 hours of battery life but with rechargeable AA I'm getting about 15 hours. ...
-
October 21, 2006
Best PDA Only Device
2 of 3 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: WiFi, Bluetooth, Supports both SD and CF memory cards, Windows Mobile 2005 doesn't lose your data
Cons: Dell doesn't have the best support
I originally purchased the Axim x50v, but had so many problems with Windows Mobile 2005 that Dell finally replaced it with a refurbished x51v. No more problems. The device is solid and have not had any problems with Windows Mobile 2005. I use Yahoo! Go to retrieve all my emails to the device, download podcasts/netcasts using SmartRss and also use the Dell GPS package. I couldn't be happier with the performance and features. I can usually go a day on one charge using the device on and off, and can go about 4 hours of continuous use. An extra battery gets me through the long flights. ...
See the list of Top 100 Reviewers
Best Phone I've Owned
Pros: Beautiful screen, lightweight. good battery life
Cons: No headphone jack
I bought this phone from CompUSA at the last minute after seeing it on sale for $50. For weeks I'd been looking at the Motorola Q but was hesitating after reading about poor battery life. I am not on the phone all day but do expect it to last all day on a single charge. Some of the Motorola Q reviewers weren’t making it through the day on a single charge. The Dash has been perfect for me. The device is light so I can pack it with me on a run and not really notice it. I'm actually a big fan of Windows Mobile 5 and syncing with Outlook (both at work and home) is a breeze. I also have a 1 GB micro card for storing podcasts. The Dash also has built-in WiFi but I have been using T-Mobile and the unlimited internet service so WiFi in some ways is overkill. Yahoo! Go is a program that I've added to the device and use it to compose and retrieve all my email. It is a great program if you have a Yahoo! account and a mobile device. Syncing and charging is done through a mini-USB cable so you don't need a proprietary cable to lug around when traveling. Thank you HTC! HTC did a really nice job with the screen but the processor is a little slow for watching video files. Bluetooth works well and doesn't appear to have a significant drain on the battery. My only real complaint is the lack of any sort of standard headphone jack. So I've been unable to use my own headphones to listen to audio files. As a last resort, I have run the sound through the bluetooth to a Jabra BT235 but sound quality was marginal (think AM sound quality). This is a phone I would absolutely recommend. My wife has a Treo 700w and I would much rather use the Dash. Both have very small keypads so typing long emails is an art. But the Dash is lighter, feels a little studier and has a better screen. Some of the reviewers have complained about the volume control being too sensitive. My solution has been to disable it. The phone, like some other cell phones, will interfere with some other devices like car radios. Put the phone too close to the car stereo and you will pick up some interference as the phone sends/receives information from the network. My last phone (Audiovox SMT5600) did the same thing but the Treo 700w doesn’t seem to have any problems with the electrical interference - more of a slight nuisance. Again, this is a phone you should consider. ...