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| Polar | S625 Health Monitors | Polar has released several newer models recently for "serious" runners, bikers and triathletes, but in my opinion, the S625x is still a fantastic tool. It provides advanced HRM functions including fitness testing, with the S1 foot pod provides accurate speed and distance, and with the optional Bike sensor provides the same when riding. If you are looking from a HRM with Speed/Distance, then this has to be one of the best value options out there.
Its easy to set the watch up, the software has a low footprint on a PC and is easy to use. After 3 years I love looking back over my training sessions and running reports on what Ive been doing. I really dont notice the footpod when running either, and it was fairly accurate out of the box. Once calibrated (20 minutes on a running track or other known distance), it has been extremely accurate.
With regard to changing the battery (as above review), as with any waterproof watch, yes, you need a specialist to do it to guarantee the water resistance. They are not hard to find, and relatively inexpensive (£30) to replace. My battery lasted about 2.5 years, and Im a heavy user.
The only very minor quibble I have is that in competition, its not possible to switch from Bike mode to running mode without pausing the elapsed time.
This watch got me through my first marathon, my first triathlon, my first Half Ironman and this year my first Ironman. I love it.
|  | Amazon Reviewer | 08/01/2009 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | CS100 | The Polar CS100 is an excellent entry-level cycling computer and heart-rate monitor. It does what it says on the box.
You can read a PDF of the manual under product support from here:
http://polar.fi/en/products/cycling/CS100)
I found it installed easily. Its fully wireless, so no wires to fiddle with. All of the brackets and rubber bits and cable ties (+ spare cable ties) are in the box. The manual is clear and has a detachable quick-guide card at the front. If you position the speed sensor as per the instructions, it works perfectly. The main unit attaches and detaches easily from the bracket, which you can put on the handlebar or stem.
The buttons are quite positive: they need a firm press, with feedback from a beep, which can be turned off in settings. Other beeps (eg: that you are above or below your training heart rate zone) can also be turned off in the settings. It logs data for todays, this weeks and this seasons exercise totals.
For the price of a cadence sensor kit, this can be upgraded to a triple-wireless unit (speed, cadence and heart rate). Excellent value for the price.
The speed sensor needs to be close to the main unit, so has to go on the front fork/wheel. If you want a computer than works with your bike on an indoor trainer, you need a rear wheel sensor, so will need something like the Cateye V3 (CC-TR300TW), if you want full (triple) wireless functionality.
Recommended for recreational cyclists not needing the more advanced functions in the CS200, 400 or 600 and not needing to use it on an indoor trainer.
|  | Amazon Reviewer | 11/10/2008 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | RS200 SD Health Monitor Red | I bought the unit 12 months ago with the foot pod.
I sent back my Suunto T3 to the shop as I could not get along with it well , the strap was unconfortable and other problems ( easy to scratch )
The Polar RS 200 is not only cheaper , more confortable and light , it is also compatible with the exercise machines in the gym.
The nemu is very EASY to use and operate , the display will allow you to see your HR , speed , crono , distance , calories according to your needs.
The chest strap is ok and does not fall apart whilst running.
It works stright away but you might need to calibrate the foot pod.
It also looks good. |  | Amazon Reviewer | 30/12/2007 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | RS100 Running Computer (Black) | I bought the unit 12 months ago with the foot pod.
I sent back my Suunto T3 to the shop as I could not get along with it well , the strap was unconfortable and other problems ( easy to scratch )
The Polar RS 100 is not only cheaper , more confortable and light , it is also compatible with the exercise machines in the gym.
The nemu is very EASY to use and operate , the display will allow you to see your HR , speed , crono , distance , calories according to your needs.
The chest strap is ok and does not fall apart whilst running.
It works stright away but you might need to calibrate the foot pod.
It also looks good. |  | Amazon Reviewer | 28/12/2007 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | S725X Health Monitor | I can sympathise with the last reviewer but must say that if you do buy the IR uplink, cost about £25, then you really do get a great piece of kit. You can download all your data from cycling, distance, HR, speed, amount of climbing. It really does give a wealth of data to help scientifically measure your performance and plan your training. |  | Amazon Reviewer | 07/10/2007 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | CS200 Health Monitor | The CS200 has been designed with the needs of the cyclist in mind. It has a very clear display that can show a mixture of current speed, elapsed time and average speed according to preference. It uses the comfortable Polar Wearlink chest strap that senses surface ECG and transmits this to the monitor for continuous HR analysis. The CS200 comes with a wireless speed sensor that connects to the front wheel. There is also an optional wireless sensor for the pedals that detects cadence. In my experience over the past year, both have proven very reliable. The CS200 includes settings for two bikes so I can use it, (with a second set of sensors) on both my race and mountain bike as it remembers which size wheels each bicycle has. It certainly makes me feel very satisfied to know how long I have been in the "zone" and helps me push hard without overtraining.
