Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis Park, MN Date Reviewed: November 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Maah Daah Hey
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Bokoo
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.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
GF sugar 293
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.
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Submitted by
Cory Swanson
a Cross Country Rider
from Logan, UT, U.S. Date Reviewed: March 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Al's Sporting Goods
Strengths:
Great design, All the functions that I wanted.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper Pro 120
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.
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Submitted by
dan
a Weekend Warrior
from So Cal Date Reviewed: November 6, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Carmichael Training Systems
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!!!!
Similar Products Used:
1st one ever
Bike Setup:
MTN - Tracer, old XTR, Speed Dream wheels, Romic shock RD - Specialized Roubaix (for training & commuting only)
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.
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Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from SG/CA Date Reviewed: February 25, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
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
Similar Products Used:
Polar S410~T61-Coded Monitor
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....
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Submitted by
tjoba
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway Date Reviewed: January 19, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
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.
Similar Products Used:
Polar M21
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper
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!
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from London Date Reviewed: December 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Sports shop
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.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
specialized hardrock comp
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.
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Submitted by
AL
a
from Vancouver, BC, CAN Date Reviewed: November 16, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Online
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.
Similar Products Used:
Other Nike running watches
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.
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Submitted by
george goodall
a Weekend Warrior
from London Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: November 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
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.
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Submitted by
Burak Begen
a Racer
from Akron, OH, USA Date Reviewed: September 7, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Sports Shop
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.
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.
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.
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Submitted by
Clint
a Weekend Warrior
from AL Date Reviewed: August 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Oak Mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
forgot
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!
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
n/a
Bottom Line:
Don't buy it! Nike isnt good for watches. I learned the hard way! This unit breaks AFTER the warranty expires!
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Submitted by
Dexter Tiangco
a
from Manila, Philippines Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
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.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Jenkins
a Racer
from Fargo Date Reviewed: July 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Clitirous mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
walmart
Strengths:
GOOD
Weaknesses:
Heartbeat sstuff hard to get
Similar Products Used:
Nothin
Bottom Line:
Good watch
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Submitted by
Mark
a
from Newcastle, UK Date Reviewed: July 24, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Argos in UK
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.
Similar Products Used:
Polar S610
Bike Setup:
n/a (runner who needed space to write!)
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.
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Submitted by
Emory
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: May 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Strengths:
many fuctions. I like the graph. I think it's the only HRM offer this.
Weaknesses:
trasmitter sucks. the watch received signal hardly.
Similar Products Used:
sigma pc 14
Bike Setup:
giant iguana
Bottom Line:
great functionality ;however, if the transmitter work. I spent 10 mins to adjust the trasmitter for every time I use it. lefty dont buy it.
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Submitted by
Craig
a Racer
from San Mateo, CA Date Reviewed: February 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Noetown
Strengths:
Decent feature set with target HR zones and dual time zones. Looks nice.
Weaknesses:
The transmitter is junk. It goes through many batteries and after about 10 months, just doesn't work at all. Before that it didn't work well, often giving ridiculously high or low readiings.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stump Jumer M4
Bottom Line:
Don't buy it. Stick with Polar, it's worth the extra $$ and the uglier face.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Regina Date Reviewed: January 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Running Room
Strengths:
The Nike HRM Triax 100 has worked great for me. Yes you can see HR in chrono mode, and yes you can enlarge HR in chrono mode and make the split and lap small text above below it. The data returned when you the HRM in chrono mode is top notch and includes avg HR, max HR, time above your zone, time below zone, splits, split HR, and more. Buttons are good to push, not too easy, not stiff. Great that you can change the chest transducer battery yourself without sending the unit away.
Bottom Line:
Seems great so far. No problems to date.
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Submitted by
gary t
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore Date Reviewed: January 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
nike shop
Strengths:
Watch design
Weaknesses:
If you are even considering buying this, don't buy it! My first unit worked for 2 weeks and the battery died. Service center charged me $10 to change the battery and the new battery died after another 2 weeks. I changed the battery myself the next time round but the transmiter failed again and had to send back to factory for repair - after 1 month wait, they replaced with new unit. Used the new transmitter for one time and it is dead again, probably a flat battery. I am surprise Nike will even consider selling such a crap hrm.
Bottom Line:
Save yourself some heart ache. Don't buy.
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Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from London Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Rowe & Jarmen W.Australia
Strengths:
Great design, comfortable to wear, really like the colour coding.
Weaknesses:
Strap is of poor quality The catch that the strap goes through broke after about 3 months. I found that I couldn't purchase a catch on it's own but I had to buy a whole new watch strap. You need a degree to put on the new strap, I still haven't managed to secure it properly to the watch and I need to fiddle with it from time to time so it does not come off.
As far as the buttons go I think you need to be a body builder to push in the light button.
Bottom Line:
No point in having a watch with great functionality if the strap is a piece of crap.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adi Soon
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
great looks, and graphic function but that's it
Weaknesses:
many, transmitter dies after 2 workouts. Watchback rusts, strap curls at the edges, and worse, the monitor seems to like to "hang" all the time. Only thought that happens to computers. The monitor would freeze up, buttons not working etc
Similar Products Used:
Polar S510
Bike Setup:
Kona Blast 02
Bottom Line:
Stay clear away from this HRM. Unreliability and poor value for money is what this HRM is all about. Have heard many similar stories from other people. My HRM is unused now, got a Polar and its been trouble free since then,.
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Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Bay Area Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
good looking, comfortable strap, the backlighting is bright
Weaknesses:
buttons are not easy to use while you are riding
Similar Products Used:
times, polar
Bike Setup:
?
