Polar CS200 Cycling Computer Heart Rate Monitor (2008 Model)

by Polar

Product Features

• Affordable handlebar-mounted cycling computer with included heart rate monitor
• Cycling Economy/Intensity enables you to predict your calorie expenditure
• Target heart rate zones with visual and audible alarms; graphical comparison of heart rate and speed
• Wireless cycling measurements: speed (current, average and max); trip; distance
• Wheel size settings for two bicycles, speed sensor installation for different fork shapes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The handlebar-mounted Polar CS200 combines all the features of a high-end cycle computer with a fully functional heart rate monitor--the Polar Wearklink 31 coded transmitter. It provides a full range of cycling computer functions, and adds three new features to Polar's arsenal: the Polar Cycling Coach (a Web-based coaching program and diary), estimated time of arrival (based on your speed), and automatic display scroll, which switches the information on the display according to your preferences. The CS200 also adds a number of additional sophisticated functions, including memory of your last seven rides, downloading ride date to a PC via microphone, indication of whether you're above or below your average speed, and the ability to predict your calorie expenditure. Features include:

• Wireless ECG accurate heart rate with Polar OwnCode (5kHz) to prevent cross-talk from other heart rate monitors
• Target heart rate zones with visual and audible alarms
• Graphical comparison of heart rate and speed
• Heart rate measurements: maximum of total and each lap, average of total
• Wireless cycling measurements: Speed (current, average and max); trip; distance
• Calorie consumption rate per kilometer
• Wheel size settings for two bicycles, speed sensor installation for different fork shapes
• Automatic lap recording (up to 50 laps) with exercise date
• Exercise file info page with date and time
• Semi-automatic backlighting
• Water resistance to 10 meters (protects against rain and splashes)
• SpeedPointer: Points out the difference between average speed/pace and actual speed/pace on the display by up/down arrows.
• Estimated Time of Arrival: Set the distance you are going to ride, and your cycling computer calculates the estimated time of arrival based on your cycling speed.
• Polar OwnCal: Shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. Because the OwnCal tracks both the energy expenditure during one exercise session and the accumulated kilocalories during a longer time e.g. one week, it helps in achieving both short term and long term goals.
• Cycling Economy/Intensity: Enables you to foresee your calorie expenditure and secure sufficient intake on a long ride. This feature is also useful for comparing and analyzing the loads of various training types.
• Compatible with Polar T31 and Polar T61 coded transmitters

Manufacturer's Warranty
The original purchaser of this heart rate monitor is backed by a limited warranty that states that this product that the product will be free from defects in material or workmanship for two years from the date of purchase.

Note:
Polar heart rate monitors are precision instruments; consumers are not advised to change their own battery. Polar recommends that all service be done by an authorized Polar Service Center which will include a warranty for 90 days on repairs and 6 months for batteries.

About Polar
The first EKG accurate wireless heart rate monitor was invented by Polar back in 1977 as a training tool for the Finnish National Cross Country Ski Team. The concept of "intensity training" by heart rate swept the athletic world in the eighties. By the 1990s, individuals were looking to heart rate monitors not only for performance training needs, but also for achieving everyday fitness goals. Today, the same concept of heart rate training is being used by world-class athletes as well as everyday people trying to lose weight. Polar is the leading brand among consumers, coaches, and personal trainers worldwide and the company is committed to not only producing the best products, but also being the leading educator on the benefits of heart rate based exercise.

Product Description

The wireless CS200 is a true cycling computer that gives you all your cycling speed and distance information, along with your heart rate data. With the ability to link to your PC, the CS200 is more than just a cycle computer. Easy to reach button design that mounts on your stem or bars. Option to add on cadence.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0018ZMK2C
• Item model number: 90034027
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this one, February 25, 2010

By 

Timothy S. Halbert - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I purchased this cyclometer less than a year ago. I've put a lot of time in making it finally work correctly. The HR function is great, but the transmitter on the wheel works sporatically. I figure it needs a new battery, but frankly, I'm unwilling to go to the trouble of sending it back for replacement. This would be one of the best products out there if POLAR would have made the transmitter batteries user replaceable. It's disappointing to have to ship it off or buy a new transmitter. Buyer beware. You will fall in love with this bad boy, but he WILL disappoint.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three years and still running perfectly, September 4, 2009

By 

Ron Jamis "RCJ" (Portland Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I'm a user of the CS-400 for several years. I swap the receiver between my road bike and my mountain bike. It has two wheel diameter set-ups but fortunately both my bikes have identical circumferences. I want to try to offset any complaint that the sensor does not work well. Actually, it might require some adjustment of the location so I have a few tips. I've used the CS-400 for years and had zero problems after setup. Setup can be somewhat frustrating sometimes though. That's why I decided to enter my two cents here.