I can recommend this computer to anyone who owns a bicycle. However, it is particular useful for those who attend gyms with Polar compatible equipment as the Wearlink belt alone costs around £35 |  | Amazon Reviewer | 25/04/2007 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | S625 Health Monitors | The Polar 625X Running Computer is simply Awesome. I bough this watch about a two years ago and I love it.
Once you star using it, you will be so hooked-up to all the useful information you receive during your running, walking, or any kind of training or workout that you embrace, that will never go out again without it.
Its the perfect complement to your desire to get in shape, improve your health or competitive level.
The watch is easy to use, especially if you have owned a Polar Heart Rate Monitor before. This model comes with the Polar food pod (a small device that you install in your shoe laces to measure distance and speed), the transmitter (this is the device with the chest strap), and a computer software that allows you to view, in a graphic representation, important information for each workout (Heart Rate, Pace, Distance, Speed, Temperature, and Elevation).
As soon as you star training and exercising with this magnificent watch, you feel as if you have a coach or a training partner with you.
If you are an athlete, an enthusiastic runner, a hobbyist, or just conscious about your shape and health, you will definitely love this watch. I do. I have owned different HRM from Polar, and without any doubt this is the very best for running.
This powerful running computer enables you to record personal performance, running and cycling data plus training conditions like altitude or temperature, then analyze your performance when you download via Infrared technology directly to your PC using the included Polar Precision Performance (PPP) 4.0 software. Youll get total feedback on your training sessions by reviewing a variety of graphical summaries, trends and analysis on the computer. I really love the software, I believe the Polar Precision Performance (PPP) 4.0 software alone is well worth the price of this set.
Train and rest in the right balance. The OwnOptimizer test tells you whether you have recovered enough for your next training session. Based on the test, you are provided with a nice-scale description of your personal training status.
The OwnCal feature shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. It also allows you to set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calorie expenditure. The OwnIndex feature will determine your fitness level, track your improvements, and provide motivation. Polars OwnCode technology blocks unwanted signals from other heart rate monitors, ensuring disturbance-free transmission of your heart rate data.
Additionally you could add the bike mount (its really inexpensive, I got it for about 6 US$), an accessory that will allow you to take advantage of s625x running computer functionality when training in your bike. You install the bike mount on the handlebar and you are ready to wrap your watch around the bike mount. Now you will be able to follow your heart rate as you go on the road with your bike. The s625x offers the ability to enter two different wheel sizes, enabling you to train on two different bikes.
Prepare yourself to atart getting the best results from your training. |  | Amazon Reviewer | 29/12/2006 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | S1 Footpod | This is a great tool to monitor your speed and distance during training is compatible with cycling and running.
The batteries do not last long though.
The calibration process is very easy , take it for a run of a set distance and is calibrated. |  | Amazon Reviewer | 16/07/2008 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | RS200 SD Health Monitor Red | And red is cheaper than black . . .
I guess this is a mid-range cost type running watch with distance and heart rate functionality and it does what the description says!
It arrived reasonably well calibrated although worth a proper calibration at some point.
Loads of functionality crammed into the device and I love the sonic upload, it goes off like a crazed dolphin!
Really good product for monitoring your performance and driving towards improvement.
Only one slight annoyance is the chest strap/sports bra interaction, it seems either too tight to have 2 layers of restriction round the ribs, or the sports bra band slides off the Polar belt and you dont get the support you need from it. Im trialling a sports bra from the US which has the sensors built into the band and you fix the polar transmitter on. Wish Polar made one themselves though . . . |  | Amazon Reviewer | 20/05/2008 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | CS200cad Heart Rate Monitor | Like most of these gizmos, using the Polar cs200cad initially is a bit confusing: "What does this menu mean, why are the buttons so hard to press, manual and website written by chumps?", etc. But within a couple of rides youll be wondering how you coped without it. So far works perfectly (1 week) and very easy to set up, if you dip into the manual when necessary.
Pros.
