Polar RS800 Heart Rate Monitor Watch Review

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(More customer reviews)I have used Polar Heart rate monitors for years and, having become interested in tracking heart rate variability choose to purchase the RS800 so that I could do the analysis.
I'd note that I had the same problem as the other reviewer with Watchsavings, who did not include the IR interface (they claim that Amazon mis-listed the product).
While the watch has excellent features and an easy interface, there's a major problem: the infrared transmission system (used to transfer the data into the computer software) crapped out after 3 weeks and completely stopped working.
Looking over the web, this is not an isolated incident. People are reporting that they get data off the watch for a day or two, a week or two, one friend I have who bought one never go a single piece of data off his watch. I contacted a local running store and their employee told me that she had an identical problem, the watch stopped transferring data after 2 weeks. Polar kept telling her that the problem was on her end until she returned it for a refund.
Polar refuses to address this, they ignore it in their forums and will not answer emails.
This is unacceptable, the features of the watch (namely the heart rate variability) are contingent on getting the data transferred to the computer. That Polar refuses to admit or deal with the problem only makes it worse.
Given that other products can readily make a physical USB interface work, there's no reason for Polar to have gone this route and used a technology that is clearly faulty. This is one top of the fact that Polar decided to use a non-standard USB driver for Windows.
I have since replaced the Polar with the SuuntoT6 which went with a physical (clip) USB interface. While their software is not as good as Polar's at least I can get the data off of the watch.
I will NEVER purchase another Polar product.
Lyle

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Designed for elite-level training, the Polar RS800 wrist heart rate monitor a complete system for planning, monitoring and analyzing your training. It includes the comfortable textile Polar WearLink W.I.N.D. transmitter with 2.4 GHz disturbance-free transmission from all other electronic devices. It comes with Polar's ProTrainer 5 software--the most advanced and dynamic training, planning and analyzing software on the market. Easily prepare a detailed training program and transfer your daily training plan to the RS800 via a wireless infrared connection. It also features a built-in altimeter for recording altitude and ascent for route profile and total meters climbed.
And when used in conjunction with the optionally available Polar S3 Stride Sensor, you'll receive highly consistent and accurate speed/pace, distance and cadence data via its nano technology. It incorporates Polar's W.I.N.D. technology, offers water resistance and a user replaceable battery, and is fully compatible with the Adidas AdiStar Fusion running shoe.
Heart rate monitoring includes maximum heart rate (fitness test-based and age-based), maximum/average of total exercise and of each lap (up to 99 laps), three target zones, and audible alarms. It also offers such timing features as time of day (12/24-hour display), dual time zone, day and date display, stopwatch, and alarm with snooze. It also includes the following exclusive Polar features:
Polar Sport Zones: Polar sport zones provides an easy way to select and monitor the intensity of your training and to follow Polar's sport zones based training programs. The training is divided into five zones based on percentages of your maximum heart rate: very light (50-60%HRmax), light (60-70% HRmax), moderate (70-80%HRmax), hard (80-90% HRmax) and maximum (90-100% HRmax).
Polar OwnCal: This feature shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. You can set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calorie expenditure with the OwnCal feature. 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.
Polar OwnZone: This feature guides you through an appropriate warm-up routine and automatically determines a safe and effective exercise heart rate zone--your OwnZone--while taking into account your current physical condition.
R-R Intervals / Online HR Variability: Measures heart beat intervals and reflects autonomic nervous system in heartbeat regulation. The R-R interval measurement is most useful at rest and at low intensities. Relaxation rate indicates the state of your physical recovery.

