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(More customer reviews)This is the new Polar cycling computer/HRM/Power Meter. Once you get everything hooked up and working it does seem to work pretty well. Unfortunatly getting to that point can be a bit frustrating and Polar made some compatibility changes which they mention on their web page (at least I didn't see it).
First off the installation took me about 2 hours to complete and the documentation was a bit misleading. The first item you will end up installing is the power sensor. According to the documentation + an addendum, the circle on the top of the power sensor needs to be exactly halfway between the center of the bottom bracket and the center of the rear axle. So far so good. Then they say that the chain should be 2mm above the sensor when in the small chainring and the smallest rear cog. I wasted a lot of time trying to get close to 2mm and it's just not possible. At that level of seperation the magnet in the sensor will grab the chain anytime there is no force on the chain. After giving up that effort I set it up at about 7mm and it seems to work ok. The magnet can still grab the chain in small chainring/small sprocket but it seems ok in other gears. In my oppinion they should never have designed/recommended 2mm of seperation. That is just rediculously small. They should also have some cheap easilly replacable plastic protector for the top of the sensor for those times when you drop your chain. Overall, having sensor under the chain on the rear chainstay is not the most elegant or cleanest solution.
My next item of complaint is the fact that the speed sensor doesn't have a replacable battery. I'm not sure how much a replacement will be, but even if it's inexpensive, I don't like the idea of downtime. Basically you will need to pick up a spair speed sensor as a backup. Considering the fact that every other battery is user replacable, this just bothers me.
The last item I have issue with is the fact that it doesn't work the old Polar serial IRDA. Fortunatly it works with the built in infrared port on my notebook, but once again I wasted time trying to get it to work with something that will never work with it. They make no mention of this in the manual or on their web pages.
Now that I covered the bad, I will point out some positives. My old computer was the Polar S710. While that worked about 98% of the time, it was very sensitive to electromagnetic interference. On any given ride, I would experience about 4 or 5 spikes where speed/cadence and HR spiked. Even with my older wireless computers (speed only), I never got spikes like that. The speed sensor on the 710 also seemed a bit slugish compared to my other wireless computers. The CS600 seems to have resolved those issues. The speed sensor is more responsive and not as sensitive to interference.
I also like the new 2.4Ghz methodology they are using for their sensors. Basically you bind the devices to the computer much as you would a bluetooth device. This way the computer will only communicate with those devices so there should never be any interference with devices that other people are using.
The new Power sensor also claims to have a 5% margin of error. I haven't tested this, but it is a 5% improvement over what they claimed for their old S series unit.
The computer display is well laid out and is easy to use. It's loaded with nice features like altitude, incline grade and estimated arrival time. I also like the new twist on mounting system. Removing the S710 from the mount was such a pain. Not so with the CS600, it's a 2 second operation and it seems just as secure.
The protrainer pro 5 software that it comes with is very good and is easy to use.
Would I recommend the product? As long as you know what your getting into it probably won't dissapoint you. The computer itself is top notch. The big weaknesses are the installation, how close to the chain the unit needs to be and the fact that you can't replace the battery in the speed sensor.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Polar CS600 with Power Cycling Computers W.I.N.D.
Designed for demanding cyclists, the Polar CS600 cycling computer enables you to track the most important data from your training rides with wireless sensors. The CS600 incorporates a comprehensive feature set combining measurements for time, speed, distance, altitude, and incline as well as cadence (with optional sensor). You can prepare a detailed training program with the included Polar ProTrainer 5 software (for Windows). It also comes with the Polar Power Sensor W.I.N.D. wireless transmitter, which offers 2.4 GHz disturbance-free transmission and an aerodynamic design (another version of the CS600 excludes the W.I.N.D. transmitter).
The Polar Power Sensor W.I.N.D. contains different measuring features providing information on how the cyclist works with the bike and allowing you to control the intensity of exercise. The Polar Power Sensor W.I.N.D. gives all information in one device only, combining heart rate monitoring and power output measurement.
Together with the Polar CS600, the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. measures the actual, average and maximum power values. With the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D., you can analyze the L/R balance (balance between left and right foot) and Pedaling Index (shows how evenly the power is distributed during one crankarm rotation). The Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. also measures cycling speed, distance and cadence. You can easily download the data to the Polar ProTrainer 5 professional training software for further analysis.
Features include:
Polar W.I.N.D transmission technology (included): 2.4 GHz coded transmission for disturbance-free connections from wireless speed, cadence and power sensors and WearLink heart rate transmitter.
Large customizable display showing four separate elements of information. Two timeline trend graphs can be displayed simultaneously providing "at-a-glance" feedback during exercise.
Smooth and aerodynamic case design made from tough reinforced polycarbonates for maximum durability.
Polar OwnIndex Fitness Test calculates aerobic fitness (comparable to maximal oxygen uptake, VO2max) providing a reference to base training intensity and measure improvement.
Target heart rate zones with visual and audible alarms (three each)
Graphical comparison of heart rate and speed
Heart rate measurements: maximum of total and each lap, average of total
Automatic lap recording (up to 99 laps) with exercise date
Exercise file info page with date and time
Semi-automatic backlighting
Water resistance to 10 meters (protects against rain and splashes)
Polar OwnOptimizer: Shows the status of training load to help you find the perfect balance between training and recovery.
Cycling Efficiency Index: Improvement in cycling efficiency (your energy expenditure converted into the power that propels the bike forward) indicates improved economy of cycling performance.
Incline Measurement: Provides uphill or downhill steepness in percentages and grades calculated from altimeter data. Numerical information helps you to track your cycling effort accordingly.
SpeedPointer: Points out the difference between average speed/pace and actual speed/pace on the display by up/down arrows.
Estimated Time of Arrival: Set the distance you are going to ride, and your cycling computer calculates the estimated time of arrival based on your cycling speed.
Polar OwnCal: Shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. Because the OwnCal tracks both the energy expenditure during one exercise session and the accumulated kilocalories during a longer time e.g. one week, it helps in achieving both short term and long term goals.
Cycling Economy/Intensity: Enables you to foresee your calorie expenditure and secure sufficient intake on a long ride. This feature is also useful for comparing and analyzing the loads of various training types.
About Polar The first EKG accurate wireless heart rate monitor was invented by Polar back in 1977 as a training tool for the Finnish National Cross Country Ski Team. The concept of "intensity training" by heart rate swept the athletic world in the eighties. By the 1990s, individuals were looking to heart rate monitors not only for performance training needs, but also for achieving everyday fitness goals. Today, the same concept of heart rate training is being used by world-class athletes as well as everyday people trying to lose weight. Polar is the leading brand among consumers, coaches, and personal trainers worldwide and the company is committed to not only producing the best products, but also being the leading educator on the benefits of heart rate based exercise.
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