Hi,

I need to replace my old HRM. Thought of purchasing the new S625x. How good is it? How accurate is the distance/running unit?

10x.

I have the 720i which is more "bike specific", and I've added the speed and cadence sensors (for use on my indoor trainer only) as well as the USB infra-red device to facilitate the downloading. It's all fairly new, but so far I am quite satisfied with it. I don't have first hand experience with the 625 and the running/distance unit, but have heard that if you spend the time to accurately calibrate it, then the distance accuracy is quite good.

Max

i got the 625x in sept.
i really like it. i've heard about complaints about the accuracy of the foot pod on other forums, but in my opinion they're exaggerated. i ran a marathon end of oct. with my 625x and the unit gave me a distance of 42,6km (compared to the official 42,195k) i think that is spot on considering that
a) i did not start at the head of the field but rather in the 3:45 zone a couple of hundred yards behind the official startline)
b) you do not regularly run the calculated course line. i tend to stay on the outside of the course avoiding the masses...

it took me a while getting used to using the hrm correctly - especially with the software. the fact that it is really really new and you can't find a lot of information on the internet yet makes that a little harder still.
but in the whole, i consider the 625x an invaluable piece of equipment. in particular the tools it gives me in conjunction with the software is priceless....

I agree with Mr. Holden. I got one in early November, and provided you take the time to calibrate it properly, it is highly accurate. The only time you will see any discrepancy is when/if you walk or significantly change you stride in the middle of a training session, but even at that it is still at least 98% accurate (that is a made up number, just saying it is still spot on, if not exact).

On the whole though, it is amazing how many different sources of data you can track from one single instrument. Invaluable!

I'd wager you've done your own research already, but this site has some pretty decent descriptions of the pros and cons..

http://www.pccoach.com/products/hrms/polarS625X.htm

I purchased one with a speed and cadence sensors. And I mounted the speed and cadence sensors on the rear wheel and also got all you can ask when doing home bike training (via a trainer). No signaling issues. Simply work smoothly. Bottom line - The best of its kind.

cool! happy to hear you're a happy customer...:)

one thing i can't get to work though - perhaps one of you guys has an idea:

the function "autolap". it doesn't seem to work on my s625x. i can set it manually on the wrist unit or via the pola software....it simply won't accept the 10k autolaps...

I am not familiar with this feature. However, I heard such an option is very useful for swim training. I heard people are using it to count turns, by moving their hand closer to the wrist.

The S625X is truly fanatastic!!! Just the fact that I know how far I've been running is nice... (did take quite a bit of setup to get it right though...). Definately highly recommended (but as a duathlete, I can't comment on how it will behave in water...)

I have both the 720i and 625x. Tried the Timex Bodylink. I still have the Polar equipment. Couldn't be happier!!! Until they come out with the next better mousetrap.

I heard people are using it to count turns, by moving their hand closer to the wrist.

Hand closer to wrist, that's gotta hurt :). Actually I think mossi meant hand closer to the heart :).

I also have a S625X. I bought it because I thought I would really use the shoe pod to measure my distance on my runs - I don't. At this stage in the game I measure my runs by time, not distance so I don't really have a use for this feature. I've thought about buying the bike accessories so I could record all of those, but haven't (yet anyway). Even though I don't take advantge of its many features I think the S625X is an excellent training tool and use it for every workout I do. I wish Polar would have included the InfraRed reader with the HRM instead of selling it separately, but that's no big deal to buy one of those. I love having the ability to configure the settings on the desktop computer and then transmitting them to the HRM.

James: Regarding the autolap feature. I'm assuming you have recording mode enabled, etc? I don't think it works in the basic measuring mode.

