Submitted by
Dino
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004
Strengths: Accuracy, Reliability, Features and measurements I need, Versatility, Coded transmission, Blue finish and sleek lines look cool.
Weaknesses: Must send to Polar for batteries, It closes-out a workout measurement if there are no HR readings for some (unspecified) period of time. You can pause a workout reading to take a break, but if you move the transmitter away from the watch for maybe 15-30 minutes, then you can't resume with your prior workout measurement but must start a new one.
Bottom Line:
I bought this monitor from Performance Bikeshop when they were closing out inventory. I have the blue finish without the bike computer and cadence attachments.
It has been an excellent heart rate monitor. First, it has all of the features I really want and use all the time: -Ave HR per lap for up to maybe 30 laps -Ave and Max HR for the workout -Time spent above, in and below HR zone -Capacity for 3 workout zones -Many options for what readouts you would like to see while working out
The coded transmitter works well to block out readings from friends' HR monitors. I found the reliability of the HR readings in varying conditions to be a real strength.
I have had monitors which give crazy readings when I rode near powerlines or in certain areas. Some didn't work well when I rode my bike downhill really fast (something about static from the fluttering bike jersey?) I haven't had ANY of these problems with this monitor.
I am definitely an advocate for Polar monitors, especially the models which are made in Finland. This monitor has been great by me!
Similar Products Used: Cardiosport, Vetta, Polar Accurex
Bike Setup: Mountain and Road bikes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ROB
a Cross Country Rider
from TASMANIA,AUSTRALIA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001
Strengths: Easy to use/set up. Great adjustablity. Nice features, like avarage hr, times in above/in/below zones, recovery hr, exercise times, stopwatch, alarm.
Weaknesses: Maybe it doesn't have all the bits that harcore riders want/need. I'm 100% satisfied with it.
Bottom Line:
Great for guys new to heart rate training. Easy to use, and once you get used to how it works, you shouldn't have problems like some guys have below (like taking off the chest strap once you have finished riding/training. Then it will save all the data. If you want more, get a new Polar from the S series
Bike Setup: Not relevant, but the kick arse Giant ATX 890
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Shad Reed
a Racer
from West Point, NY
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2001
Strengths: Features
Weaknesses: While this watch does 99% of what I want I HATE IT! As some of the others have said-when you get done with your workout, and are cooling down just hanging out the watch will revert back to the time mode. Then invariably I look down at my watch to see what's going on and bingo the watch has restarted itself thereby erasing your precious workout data. The auto-start function is terrible and makes me want to kill this thing. More often than not, I lose the data for my tough workouts before I can write them down in my log. Also the NV button is the same button that switches you from time to date. Half the time when I puch the button trying to light the screen I swith to the date screeen.
Bottom Line:
This is a full featured piece of garbage. I wouldn't pay $50 for one. Spend the extra money if you have to and get something else. I have seen this one cheap lately because they are closing it out--DON'T BE TEMPTED YOU'LL BE SORRY!!
Purchased At: Direct from Polar when my last one broke
Similar Products Used: Polar Accurex II
Bike Setup: Tri BIke
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Matt Meyer
a Racer
from British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000
Strengths: -numerous functions -data recall
Weaknesses: -very unreliable HR detection, even when the electrodes are moistened before the ride -during a rest stop, the unit stops measuring HR after 5 min, and you can't start it again without losing all data from the first half of the ride -if you stop the stopwatch, again, after 5 min. it will reset back to "time of day" mode, whereby if the watch inadvertently comes near the belt, the "autostart" function kicks in and you lose all your data. -customer service is terrible, they treat you like you're an idiot, and that nothing is their fault -poor battery life -no average HR for laps, instead, it gives the HR at the end of the lap - what is that supposed to be good for? -price, especially compared with what you get from other companies
Bottom Line:
I've had this unit for 2 years and learned it inside and out. It is just too unreliable and has too many problems to be a useful training tool. For serious training I would forget Polar altogether, and recommend one of the models from Ciclosport, like the HAC 3 or HAC 4 (check out their website), where you get full cycling computer & HRM functions, altitude, PC download, and even power output - more functions than the best Polar, and for a fraction of the price.
Bike Setup: Guerciotti road bike, Trek aluminum mtn. bike
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marco1
a Cross-Country Rider
from Scandinavia, Europe
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1999
Strengths: +Combination of cycling computer and heart rate monitor +heart rate monitor part works ok
Weaknesses: -speed sensor updates are very slow -for racing only: older models which I have (pre '99) stop measuring after 3 minutes pause) -the speed sensor is probably biggest out there and spoke magnets are either heavy or flimsy models
Bottom Line:
3 minute limit is no good, after period of inactivity the training must be re-started which in turn zaps your current mileage for the ride... This has been fixed in later models but they have not changed my unit so far. Maybe the product would deserve 4 star but because of their customer it's only 2 flaming carrots ;)
Strengths: I have the protrainer xt is a great tool for training can record laps easily for analyzing quicker response than older models cool blue color many options for training
Weaknesses: must read manual to fully use
Bottom Line:
Mates bike functions with heartrate functions. Useful for laps and analyzing a workout. Super reliable especially with coded transmitter. Fast HR response. Every new Polar model is better than older models- must be new hardware. A good investment for serious training. Wireless speed sensor is convenient and even works with the rear wheel on a trainer.
