Polar S625X Heart Rate Monitor Watch Review

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(More customer reviews)I LOVE my Polar S625X Heart Rate Monitor... and I'm VERY picky about the design and implementation of techno gadgets. There are only three things I've thought of that it could do better.
First, the temperature sensor is on the wrist side of the watch. So, when I was running and the air temperature was about 16 degrees fahrenheit, the sensor reported 65 degrees. Since I know of no good reason for this design decision, I have to call this a silly and unfortunate design error.
Second, the accelerometor could probably very easily provide a pedometer reading, i.e., "How many steps did that run require?" It doesn't... at least as far as I can tell.
Third, the menu system appears to be inaccessible during a recording session. That is, you have to stop the recording session to look at or change file information or user information, etc.
But, other than these 3 things, I'm very impressed. (I'd be very very impressed if the pedometer and menu shortcomings mentioned above could be fixed via an EPROM upgrade via the Infra Red port.)
The Polar S625X Heart Rate Monitor is a complex tool. Plan on spending between 4 and 6 hours of concentrated study to learn to use it to its full capability.
And finally, I'd like to add that PC Coach/Biometrics, Inc. shipped on time and provided EXCELLENT technical support when I asked them questions about this HRM. I highly recommend them.
20080608 Update:
The original battery is still working! That's about 3.5 years of regular usage 2 to 5 times per week!! I'll soon have to replace it. But I'm very happy with the S625X's battery life.
There is one thing I hope the folks at Polar will do for me, however. Wouldn't it be cool if Polar would make a bathroom scale that would interface via wireless to the S625X so that the watch could gather my weight and body mass index info, too?!! ;-)

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The Polar S625X provides runners, triathletes, and coaches with a complete tool to measure performance and workout intensity. With the optional cycling and power sensors and enhanced training tools like the Polar OwnOptimizer recovery test, plus altitude and ascent for route profile, the S625X lets you cross train and put the power of information to work for you. It includes the S1 foot pod, a shoe-mounted sensor that continually relays computed velocity and distance information to a specially-adapted, wristwatch-based display. You'll be able to get data on total speed and distance, speed displayed in pace or kmph/mph as well as a distance-based interval timer.
It comes with the S625X wrist receiver, a transmitter that's worn comfortably around your chest, and an elastic strap to hold the transmitter in place. The wristwatch-like receiver features a large display that includes 12/24-hour time of day, alarm, and stopwatch. It provides readings of maximum heart rate of total exercise, average/maximum heart rate of each lap, recovery measurement (by either heart rate divided or time), and interval timers.
You can also better assess your training data using the included Polar Precision Performance (PPP) 4.0 software when you transfer data from the monitor to the PC via a wireless infrared (IR) connection. This feature requires a PC with an IR window or you will need a separate Polar IR interface.
The OwnCal feature shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. It also allows you to set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calorie expenditure. The OwnIndex feature will determine your fitness level, track your improvements, and provide motivation. Polar's OwnCode technology blocks unwanted signals from other heart rate monitors, ensuring disturbance-free transmission of your heart rate data.
The S625X's visual and audible alarms alert you when you reach your target heart rate zone. The Time in Target Zone feature calculates the percentage of maximum heart rate or beats per minute in your personal target zone. You can use this feature together with the Total Exercise Time to determine the effectiveness of your exercise program.
Feature Detail:
Displays your heart rate as beats per minute and percentage of maximum heart rate, average heart rate, and exercise duration
S1 foot pod shoe-mounted sensor that continually relays computed velocity and distance information to monitor
Runners' data including total speed and distance, speed displayed in pace or kmph/mph
Wirelessly sends exercise data to PC via infrared connection
Allows you to set 5 exercise sets for interval training with HR target zones and recovery calculation
Records a complete file and five summary files of the exercises
Predicts your maximal oxygen uptake
Reduces possible interference from other heart rate monitors
Target heart rate zones with audible and visual alarm
UpLink feature enables download of exercise set from Polar web site
Large easy-to-read display with backlighting and split screen
24-hour clock with day/week indicator and stopwatch
1.5-year average battery life
Water resistant to 30 meters

What's in the Box? S625X heart rate monitor watch unit, S1 foot pod, wireless transmitter, elastic strap, battery (built-in CR2032 lithium cell), Polar Precision Performance (PPP) 4.0 software, printed instructions
Manufacturer Warranty 2-year limited warranty
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.

