Time for a new heart rate monitor and I was wondering if any of you recommend a tri specific model? At this point i’m leaning towards the Polar 520. Any good or bad feedback is appreciated!
It all depends on what you want to do with it. If you a data freak, the 720 or 625 have more memory. higher sampling rate, and altimeters. Not to mention the power option.
I don’t know what would be considered ‘tri-specific’, other than the 625’s running functions, but there are issues in switching during a race.
My gf and I both have 710i’s and they are great. The software makes a pretty good training log, and the altitude makes correlating effort to the terrain easy.
Looks like the 520 can be used in the water as well. I guess I mainly just want one that will help to keep myself in the proper zones during training (per Training Bible). The one I have now doesn’t have any zones settings, audible warnings, etc. Not sure i’ll bother with downloading data into the PC?
I believe all the Polars (and probably most others) are water resistant.
You can probably find less expensive HRM’s that will have zones and alarms.
I think that the 710 and probably the 520 have a function where you can have multiple zones setup, and then ‘swap’ zones during a workout. ie. have lower zones setup for warmup, then switch to higher for the meat of your workout.
I assume that by zones you might be referring to zones 1-2-3-4-5?? The new RS200SD(comes with the foot pod like the S625x) has a new feature called Sport Zones.
Polar sport zones
Helps you to train at the right intensity.
Polar sport zones provides an easy way to select and monitor the intensity of your training and to follow Polar’s sport zones based training programs. The training is divided into five zones based on percentages of your maximum heart rate: very light (50-60%HRmax), light (60-70% HRmax), moderate (70-80%HRmax), hard (80-90% HRmax) and maximum (90-100% HRmax).
http://polarusa.com/Products/cs/rs200sd.asp?cat=consumer
Go to this home page, and click on the link for Speed and Distance, and follow the RS200SD prompts. You will get a better visual on the Sport Zones
I had a Polar 520 but sold it and bought the 720i. I highly recommend spending the extra money and getting the 720 because of its increased memory capacity and ability to store more than one workout at a time.
It seems strange that this new Polar would base the “Sport Zones” on a percentage of maximum heart rate if that is considered the “old” method for computing training intensity. I was actually thinking about this on my run this morning. My S210 has a feature that displays a percentage of max rather than beats per minute. Pretty much a useless feature using today’s logic.
Right?
Michael
It seems strange that this new Polar would base the “Sport Zones” on a percentage of maximum heart rate if that is considered the “old” method for computing training intensity. I was actually thinking about this on my run this morning. My S210 has a feature that displays a percentage of max rather than beats per minute. Pretty much a useless feature using today’s logic.
Right?
Michael
Seems to me that the most common means of setting zones now is based off of an individuals Lactate Threshold. I still have to figure out where mine is, I have a ballpark figure, but I hope to get a more accurate number using one of the test methods listed in the Training Bible.
Do any of the HRM’s listed in this thread allow the user to manually input their personal zones based off of their LT?
That is what I was saying. I haven’t seen anything out there that does that BUT you could “trick” it I think. If you already thought of this I apologize but:
-
Figure out your LT heart rate (lab, field, whatever)
-
Compute the percentages for your zones based on that.
-
Take your MaxHR and determine what percentage you would need to get the same zones.
-
Input these numbers into your HRM.
Does that seem to make sense or am I talking crazy. You would be using percentages of LTHR and converting them to see what percentage of MaxHR they were. Means you would be training at the right intensity but displaying something different.
I think I just confused myself…and this isn’t even my drunk post. I do have a pretty good intensity chart that I came up with using help from several other ST’ers if you are interested.
Michael
Go to any of the European Polar web sites - wait for the Rs200SD model ($200). Is due here this month or next.
MUCH smaller than the VERY large 625/720. Has HR and speed/distance via foot pod sensor (like the 625 and Nike model). I’m not a download freak, just like mine during training (sold my 720i), so the 200 should be perfect for me.
I sell quite a few Polars and am an addicted user, here’s my take-
SKIP the 520, it’s decent HR but you’d do better with others.