Manufacturer's Warranty The original purchaser of this heart rate monitor is backed by a limited warranty that states that this product that the product will be free from defects in material or workmanship for two years from the date of purchase.
Note: Polar heart rate monitors are precision instruments; consumers are not advised to change their own battery. Polar recommends that all service be done by an authorized Polar Service Center which will include a warranty for 90 days on repairs and 6 months for batteries.
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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Portable ECG Monitor Handheld ReadMyHeart New Version + Bonus eBook Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had the ReadMyHeart v2.0 handheld ECG about 2 months now and I'm quite satisfied. I recommend it as a helpful in-the-home heart monitor - but it is certainly no substitue for a hospital's full-blown 12 lead ECG machine.
The prior reviewer, Neil Froemming, states that 'you cannot see a tracing either on the device or using the download software' but this is only half correct: The device itself has a 'pseudo' display, but you can upload your actual trace (via the USB cable provided) to the ReadMyHeart software running on your computer. (Perhaps Mr. Froemming had some kind of computer difficulty, but this process worked easily and flawlessly on my computer.) The trace is easily printed on your PC's printer or can be saved to a jpg image file. A history of past traces (with dates/times/comments) is maintained on your computer, and the data from different individuals can be tracked separately - a nice feature.
The 5 photos shown here on amazon are not misleading - they exactly correspond to what I see on my monitor, manual, cables and software.
As other reviewers have noted, the thumbpads produce a noisy trace (the trace's baseline veers up and down) and I don't trust it (except as an indication of heart rate and beat by beat rhythm spacing). But when using the provided leads (one on each forearm) the results are consistent and not noisy. A single lead ECG trace like this is simply inadequate to diagnose many heart ailments, but it can be helpful for some like arrhythmia.
My cardiologist was quite interested to hear whether the ReadMyHeart indicated any erratic heart rhythm when I was experiencing a minor tightness sensation in my chest.
This is the only home ECG unit I have ever used, but I recommend it for those with a computer who are interested in having a simple, inexpensive ECG heart monitor.

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What is ReadMyHeart? ReadMyHeart is a personal use monitoring device for heart functions and ultimately serve as home heart caring nursing whereas information can be print out for doctor's reference. It is used through special designed electrode measurement without complex wires and gel application was not necessary. It is easy measuring and recording of the comtemporary heart activities by simply placing gentally both thumbs onto the metal electrode of the device. Each measurement takes approximately 30 seconds and the results of the HR,ST value, QRS Interval will be detected and shown on the LCD panel. The heart signal measured is similar to the lead I of the formal cardiogram. External electrode can also be used when needed and the measuring result will be the same. ReadMyHeart device will automatically save the measured heart activity data into the built-in memory and all saved signal and information can be trasmitted to personal PC through USB interface for filing purpose. Who can use ReadMyHeart? Heart related diseases kill more than all the cancers combined. They are also called the silent killer, as you may not have any symptoms until the heart attack. Or you may feel discomfort sometimes, but by the time you visit the clinic, the symptoms are gone. Monitoring your heart's health condition is one of the vital steps towards a long and healthy life. This new version of ReadMyHeart Handheld ECG machine, is a device with which you can record your heart's electrical activity in just 25 seconds, view the key parameters on the LCD screen, and later print the trends in heart activity to help your physician detect CardioVascular Diseases. Monitoring heart's rhythm is made easy, as it is a palm-sized device which can take measurements at any time, in any place, whether it's while eating in a restaurant, after exercising in a fitness center, or after taking a specific drug.

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Impact Sports ePulse Strapless Heart Rate Monitor Watch and Calorimeter Review

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(More customer reviews)After reading the mostly positive reviews of the ePulse on Amazon, I decided to purchase the device about one month ago. I work out quite hard and pushed this device to its limits. Here are my general thoughts on the ePulse.
If all you are looking for is a device that gives you a real-time measurement of your heart rate, this device works fine. However, other functionality does not deliver as promised. The minimum heart rate is set to 0. The watch seems to take awhile to average out that 0 heart rate when calculating average heart rate for the entire workout. If you are working out for several hours, this shouldn't be a problem, but the average heart rate will report several beats too low if you are doing a shorter workout (such as 30 minutes).
Also, if you attempt to view other data screens such as maximum heart rate while working out and then go back to current heart rate, it will read way too low. It takes approximately 30 seconds to re-adjust back to your actual heart rate.
At high heart rates (such as 160-170 beats per minute (bpm)), the watch will occasionally stop adding calories burned to the device. For example, during a tempo run where my heart rate was near 170 bpm for ten minutes, it told me that I burned a total of 15 calories over the ten-minute period. When I went back to a lower heart rate in the 145-150 bpm range, the watch started calculating calories burned much more accurately.
I have spoken with the designers of the ePulse, and they told me that they were able to replicate these problems. They intend to fix them for their new model release.
So, if you are looking for a device to simply give you a measurement of your current heart rate and don't care about any other bells and whistles, this device is fine. However, if you want to know an accurate idea of how many calories you burn and what your average heart rate is, I would wait the 6-12 months for the next release.