Similar Products Used: older protrainer nv-5/99 performance has 'em cheap
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jesus K. Levy
a weekend warrior
from Mexico City, Mexico
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1998
Bottom Line:
Features are great. Price is a bit too much for the quality. Big problems with transmission lines or other electric interference.Monitors are becoming so popular here that signal mixing is becoming a real pain. My next one will be a coded signal monitor.Other than that, performance is OK. 3 flaming chillis for this one.
Didn't really like this HRM. Doesn't save info, and the info that you thought you could recall without having to press a reset button actually resetted. Also, transmission wires have a big effect on this watch unlike the coded models. I would get either of the two higher end models above this one or if you just need something simple, get the cheapest one. This one is definitely not worth the money.
This is the second Polar Heart Rate Monitor I have owned. I bought this one for the memory functions, when I started to train more seriously. The product does have good features, but it is not very durable. The LCD screen started to fade after about a year and a half (out of warranty). Also, you have to send it back to the factory to get the battery replaced. The xtrainer cost too much money not to be more durable and I am way too busy to worry about packing it up and sending away for a battery. Although the functions the product has and the ease of use (compared to other monitors) is good, I would not buy another, due to the cost, durability, and aggrevation for battery replacement. There a alot cheaper (1/4 the price) monitors out there with memory fucntions and most of the bells and whistles (how many people really need a lap timer). I have a heart rate monitor for 3 years to train (road and mountain) and believe the real functions needed are an upper and lower limit, time spent above, in, below, zone, and possibly average heart rate. A stopwatch is also useful when doing timed intervals, but most cyclo computers have a timer. A heart rate monitor is an invaluable tool to help with training (much more useful than a cyclo computer), however, I would not recommend any polar. I don't mind paying more for a brand name if it's worth it, but Polar is not.
Submitted by
Stuart C.
a cross-country rider
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have the Protrainer NV. Not a bad investment at all. I got it cheap directly from the dealer and use it on most of my training rides, runs, swims, etc. It's terrific for organsing your training program so you can train smarter, not harder. As for the Protrainer itself, very functional, has all the tricks that you need, ie, programmable target zones, lap function, stopwatch, time spent in and out of your target zone, etc. It also doubles as a pretty good watch too (fancy that!). The only problems I've encountered with the Protrainer are (a) it doesn't take too well to bicycle accidents (mine's in for a service right now), ie, it's not overally durable (wasn't even a bad smash), and (b) when the batteries die you have to send the whole kit and kaboodle back to Polar. Oh, and (c) the batteries always die just before a really important race.Overall a very good product, 5 stars for it. The service arrangement is not so good, only three stars. Averages out to a four.Happy riding!
Submitted by
Chris Cuylle
a cross-country rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
Replaced a Vetta VHR-50 with this and it's 200% better. It takes some getting used to on how to set and use it because the instruction booklet is badly translated from Swedish to English. The monitor itself works great! I'm getting so keen at using it, my next purchase will be a HR monitor that i can interface with my PC. Overall I'm very happy.
I've had the protrainer for seven months and I'm quite pleased with its performance. It's the second pulse monitor I've bought (the other one was junk). I take it on 95% of my workouts and sometimes in races. I don't recommend using it during races though, because there's a tendency to hold back too much. I've read extensively about pulse monitor training and I'm surprised that most world class atheletes don't use them. I'm not sure why, but they may not be pleased with the results. I know that when the batteries on my monitor die, I'll throw the watch against the wall. I've seen the very steep price on replacing batteries. I can't wait until a watch is designed to monitor the pulse directly off the wrist instead of over the chest.
Submitted by
ben
a cross-country rider
from indiana
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1996
Bottom Line:
i just recently purchased the protrainer nv model. get this, i have been using a seiko pulsemeter for the past ten years, so i finally decided to get a new heart rate moniter. the protrainer is great. i am not used to all the features that this model has to offer. i am not sure if i need any of these gizmo's, though they are neat little toys that may motivate some individuals. i never work out without a heart rate moniter and would advise everyone, regardless of their present fitness level, to use one for efficiency as well as safety. the greatest difference and best feature of the polar when compared to my seiko is the wireless transmitter. man, technology is great.
Submitted by
Francis
a Norba racer
from Campbell, CA
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1996
Bottom Line:
This device convinced me of the value of a Heart Rate Monitor both as a training and a competition device. It helped me to improve my performance by giving me an 'RPM meter' for my engine.
A couple things I noticed with this monitor is that it's useless on my wrist... it has to be on the handlebar and it doesn't really work until the sensor is damp. So I either have to wet the chest strap or start sweating real quick. The chest strap is ok but not that comfortable since I have to tighten it enough to prevent it from falling to my stomach during the downhills.
The high and low target zones are really key to interval and sprint training. The monitor also gives my indoor trainer rides similar intensity to actual rides.
The buttons on my first one konked out but Perforamance Bikes replaced it with a new one.
