This is my 3rd Triax C5. The first one I had, the button stopped working, so I sent it back to Nike and they "fixed it". It was good for a while, then the button fell off. So I sent it back, and received a new one. That button also fell off. Again, received a new one, was good for a few years....and this morning the button fell off again. I'm so annoyed right now. This watch/HRM sucks.
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis Park, MN
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2006
Strengths: Simple, durable, large & clear display, backlight, works with Polar hrms, great value for the C5.
Weaknesses: Water resistance. I can't race a full triathlon with it. It won't work. The first time I got it wet, it went on the fritz for a few days. I let it dry out for a few days, and it works fine again.
You get funky readings when the battery is low. The chest strap battery lasted over a year for me.
Bottom Line:
You'll get more with the C5 than any other hrm in the same price range. The C5 is pretty bare bones, however--You get a readout and a workout average, and that's about it.
It works with Polar HRMs on treadmills, etc.
Dont plan on going swimming with it on--it won't recieve signals. I think the battery plate on the watch wasn't tightened well enough at the factory. After I opened it up the first time to air it out, I haven't had problems with it in water after replacing it myself--even when swimming long distances.
Submitted by
Cory Swanson
a Cross Country Rider
from Logan, UT, U.S.
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2005
Strengths: Great design, All the functions that I wanted.
Weaknesses: None yet.
Bottom Line:
This is my first heart monitor. I was looking at the Polar S120, but when I compared it to the Nike Triax C6, the choice was pretty easy. It looks better than the polar and it had the functions that I wanted. But the main selling point to me was the ease when changing batteries. Polar recommends sending it to the factory, while with the Nike anyone can do it. It's easy to scroll through the menu's while riding. I have used it for a month now and have no complaints.
Strengths: It was free as part of a training package from CTS (which is very good, by the way)
Weaknesses: Chest monitor gets wet and corodes from sweating; while biking; very hard to use bottons; easily resets from contact with riding gloves; backlight, once activated, will only last for ~2 seconds; large and cumbersome. MSRP is $159... wow!!!!
Bottom Line:
It was free so I should not complain but for those who are lookig to buy a HRM, do NOT waste your money with the one. Not reliable, not robust, not practical.
Strengths: The watch is more user friendly than a Polar version. I really just want to know my heartrate so I can train in my target Zone...
The Nike also feels better to use than the polar.
Weaknesses: I know a lot of ppl are complaining about the chest monitor but I've got an insight..... the Nike HRM also works with Polar Chest Monitors... Yep I use a Nike Triax 15 HRM with a Polar Monitor 'T61-Coded'... so much for coded ehh!! It guess it should work with the non-coded monitors Polar Monitors too!
Nike HRM picks up signals from other Electronic devices at Random. It thinks my iBook is a chest monitor with a BMP anywhere from 60~121... LOL
Bottom Line:
Now you can have your cake and eat it too!!! Despite all the bad stuff I am hearing on Nike HRM, they really are pretty decent as far as Basic HRMs go. Sure, Polars are still the best but costs at least 2x the price! Just buy a Nike HRM and a Polar Monitor tada....
Similar Products Used: Polar S410~T61-Coded Monitor
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
tjoba
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2004
Strengths: HRM Triax 15: Good looks, big display, lap function and timer functions
Weaknesses: Crappy transmitter strap design, it's definitely not water resistant in the long run.
User manual, it doesn't even tell you that there is a feature for average heart rate.
Bottom Line:
If the strap had worked like it should have, I would definitely have given a high rating. The HRM has some features (lap/timer functions) that you only get on the more expensive Polar models.
During the 8 months the strap worked, it needed the battery changed several times, the last time only a month apart. When I was going to change the battery yet again, the battery compartment was humid. When I took it back to the shop, it could not be fixed and I could not get a new strap on the warranty since I had changed the battery myself, they claimed I hadn't locked the battery lid properly even though I'm sure I did. After reading all the reviews on this site, I'm even more sure it's the poor water resistance design that eventually "killed" it and not misuse.
As the watch was still working and I didn't have the money to splash out on a nice Polar, I bought a Polar T31 uncoded strap. It works fine with the Triax 15 watch.
When the watch eventually dies, I'll definitely buy another brand. No more Nike electronic equipment for me!
