Has anyone been using the RCX5 on a regular basis? If so, is it worth it? I know DC review it, but I was wondering if anyone else has used it.
I got mine and love it. I ended up getting the run kit so I could have the watch before my Ironman in a couple of weeks. I think that I will love it even more after I get the GPS. The GPS version is not going to be sold until mid July and the GPS by its self will be in September. It is very easy to use and has great functionality. My only negative is that the didn’t use the Polar Pro Software 5 that came with RS400/RS800. You can customize the data screens but you have to it manually on your watch versus on your computer. Also I never got a product manual so I may be missing some features, but I am very happy with the ones I know about. The switch between sports is very easy and the data recall is excellent.
I got my RCX5 about two weeks ago from Heart Rate Watch Co. I also purchased the Run kit since they are the first shipping and I already had the W.I.N.D. speed and cadence sensors on the bike. The four user customizable data lines are easily readable, and with the heart touch function you can cycle through 5 different data screens just by bringing the watch close to you chest. It pairs instantly with the S3 and bike sensors as well as my G3 GPS. Plus I can use my other Polar W.I.N.D. heart rate transmitters and even some old T31 coded straps. Can’t stress enough how great the four user-settable data lines are. For example, in my runs I prefer to see heart rate (percentage of max), cadence, distance and pace. The watch makes it very easy to see exactly the data you want.
I’ve swam 2000m in the pool and analyzed data afterwards and there was not a single dropout or errant reading. Same on the bike and run, no dropouts of any sensors or weird spikes in readings like I used to see with my S625X. The new S3 sensor is surprisingly small and it mounts very securely to the shoe. It is so small I can’t even tell it’s there, unlike the old S1 which was pretty noticeable. Once I calibrated on a track, the distance readings for the S3 match the GPS on my phone almost exactly, and I really prefer the more precise pace data from the S3 and being able to see cadence during the run.
The wireless sync works very well although the current Websync software leaves a bit to be desired. I can’t delete workouts out of the watch on the computer after they are synced. And as mentioned by IronMandie, you have to customize data lines in sport profiles on the watch itself, unlike say my CS600X where I can do custom displays in the Polar software and then just sync to the watch. I really wish Polar had integrated their power meter into the RCX5. I end up using the CS600X and the RCX5 at the same time on my bike rides so I can still get power and pedaling data.
There is one small bug/feature that is present in the CS600X that seems to have made it into the RCX5 also. If you have custom data displays in a sport profile, and then you turn off the GPS feature, the watch resets all the data lines in that sport profile to their default settings. This is a real PITA if, for example, you go out for a run and find your GPS battery is dead. To keep from getting the “check GPS sensor” messages you go in and turn off the GPS feature. Then when you start your run you find your custom displays of data have all reset to default. Hopefully Polar can fix this in future models or claim it as a “feature.”
All in all I love the RCX5. It is very, very thin and the strap is the most comfortable I’ve worn. I wear it to work and it fits under the cuffs of my tailored dress shirts. I have not really tried the quick profile switching for brick workouts yet but will report back once I do that a few times.
I will ask around and see if it is a bug or if the RCX5 changes the display since it knows that no speed sensor (G5 or S3+) is sending information and why have a row of 00.00’s across the screen. Will play with it today!
Thanks for the kind review
There is one small bug/feature that is present in the CS600X that seems to have made it into the RCX5 also. If you have custom data displays in a sport profile, and then you turn off the GPS feature, the watch resets all the data lines in that sport profile to their default settings. This is a real PITA if, for example, you go out for a run and find your GPS battery is dead. To keep from getting the “check GPS sensor” messages you go in and turn off the GPS feature. Then when you start your run you find your custom displays of data have all reset to default. Hopefully Polar can fix this in future models or claim it as a “feature.”
If and when Polar fixes the “bug” do we have to send it in to be fixed or can it be done via firmware updates?
Thanks Wayne. I’ll add I have not been able to replicate the “reset” just turning on the watch while sitting around with no sensors present. So your explanation may be right, it may not be a bug at all but the watch switching over when it can’t find any speed sensors. Any future plans to update the Websync software to include more functionality like ProTrainer where we can edit the displays in each sport profile in the software?
Thanks for the honest reply in trying to replicate. No sooner did I reply to your answer, myself and Chris@polar went to work. We could not create your situation. I know on other units it will state “Displays Updated” but not in the RCX5. I do not see a “Bug” in this area. Chris and I also have pre production BETA units, so sometimes we scramble around for a “LIVE” unit. As of now, no “BUG” .
Any future plans to update the Websync software to include more functionality like ProTrainer where we can edit the displays in each sport profile in the software?
