The Polar S725X LOOK

Firstly they look much the same until you have a closer look, then you see that outwardly they are quite different, the Polar S725 has a Carbon effect upper case, which is very cool and along with the “Tour Edition” motif on the side, this makes it a much smarter looking Monitor.

Were not saying the Polar S720i is drab and boring, but it is dull compared to the S725 with its smart shiny Carbon look.

Polar Tour Special Edition

What Technology Do They Both Have

OK, both have much the same functions, both have ECG wireless, 5 exercise sets, OwnCal, OwnIndex, OwnCode, heart rate max based on fitness test and age, Interval timers, maximum heart rate of total exercise, average and maximum heart rate of each lap, recovery measurement.

Then there are the cycling features, both have trip, average and max speed, distance based interval and recovery, wheel settings for two bikes, temperature and altitude, the speed sensor is wireless and there is the option of cadence and power sensors.

polar 725x limited carbon tour edition

The connections between your PC and the two monitors are two way infrared and UpLink; both also have Polar Precision Performance and can be used with optional IR interface to a USB or serial port.

The recording feature on both have 99 exercise files, calorie expenditure, last OwnIndex, average heart rate, target zone limits, target zone times and total time, the basic features on both are heart rate (% of max/bpm), adjustable/automatic heart rate limits, large digits and a backlight.

The watch features are what you would expect with time and dual time zones, date, stopwatch, exercise reminder and low battery indicator, all the things you need for normal life.

So What’s Special About the S725 Then?

There are quite a few advantages to the Polar S725, the first is the target zones, both have three audible and visual zone alarms, but on the S725 they are expressed as a percentage of maximum bpm, which is a much easier way to set than having to work it out then setting the zones. It is water resistant to 30 meter as opposed to 20 for the S720i, also the S725 has Mobile connectivity, so that you can send exercise info via your mobile phone, Nokia 5140 and 5140i, also it can connect to your PC with the SonicLink.

Where the S725 comes into its own are the running features options, with the S725 you can have running speed and distance, running speed can be displayed in pace or in kph or mph and also it has a distance based interval trainer. You need the Polar S1 Foot Pod for the running feature, just like the power and cadence fitting for the bike. These running features combined with the cycling features makes this a perfect all round pulse monitor for tri-athlon use, which is great for me!

What Do We Think?

The Polar S725 is a step up from the Polar S720i, it has more very useful functions, mostly the running features and has kept all the top class uses of the S720i, the display is clear with all the information you need at your finger tips, telling you all you need to know at a glance.

The best difference we think is the WearLink Transmitter, it has electrodes built into the strap for comfort and the biggest advantage is you can change the battery, with the older strap this was not possible. The strap is made of machine washable replaceable fabric and it’s water resistant. The strap is more comfortable and will fit any body shape and will allow full freedom of movement, it’s a big step forward in strap technology, and you don’t feel you are wearing it, it’s that comfortable.

At under $400 you are getting the best possible training aid on the market, you can’t help to improve with a Polar S725 Carbon Tour Edition Heart Rate Monitor.

The Main Functions

Wireless ECG accurate heart rate
Exercise Set (5 extended exercise profiles)
Polar OwnCal
Polar Fitness Test
Polar OwnCode
3 Target Zones (% of max or bpm) with visual and audible alarm
HR max (Polar fitness test-based)
HR max (age based)
Interval timers
Max HR of total exercise
Avg HR of each lap
Max HR of each lap
Recovery measurement (HR/Time)
Exercise Date
Two-way infrared data communication
Polar Precision Software included
Backlight
Polar WearLink 31 coded transmitter

Bike Functions

• Trip
• Speed average and max
• Distance based interval
• Distance based recovery measurement
• Wheel size settings for two bicycles
• Bike Mount
• Wireless Speed Sensor
• Temperature and Altitude

A while back we reviewed the Polar S720i Heart Rate Monitor, which we loved, it had all the functions we wanted and probably more than we needed! So what are the differences between the two?

Polar S720i Heart Rate Monitor, If you can afford it this is the monitor to get.

How to set up

Fitting the computer to your bike is very easy, it comes with a handlebar bracket for the watch-monitor and the speed sensor zip-ties to the forks, the space between the sensor and the wheel magnet has to be within 0.2 and 5 mm, you’ll know if this is correct as there is a small light on the sensor that flashes when the magnet passes.

The chest strap goes on your chest and that’s it. You have to enter your setting into the watch; this is as simple as setting up your mobile phone and is fun, then its time to get going.

