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Submitted by
Jason Nieman
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Wayne, IN
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Warsaw | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Play It Again Sports | | Strengths: | Very accurate. Good features without being overly confusing. | | Weaknesses: | Somewhat short battery life, but not really too bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Cardiosport | | Bike Setup: | Cervelo Prodigy with Ultegra, and Litespeed OBED with XTR | | Bottom Line: | I bought this thing used about 7 years ago. It has served me faithfully ever since. I have changed out batteries in the watch two or three times and in the chest monitor about four. The chest battery is really not that hard to change out, you just have to be careful and not lose any small parts. Also, Radio Shack will test your battery and say it is ok. DON'T BELIEVE THEM. These batteries don't have to wear down much before the transmitter won't reach the watch. The nice thing is it works, or it doesn't; not in between. If you don't have a HRM, you are likely working out too hard, or not hard enough. It will make you a better rider, and I can't think of a better brand than Polar, given my experience. Mine was a 5 for value, but as they are pricy, I'll give it a 4 value for most. Overall, though, this baby is a 5ver. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Burgess Norrgard
a Weekend Warrior
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Downloading this watch onto my computer using the interface that is sold separately is a definite plus. Being able to see you workouts on a graph is very helpful. Also it keeps very good track of laps, and will also show these on the computer graph. | | Weaknesses: | It can be inaccurate at times, giving you a heart rate you don't really have. You can't be in close contact with anyone else who has one either, it gets all messed up. Battery life is bit sporatic, I've had it last weeks but also years. It also seems to get damaged a little too easy.
It would also be nice if it had more memory, and a shorter interval of giving you your heart rate
| | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardrock | | Bottom Line: | Overall good product, because of of it's ability to download. The newer high-end ones though are even better | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Racer
from Marlboro, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Great features, good customer servie | | Weaknesses: | Short battery life--constantly needs to be repaired by the factory. Hard to read display @ certain angles, a bit pricey | | Bike Setup: | Seven Odonata | | Bottom Line: | I put up with the constant need for batteries because of the excellent features of the monitor | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zelig
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | tailwind please | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Accurate HRM whose functions work as advertised. I've had my Accurex since 1990 and have used it daily in all conditions. As long as the batteries have power, the HRM functions. I like being able to set an upper and lower heart rate limit as well as the recovery time. My unit does not erase the information unless the timing cycle mode is started for a new series. | | Weaknesses: | The lack of consumer replaceable batteries in the current transmitter and monitor (can be done but not recommended by the manufacturer). The original chest transmitter allowed for consumer replacement of the batteries but when that failed and was replaced you had to have it done by the factory.
Battery life is very uneven and this applies to both the monitor and the transmitter. The shortest period has been 9 months and the longest was over 2 years.
As you would expect, the monitor can be affected by EMF from buried power lines. However, I've never had a problem with overhead high tension wires. | | Similar Products Used: | None as it was the only commercially available HRM at the time. | | Bike Setup: | Vortex & Look fork with mix of Campy and Shimano bits. | | Bottom Line: | I have the monitor positioned on the stem using a velcro device called the Shuper mount which I bought mail order from a place in California which had a small ad in the back of Velonews in the early '90's. It has velcro straps which take the place of the wrist strap and then wraps around the stem with another piece of velcro lined with rubber (to prevent slippage) which wraps around the stem. Its neat and simple. No big donut or that bulky plastic bar mount.
As products go, its been great despite the units' appetite for batteries. I've also gotten very good service from the Port Washington, NY service center and now in the UK have had a similarly good experience with their service center in the UK. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Racer
from Ny, NY
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Many options | | Weaknesses: | Difficult to operate, small heart rate display, | | Similar Products Used: | Polar Beat, Freestyle ECG5 | | Bottom Line: | I bought the version that performance is selling and it is going right back. I just bought the new freestyle HRM and it is far superior. The Polar is too difficult to operate, and I find that the memory erases itself by the time I get back to the car and record it in the log book. Its about time that Polar got some good competition from another company. Check out the freestyle watch. Ill give it two chilies because it accurately detects my heart rate | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wolfer
a Weekend Warrior
from Flagstaff, AZ
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Fischer Point | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Reliabiltiy | | Weaknesses: |
COST | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bottom Line: | I have an Accurex Plus....it's work extremely well for me personally. The dog chewed up my transmitter which Polar replaced cheaper than I could have bought retail. Overall, I'm happy. The battery did quit after the first 1.5 years, simply opened it up (not what Polar wants) and replaced with Wal-Mart/EverReady replacement. No Sweat just be careful and take time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a Cross-Country Rider
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: August 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Features are nice if they work. | | Weaknesses: |
Unit will not download
also no display
poor customer service | | Similar Products Used: |
Polar Xtrainer | | Bottom Line: | Bought a Polar Accurex Plus for $249.00 which I use every day. After first week tried to download to computer with Polar Interface Plus (another $250.00) Monitor quits downloading when ever it reaches the first interval set. Took it back to dealer and was told that Polar does all warranty.
