I’ve been searching for a new HRM, and I really want something with an altimeter. Don’t ask why, I just love that feature. Anyway, I’m sour on my Polar s710, so I’ve been looking around. Does anyone know anything about Sunnto gear? These guys make altimeters and focus on expedition gear. (But it is pricey) Anyway, they make three HRMs and I thought it was worth a look…
http://www.suunto.com/pls/suunto/suunto2.pubproduct.prod_view?in_product_id=1286&in_prodgrp_id=164
Can’t speak for Suunto HRM’s, but I have a Suunto dive computer for SCUBA diving, and it’s absolute quality stuff. I’d expect the HRM’s to be good quality as well.
I am considering getting the S720 - which I think is the new version of the 710 - so I’m curious - what don’t you like about that one? The 720 has altitude and temp features, I think - didn’t the 710?
I have looked a little bit at the Suunto line - and one cool feature listed is a “clinometer” - would that tell you the percentage grade on a climb? That would be pretty cool.
cholla
I’ve had reliability problems with my s710 that really get to me to the point where I don’t want to get another polar. By all accounts, this seems to be an isolated case and most on this forum who have the 710/720 love it. I think the 710 features are awesome, I really want to like the watch, but if I can’t rely on it to work correctly for a 45 minute run then it’s more of a nusiance to me than anything else. You can search s710 to find old threads with details.
I am surprised that you had trouble with your Polar, I love my S710i, and never had any problems with my older Edge NV. I also have one of the original Suunto Vectors. The Suunto has also been flawless, although a friend of mine sent back a number of them because the display was a little off. Some of the segments would look ‘on’ if you didn’t look directly at the face of the watch. I was going to say that the downloadablility of the Polar is a big plus, but then took the time to look at the new Suunto and saw that it is downloadable also. I will say that the new Polar Precision Performance Software is very nice and makes a great training log. It doesn’t look like the Suunto has bike functions, which I use on my Polar. I need to get a cadence sensor, and if it weren’t so damn expensive, I’d get the power kit also. I wish Polar mad a Fitsense type ‘footpod’ for running. Then I would have better data for my run workouts.
I have had many Polars over the years. My current polar, 610 is well going to get sent back. Some how it has gotten moisture in it. I guess all my swimming is paying off. 
I have had pretty good luck with Polar, except this one and well the one they lost when Polar was changing a battery. That sort of bugs me. Having to send the Polar back to get a battery is IMO a major pain. Polar eventually sent me a new watch to replace the one they lost. It took quite a while though.
It may seem like a pain to have to send your HRM to Polar to have the batteries replaced, but then again, it’s like new tires on your bike before a big race. You spent a lot of money on your HRM, what’s $20 and a few days to have it ‘professionally’ serviced and tested, every few years. I am lucky, Creative Health Products is a short drive from me, so if it was critical, I could walk it in.
You might want to check out the Ciclosport HAC4, it’s want the Lance and USPS are using for the next 2 years if that means anything. Has lots of functions like altitude, altitude gain, slope of hill, etc. Computer download kit is extra. Never used it but love my cyclosport cyclometer.
My friend has a suunoto (NOT HRM) that he uses for skiing and it has been great. Lots of features and no problems.
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it’s want the Lance and USPS are using for the next 2 years if that means anything.
it probably means lance and usps are getting paid.
The HAC4 looks interesting. It talks about wattage output, anyone know how it gets it’s power info?
I have had a terrible time with my S720i and it looks like my third Polar will be my last. More about that later for now I am hopping Polar will change their attitude and offer some service. The HAC4 is a great monitor but one of the only things made that is cheaper in Europe than the USA looks abit ugly but a great HRM. Suunto need a bike attachment.
I wish Polar mad a Fitsense type ‘footpod’ for running. Then I would have better data for my run workouts.
I asked the Polar rep about this at last year’s Silicon Valley marathon expo. He said that Polar was working on something like this, but it was at least at year away (this was last October). The indication was that it would be a sensor on one shoe and a magnet on the other shoe, so I don’t know if this is accelerometer-based like the Fitsense, or just a stride counter. I have to say that Polar comes up with some really wierd and convoluted ways to measure some things- like trying to derive power from chain tension. All the reviews I’ve read indicate that the power output kit is not all that accurate, and is also a pain to set up accurately. I hope the running speed sensor system isn’t the same way.
I think the HAC4 derives power from some preset variables and actual speed. It doesn’t have a power output sensor, so it’s all based on hypothetical power from tables.
Thanks for the info. You should see me on my long runs, S710i on my left wrist, Timex S + D on my right. I can’t quite hit both start buttons at the same time. 