Bottom Line:
the angled design is great if you are right handed (wear your watch on your left arm), it SUCKS if you are left handed.
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville, SC Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Noble Canyon, San Diego, CA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Transmitter fit well, was comfortable, and I never had any problems with transmission. Nice design, although the angled/off-kilter display gave me neck problems. Great features, especially average and max heart rate and the graphical display.
Weaknesses:
The transmitter died after a few months, and new batteries wouldn't bring it back. Also, it didn't come with a handlebar mount.
I miss all of the great functions that the HRM 100 had, but apparently I'm not the only one who had problems with the transmitter. And if the transmitter doesn't work, what good is the HRM? If Nike solves the problem with the transmitter, they'll have a great HRM. Until then, I'd look elsewhere.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mattias Carlsson
a Cross Country Rider
from Linkoping Date Reviewed: February 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
local store
Strengths:
This is a review of the hrm triax 15. I think it´s easy to use, easy to read and the fitting is perfect. You only have to adjust the straps and it´ll never fall of.
Weaknesses:
Lack of functions. Would be nice if there were more functions like average HR, IR port ....
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Scott TEAM RACING -00 with XT cranks, XT/LX b/fr gear, LX shifter, Magura CLARA discbrakes, X317 rims and X-RAY hubs.
Bottom Line:
This is a easy to use HR tool for the beginner who has never used a HRM before. I haven´t, but I still feel that there´s something missing like the average HR over a specific time interval, for example. Buy it if you want to start trainig with the aid of HR and also want to purhcase a good looking sportswatch at the same time!
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Submitted by
Dave T
a Weekend Warrior
from Evanston, IL Date Reviewed: October 9, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Fleet Feet Chicago
Strengths:
Design, Display, Ease of Use
Weaknesses:
THE CHEST TRANSMITTER.
Similar Products Used:
My finger on my wrist (to gauge pulse rate, that is...)
Bike Setup:
I am not a biker
Bottom Line:
Howdy Folks,
I had the same problem with the chest transmitter. I am a runner and talked to a Nike rep at the Chicago Marathon expo. Long story short, you can call Parsec at 1-800-359-2508 to have the transmitter fixed. The Nike rep said they have had some problems with this particular transmitter, so I decided to look online and see if other people are having the same problem. If so, try Parsec and they should be able to give you a hand.
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$145.00
Purchased At:
Nike.com
Strengths:
Functionality, multiple target zones, graphic representation of workout, max heart rate, average heart rate, time out of target zone, count down timer for interval training
Weaknesses:
Quality of the chest transmitter
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Trek Y, XTR
Bottom Line:
This is the fourth watch I have used that the chest transmitter has crapped out after roughly 5 weeks of use. Changed the battery, that didn't help. I think the quality on the chest strap is poor, found moisture in the battery compartment after the workout it stopped working.
This has happened too many times already, don't trust that I am getting accurate information on heart rate after using this product. Switching to something more reliable, too bad, I really like the functionality and style of the watch. Nike also showed pretty poor consumer handling, consistently say there is no problem when I have talked with multiple people who have had the same problem.
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Submitted by
Sherry G
a Racer
from Riverside, CA, USA Date Reviewed: July 13, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
Sports Chalet
Strengths:
Has all kinds of great info, time, pulse, graph, alarms for hi and low end of zones, etc.
Weaknesses:
I can't wear it more than a few times before the battery on the transmitter dies. I'm fed up with it and am switching back to my old Polar hrm, with no bells or whistles. It's worked faithfully for over 3 years.
Similar Products Used:
Polar HRM Heartminder
Bottom Line:
It's a great tool, but how good is it if you can't rely on it working?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rodrigo
a Racer
from London, UK Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
NikeTown London
Strengths:
Great looking watch. Laps, data storage and graph are top features. User friendly battery replacement is key - no need to ship back to manufacturer as with other HRMs. Chest strap is comfortable after a brief adjustment period.
Weaknesses:
Buttons are difficult to operate while at speed on bike or run. Battery life is serious concern - I am on my third watch after having returned the past two to NikeTown, each only after one month of use. The strap stops functioning after 27-32 days of use vs. the published battery life of 16 months. This might be a design flaw with the strap - have not heard a formal response from Nike.
Similar Products Used:
Other HRMs.
Bike Setup:
Not mounted on bike.
Bottom Line:
Great design on the watch - beats out ugly looking clunkers from other suppliers. Strap battery life should be monitored carefully and look for a technical update from Nike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kim
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento Date Reviewed: April 14, 2001
Favorite Trail:
too many
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$135.00
Purchased At:
fleet feet in fair oaks
Strengths:
2 different heart rate zones, a graph that displays HR over time (you can adjust the time in which it takes samples ex.2,3,min), you can time laps, there's a data mode that will give you your max HR, Min HR, times in these zones, and a recovery HR time. It will store 100 laps. All the normal watch functions. Big number display. Nice looking watch..not like a typical HRM.
Weaknesses:
The buttons used to toggle between the fx's are small and sometimes it takes a few pushes to get it to go. I wish it would display the heart rate while in the Chrono mode.
Similar Products Used:
1st HRM used
Bike Setup:
I use it while biking but it is not mounted.
Bottom Line:
I primarily use this HRM while running and I find it has all the fx's I need, but this is my 1st monitor so I have no comparison. Because the watch itself is so cool looking I find myself using it on a regular basis, not just when I am working out. Good price for what it has to offer. I'm very pleased with my purchase. The graph is probably the neatest thing. I can look at it and see the peaks and think to myself oh yeah that was the grueling hill I climbed earlier in the ride.
$
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