1. Does the job; you quickly forget about it and just use it.
2. A real shock to see how you are really working out.
3. Comfortable chest strap.
Cons (mostly subjective, and comparing to top of line):
1. Polar branding on bike meters. Could attract some thieves (will cover with duct tape)
2. Wireless meters seem a little large. Not that this matters - just an aesthetic thing.
3. Chest strap not nec. the best for commuting. Perhaps a less accurate wrist strap option?
4. Not a power meter (but doesnt claim to be - and isnt priced as such)
5. Cant program a workout to follow (as far as I know).
6. Can only upload to Polar web via not the most reliable sonic link. Cant use with Polar top of line software.
7. Speed not displayed at all times.
8. Do these gizmos really have to cost so much. Materials and production must be zilch, so be prepared to pay for good R&D and brand. |  | Amazon Reviewer | 27/04/2008 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | RS100 Running Computer (Black) | It is a bit disappointing. I got this as birthday present, so I cannot complain on that side. It looks nice, gets your heart rate and everything. However I was expecting more for the price and by the "Running Computer" title.
Well the problem is... the uplink software only works on Windows. I wouldnt buy windows jut for it. Not having a Mac OS X version is really a downside. So most of the goodness of the gadget is lost for me :(
I just hope that Nike+ guys get the idea of integrating a heart rate monitor on its iPod gear. I would buy that one for sure. |  | Amazon Reviewer | 23/10/2008 01:01:01 | |  |
| | Polar | CS300 | Great as a heart rate monitor/speedo/cadence meter for cycling. The screen views are clear and easy to read when on the move. Only gripe is the Sonic uplink ~ It doesn`t work!!! I end up manually entering the results on teh polar personal trainer website. |  | 3Bthreebee | 04/09/2007 17:46:47 | |  |
| | Target Fitness | K901 | I am pretty serious about my training and diet and found this monitor to be excellent. great for those of us who monitor training zones |  | Rob | 18/01/2009 15:36:28 | |  |
| | Target Fitness | K901 | Great monitor. Does everything,records everything. I like to train on different pieces of equipment during the same session. This monitor had a great function in that you can save the details of each section of your work out to review later at home. I recorded the details of a two hour work out on four pieces of gym equipment and was able to write the stored information from each one at home to compare the data. Easy to program, easy to follow once you get used to what button works what. Easy reset. My main gripe is the heart monitor strap it is very brittle.Snapped on the first use. Changed it, 2nd one snapped on 2nd use so I`ve glued it together on one side, didn`t like to take it back as felt it made me look negligent. Only other gripe is that the watch is very large and bulky for a female. But look at the price and for all it`s features. As a fitness instructor, I have recmmended this product to many gym users. |  | Tracy | 29/05/2007 08:11:02 | |  |
| | Target Fitness | K901 | I havent been able to work out how to use this little thing and Im no idiot! Poor screen visibility too |  | allan | 21/03/2008 13:21:19 | |  |
| | Suunto | X6HRT (Titanium) | Strap Problem.I will not recommend to buy this product. Although the watch itself is very good, after a year of casual wearing (having postponed my climbing for a while) the strap snapped off unexpectedly where the rubber meets the titanium joint. From the very unfriendly Suunto service I was informed that the strap has only 1 year warranty, compared to the watch which has 2 years, and charged me 90EUR for its exchange. This represents 15% of the total watch cost with a possibility of paying this amount every year as there is no other strap that can be used with this watch and let’s face it, when you are in a middle of nowhere climbing what would you do with a watch 100ft below you. Go elsewhere! |  | andre | 18/07/2008 19:39:58 | |  |
| | Oregon | HR308 | difficult user manual and difficult to use. cannot reset stop watch to zero and no instructions to say how to. |  | d.s. | 03/01/2005 10:58:44 | |  |
| | Target Fitness | K901 | Please can someone tell me were i can buy instructions thank you Rebecca beck4beauty@yahoo.co.uk |  | rebecca webb | 11/04/2009 08:50:42 | |  |
| | Target Fitness | K901 | Does anyone know how this thing works? or know where I can find a manual for it cos I just have no clue how to use the features, I cannot plan my training, set correct time etc.... |  | chrysalis | 11/05/2008 08:05:02 | |  |
| | Target Fitness | K901 | i found this item to rather good value from argos the controls are avanced for the pricebracket but easy to use even for first time buyers orusers even thought some components are plastic they are of good quality and are suitable for for types i would buy this item again. p.s im a 16 stone plus guy if i cant break it its tough!. |  | munki-man | 06/10/2006 07:46:00 | |  |
| | Target Fitness | K901 | I bought one of those in argos - great value I thought. It has lots of features for one of this price. However the chest strap is my main gripe. Firstly it is too slippy and tends to slide down my chest unless I really tighten it. The transmitter box in the middle is also rather large, rigid and uncomfortable. Secondly and worse, the chest strap is fastened in two places by a slim piece of plastic which is quite brittle and broke on the 2nd run so I had to bring it back. |  | Mark | 10/02/2006 08:21:21 | |  |
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