On the road

OK so you’re on your favorite ride, what is your monitor going to tell you?

Well it will tell you everything you’ll ever need to know, first and most importantly your pulse so you can keep track of your training, this would be on the bottom line of the display.

The middle line is best for your training time, but if you prefer you can have speed, lap time or time of day.

The top line can have time, lap-time, calories burnt, trip distance, speed, average speed, maximum speed and altitude, personally I’ve found speed to be the best thing to have at the top and training time in the middle and the pulse at the bottom.

Information overload

When your out training you don’t need to know all this stuff, but when you come home you can download all the information to your PC either via an infrared connection, which I’m lucky enough to have in my laptop or you have to buy a Polar IR interface to plug in a USB port or you can use the Polar Uplink that connects via the speakers using sound.

When you’ve downloaded to your training diary you have all the information at your fingertips.

Graphs of training time, time in heart rate zones, distance and heart rate average, No. of exercises and total exertion and pace. The main graph for today’s training has all your details, including:- pulse, distance, speed, altitude, temperature, time, calories burnt, ascent and descent.

All of that days performance is in front of you and can be printed out or sent to your coach, this is great for improvement or for your coach to tell you that you are not training hard enough!

Extras

There are two optional extras with the Polar 720i heart rate monitor, first you could get a cadence sensor, this work similarly to the speed, but counts your pedal revs, this is useful to get a nice pedaling rhythm, you could be pedaling like Lance in the mountains of the Tour.

More importantly if you are using a home trainer in bad weather the cadence meter helps you to keep a steady rate.

The other optional extra is the Polar Power Output Sensor, this measures the vibrations of the chain, so it gives you your power output and the balance, or misbalance between your right and left leg, then you can build up the weaker leg.

How good is the Polar 720i?

In my opinion this heart rate monitor has everything, the problem is that maybe you don’t need all this information, but if you haven’t got it, you can’t look at it, so you might as well have it.

My only criticism would be that you cant easily zero the trip distances counter every time you ride, but this a small problem and not really important. If you can afford it this is the monitor to get.

Your New Coach Has Arrived

Timex heart rate monitor bodylink system and data recorder will help you achieve your training goals. When you’ve finished your work out you can upload your data, with the equipment supplied, to your Timex training software. This PC based coaching is an easy to use system to follow your training progress.

The data recorder is under two inches in size and is easily clipped on to shirts or waistbands or in a pocket, the Timex trainer software automatically uploads and logs workout data, creates graphs and produces summaries, Timex also periodically release updates for there software free for there customers.
The Timex digital heart rate monitors use the very latest technology for fitness data recording. There the fitness experts and personal trainers of the Ironman Institute use methodology. Timex has developed a digital heart rate monitor that offers digital accuracy that is expected by top class athletes all the world over.
The Timex system will help you improve your overall fitness levels, you will be able to keep track of your weight loss and see yourself burn fat, whilst achieving peak condition, increase your stamina and your aerobic endurance power.

Top Features Timex Ironman Triathlon Digital Heart Rate Monitor Target heart rate zone with optional alarms 100-hour, 3-mode countdown timer INDIGLO night-light with NIGHT-MODE feature timex digital heart rate sensor features Sensor – water resistant to 30m (Sensor will not provide accurate readings when under water) Owner-replaceable battery – Unlike many other heart rate monitors, all Timex Heart Rate Monitor sensors have batteries that can be replaced by consumers without requiring them to be returned to the manufacturer

Digital FM transmission: TIMEX’s system protects your data from other heart rate monitors and most exercise equipment. Synchronized transmission prevents crosstalk from other heart rate monitors Continuous heart rate readings even during the most intense activities Chest strap: Comfortable, lightweight, & adjustable elastic Owner-replaceable battery with 2-year battery life Strap: Water-resistant to 30m (Sensor will not provide accurate readings when under water).

The basic analogue monitors start with time of day and heart rate, then as you spend more you get these functions plus zone controls, memory recall, calories burnt, fitness tests, lap stop watch with split times and average heart rate per lap.

The Nike digital heart rate monitors are interference free and will not interface with gym equipment or be affected by it.

The digital units have all the functions of the analogue plus speed and distance using the latest lightweight inertia controlled foot pod. This highly accurate monitor does not rely on GPS and is simple to use.

Nike HRM are mainly to be used by runners, but can be useful for triathletes as most are water resistant.

All of the Nike range of wrist heart rate monitors have the “S” shaped design which curves around the wrist for style, comfort and makes easy reading of your exercise data.