This is done over in Finland, not the USA. Chris@Polar will update Polar Finland on various topics, PPT.com is one of them. I think for the revamped launch of PPT.com, certain features or applications were tops on the list, sometimes we are alerted to changes and sometimes we just get an email that an upgrade has taken place. With the new sharing of files via Facebook and Twitter, we were informed the Friday before the Monday launch. Essentially, I have no idea on the displays on PPT.com back to the watch 
Hi, I’ve just picked up the RCX5 and I like the slim design and the ability to record heart rate during the swim. Does anyone know a clever way to use it for multisport?
On my old Garmin you could pre-set the sequence of swim-bike-run or other combinations and it would automatically switch when I hit the lap button - very easy even in competition (although I’ve had a few slips when I’ve accidentally pushed the lap button).
On the RCX5 it seems like in T1 I need to stop the recording of the swimming by pushing the back button, then scroll to the bike on the up/down buttons (and look at the display to verify) and the hit then start button to continue recording the bike leg. Not very easy when I’m trying to transition quickly in competition.
Am I missing something or is that the only way to do it?
Thanks in advance for any clever hints.
Søren
Lemme follow up on this…So, say I accidently hit start and then stop. I have, what, a 10 second workout. I then go do my 3 hour ride. When it uploads, I can’t get rid of the 10 second workout from the training logs? Or do I need to delete it out of the watch before upload?
Bob
Wayne:
Any idea when the base version of the RCX5 will be shipping? And, any idea why the big online retailers (Heartrate USA, etc) say “In store purchase only?”
Bob
Hi AndrewM
Thanks for your purchase. As for switching from s-b-r, that is the sequence. Once your comfortable, this button pushing sequence should take all of 2-3 seconds, probably the time to reach down, pick your hydration belt and put it around your waist. The S-B-R icons and Sports Profiles are in order. I think it I will suggest to Chris@polar we perform a ST webinar and record it.
MachoGrande, you can delete your “10sec” file on the watch or once downloaded off your calendar. As for retail sales, I think Polar USA wanted to support the local specialty bike/run/tri shop and give them the a certan time frame of selling before the big on line only DOT COMS. As for in store only, might just be that, no on line sales. This is a time to shop local. Congrats Macho on your Eagleman performance!
Love my rcx5. Longtime 710 user. Any chance of being able to have a page display only 1 data field and thus have that field much larger like the time of day font size? My eyes are getting old and can’t read stopwatch when swimming w/o removing goggles. It’s he’ll getting old :).
Thanks,
Albert
There is a **ZOOM **feature which allows two rows of information versus four. The watch will remember your ZOOM for that display.
Awesome! Where is the function? Which button or setup function?
Thanks,
Albert
Found the button! Thanks again, just in time for my race!
Thanks Wayne for taking your time to answer. I’m really enjoying the watch and will put it to its first race test in a half this Sunday.
While it’s very convenient and fast to have the watch on my wrist from the gun goes off until I cross the finish line compared to having to shift it from the bike to the wrist in transition, it is a bit harder to monitor the effort when the display is not in sight on the bike.
I’m considering getting a polar bike computer - like a CS400 or CS500, but only if I can set it up to read from the same sensors (heart rate, speed and cadence) as the RCX5.
I can’t seem to find any information on this. Perhaps you know - can you pair two watches to the same sensor at the same time?
Many thanks in advance.
Søren
While it’s very convenient and fast to have the watch on my wrist from the gun goes off until I cross the finish line compared to having to shift it from the bike to the wrist in transition, it is a bit harder to monitor the effort when the display is not in sight on the bike.
Søren, have you tried turning the watch so it’s inside your wrist while on the bike? That’s how I wore my 310 XT and the display was very readable while in aero bars as it was up. I also don’t look much at said display so YMMV if you need something in your face all the time.
Thanks AndrewMarvel, that is why myself and Chris@Polar are here,we support pre sale questions and post sale support, in fact I will announce a RCX5 webinar in a few minutes. Your RCX5 uses WIND sensors and the CS500 and CS600 use them as well. I would suggest the CS500 since it downloads to PPT.com which the RCX5 does, it will be easier to have all your files in one location. The RCX5 and CS500 can be paired to the same sensors and Wear Link You could try wearing the RCX5 on the inside of your wrist for easy viewing while on the bike but make sure your RED BUTTON does not make contact with your aerobars, the bumps in the road could make your Polar RCX5 record numerous laps or you could LOCK THE BUTTONS by holding in the light button
Super quick answers - thanks again. Just to make sure I understand you correctly - can the CS500 and the RCX5 be paired with the same WIND sensor at the same time (and both record the same data)?
can the CS500 and the RCX5 be paired with the same WIND sensor at the same time (and both record the same data)?
Yes
The Polar RCX5,RS800cx, CS500 and CS600x can all pair up with the same WIND sensors at the same time.