i am driving myself crazy with this. i hear the Polar 625X is good, but has it’s limitations in a race (having to create 3 separate files). what do people do for timing themselves/gathering data during your tri races?
right now i’m relegated to trying to thread my HAC4 computer onto its velcro watch strap after T2…very inefficient to say the least!
I use the 625 and raced yesterday… why do you have to create separate files? i uploaded the race, it graphed it up had all the laps, it was great 
Marisol:
What he means is that if you want to use the cycling and running functions in a race, you need to “stop” the recording function and then scroll to the bike function using the lower right button. This will start the bike data function, but will also start a “new” file. Same goes for when you go from the bike to the run. If you are able to go from “basic” to bike to run, w/o pausing and creating a new file I would love to hear how since what I described is what the manual says.
It’s a drag, but it’s the only way I can get it to change functions. And no, I don’t use the footpod in a race.
Thanks.
Alternatively you just run the whole race in “bike” mode. Of course you won’t have any bike data for the swim and run (not a problem), and you won’t have the run specific features for the run (but going from a HAC4 you don’t have those anyway).
Personally I use a 720i, but I don’t use the bike features (I have the speed and cadence sensors, but only use the HRM and Altimeter). I can then break up the event by hitting the lap button when I cross each mat, i.e. exit water, exit t1, enter t2, exit t2, finish line.
Regarding the bike features of the Polar HRMs, I have not been happy with how easily the sensor to watch connection is disturbed by EMI (mostly powerlines). For this reason I primarily use the HRM and Altimeter functions. I have heard that the HAC4 is better regarding EMI, but the Polar software is world’s better (IMO).
Ok, i get it… I don’t use the bike functions so I don’t have that problem:-)
What’s the problem of racing the whole race on bike mode?
Just curious, does the size of the watch bother you at all during a race? How about getting your wetsuit on/off with that monster.
I only use my 625 for training. I use a super slim (and cheap) Timex for races… And, I usually forget to push the button for splits anyway. Or I push the wrong button - I finish the race, hit the Stop button and look down at my watch and it says, like 12 minutes but it’s running!
The size of the watch has never been a bother for me. From the perspective of getting a wetsuit off, its no worse than pulling the suit over a timing chip IMO.
I use a Garmin 301 with the Multisport beta version software loaded. It works great. I then download to Motion Based and get a very comprehensive analysis of the race and where I need to improve, which unfortunately, I need a lot of improvement. I can even set it up so that it takes into account the transition times. The Multisport mode allows me to set up for a duathlon or a triathlon and change between pace and speed settings. Highly recommend it.
Andy
I use the 625x in bike mode for the whole race. Typically I lose the swim data either because I forget to start the watch, don’t hit the button fully, or my HRM strap slips. I pull up the strap on the run to T2, and get all my bike data. Then I just log HR & time for the run. It ain’t perfect, but it works well enough…
The Garmin sounds like a nice system though.
A good old Polar Coach!!!
It does all it take!
In concept the system works well but during a race I’m finding it a pain to use effectively.
The 2 biggest problems I find are:
Not enough screen space to display all the required data I like to see at a quick glance without having to scroll through buttons to bring up the display for that item (speed, cadence, distance, time, HRM). Having 3 display fields on the screen is close to good but not quite good enough when you don’t want to think about or calculate things when under the efforts of race situations. I would be happy to be proven wrong in this regard.
Wearing a bike computer as a watch is OK but another aspect of a dedicated bike computer I prefer is that they are mounted on the bars/stem. With the Polar I’m forever having to rotate my arm and crane my neck to get the correct view of the watch face as opposed to once again just glancing down and having it all there to read. There’s also the added instability of moving a hand across to scroll buttons. Using the bar mount is a nonstarter given you would have to put it on / take it off at each transition. I have tried putting the watch face on the palm-side of my wrist but find the same problem, just from a different angle! Try it and let me know if anyone gets a better viewing angle.
I use it in bike mode when racing and it seems to work fine, though I don’t download any data and I do not use the footpod. When using the footpod in training you develop a fairly good idea of pace relative to your heart rate and it can become just another hassle you don’t need at the transition (like the guy who ran his bike straight into me and knocked me off my feet as I was putting my shoes on at T2 on the weekend)
The overall size is not a problem, though I’ve never used a tri wetsuit, nor do I intend on racing in a location that requires one- I’m a warm weather kinda guy! When adventure racing I use my old polar watch for HRM, partly due to size and replacement cost if it gets damaged in the more rugged racing.
I can’t say the Polar is as good or consistent in the data transmission as other wireless computers I’ve used and seems to have greater gaps in calculating speed and cadence. That might have something to do with the fact I have both transmitters on the left rear chain stays, which is greater in distance from the receiving watch (especially when using aerobars) than the manual says (60cm) but riding a soloist doesn’t lend well to tying the cadence monitor to the seattube/downtube given the aero tubing. However, if you use a trainer, the left stay is the only place to put them when using the machine.
IMO the 625x is a good multi-purpose tool but not quite good enough to replace a dedicated bike computer if that’s what you’re looking for (as I was!)
Upon reflection, I’m thinking of getting the Cat Eye CD300DW (any opinions on that one?) and then I’ll just use the Polar as my HRM and overall timing device with occasional footpod use for longer runs.
Hey Sophie,
Got the date packet today- thanks so much!
I have a S720 on the bike at all times (with polar powermeter) and have an S810 that measure the entire race-
that waY i have the entire race on file with splits (from the 810) and have just a file with bike splits with speed, rpms, altitude, temp, power etc-
I jsut got a 625 today so that will probably replace the 810.
Upon reflection, I’m thinking of getting the Cat Eye CD300DW (any opinions on that one?) and then I’ll just use the Polar as my HRM and overall timing device with occasional footpod use for longer runs.
As mentioned above, I don’t use bike features of my 720i. For cycling functions I recently added the CatEye CD300DW to my training/road bike, and the CatEye Micro Wireless to my tri-bike. It would be nice if the CD300DW had an altimeter and a computer interface, but I guess we can’t have everything. 
So far both seem to be doing their job well, and wireless transmission has yet to be disrupted by any interference. As they are both only about 1 month old I cannot comment on longevity or battery life.