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 Polar S720i Heart Rate Monitor Watch By: Polar Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 5 More Information HRM great. Software Okay. Mac support, but just barely  On: 2007-02-11Polar knows heart rate monitoring. They dont really know software design and if you have a Mac, be prepared for some work arounds. The heart rate monitoring is rock solid. This unit records your heart rate and you can download this to your PC (or Mac, see below) and it keeps the files in a training log that you can annotate, and best of all, email to a coach. These HR graphs are invaluable and the dffierence between flying blind and suddenly seeing what your workout really was. So far Im just using this in spin classes, but look forward to correlating this with altitude information on real rides this spring. The Windows-based software is fair. The interface is weird, but Im used to Macs, so figure in that bias. It works, you get used to it. There is a useful option to set watch parameters from the computer using the IR link and this is MUCH easier than using the buttons on the watch. IR communication on many computers (my Mac) requires the IR/USB adapter which is another $60. This, and the "sonic" link are a truly strange way to do this, USB or even better, Bluetooth, would make a lot more sense. It does work although the connection drops easily, especially if the watch moves even a little bit during a data file transfer. And, yes, this will work with a Mac. You need (1) the HRM, (2) IR/USB adapter, (3) Parallels virtual Machine, (4) WinXP running under parallels, (5) install the Polar Precision software just as you would on a real PC. Tell Parallels to share the IR/USB device (which is labeled STIR, dont confuse this with the built in IR on a Mac book Pro). I havent found an absolutely reliable sequence of (1) plugging in the IR/USB adapter, (2) starting Parallels (3) sharing the IR adapter,(4) starting the Polar software....sometimes I have to fiddle with this sequence, but worst case, I have my workout files transferred in 5 minutes or less. This unti works better and picks up my heart rate much more readily if you use the Axiom (or other) conductivity ehancer gel. So, does the job, but would benefit from (1) better software, (2) USB or Bluetooth interface instead of IR/sonic, (3) real Mac support, but I doubt well see that anytime soon. HRM great. Software Okay. Mac support, but just barely On: 2007-02-10Polar knows heart rate monitoring. They dont really know software design and if you have a Mac, be prepared for some work arounds. The heart rate monitoring is rock solid. This unit records your heart rate and you can download this to your PC (or Mac, see below) and it keeps the files in a training log that you can annotate, and best of all, email to a coach. These HR graphs are invaluable and the dffierence between flying blind and suddenly seeing what your workout really was. So far Im just using this in spin classes, but look forward to correlating this with altitude information on real rides this spring. The Windows-based software is fair. The interface is weird, but Im used to Macs, so figure in that bias. It works, you get used to it. There is a useful option to set watch parameters from the computer using the IR link and this is MUCH easier than using the buttons on the watch. IR communication on many computers (my Mac) requires the IR/USB adapter which is another $60. This, and the "sonic" link are a truly strange way to do this, USB or even better, Bluetooth, would make a lot more sense. It does work although the connection drops easily, especially if the watch moves even a little bit during a data file transfer. And, yes, this will work with a Mac. You need (1) the HRM, (2) IR/USB adapter, (3) Parallels virtual Machine, (4) WinXP running under parallels, (5) install the Polar Precision software just as you would on a real PC. Tell Parallels to share the IR/USB device (which is labeled STIR, dont confuse this with the built in IR on a Mac book Pro). I havent found an absolutely reliable sequence of (1) plugging in the IR/USB adapter, (2) starting Parallels (3) sharing the IR adapter,(4) starting the Polar software....sometimes I have to fiddle with this sequence, but worst case, I have my workout files transferred in 5 minutes or less. This unti works better and picks up my heart rate much more readily if you use the Axiom (or other) conductivity ehancer gel. So, does the job, but would benefit from (1) better software, (2) USB or Bluetooth interface instead of IR/sonic, (3) real Mac support, but I doubt well see that anytime soon. Great HRM with computer interface  On: 2006-09-20This Heart Rate Monitor is aimed at a cyclist, but you dont need to be a cyclist to benefit from some of its great features, I use it for several outdoor activities. The feature that attracted me to this unit is the infrared computer interface and software it comes with. If your computer has built in infrared thats all you need to communicate with the device, otherwise youll need to buy the optional Polar IR unit. I have used the unit for the following activities, Walking, Running, Cycling and Backpacking. For walking or running this HRM is overkill IMHO, a cheaper unit would probably suffice. Initially this is all I used the HRM for. For Cycling I found it very convenient to use, it can be setup to start and stop recoding your HRM data when the bike is stationary. This auto start/stop while handy tended to kick in too early for just a brief stop to look bothways crossing a busy intersection. The built in thermometer and altimeter work well when attached to the handlebars, the HRM comes with a custom bike mount. The altimeter needs calibrating each time you use it, it works using atmospheric presssure, so on a long bike ride or on a stormy day the readings are less reliable than one would like. But on a clear day I was suprised to see it measures in 20 feet increments with reasonable accuracy. The HRM records bike speed, altitude, heart rate constantly and automatically, however temprature is only recorded each lap. On a long bike ride you need to remember to press a button to ensure the temprature is recorded. Not sure why it cant automatically take temprature readings every 5 minutes