Wrist fitting pulse monitor watches are very versatile, they can be worn on your wrist for sports other that cycling, if you also run and swim, for triathlon, the watch is the best for you, with a special bracket you can also put it on your handlebars.

With everything in life, the more you spend the more you get, so if you only want the basic heart rate information then this shouldn’t cost you too much, but this limited and you will probably want to know more to optimize your training regime.

Spend more and you can have a heart rate monitor that tells you your pulse, speed, distance, altitude, time and percent of climbing and descending.

Also some of these heart rate monitors will remember your performance and this can be downloaded later to your P.C. this will cost more, but can be worth it.

Polar make more heart monitor watches than anyone else, these can all be fitted to your handlebars and do many different functions, there are many others available, so get it on your wrist and start training.

The Reebok strapless heart rate monitor has Hi/Lo alarms plus all the usual functions including time, alarm, ECG accurate heart rate measurement, audible and visual alarms, stop watch, countdown and a extra large LCD read out, all without needing a chest strap, you simply place fingers on the metallic pads on the watch face and it gives you a reading in 5 to 10 seconds.

The others in the Reebok range have chest straps and do all the things you would expect from a top quality heart rate monitor.

The Reebok fitness trainer is for all levels of fitness enthusiasts with active trainer and target zones. The Reebok precision trainer is for the serious athlete with the unique graphical pyramid display to show intensity levels and cruise control to personalize target zones for interval training.

The others in the Reebok range are more basic and include the studio and personal range of heart rate monitors; both are ECG accurate, easy to operate, water resistant and have many functions at a reasonable price. More for your runner and triathlete than for cyclists, but can be used as an extra.

The Mio range of heart rate monitors starts with the wave and the sport wrist monitors, which allow you to take your pulse without the use of a chest strap. The others are more like all the others available on the market.

MIO is a new and unique lifestyle watch. It’s the world’s first watch to take your ECG-accurate heart rate without the awkward chest strap used by other ECG-accurate heart rate monitors and to use your personal data to calculate the percent of your maximum heart when working out, your calories burned during the day, and more.

MIO monitors your heart rate with a patented technology, just place two fingers on the MioSensors located on the watch face to obtain your heart rate at any time.

During an exercise session, MIO gives the percent of your maximum heart rate to help you get the most out of your workout, calculates the total number of calories burned and indicates how quickly your heart returns to its resting rate. Mio works best when you stop running to check your heart rate. It doesn’t work while you are in motion.

The Mio range is very stylish as just a watch with the added advantage of a pulse monitor, not much use for cyclists as you would have to take one hand off the handlebars to take your pulse.

The very successful U.S. Postal cycling team used CicloSport heart rate monitors; if one of the best teams in the world use them they must be good.

This company makes wrist watch heart monitors from the basic level, which tells you your entire heart functions, current, maximum, and average beats with alarm functions.

There top of the rage has all this plus fat burning, training zones and calorie consumption and with bike attachments it also has distance and speed.

CicloSport make 9 different cyclometers to fit on your bike handlebars, these vary in price and functions from the basic speed and distance to the top of the range model with 64 hours of memory and many more functions which will help you in all your training.

The top of the range HAC 4 is a wireless heart rate monitor, altimeter and cyclometer, in saying that it does everything, the list goes on for ever.

All the usual cycle data and altitude, rise, distance, all the heart rate information and much, much more, all this is held in the memory and can be downloaded to your P.C. and studied later or sent on to your coach for evaluation.

He will know if you have been training properly or going for coffee and a cake.

Cardiosport offers a range of feature-packed monitors, all of which include heart rate data recording, time, stopwatch and feedback control features.

The Total Quality Training collection is specifically for people who want to own a top quality training aid for performance and competition. The Fitness for Sport collection offers a wide range of control features including innovative effort controls and extensive feedback.

Using fitness activity to maintain good health is an increasingly important aspect of many people’s lifestyle and Cardiosport monitors give you the opportunity to exercise at just the right level to get the best results.

Exercise combined with sensible nutrition, can be used to lose body weight and more specifically reduce body fat. These heart rate monitors do all that you need for your fitness and added enjoyment for any sport, you can keep your finger on your pulse of your training.

Cardiosport have worked hard to develop heart rate monitors specifically designed to meet the demands of the discerning customer, whatever their fitness levels or ambitions. They have an extensive range to choose from and the problem will be finding the right model for your fitness goals.

All Cardiosport monitors come complete with everything you need to start your exercise programme, fitness and weight control.