I've been running for the past two years and I've been using a heart rate monitor most of that time. I always wanted a Polar but for one reason or another I ended up with other brands. This past weekend at a pre-race expo, I came across the Polar table and decided to take the plunge. I haven't been disappointed! I ran in my 5K the next day with the footpod on and the level of accuracy without calibration was impressive. For the 3.1 mile race, it said I ran 3.26 miles. Given that I was not running a straight line due to the crowds, I figured this was actually very close to my true distance. When I finally got to calibrating it, I discovered that it was about 0.04 miles over per mile. Obviously not GPS level accuracy out of the box but good enough to use without doing any set up. Now that its calibrated, it measured within 1/100th of a mile.
I've started to use the OwnZone feature that Polar built in and it seems to be very smart. I'll be interested to see how it guides my intensity over the next few months. The OwnZone measures your current physical state and recommends a range to train in. I've been running hard for the past few days and it recommended a pretty low intensity today after my warm up. Earlier it had recommended much higher levels of intensity so it appears to be doing its job.
The decision you have to make with this watch is if you want it with the footpod or the GPS and for my money I wouldn't trade it for the GPS. A GPS is great if you want precise distance measurement outside. You will know exactly how far you ran. Battery life is an issue and if you train indoors or do any trail running you may run into problems with GPS signals.
The footpod, on the other hand, trades accuracy for flexibility. The GPS can't give you as much useful information DURING the run which is more important to me. A GPS has a fairly long lag time when it gives you stats like speed. If I'm trying to keep a certain pace while I train, the footpod will tell me immediately how fast I'm going in real time. A GPS simply can't do that. Also if you want to run on a track, run indoors, or run on a trail, the footpod is going to serve you very well.
The amount of data that the watch provides could be overwhelming if you're new to HRMs. Even though I've been using one for a while, this Polar provides far better data than my original Timex and Suunto t3c did. The Suunto is close, I'll admit, but the Polar's ability to record how long you spent in all 5 training zones during a workout is pretty key. Whether you choose the GPS or Footpod version, the HRM itself is a very good mid-level device. Unlike other HRMs I've had that simply tell me what I'm doing, Polar actually tells me what I should be doing.
I'm also very happy with the ability to sync the watch with Polar's training website with the FlowLink that I purchased seperately. It captures all of the information off of your watch and displays it in easy to read charts and graphs. With the ability to create training plans right there, its a great package.
Polar RS300X SD Heart Rate Monitor Watch with S1 Foot Pod (Orange) Features
- Simple-to-use wrist heart rate monitor/training computer in orange helps you to train at the right intensity
- Includes S1 foot pod for real-time pace and distance measurement and WearLink+ 31 coded transmitter
- Provides metrics for heart rate, speed, distance, pace, and calorie burn
- OwnZone feature for individualized zone training by heart rate or pace, a fitness test, and auto lap splits
- Compatible with G1 GPS Sensor
Rating :
Price : $249.95
Offer Price : $209.25
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Overviews
Now our most popular and top performing running computer is enhanced with GPS speed and distance capability
Affordable Price at Store Check Price Now!
Specifications
A smart, intuitive training computer for runners and cross-training athletes, the Polar RS300X SD wrist heart rate monitor helps you to train at the right intensity with personal training zones. The RS300X SD comes with Polar's S1 foot pod, which accurately measures your running speed/pace and distance. Committed runners will find the most value in the real-time pace and distance measurement of the S1 foot pod. And even though it attaches to your shoe laces, it's so light that you'll forget it's even there, which means it won't affect your running performance.
 The RS300X helps you to train at the right intensity with personal training zones. |
 This RS300X SD comes with the S1 foot pod. |
|
Features include:
- S1 foot pod is robust, shock and water resistant to handle the most demanding of runs, and changing the battery is simple and effortless
- Heart rate displayed as percentage of maximum heart rate, BPM, and average heart rate of total exercise
- Tracks your latest 16 training sessions and your last 16 weeks of training
- Visual and audible alarm in target zones: Informs you every time your heart rate and/or speed/pace exceeds the upper limit or falls below the lower limit of your target zone during a training session.
