The Tell-Tale Heart Rate Monitor

[andygates]

Want one. Running to keep my pace up, and roller riding. And geeksmile-inducement. Gotta burn that overtime and given a choice between toys and, say, floorboards, the toys win out. You know me.

It's down to the Polar RS200SD and the Suunto T3 with a footpod. I'm mostly decided on the Suunto - both are about £150 and the polar's slightly greater functions bear off against the Suunto's modularity and brand cachét. But before I splash my cash, I'm just fishing for opinions. Has anyone used these?

Comments

[arabis.livejournal.com]

Well, important things first - the Polar looks cooler.

I don't have experience of either or those models, but I have owned a Polar M21 since September 2001. The only annoyance so far was having to send it off to Polar to get batteries renewed (in November 2004). Other than that it has worked well and I'd be happy to buy Polar products again.

Having said that, the impressive battery life may be due to it being used more as a watch than a HRM...

[skean.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Thoughts.

I've been using the Polar S625X since the end of January. Althought its not immediately obvious from the blurb, its looks like it has all the same features as the RS200SD, apart from the "count down to event timer". It has the additional capacity to link to a variety of bike sensers.

What I find useful on it and have used consistently:
-Distance (despite the blurb on that page you sent, it ss worth calibrating it. Find a running track and do it, dead easy. It then seems to be good to about 10m over about 10km)
-Speed
-Time (incl. Splits)
-Continuous HR (gives an idea of intensity)
-Max HR (easier than your bike test...)
-Altitude/ascent

I've bought the bike sensor as well for £30, which gives me all the same on the bike. The software is handy, lets you check progress, record it etc.

Stuff I haven't used on it:
-Tests. After my brief flirtation in August, haven't done them again
-Alarms. I've never set an HR zone or time alarm for training
-Intervals. Never gone into these.
-Own Cal.
-The "Weblink" stuff
-Recovery measurement.

You need to spend a bit of time getting those sorted out, probably with the PC (which reminds me - you need an IR port or USB IR adaptor)

For ease of use, I've found the Polar good - intuitive, reliable, good menu system. Readings seem consistent and believable. The Chest strap has had some minor fraying around one the adjusments (cosmetic only), but other than that looks good as new (and I wore it in the London docks). The watch is robust and properly waterproof. The S1 footpod is good too. You really don't notice it after you've put it on. Had to change th AAA battery in it twice now, no great hassle (you can do it yourself).

They have just brought out a new top of the line "running computer" the RS800sd, with a smaller foot sensor and some new stuff on it. This might mean the older Polar models will be cheaper soon. It might also mean that the new foot pod will start to filter down the range.

Cosmetically, the S625x watch is slightly bulkier than an average watch, but not hugely so. It does have a large red button on it, which can be slightly attention grabbing. Personally, I agree with arabis, in that I think the Polar's look better than the Suunto, but I'm biased.

Don't know anything else about the Suunto. GPS pod sounds interesting though.

[andygates.livejournal.com]

Sounds good. Interesting that you don't use most of the fandangery. Pity there isn't a really simple footpod HRM on the market...

However I really, really like the look of the Suunto. The Polar's a soap-bar plasticky egg.

Soap-bar plasticky egg?

[skean.livejournal.com]

Its chunky and manly ok...

The fandangery would work well with a regular, structured training plan. I tend to improvise my training plans around other things too much.

Re: Soap-bar plasticky egg?

[andygates.livejournal.com]

Don't we all? I'm sure my plan isn't happy with my current "the weather is lovely, go ride!" choice of activity... ho hum.

The Suunto has just clinched it with audible cadence warnings when running. Off to dodgy internet shop geezers go I!

Re: Soap-bar plasticky egg?

[skean.livejournal.com]

Have you purchased yet? I had some comments about lack of GPS accuracy in woods from a friend last night.

Re: Soap-bar plasticky egg?

[andygates.livejournal.com]

Woods are always a killer for GPS unless you buy the primo Garmin WazzRunner X-nine-million. Woods certainly kill my little Etrex as effectively as London will.

I have purchased and am awaiting delivery with eager sweaty palms...