James: Regarding the autolap feature. I'm assuming you have recording mode enabled, etc? I don't think it works in the basic measuring mode.

yes, of course. i actually always use the HRM in recording mode. even when i'm just at the gym.

another little problem i've come across are the bike settings. there are 2 bikes you can store in the HRM. apparently though, bike1 doesn't work properly. i had used it but it would reset those settings every week or so. so i emailed polar and they told me i should use bike2 and preferably make the changes manually on the HRM instead of via PP software. (so obviously it's a common problem)

despite the little glitches i'm still happy with it. :D

one more thing concerning the infrared thingy: obviously it's a marketing gag to earn more money from us. however, any infrared-adapter will do fine. so instead of getting the pricy polar-infrared-unit you could also get one off ebay for 5 bucks or something like that...just an idea! :D
i use the built-in infrared-port on my notebook-computer...

one more thing concerning the infrared thingy: obviously it's a marketing gag to earn more money from us. however, any infrared-adapter will do fine. so instead of getting the pricy polar-infrared-unit you could also get one off ebay for 5 bucks or something like that...just an idea! :D
i use the built-in infrared-port on my notebook-computer...

Now you tell me after I dump the $$$ for the Polar model, thanks pal :). Unfortunately my laptop is old enough that it doesn't have a infrared port on it :(. I guess it's time for me to upgrade

James,
I had the same problem with 2 bikes settings. The settings kept changing. After several manual fix it was solved. Something is not working properly with the bike settings and the Polar SW.

i've got to put my $0.02 in for the 625X - i have it and absolutely love it. i use it when i swim, run, bike, play soccer or hockey and when lifting. i spent the extra cash and got the speed and cadence sensors for the bike they work great too - if you get the cycling sensors it will do everything that the 720i will do, plus the running functions. i'm still in need of calibrating the foot pod, but its great to be able to download all the data and look at it on the computer compared with your heart rate. i know its a bit pricey, but definitely worth in imo.

yes, of course. i actually always use the HRM in recording mode. even when i'm just at the gym.

another little problem i've come across are the bike settings. there are 2 bikes you can store in the HRM. apparently though, bike1 doesn't work properly. i had used it but it would reset those settings every week or so. so i emailed polar and they told me i should use bike2 and preferably make the changes manually on the HRM instead of via PP software. (so obviously it's a common problem)

despite the little glitches i'm still happy with it. :D

one more thing concerning the infrared thingy: obviously it's a marketing gag to earn more money from us. however, any infrared-adapter will do fine. so instead of getting the pricy polar-infrared-unit you could also get one off ebay for 5 bucks or something like that...just an idea! :D
i use the built-in infrared-port on my notebook-computer...

HA! You've run into the same bike problem I did. That drove me crazy until I emailed them. Not sure if it's a watch or s/w problem though.

For IR, save your money, go on ebay (or similar) and find a cheapo $5 USB IR dongle. Works the same. Or if you have a laptop, it's built in.

BTW, I love this watch.

Also, a question for you hardcore tri folks. How would you use this in a race? It doesn't appear that you can easily switch between cycling and running mode in the transitions. I suppose, you'd just use a dedicated cyclometer rather than deal w/ the hassle in a race.

the easy way of switching btw. modes is as follows:

- press pause (button at bottom left)
- press and hold button on bottom right to switch between modes.
- when you're in the right mode you can have the HRM record again (press red button)

but:
- polar didn't think it through with the modes. they sorted the cycle as follows: speed off - run - bike 1 - bike 2. they should have put the run mode at the end, just as how real triathlons are sorted.

- when you're running around in T1 or T2 i really don't know if you're gonna be up for the additional stress of fiddling around with the HRM.i guess i'll try to remember to...

Polar got the order right for Duathlons! :)

Absolutely a fantastic product! Couldn't even imagine training without the analysis that the software provides anymore. Spoiled?!.... Yes! and loving it!

Man those are some expensive toys! Where's the budget model? ;)

I just started riding again... need to do some work on my old (~'95) Trek 800 to get it moving faster but it still rides nice and smooth as it ever did. HRM is one thing I have had my eye on for a minute... I didn't realize that they went up to the $300+ range, though! Those features look like they'd be pretty darn helpful, though...

You don't have to dump $300 on a HRM to start off with. I spent several hours researching the various HRMs available before I bought the 625. Prior to that I had a Polar Coach HRM and it worked quite well.

One feature a I REALLY like is the InfraRed transfer.