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16/06/2010 3:22:09 PM
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Daniel M Smith
Posts 7
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Just interested to hear other people's views and reviews of their heart rate monitor/cycling computer systems.
I have a Polar S725X and I am hating it. It's very unreliable, and the cadence sensor never worked and has now broken off. The only thing that is reliable with this system is the actual cycling speedo. The HR monitor is terribly unreliable with it telling me I'm at 139 for minutes on end, then 69 climbing a hill and for some stupid reason sits of 220 when I'm going down a hill. I train alone due to my location and time allowance so it's not picking up anyone elses signals.
Oh and the chest band has a click on sensor that unless you remember to unclip it after a ride, keeps on "clicking" and will run out of batteries very soon.
So that's my 2 cents, what do others think? I've started seeing Garmin systems out, and saw one on ebay but the seller was selling it because he preferred the Polar system. Interesting.
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16/06/2010 8:40:32 PM
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Neil Teasdale
Posts 1
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I have a Polar CS200 cadence model. I would have to agree with you. I have almost the exact same problem. It will sit on a figure for ages and then jump 20 or 30 beats and then sit on that for awhile. Then if I push hard it jumps to 220 and stays there. I'm also on my own and well away from any electrical interference. A piece of junk in my opinion.
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17/06/2010 10:19:16 AM
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Kev Wells
Posts 2
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It might be worth trying the gel that is available to put on the pad of the strap. I've never had to get any and really have no idea where to look but I have heard it can make a difference. I don't use polar anymore I have a powertap and an ibike and both systems work without problems they have the rubber type sensor. I did not have too many problems when I was using the old polar units apart from a few miss reads but mostly all good.
I'm looking at investing in a garmin for the powertap and from what I know they are great apart from a few upload file issues which hopefully will be fixed with the newer models.
--
http://crankin-kwells.blogspot.com/
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17/06/2010 11:12:15 AM
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Daniel M Smith
Posts 7
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Yeah the sensor band does not have a place to put any gel, it's not like the older styles. It's just material and the actual sensor has 2 stud clips on the front which you attach the sensor device to. Like I said, you must remember to take it off after each ride otherwise the batteries go dead. I'm interested in the Garmin system but at this stage have zero income so can't afford anything.
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17/06/2010 7:01:30 PM
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Nick Muir
Posts 21
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What you describe is almost certainly due to a poor chest strap contant . Try thoroughly cleaning the metal parts of the clip on poppers with the rough side of a sponge pan scourer or similar . Also run the fabric part of the chest strap under the tap untill it's completely soaked before use . I've been using various Polar products for nearly 20 years & have experienced all the problems you describe , it's usually just a poor contact thing , but i have had a chest strap with an internal fault that resulted in the same symptoms .
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21/06/2010 9:04:42 AM
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Peter Teichert
Posts 3
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Go Garmin, would recomment the 500, works a treat.
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23/06/2010 10:39:13 AM
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Matt McLennan
Posts 1
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I find that when i wet my jersey where it makes contact with the strap this tends to bring it back in line. I have had the 200+ readings on both my Polar and Garmin, and I think it has something to do with the flapping jersey creating a small static charge, which doesnt happen if it is wet. You will find if you are getting these readings, then stop the jersey flapping by pushing it down the HR reading returns to normal.
Hope this helps...
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23/06/2010 8:37:31 PM
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Ben Krieg
Posts 2
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I can also reccomend the garmin. I havent had problems in the 3months Ive had it. However I dont even use the up to the second heart rate on my screen, but instead use the 'heart rate zone graph'. It is much more usefull to see a graphical image and see if your heart rate is falling, steady or too high and adjust your pace accordingly.
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23/06/2010 11:04:31 PM
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Daniel M Smith
Posts 7
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What does the Garmin come with it? Do you need to pay extra for the cadence like with polar? Or does it come with speedo, heart rate monitor and cadence all in one? I think I heard one had power tap monitor also or GPS...not sure?
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