Are Polars really any use??
I'm in the market for a new HRM and I'm stuck between buying a Suunto T6 (with bike pod) or a Polar CS400
I had a bit of trouble with my last Polar - battery temperamental, dodgie speed sensor etc. Is this a common theme with Polars? If I was confident that the Polar would actually work I'd go with it as the Suunto are pretty dang pricey, but i've only heard good things about Suunto.
Does anyone have a view on what is the better purchase??
I had a bit of trouble with my last Polar - battery temperamental, dodgie speed sensor etc. Is this a common theme with Polars? If I was confident that the Polar would actually work I'd go with it as the Suunto are pretty dang pricey, but i've only heard good things about Suunto.
Does anyone have a view on what is the better purchase??
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I think that they pretty much have the same innards. That's why (someone told me) the menu systems on the watches are so similar.0
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Been v.happy with my Polar. Would by another for sure.Rich0
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Hi there.
My polar is about... oh 8 years old and going strong. On my third battery and second strap (lost the first one).
Very reliable piece of kit. But then I don't have any of the bike-related add-ons, just the hrm.
Cheers, Andy0 -
I binned my Polar fitwatch as it became very unreliable with its HRM readings. It could be that it was old.
I took the opportunity to look at other HRM's and went for the Suunto T4C for its claimed robust signal strength. Which it has - the unit works very well, apart from when wind really flaps at my jersey. A tight fitting jersey resolves this.
Not bought the bike Pod but might in the future.0 -
cs 200cad was crap, froze, dropped signal etc. vowed never to get another until i got the cs400 at an unbelievable price. IT IS ACE!!!! great info, no dropped signals, fast wireles pickup. recommended....0
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Own a s710i which I have had for 4 years and had the battery replaced twice. Never had any problems with the speed or cadence sensors which I use with it except of course when the battery was running low in which case you would get intermittent signals. There was of course the well known problem of interference however this really didn't affect me much and the Polar software was great at correcting any problems. I use the s710i now for gym only as my new CS600 doesn't work with my gym equipment and isn't watch based which makes it more awkward anyway.
The CS600 is great, except of the way they lock the displays which can be annoying, however with a bit of fiddling you can get it setup they way you want and then you don't have do that again. I did have a problem with my chain sensor on my power kit however it was immediately replaced by them so can't complain on that. The speed and cadence sensors work without flaw and I have had no interference on this unit at all, however I do believe it is still possible to get interference however it is much reduced.
I wouldn't consider buying anything else apart from a Garmin 701.0 -
I reckon that interference will never be eliminated due to power lines, wind extremes, clothing generating static, other road users with wireless devices, etc, etc. I wonder if the Polar CS400 devices and above, are more robust given the market that they are aimed at?0
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I have a right problem with high heart rate readings from the wind flapping my clothes. I've started using a conductive gel on the sensors which helps a little, but doesn't completely get rid of the problem.
I currently have the T31c transmitter, is the Wearlink transmitter any better ?0 -
Me too Ste_S. I also use conductive gel and a tight under-vest. I think the only solution is a tight fitting jersey.0
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Used an F11, and now a 725x. Have also used a Timex bodylink, and the polar evices ahve been easily the most reliable. Rarely get a drop in signal, and the wearlink transmiter is excellent. The only disadvantage is that Polar watchs are not the most stylish of wristwear....0
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thanks for the contributions guys - think i may go with the Polar after all0
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Just to pick up on some of the less then positive comments: as with all things in life, it’s funny how experiences vary.
I had 3 years virtually trouble free and faultless service with my Polar CS200 and am still a great fan of it as a ‘starter’ HRM. I did experience some early issues with signal drop-out but having spoken to Polar about it at the time, there is definitely an optimum mounting configuration for the unit in relation to the sensors. Once I had sussed this, the only drop-out issue I have is when certain cars drove past me out on the road. When the unit is stem mounted, it definitely doesn’t work as well.
Currently I’ve got a problem with the CS200 which is probably of my own making anyway and which I’m hoping that Polar can fix for me. Even if they can’t or it is uneconomical to do so, it has served me very well for those 3 years.
In the meantime I urgently needed a replacement so I bought a CS400 without hesitation. What a great piece of kit.
I would have gone for a CS600 but as I have 4 bikes fitted with CS compatible speed and cadence sensors, replacing all of those with the WIND compatible devices wouldn’t have make economic sense.I’m a sprinter – I warmed up yesterday.0 -
Ste_S wrote:I have a right problem with high heart rate readings from the wind flapping my clothes. I've started using a conductive gel on the sensors which helps a little, but doesn't completely get rid of the problem.
I currently have the T31c transmitter, is the Wearlink transmitter any better ?
Yes the wearlink is _much_ better. Shaving your chest also helps...0 -
Own an F11 and there is too much drop out. Regularly look down and find that my rate is "0" or so. Haven't used it for ages now - I wouldn't buy another one, very disappointing.
What do I ride? Now that's an Enigma!0 -
andrewgturnbull wrote:Ste_S wrote:I have a right problem with high heart rate readings from the wind flapping my clothes. I've started using a conductive gel on the sensors which helps a little, but doesn't completely get rid of the problem.
I currently have the T31c transmitter, is the Wearlink transmitter any better ?
Yes the wearlink is _much_ better. Shaving your chest also helps...
I am err slightly hirsuite, which may be half the problem. I nearly shaved a stripe across my chest in a drunken moment :oops:0 -
I always found that if you gave the sensor part of the transmitter belt a good wash under hot water and then wet it a little then you ended up with a very reliable signal even on a hairy chest such as I have.
It probably helps that I am a sweaty bugger too so always plenty of mositure which is really what keeps the signal going.0 -
I've had very few problems with the HR function on my Polar CS100 but the speed function regularly cuts out- buses, cars, power lines etc.
It's now 14 months old, the speedo has stopped altogether and I can't get it going again- I've tried a new sensor in case the battery was flat, a new battery in the head unit, moving the magnet nearer to the sensor.
No joy and no response from Polar when I e-mailed them (can't find a 'phone number).
I'm doing the Dunwich Dynamo on Saturday and I really wanted it for then.
In the end I've just bought a cheaper unit and I'll use that.
Polar CS 100 + 2 sensors for sale- no reasonable offer refused.
Seriously, I won't buy another Polar.0 -
Polar Telephone Number:
Tel no: +44 (0) 1926 310 330 ( Customer Support )0 -
Polars are okay but I always find the white fur gets trapped in me spokes
:oops: Urm TAXI!!!!!'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity0 -
You have to bear in mind that sometimes drop out cann occcur because you have a slightly abnormal ECG. I cant use Suunto HRM's for this reason, but polar works ok for me, although occasionally I get a half reading (i.e. my HR suddenly halves then returns to the expected value) but this is very rare.0