He did loan me another monitor and chest strap that I could use to make sure that the interfacer was working OK whick it did. Now the display is gone in less than 30 days and I have to pay another $15.00 each way to sent it to Polar for repairs. Bottom line I'm out $530.00 for a monitor that never worked add to that the fact that Polar customer service is totally rude and unhelpful.
A very poor product with useless customer service. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Davenport, IA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
The Maze, Canyonlands | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Features are nice when they work. | | Weaknesses: |
Constant problems. Not picking up signal. False readings, blank display | | Similar Products Used: |
Currently using a Freestyle | | Bottom Line: | Features are nice but quality stinks, poor customer service. I have sent this in twice. Like an earlier review I quit sending good money after bad and purchased something else. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Gothenburg, Sweden
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Has all functions, looks great. Does not pickup interference from other transmitters around. | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Bottom Line: | I bought my Polar Accurex+ a year ago, after that I had done some research about all the alternatives on the market. I don't know what problems Polar might have had earlier with the Accurex models, but with the Accurex+ they have a perfectly functioning world class heartrate monitor. I wouldn't change it for nothing less. One more thing, I can agree that the Xtrainer and Protrainer don't have that good bikecomputer functions(slow updates and so on), therefore I got the Accurex+ and I use a Sigma BC800 bikecomputer instead to get accurate readings on trips. Btw, I even got the battery replaced for free with the warranty, after 11 months! Great and fast service, atleast here in Sweden. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from Northern California
Date Reviewed: February 18, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This is just an update to my previous review. My previously barely functioning monitor finally gave up the ghost completely. The display is frozen. It blinks occasionally if I push the buttons but it doesn't run and I can't set it anymore. The battery is fine (it's only a couple months old). The thing just doesn't work. I've spent well over $200 on this thing (including batteries and getting it replaced) and I've finally decided to cut my losses and throw it away. A piece of junk. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RedRover
a racer
from Marin County, CA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had the Polar Accurex II for about 4 years now, so it gets at least some kudos for reliability. Problem is that their customer service is totally rude and unhelpful. I've had this experience both times that I've sent the unit in for repair. They pretty much shaft you on the repair costs as well. Polar is in desperate need of some good competition. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Iriguchi
a cross-country rider
from Sacramento, CA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had an Accurex NV for several years now and like several of the other reviewers, I've had nothing but bad luck. I had one replaced because it just quit working and now I have one that has a weak display. Anytime the temperature runs over 80 degrees, which it does about 5 months a year here in Sacramento, the display disappears. I can still read it by turning the watch at a very oblique angle but when I run and ride (which of course is what I bought it for), its useless. For me its just a really expensive digital watch that I have to twist my arm to read. Oh... and the nightvision light quit working too. This thing is definitely NOT worth the money. I'd send it back to Polar again but I don't want to keep throwing good money after bad. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a cross-country rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have tried a Polar ProTrainer NV, SportsInstruments, and finally the one that works for me, 1998 Polar Accurex Plus. The coded transmitter is plus and it actually works. When I went running around a lake, the other two aforementioned watches went ballistic, probably due to some intense waves. The Accurex Plus never went out of sync. I don't know if it's the coding or just a newer model. Also, the upgrade from the ProTrainer NV to the Accurex Plus is a huge difference. The Accurex can save all your lap times, HR averages, maxes, etc. under seperate files. The ProTrainer lost all info whenever you switched back to the clock. I'm finally satisfied with the type of HRM I was looking for. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Elder
a cross-country rider
from Sacramento Califprnia
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've owned a Polar Accurex NV for 1 1/2 years and it has spent more time in my dresser than on my wrist. I returned my first one which would not pick up my heart rate at all to Colorado Cyclist. They promptly sent me a new one which is so inconstant that it is unusable. I've followed all the instructions (tight strap, moisten, change positions ect...) and it alway reads 00 for the first 10 min. or so. Then it works for about 10 min only to stop or give you a reading of 239. This makes all those expensive options useless (average rate, recovery rate, target zones). It's very frustrating and now it's out of warranty, and Polar wants big $$$$ to fix it. Also, my roomate broke the crystal on his and it cost $80 and over a month to have Polar fix it. Several weeks later his wrist strap broke, now his sits on the coffee table. At least I can use mine as an not very stylish but expensive watch. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Fisher
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought one of these a few years ago, factory reconditioned from Performance, and it performed flawlessly untill a few months ago. Horrible experience with the repair and customer service. Had to send it back twice and finally talked to one of their technical people only to be given a list of things I now had to do differently to make my hr monitor work - don't sweat so much, don't wear fleece (static, you know). I don't know what they finally did, but it works fine again -- at least it works fine 99% of the time. Sometimes the power lines throw it off, sometimes they don't. Sometimes it just stops. Mostly it is back to it's dependable self. Five peppers for past performance. One pepper for silly customer service and inept repair department. Averages out to solid 3. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al Carlay
a weekend warrior
from New York City, USA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a 96' Polar Accurex watch. It's a great watch - big face, elegant color design, sleek contours.. I see two problems however. I do a lot of running in the cold and the top right button sometimes did not work on me. Perhaps a some sweat leaked into the watch. I opened the watch and realize that the body needed to be properly seated inside the case. Also the watch uses up energy quickly.. I use the watch everyday to monitor my aerobic capacity and after 1 year of use, the battery died out. Replacing it was cheap and easy however. There is a design problem with the watch -- it doesn't store the history of the last event. I keep track of my performance on a spreadsheet and I have to be careful not to reset the watch, otherwise I will lose the data. Other than that, this is a good watch if you know how to use it properly. My health and endurance has greatly improved with this watch! In a way, I owe my current health to this superb device! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry Parker
a racer
from California
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Polar Accurex II. I'm a marathon - long distance cyclist. I've been using the same monitor for four years (27,000+ miles)and just now the readings have become erradic when ever my HR is up over 90% MHR range. Under that it seems to be still accurate. I have friends who have had problems like others that have complained about but mine has worked great and I recommend them. As with all electronic equipment you can get a lemon. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan Fowler
a weekend warrior
from San Carlos, CA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This product is unsuitable for mountain bikers. I cracked the crystal on a branch while riding. It took six weeks and $65 to get it back with dirt inside.