Option 1: If you want an all in one bike/run everything computer go with the 720 or the 625x. Skip the 725. The added features of altitude (you’ll love this on your bike as long as you don’t live in the flatlands) and especially the larger memory so you don’t have to download every day. If you live where it’s pancake flat and will never download to a computer, well maybe get the 520. The 625x comes set up for run speed but you can buy all the bike stuff, basically a speed sensor for $39.99. Cadence if you want as well.
Option 2: NEW POLARS ARE SWEET, CHEAPER, LOOK BETTER, MORE FEATURES!!! and as a shop it sucks as we don’t know what to do with the old watches. If you aren’t all into computer downloading I’d go with a combo of the RS200 run watch which is really nice and compact and light. It has a great triple display, 100lap memory, calories and all the good stuff for only $110.00. Only downside is that it has the older chest strap. Then combo up with a top of the line, or maybe mid-range, Polar bike computer. You’ll get all your bike features, downloading, altitude, etc AND it’ll come with the nice new wearlink strap!
with option 2 you end up with 2 monitors, a nice light one for running, and one that stays on your bike, you get one nice wearlink chest strap and one back-up old style T31 strap for the same price as a 520
Option 3: if you want run speed, get a RSD200 which is basically a RS200 with the foot pod and downloading for a hundred bucks more. Comes in a spiffy metallic red as well…
I appreciate all the feedback!
I’m not a big data downloader at this point. I track all my miles, and keep a paper log for now. Do those of you that download really get much use out of the data once it’s on your cpu? I’m not against downloading, just not sure if i’d get use from the data? Being I already have a nice bike computer with all the speed info, and cadence, do I really need a HRM with bike specific data (speed, cadence, etc)?
I guess the main functions i’m, looking for are:
-
Ability to program my specific training zones based off LT(running speed might be neat for pacing???)
-
Some type of warning to let me know when changing zones
-
Bonus if I could wear it swimming as well
Tai,
have you used the “power” option with the Polar units? how well do they work? Is installation difficult? It looks like the 720 would be a great “all in one” option (HR, watts, cadence, etc.)
Just wondered, cause i’ve been looking into this too…
Another question for you-Is the R series available yet? From your post it seems your store has it but other posts imply that it is not available in the US. Can you help with finding a place to order from?
Pat
I’m commenting about the Polar 720 since that’s what I have.
It’s cool to be able to see the graph of your ride and the other charts that are available. It’s also nice to have all your workouts show up on a calendar and be able to review them when you want. Easier than paper I think.
- You can program the zones to whatever values you like.
- I’m not sure exactly what you mean by a warning when changing zones. You can set the 720 to beep when you’re outside of a particular zone. Note that the beeping doesn’t work when the bike functions are enabled.
- You can wear it swimming.
So since we’re on the subject: The S120 and S150 models are pretty deeply dicounted right now. Any reason not to just get one of them (I recently lost my S120 receiver)? How about the S150 and its cycling functions? Does it work well, or is it unreliable (meaning, does the speed and HR and other measurements jump all over the place)?
Thanks. Quick response is appreciated ahead of time. I have $80 burning a hole in my pocket this afternoon before my ride.
MC
well if you can get a 120 for say $75 then go for it but the new RS100 watches are all that a S120 is and a lot more in a sleeker, lighter package with mor features, cleaner display and a backlight for only $110 msrp while the S120 was $120 msrp. Just marked all our S120s down… I’d get the RS100 if it were me.
power option worked well, but I never really caught on to paying attention to all the wattage data so I stopped using mine. do a search on it her on slowtwitch as there are alot of differering opinions on the Polars power performance.
Both the new R and F series are available, well at least we’ve gotton our R units so far. Gotten them and sold through them very fast. The F series didn’t show up with the last order but should be coming in next week according to Polar. Hopefully they have more R to send us as well. These are worth the wait.
Thanks Tai and thanks for the info. As luck would have it my HR monitor died this morning so I’m off to hunt down a new one.
Pat