polar cycle computer advise?

hobojojo

does anyone have any experience of either of these cycle computers?

polar cs600
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360029600&n=Polar%20Polar%20CS600%20Wireless%20Heart%20Rate%20Cycle%20Computer

polar s725x
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360030920&n=Polar%20Polar%20S725X%20Pro%20Team%20Edition%20Heart%20Rate%20Cycle%20Computer


i want one with that will tell me heart rate, cadence, altitude and all the usual speed, distance. but i also want to be able to upload the stats onto my computer to see my improvements on certain routes, etc. i wont be buying for a good while yet but i was just wondering if anyone knew anything about the computers i mentioned above.

or does anyone know of any alternative computers that can measure HR, cadence, altitude and that can link up to a pc?

though both are expensive, the polar s725x is available on ebay for €200, from a reputable ebay cycle shop with over 3000 sales to their name and a very good feedback rating.

cheers

Supercell

For that kind of money I'd go for a Garmin Edge 605 or 705, in fact the 705 is next paydays toy

Chips Lovell

The reason both those polars are so expensive is that they're designed to measure power output as well if you add optional accessories. The CS400 will do all you want and is a bit cheaper. I've no experienc with other brands so others might be able to recommend stuff at better prices, such as the Garmin.

hobojojo

el tonto wrote: »

The reason both those polars are so expensive is that they're designed to measure power output as well if you add optional accessories. The CS400 will do all you want and is a bit cheaper. I've no experienc with other brands so others might be able to recommend stuff at better prices, such as the Garmin.

the only thing ill say about the cs400 is that it has no altimeter features, and seeing as though i mainly cycle in the dublin/wicklow mountains this is an important feature to me. you know, i want to know my average and max ascent times and stuff like that.

gonna go check out the germins now though

Chips Lovell

hobojojo wrote: »

the only thing ill say about the cs400 is that it has no altimeter features...

According to the Polar website it measure altitute, ascent and descent.

hobojojo

el tonto wrote: »

According to the Polar website it measure altitute, ascent and descent.

oh, yeah, i was just on the site too and it does do altitude, but i was looking for one that will graph your altitude on my pc,sorry forgot to say that earlier.

smithslist

ive being using the 725x for over a year now, great little toy once you know how to use it....bought it on ebay, and TBH its the only place where i will buy it.

you can also use it for running if needed, but you need to buy foot sensor, this is the same for the cadence.

overall well worth it.

Irish_Army01

Go for s725x.. its the Cat meow.. I have the S625x.. You get great software for your computer ..I'll post screen shots later..


You'll need one of these,

http://www.polar-heartrate-monitors.com/polar_ir_interface.htm

I have the older one.

smithslist

hobojojo wrote: »

oh, yeah, i was just on the site too and it does do altitude, but i was looking for one that will graph your altitude on my pc,sorry forgot to say that earlier.

are you sure the polar software doesnt graphs it? ive the 725x and it graphs it.....

Irish_Army01

smithslist wrote: »

are you sure the polar software doesnt graphs it? ive the 725x and it graphs it.....

It does do graphs

smithslist

Irish_Army01 wrote: »

Go for s725x.. its the Cat meow.. I have the S625x.. You get great software for your computer ..I'll post screen shots later..


You'll need one of these,

http://www.polar-heartrate-monitors.com/polar_ir_interface.htm

I have the older one.

the 625x and 725x are v.similiar, ive known guys still using the 625x and have had no hassle, i only went with the 725x because it was the latest model and it was a great price (on ebay) otherwise it wuld have being the 625x

Irish_Army01

Here is a screen shot from the Polar software for the S625x and the s725x

Quigs Snr

I use the CS400. It does graph altitude, incline etc... and does everything the CS600 does except power. All of these use the same Polar Pro Trainer software. When I was away for a few days cycling, both myself and my teamate who uses a 725 were uploading our data to the same PC and same software. I got mine for about 200 on ebay. Theres not much between all those computers, if you are not interested in power then the CS400 is a much better value proposition.

I don't rate the Garmin. A pro rider sold one of the lads his one so I have seen it up close. Big, ugly and needs to be recharged every 10 hours or so, which is just one more piece of preparation I could do without before a ride !

hobojojo

Quigs Snr wrote: »

I use the CS400. It does graph altitude, incline etc... and does everything the CS600 does except power

in that case i think ill be getting the cs400, looks like it'll do everything i want.

how do you find the software the comes with it, quigs?

i also dont like the garmin computers, far too big by the looks of things, and having to charge them every 10 hours would be well annoying

bunnygreen

Have to agree with Quiggs Snr,the Garmin is overrrated,i had one got rid of it,big,bulky,ugly,needs charging,and rather delicate,go for the Polar,in my humble opinion.

Quigs Snr

Software is fine. Polar Pro Trainer 5 I think. I find the infra red connection a pain in the backside as my laptop doesn't have one (polar will sell you one for about 50 bucks - I got an unbranded one for about a tenner on ebay - which is horribly unreliable but thats not the polar's fault). Apart from that, the software is pretty darn impressive, maps out the profiles for all the routes I do, plus you can program your interval sessions etc.. into the unit itself which is handy. Does everything I want and a lot more besides.