I sent it back and though they promised to phone me with the delivery status, I had to phone them again and ask that they expedite the repair. I finally got it back in working order.Results:
1. Polar is selling a watch for sports use which does not have a durable crystal--it should not be used for mountain biking. 2. Their service is too slow (two months) and too expensive. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Iwamiya
a cross-country rider
from San Rafael, CA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Actually I haven't used this HRM since I bought the XTrainer.My Accurex NV has been plagued with a weak display that tends to
fade away when the watch gets the slightest bit warm. I thought it
was due to a weak battery and had it replaced. The display still was
weak and rather than spend more money on it, I went and bought the
XTrainer from Polar. For the first seven moths though, the Accurex worked
wonderfully. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ashwin Amanna
a racer
from Blacksburg, VA
Date Reviewed: February 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Polar Accurex:I bought this unit factory reconditioned. It has stopped working several times and I have sent it back to polar 3 times. Each time it cost shipping and repair charges to get it working. It broke again last week, and have decided that it isn't worth the hassle dealing with them again. Customer service was rude as well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a cross-country rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Garbage In Garbage Out! That's my opinion of Polar. I bought on of there products about 3 years ago (Accurex II). It worked fine for about 9 months then one day it just stopped. I called them and they said to send it back to them for repair. It cost me $50.00 to fix what was not working. It worked fine for about 3 months, it has spent the last year and a half sitting in my draw. I decided to send it back to Polar to see about getting it repaired. I wrote them a letter telling them about this, they write back telling me my repair is done to call them because there is a charge. This time they wanted to charge me $108 for the repair, for that price I'll go buy a new one (not one of there's). I left a message with the manager to call me to see if they can reduce to repair charge. This monitor has never really worked wright from day one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
biff
a downhiller
from bc, canada
Date Reviewed: January 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
just bought the accurex plus. i think it will be a worthwhile investment. the instruction booklet is a little confusing but in a day or two i will have it totally figured out. i'm sitting in front of the computer and the coded transmission works great. no interference. i went for a bike ride near major power lines and once again no interference. the large display, easy to press buttons, fairly comfortable strap and night light are great. it is costly, but so are my bikes. i wish there was a low cost software which could be included but for now i will figure things out manually. i'm lovin it so far. a training book is essential... or you may try to find some guidance on the web.definately recommend this model for serious enthusiasts. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SClarke
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: May 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a Polar Accurex2 and have had problems almost from the beginning. It has been sent back to Polar foe the second time - they just can't seem to get it to work consistently. It will work fine for 20 minutes or so and then stop. The repair facility in N.Y. took tthree times as long for the repair as they said they would and it still didn't work. I also have a ten year old Pacer | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
javi
a cross-country rider
from VA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the Accurex NV and so far I am pretty happy with it. Contrary to what some articles included in this review say, I don't have to wet the sensor for it to start working. I just strap the sensor to my chest wait a few minutes and it starts sending the waves to the receiver.The manual that comes with the HRM is OK. I think it needs to be more detailed about some features. I still don't know how to use the window for the lap times as well as being able to interpret the recovery number you get at the end of the recovery period when you use this feature(I welcome e-mails for expl. about this). also, I don't like the fact that the chest transmiter does not have a battery which can be replaced (like Cateye for ex.) On the other hand, Polar is king in terms of accuracy and reliability. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Harris
a weekend warrior
from Houston, TX USA
Date Reviewed: March 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had the Accurex NV for about almost 2 years.
Polar has replaced 2 of them for me under warranty and has been very prompt and helpful in getting me a new watch. The watch seem durable. I think that
I just was unlucky, fortunatly Polar really stands behind their product | | Overall Rating: |
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