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Polar G1 GPS Speed and Distance Sensor Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a Polar S725x Heart Rate Monitor user and I've been using the Polar S1 Foot Pod diligently for my runs and walks. I like the light weight feel of the Footpod. After having seen the buzz here about the G1 GPS, I had to give it a shot. Prior to using the s725x, I was actually a Timex Bodylink user. The Bodylink system is a heart rate monitor, speed, distance, and altitude system. I switched over to Polar because heart rate data is more important to me than anything else. Here's my review of the G1:
What you get: G1 GPS Unit, Armband, AA battery, and a nice little storage pouch.
First off, the weight initially feels a little heavy. Compared to the Timex GPS unit, the G1 is just a tad heavier. After having it strapped to my upper arm for a few minutes though, I forgot that it was there. So it's just a matter of getting used to it being there.
Set-up: When I first powered up the unit, the G1 took about three minutes to find a signal.
Now on to accuracy...
TEST #1: I decided to head out to Fort Funston here in San Francisco and take a walk along a path where I know the precise distance. Not only that, but I decided to bring along my Magellan Explorist 210 GPS. This GPS uses the highly accurate WAAS system. The roundtrip distance for the walk is 1.11 miles. There isn't that much tree cover, and when I did pass under a tree canopy, it was only for a distance of 100 feet or so. I didn't experience any loss in signal. At 0.7 miles on my GPS, the Polar G1 started to deviate a little bit. The G1 was reading 0.75. The deviation of 0.05 miles remained at the One Mile mark. But at the end of the walk, my GPS read 1.1 miles while the Polar G1 registered 1.2 miles. Of course, this is without calibration. (I've done this path before to test the S1 Footpod and found the deviation to only be 0.025 miles, so out of the box the S1 was more accurate without calibration.)
One thing I did notice about the G1 is that it seems to sample speed at a rate of about 3 seconds or so. Sometimes it was bang-on with the speed on my GPS, and sometimes it was catching up to it.
TEST #2: Now with the Running Feature calibrated for the deviation, I decided to walk the same path again. The GPS was powered off, then powered on again. It took about 45 seconds to find a signal. This time the measurement came out to just shy of 1.1 miles, so it's pretty close. With a little more calibration, it should be okay.Comparisons to the Timex Bodylink: I've never used a Garmin HRM before, so I can't comment on those, but in comparing this G1 to the Timex GPS sensor, the Timex wins hands down. With the Timex, you get speed, distance, elevation, and logging features. Also, the battery lasts 20+ hours. I figured Polar could have done some forward-thinking with this unit and added some of those features. Perhaps they will when the new rs800cx comes out, or with the new FT series watches. So this is why I only give it 4/5 stars, because it doesn't have as many features as the Timex GPS.
Final Thoughts: I bought the Polar s725x because Polar is the absolute best when it comes to EKG accurate heart rate monitors. For me, my heart and its health is more important than anything else. Every other perk of the technology is just an added bonus. Sure, I do like to log distance and mileage, but when it comes to miles, I'm more interested in 10ths of a mile than anything more accurate than that.
I plan to alternate using the G1 and my S1 Footpod, depending on where I decide to walk or run. I'll use the G1 when I know I'll be in an area with a lot of open space, and the S1 when I know I'll be in an area with a lot of tree-cover.
One more thing about the G1. Now that it's out there, the Polar s625x and the s725x have become true multisport computers. I can now do some crosstraining, like kayaking and inline skating, and have a multitude of data that I can now analyze. For that alone, I think it's worth it.

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Track your speed and distance while wearing a Polar training computer with the Polar G1 GPS sensor. A terrific alternative to the Polar S1 foot pod, the G1 is compatible with the Polar RS200, RS400, S625X, and S725X wrist-top training computers. Once you're wearing the G1, the sensor employs SIRF StarIII GPS technology to measure speed and distance for sports that don't exceed 18.3 miles per hour, such as running, kayaking, cross-country skiing, or recreational inline skating. As the G1 compiles the data, your training computer will do the rest, putting you through the paces on your workout routine.
The easy-to-use, water-resistant sensor calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more GPS satellites. Note that GPS positioning requires satellite visibility to work, thus it will only work reliably outdoors, and not in valleys between tall trees and buildings. GPS signals also rely on radio frequencies (RF), and therefore won't go through metal or water. The G1, which works with AA batteries, offers a battery life of up to 10 hours in warm conditions or up to 15 hours in low-power mode. The sensor also weighs a lightweight 2.82 ounces.
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 '80s. 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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