Drove me nuts!
Written: Nov 05 '05 (Updated Nov 05 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: lots of great features
Cons: needs too much user attention, recovery function doesn't work right, bad buttons
The Bottom Line: It wouldn’t do what I wanted for an HRM. There are better bicycle computers available. This items detracted from my exercise sessions.
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| Saxguy's Full Review: Polar S - Series S150 |
I had originally bought this item for a discount price ($79.95 plus shipping) at Nashbar.com after my Polar A15 died. The batteries on the polar watches are not user replaceable and I didn’t like how the Polar A5 handled training zones and its overly sensitive automatic start function..
What I want in an HRM is the following:
- a readout of current heart rate
- calculation of time in my training zone, plus time above and below
- calculation of recovery time
- average and maximum pulse
- elapsed time during exercise
Plus, of course, I want all the standard digital watch functions including time, alarm, hourly alarm, stopwatch, countdown timer, etc.
This HRM supposedly had all that, along with the ability to program an exercise set consisting of a specified training zone, timers and recovery calculation on/off. This seemed to be promising in that I could specify my timers and have it default to my recovery calculation of choice.
The S150 also had bicycle wheel and handlebar mounts, so, if wanted, it can record current, average and max speed, riding time and distance. However, this was much too rudimentary for me as I already had a great-functioning Cateye Astrale 8 bicycle computer (see below for review link) and didn’t need another one.
Almost from the start of using this, I was disappointed. Why?
1. The training zones were not automatic, you had to specify them. The HRM would only calculate for one training zone at a time, and would only calculate whether in or out of the zone. So, for example, I would like to measure my time in each of the following zones: 110-124 bpm, 125-149 bpm, and 150 plus bpm. This monitor would not do that automatically. So, I would specify the lower zone during the first few minutes and then have to use the buttons to switch the training zones while riding. Bicycling has been my major exercise for a couple of years now and I do not like riding no hands. So, I either specified the middle zone for the whole exercise session or I stopped and switched. Neither was a good alternative.
2. The display was fairly small and very busy. It was hard to read sometimes, particularly with my mono-vision (I’m 20-20 in the eye that had cataract surgery due to a lens implant) and badly nearsighted in the other. That works well most times but not for reading this HRM. I like a larger display.
3. It was complex to use. I tried setting up the timers in the exercise sets and that worked. However, I did something and it ended up defaulting to reporting pulse rate as % of max instead of the bpm. That was easy enough to correct when stopped, but having worked up a sweat 15 miles into a ride, it was not so easy. I want the pulse rate. I got disgusted one time and kept pushing buttons hoping that one would work, while keeping my eyes on the bike trail. That was a mistake. I pushed one button too many and wiped out all the data on my session up to that point. That really annoyed me.
4. The recovery function never worked the way it was specified in the manual. I tried everything. I even had my manual waiting for me in the garage when I came home. I tried to get the recovery calculation to work for maybe 5 or 6 sessions without success. Then I asked my son the 20 year old technical wiz to look at it. He agreed that he thought it didn’t work right, got my manual and said that what was on the display for recovery was not what was shown in the manual. I never did get the recovery function to work, and I stopped trying because it was so annoying.
5. The polar unit I had before went on automatically and much too sensitively. This unit seemed to be an improvement in that I could specify manual on/off. This was nice but there were times when I had to push the button hard several times to get it to start.
So, I got disgusted with this HRM and looked around for a simpler replacement that would do what I wanted and not annoy me during my exercise sessions. I want exercise aids, like my bicycles and computers, clothing, helmet, etc, that are functional and make it easier to exercise or at least do not hinder exercise. This HRM was a pain to deal with.
On the other hand, it’s a nice looking watch and performs all its watch functions well, so I continue to wear it. It looks fine for the office, it’s water resistant in the shower, and is comfortable on my wrist besides.
I admire them for trying to add more features, but it’s so difficult to use that it detracts from exercise instead of enhancing it.
I do not recommend this product. However, if you want to buy it, both Nashbar.com and Performancebike.com have it under $80.
Meanwhile I got a Sigma Sport Fit watch which will record time in all three training zones (which it calculates based on age, sex and weight – a drawback, since I’d prefer to do it myself) plus has 7 memories and can calculate calorie burn. I have very high hopes for this and I’ll get the product added when I am ready to review it.
Thanks for reading. God bless!
You might enjoy some of my other fitness-related reviews. Thanks so much for your reading of these and other epinions of mine.
2004 Jamis Coda Comp Road Bike
Cycle Genius ALX 20 Squared Recumbent Bicycle
Bicycle Commuting – ANYBODY can do it!
Bell Double Gel Seat Cover
Cateye Astrale 8 Cadence Bicycle Computer
Performancebike.com Online Store
Nashbar.com Online Store
Nashbar Crochet Bicycle Gloves
Nashbar Gel Gloves
Bell Solair Pro Helmet
Recommended:
No
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