- Polar OwnIndex Fitness Test calculates aerobic fitness (comparable to maximal oxygen uptake, VO2max) providing a reference to base training intensity and measure improvement.
- Polar OwnCal: Shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. Because the OwnCal tracks both the energy expenditure during one exercise session and the accumulated kilocalories during a longer time e.g. one week, it helps in achieving both short term and long term goals.
- Time in Target Zone feature calculates the amount of total training time spent in your personal target zone. You can use this feature together with the Total Exercise Time to determine the effectiveness of your training program.
- Number of laps - 99
- Watch features: alarm with snooze, dual time zone, stopwatch
- Compatible with Polar FlowLink (available separately)
- Water resistant to 50 meters
- Backlighting, display zoom
- Event Countdown Timer: Keeps your motivation high by showing how many days are left before your next running event (e.g., Berlin 23 days).
About Polar
The first EKG accurate wireless heart rate monitor was invented by Polar back in 1977 as a training tool for the Finnish National Cross Country Ski Team. The concept of "intensity training" by heart rate swept the athletic world in the eighties. By the 1990s, individuals were looking to heart rate monitors not only for performance training needs, but also for achieving everyday fitness goals. Today, the same concept of heart rate training is being used by world-class athletes as well as everyday people trying to lose weight. Polar is the leading brand among consumers, coaches, and personal trainers worldwide and the company is committed to not only producing the best products, but also being the leading educator on the benefits of heart rate based exercise.
Customer Review
More for the intense trainer/fitness buff - World Traveller - CT USA
I gave this product 4 stars only because no one else had reviewed it yet, and I didn't want to put the kabosh on it when I ended up returning it.
I bought this product along with competing models from Garmin, Timex, and Suunto. I wanted to check 'em all out, and I found pros/cons to each one. In the end, I went with the Garmin, and very happy I did. Look for my review there (click on my name to see my other reviews).
Polar is a fitness company, and they excel in creating all the little workouts and many ways to challenge yourself and measure your progress, both on the watch itself and accompanying software/web site.
The watch itself was the smallest of the four I looked at, which is good for me since I'm a gal, and not necessarily looking for a clunker. But, Polar is not a watch company, and it shows in their oddball design. I wish it looked just a little more watch-like, and less like some alien hardware that fell off a Vulcan vessel.
Still, I might have gone with the Polar, but what killed the deal for me was the GPS unit. I decided I really need GPS for tracking where I've been and how far I've gone. There are two problems with Polar's GPS solution:
- the hardware: Polar's GPS is a separate unit strapped to your arm that contains three AAA batteries that run out of juice after 8-12 hours. It's a battery hog. That GPS is a third-party unit that both Polar and Timex use, so they're the same. The door of this little plastic GPS thing was so hard to close - me and another reviewer had a similar problem with the Timex-branded unit - I almost nixed it for that problem alone. So, hit or miss on the manufacturing. Problem is that unloading and reloading the batteries every few runs will get to be a hassle. And, you look plain silly running down the road with that thing on your arm. The Garmin unit contains it all right inside the watch itself. So superior.
- the software: If you're interested in downlaoding (uploading) your workouts into your PC and analyzing your total miles, calories, and actually seeing your route overlaid on a map, it will require a lot of steps for you and a little PC savvy to do it with the Timex and Polar solutions. I didn't even look at Suunto's, because their GPS solution was way out of my price range. Garmin's software is so easy - read my review and you'll see.
But, if you are really into your sets and reps and targets and goals, or already comfortable with other Polar products, this is probably the right one for you.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Apr 15, 2010 16:07:14
My Links : All About Flip Flop Sandals Best Deals And Reviews On Breakaway Cat Collars Wordpress : All About Bicycle Trailers
No comments:
Post a Comment