Help me decide between the Polar S625X and RS400SD models. I don’t plan on using any of the cycling functions on the 625x, but the altitude info would be nice. As far as i can tell, those would be the only features missing on the RS400SD. Which one would you pick, and why? Thanks!
We have both in this family… and I’d say you may as well with the 625.
S625 has the cycling functions that you just might use one day (eg, cheap rough power measurement if you fancy it).
Otherwise, it’s harder to press the buttons accidentally on the 625x, and for some reason I find it harder to get an IR connection on the RS400… err that’s it.
You can change your own battery, newsoftware. RS400 will has a keylock function to lock the buttons throughout the day. RS400 is a great units and all a triathlete would need is a simple CS unit. To make your pick a bit more difficult, the RS800 will have GPS later in the year. An RS800, no SD, and GPS?
I like the 625x…the altitude is nice, and it tracks total climbing etc.
I dont use the bike stuff either, but I definitely think it is a great one for all around triathlon training and racing.
As for buttons being hard to press, never had that problem at all…
The 625x is the best HR I’ve tested and now owned.
Their new running series monitors are nice but the 625x has everything you need and sturdy as hell.
I like the software that comes with it too.
The only thing that would make any of these watches better would be a race mode to factor in swim, bike, run and transition time. That way you can get bike and run speed data without starting and stopping the watch.
So far the Garmin is the only thing that can do something like that.
You won’t be dissapointed with the 625x.
I am also in the process of upgrading my Polar watch. I have a CS200cad cycling computer and a S150 and its nice to use one heart rate strap through out the race. I am leaning toward the RS400SD and it is also still compatible with the CS200cad cycling computer.
The S625X tries to be a running and cycling computer in the same package and does not do both that well. The RS400SD is a running computer and only a running computer. It has some nice features for training that are included. Any cycling requirements will be taken care of by the CS200cad.
The one I really like is the RS800SD. You can get an Addidas shoe with the footpod embedded in it and an Addidas jersey with the heart monitor strap already built in. But that uses their W.I.N.D. technology so I would have to upgrade the cycling computer also since the heart rate straps are not compatible.
I think the ability for the user to replace the batteries in the RS400 makes it a better choice. Plus, its not nearly as bulky as the S625X, so you can wear it as a daily watch if you want to. The footpod is the same, so no real difference in run performance. If you don’t plan on using it as a cyclometer, then I would say go with the RS400.
Spot
Keep in mind the W.I.N.D. sensor HR strap can’t be used in the water. The 2.4 ghz signal can’t send through water, or so the Polar rep says. I’ve never tried.
Let me start by saying I WORK FOR POLAR! I have spoken to HUNDREDS of athletes whom own a Polar. If you already have a CS200, invest in a RS400 with or without a S1 footpod. The RS400 with Pro Trainer 5 software is a GREAT TOOL. Though your CS200 will not graph your HR data, you will get plenty of info in the summary file., as you may know Your RS400 is your main training tool. You can program incredible interval workouts, different lengths of time and HR zones and with a footpod, you can program various paces within a workout. For example, lets take a simple 5 mile run, you can program each mile a bit quicker than the previous. The RS800 without the S3 Stride Sensor will not gain you that much of an advantage over the RS400 except an altimeter. At Polar expos, the RS400 sells at a reasonable price http://www.polarusa.com/events/events_con.asp The RS800SD will offer running cadence and stride length. The RS800 will also work worth a G3 GPS unit later in the year. As a Polar Rep who has worked with MANY MANY athletes, and trains and races with Polar, makethe RS400 a leading candidate, PLEASE! YOu can email any additional questions and we can speak if needed
The RS800 will not work in the water, but upon exiting, you can push SEEK SENSOR and it will locate your WIND Wear Link T-Belt and give HR on the bike. The RS800SD will not recognize the S3 sensor while riding wince it is on your shoes in the transition area. When you start the run, push SEEK SENSOR and the RS800 will locate the S3 for your run. In IM Germany, the winner was wearing the RS800
http://www.ironmanlive.com/events/ironman/germany?show=photos&y=2007&slideshow=1&page=1&columns=3&rows=3&photo=ironmanlive/races/2007/germany/518b2a496bf6c4bb595df5895e5731ef.jpg
awesome. thanks for all the help guys. i ended up ordering the S625X, but it was a tough decision. i’d actually had the s150 before, and never used the cycling functions on it. the rs800 sounds pretty sweet, but a little outta my price range for now (i was able to order through my team). thanks again for the insight though!
This may sound like a silly question, but where is the SEEK SENSOR button? The large red start button? I’ve got an RD800 and only use it for running.
Also, I don’t have the software. With it, am I able to program more than what I can program manually? Where can I get a copy?
While in exercise mode(you pushed the red button twice), hold the top left(light) button in. You get a quick menu.
This is also a good website for Polar info from Polar owners http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Polar-RS_SD_X/
I’m considering the RS400 for a dedicated running training HRM. While the new W.I.N.D. technology looks great, I’m actually happier that I can still use the same transmitter that came with my S725X.
Do you know if workout data in PPP software (came with my S725X) can be imported into the new ProTrainer 5 software? Also, can the ProTrainer 5 read in S725X data via IR? I don’t like the idea of having two training logs. It would be great to move to the new software and use it with both the RS400 and the S725X.
thx.
I used the RS 800 at Vineman. I did not start the watch before the swim. As soon as I exited the swim I started it (pressing the big read button 2x). It immediately read my HR and I was good to go. Yes, it is a bummer that I did not have my swim split, but I was able to estimate (while racing) using simple math based on when my wave started.
I really like the watch, especially the fact that I can upload the data into Training Peaks. To me the only downside is lack of functionality for the swim (which I knew before I bought the watch).
I’m considering the RS400 for a dedicated running training HRM. While the new W.I.N.D. technology looks great, I’m actually happier that I can still use the same transmitter that came with my S725X.
Do you know if workout data in PPP software (came with my S725X) can be imported into the new ProTrainer 5 software? Also, can the ProTrainer 5 read in S725X data via IR? I don’t like the idea of having two training logs. It would be great to move to the new software and use it with both the RS400 and the S725X.
thx.
Woo
Start your watch for every race, when you exit the water, get your split, when you jump on the bike and anytime after the swim, hold the top left button, navigate to SEEK SENSOR, your watch will locate your t-belt, when you start the run, same thing to find the S3.
TomMC1
I am lead to beleive YES to your questions
Thanks - I am racing this weekend, so I will give that a try and let you know. Regardless, it is a great training tool and I highly recommend it (of course I am a data junkie).
holding the top left button(light) will not pause the watch file, it is COOL. I currently have the GPS which we launch in Spet, but the S3 pod is still mt favorite for now. I am also in a position to use the CS600, so I use the same WIND Wear Link