Strengths: The looks, good backlight and the watch itself is pretty durable.
Weaknesses: Chest transmitor has poor battery life and has now completely died on me 13 months after purchase. i was using the watch nearly every day for running or rowing and had to change the battery at least 4 times (i have lost count). the range and reception is useless apart from with the new battery. genuinely accurate readings seemed to be only about 80% of the time.
Bottom Line:
i wish i had read the views here before i bought. friends of mine who use polars never complain. they might be ugly but they work. i haven't looked into getting the monitor fixed yet as i finally realised from reading this board that it is finished... i bet it will be lengthy and expensive. i might try to but another chest strap from a more reliable make separately but i don't know if they are compatible.
Strengths: Looks good, great functions for runners for interval training etc.
Weaknesses: Broke down in 4 months. Still trying to get Nike to fix it and its now been 2 months and they didn't fix it the first time. Strap is uncomfortable.
Bottom Line:
Don't buy it. If your looking for a heart rate monitor, stick to reliable companies like Polar even though they are a bit more expensive.
Submitted by
george goodall
a Weekend Warrior
from London Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2003
Bottom Line:
I agree with the other reviews: the watch is okay, the strap really sucks. After about five months, my strap stopped working. I removed the cover and found water vapour inside the unit that seemed to be causing the problems of extreme values and freeze-up described in the other reviews. I did, however, find a fix... although it voided my warranty. I figured the problem was caused from both water vapour and precipitated salts shorting out the strap circuitry. To remove the vapour and salts, I opened the case, removed the battery, flushed the battery compartment several times with iso-propyl alcohol to remove the salts, dried the strap in the oven (set at 150F) for about an hour, replaced the battery and the cover, and resealed the case by dripping hot candle wax over the battery cover to from a new seal. The fix is ugly but it works. My strap is as good--if not as aesthetically pleasing--as new. If anybody is having similar problems and they're off warranty, you want to give this method a try.
Submitted by
Burak Begen
a Racer
from Akron, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2003
Strengths: It looks cool
Weaknesses: Transmitter is a crap. Ir worked well for 6 months then It started to say I have either a heart beat of 165 or 115. Or it stops at 140 for 15 minutes. I changed the batteries, no change. The buttons are very hard, sometimes doesnt bother to work at all. I should feel lucky if you hear the out of zone alarm. I dont trust NIKE anymore after this watch. They are not selling products, they are selling their name.
Bottom Line:
Be careful about all the electronics you buy from Nike. They are not what you expected. They sell the Brand Name, no good products.
Similar Products Used: Unfortunately, this was my first heart rate monitor. Next time I will make a deep research before buying and no more Nike products.
Strengths: Looks cool, nice graphs, 100 lap memory is great!
Weaknesses: Piece of crap! It's supposed to be water resistant and was for the first 2 years. I never replaced the battery or opened the back case...took it to the beach and the salt water killed it within 5 mins!
Bottom Line:
Don't buy it! Nike isnt good for watches. I learned the hard way! This unit breaks AFTER the warranty expires!
Strengths: Lots of features. Got it for a fraction of a price of a polar base model.
Weaknesses: The transmitter is crap!!! I had the transmitter replaced after it conked out after 8 months. The replacement i got just gave up as well after around 7-8 months. All this despite taking good care of the transmitter. Polar still has the best quality. Now most of the features of my watch are useless!
The out-of-training zone alarm is too weak.
Bottom Line:
Don't buy this product! You'll regret it after a year or so.
Strengths: (For HRM[triax 15) Excellent design and display. Liked the scratch proof lens and HR graph. Decent backlight too.
Weaknesses: Too many to mention. It weighs a ton; doesn't give lap times with heart rate data; you are shown a graph of your exercise but cannot analyse what heart rates they are, just shows the trend; only one exercise can be stored; doesn't give time in or out of training zone or average, min or max heart rate of exercise; etc... Overall - just crap. The Polar S-series HRMs do far more for the same price.
Bottom Line:
The suave design and Nike name promises much, but it just doesn't deliver. This is rubbish compared to the Polar S-series. I took mine back after a week and bought a Polar S610 instead, which is far superior. Atleast get the S120, S150 or S210 with a little more money, or save up some more and get the awesome S610, but don't buy this.