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Dynamic heart rate monitors have traditionally required an uncomfortable chest strap and compatible watch, practically restricting their use to serious athletes. Enter the ePulse, the world’s first armband heart rate monitor and calorimeter. Known as the "people’s fitness monitor," the ePulse makes it practical and convenient for anyone who is interested in tracking calories burned to enjoy the benefits of heart rate monitoring while performing literally any type of activity, from running to walking to simply doing daily chores.
The ePulse works by integrating light sensor and microchip technology--the same type used in hospital heart rate monitors--to accurately read the pulse from the forearm. Once on your arm, the ePulse continuously acquires and shows your current exercise heart rate while calculating calories burned based on your heart rate and personal profile. If you use the ePulse several times a day, it automatically compiles your calories burned into a grand daily total, including when your activities consist of moving around the office or doing work around the house. The ePulse also measures your basic metabolic rate (BMR), which is a prediction of how many calories you will burn based on your personal data input, and then adds your daily calories burned to show your total caloric burn for a day. This function is particularly useful for people who are trying to count calories and lose weight through a program of diet and exercise.
In addition, the ePulse handles a number of basic calculations, including elapsed exercise time, average heart rate, and minimum and maximum heart rates. People with specific training goals can further use the ePulse to calculate optimal heart rate exercise zones for both burning fat and boosting cardio conditioning. The ePulse will then provide a target high and low range for your heart rate, with a green LED light telling you when you're in the target zone.
The real advantage of the ePulse, however, is its chest-strap-free design. At best, chest straps are an annoyance, and at worst are so uncomfortable that they alienate many people from using this type of valuable training and fitness tool. Women in particular report sensitivity to chest straps, and many won't use heart rate monitors as a result. The ePulse, by contrast, is comfortable for both men and women, allowing users to easily regulate their workout intensity and better attain specific fitness or weight management goals. The ePulse--which incorporates an easy-to-ready day/night LED display and is powered by AAA batteries--requires no programming to immediately display heart rate data.
The ePulse excels during the following activities: general fitness, aerobics, running, tennis, racquetball, golf, resistance training, weight loss monitoring, weightlifting, and daily chores.

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Choice Portable Handheld ECG EKG Monitor Review

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(More customer reviews)Item works nicely. Gives a good single lead ECG for interpretation of rhythm but the computer diagnosis is very dependent upon the gain (size of the wave form) which varies depending upon whether you use your fingers and palm for the monitoring or your chest. Waveform heights can be altered in the menus.
Loads easily into my computer but the computer software is not intuitive although works well enough.
Similarly the menu system on the machine is OK.
There is a 5 second delay before monitoring starts which could mean that you will miss some irregular beats but should be good for things like diagnosis runs of atrial fibrillation.
Best Use: for patients to record arrythmias to take to their physician for diagnosis. There is a reasonable research paper comparing hand held ECG with Halter Monitors.
Very good value for money.

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Observer-MD100B, is designed for home use with the purpose of health care. Users can choose different measurement modes as they like, 30s for easy mode or continuous mode for a long time measurement. The USB interface can fulfil the data transmission perfectly! The stored waveforms and analysis results help users do the review freely. 1. Small, portable and easy to operate 2. Fast measurement in just 30 seconds at anytime, anywhere you like 3. 100 records of ECG Strips, each record with 30-second ECG waveform and analysis result 4. Display of ECG waveform, heart rate, analysis results and battery status on the backlit LCD 5. Auto power-off while no key is pressed in 60 seconds 6. Auto-evaluation based on detected heart data 7. 2 batteries can take at least 500 times measurement 8. Data Review freely 9. Dual measurement models available Product Accessories: Handheld ECG Monitor 1pc Pouch 1pc Manual 1pc USB Software(optional) 1pc USB cable 1pc 3 Lead ECG cable 10pcs ECG electrodes.

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