or so. Download to a PC via infrared is simple enough and the data is automatically enetered into the right days on the calander. If you have multiple sessions with different exercise activities, it takes a little effort to identify each sesion acuratley. You have to manually mark the beggining and end of warm-up and cool down in order to get data anlysis that makes sense. Shame it cant automatically divy this up for you. The standard reports are fine for analyzing a single session or several months of data. For backpacking I found the altimeter and themometer of great value, you must be sure not to wear the wrist reciever on your wrist otherwise temprature and altitude readings are wrong. Attaching to a loop on a shoulder strap is a good place, you can still read the watch there. Once again it requires daily calibration, simple if you have a topo map. The altimeter fuction records cumulative uphill and downhill so you can later analyze the total amount you climbed, not just the net difference in altitude. This you can only analyze on a computer afterwards. The HRM has the usual audible alerts if you stray outside of your preset activity limits. I use all 5 presets to cater for my different outdoor activities. Most features including the watch and alarm functions can be programmed most easily on a computer, so you need to plan ahead and preprogram the unit to avoid a lot of button pressing when you should be exercising. I found the unit works fine when using polar compatible equipment, this avoids interference interrupting the wireless communication, which is common on exercise bikes. I had the wrist reciever battery replaced at a Batteries plus store. I did this to avoid the incovenience and expense of sending back to Polar. It still works fine. I dont use it when swimming (the chest strap slides down constantly) so I cant comment if the water resistance is compromised by replacing the battery at a non authorized store. It is still is going strong after years of use, the chest strap battery is still good. If this runs down, there is NO WAY to replace yourself, you have to exchange for a new one with Polar. Excellent Quality, Great Customer Service On: 2005-02-19Ive used this watch since 2002. The chest strap is comfortable, the indicators are very accurate, and the features are great. After dropping the watch, I broke a button. I called Polar and they sent me a new button within 2 days for free. They have great customer service and really back their products! I have used the watch on my mountain bike in rain, mud, and dust and its held up great. Excellent Quality, Great Customer Service On: 2005-02-18Ive used this watch since 2002. The chest strap is comfortable, the indicators are very accurate, and the features are great. After dropping the watch, I broke a button. I called Polar and they sent me a new button within 2 days for free. They have great customer service and really back their products! I have used the watch on my mountain bike in rain, mud, and dust and its held up great. Great HRM On: 2004-09-21Got this heart rate monitor not too long ago and love it. For cycling it has everything I wanted. With the optional cadence sensor (which I recommend getting) youll be able to track everything you need for personal training. Note that the Speed sensor comes with this monitor, so dont buy it seperately. The only downfalls of this HRM for me is that the battery on the transmitter strap is not replaceable. It will last awhile, but at some point know that youll need to replace the strap. The battery on the watch itself is suggested to be changed at an authorized Polar service store (of which none are very close to me). I believe you can change it yourself, they just dont suggest it. There are no instructions for doing so in the manual however. The software that comes with the HRM is very easy to use. The infrared interface on the watch is nice for transmitting data to your laptop or IrDA port on your PC. (Note that per Polar support, there is an issue with SigmaTel chipset type IrDA interfaces working with the Polar HRMs) The data display on the S720i is very easy to read, the options are very easy to setup, the available data that you can display on the watch during exercise is also very nice. Being able to record data as granular as every 5 seconds is also nice. I chose this HRM based on recommendations from many others (even over the 725 which doesnt seem to have anything over this HRM besides the carbon fiber look to warrant the extra cost) and would readily recommend it to anyone else. Improvement over the venerable 710si On: 2003-11-28Ive had my polar HRM for over a year, and use it primarily for long-distance cycling and, to a lesser degree, running. The primary reasons I chose this model over the S510/520i were the altitude recording feature, connectivity with my laptop, and software. The software has improved, with functional and bug updates issued approximately once a quarter. Polars support is knowledgeable and responsive. The cadence module is moderately useful, however after an extremely rainy ride (Tour de Blast), mine becames water logged and failed. I have not tried the power module -- its cost prohibitive -- though it does not appear it would work well on my bike because of my execessively wide gear range. If this were a feature I was genuinely concerned with, I would look at a hub-based alternative like PowerTap. The good: The bad: Improvement over the venerable 710si On: 2003-11-27Ive had my polar HRM for over a year, and use it primarily for long-distance cycling and, to a lesser degree, running. The primary reasons I chose this model over the S510/520i were the altitude recording feature, connectivity with my laptop, and software. The software has improved, with functional and bug updates issued approximately once a quarter. Polars support is knowledgeable and responsive. The cadence module is moderately useful, however after an extremely rainy ride (Tour de Blast), mine becames water logged and failed. I have not tried the power module -- its cost prohibitive -- though it does not appear it would work well on my bike because of my execessively wide gear range. If this were a feature I was genuinely concerned with, I would look at a hub-based alternative like PowerTap. The good: The bad: |