1. Mount the sender/transmitter/pickup device and the monitor on the same side of the bike. These guys don't work very well if there's material between the two. Make sure the monitor is overhanging the handlebar or it can't "see" the transmitter. I can imagine that a fat road bike bar wrapped with rubber tape might cause the unit to be hidden from direct view of the fork-mounted transmitter.
2. Locate/position/install the transmitter very close to the magnet. As close as possible without clicking as it spins past the transmitter. A light will flash one time for each time there's a signal pick up when you're testing to see if there's a pick up between the magnet and the fork-mounted transmitter. Sweet! When the wheel rotates past the transmitter, a dim red light flashes one time. This tells you that the sensor/transmitter is picking up the signal from the magnet. Spint the wheel a few times and you'll hear a beep from the monitor as it automatically turns on. You have to set the program to AutoStart for this "beep-on" feature to work. After a few flashes, the light goes to sleep so if you're still testing after a few minutes you might not get the flash so don't think it's not working. Let it rest a few minutes and start again and you'll see the dim red light flash if the magnet is properly placed.
3. I like to use zip ties to install the hardware but beware, zip ties slip unless pulled very tight with a zip-tie puller which is basicaly a plier-type tool that grabs the tail of the zip and tugs it as tight as you dare to squeeze the handles. Buy or borrow one and the zips will hold forever. Fail to pull zips super tight is a guarantee that something will move after a while.
4. I don't know what kind of cadence magnet they are currently sending in this kit but mine was a tiny flat rectangular shaped magnet with sticky tape and a band of adhesive tape to wrap around the crank arm. Not good enough. A shop gave me a better crank arm magnet which is housed in plastic with a slot for a zip tie. See if you can find one of these for a better way to fasten it to your crank arm.
Final note: Did you ever wonder what we used to be doing with our time before we began to write and read dozens if not hundreds of reviews like these?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Computer is ok but data handling is terrible, April 25, 2009

By 

Markus Dressel (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Polar CS200 Cycling Computer Heart Rate Monitor (2008 Model) (Sports)

I bought this thing so I could not only see the normal stuff you'd see in an average cycle computer but I also wanted to see my heart rate and track my progress over time (average heart rate, calories burned, average speed, etc). It performs all of the basic functions well, including measuring heart rate, but Polar says that you can download your ride information to the polarpersonaltrainer.com to track your progress. This is where they're being dishonest because the polarpersonaltrainer.com website is useless tool for keeping track of your progress or ride data over time.

The first problem is that you can't export data to Excel which would be a nice feature for anyone who wants to see their ride details in different ways. For example, my commute to work is mostly uphill while the ride home is mostly downhill. I'd like to group my data to see my progress on the same route but there's no way to do that.

The biggest problem, however, is the polarpersonaltrainer.com website. It's extremely limited in how it lets you access and display your ride data. You can only graph the four variables listed here in separate bar charts by week: 1) number of training sessions per week, 2) riding duration (time) per week, 3) distance per week and 4) calories burned per week. You can also overlay your average heart rate for each ride on top of the bar charts. Unfortunately, the website won't let you chart average speed, max speed, calories burned for each ride, time spent in heart rate zone, time for each ride and distance for each ride. In other words, you can't view anything other than the four variables listed above, summed up for the week. You can't graph anything, other than avg. heart rate by individual ride. However, you can click on an individual ride to see all of these variables but there's no easy way to chart them or view them in a table to see trends over time.

I also don't like how the sensor batteries are sealed but I knew this before I purchased the product so I can't really complain about it.

The bottom line is this is nothing more than a normal cycling computer plus heart rate monitor for $150. If you're looking for a cycling computer to track your rides and progress over time then you should look for something else because this thing is just going to frustrate you. Don't get me wrong, the basic computer is ok but I just don't think it's worth the money unless there are some serious improvements allowing you to access your data in a better way.