Customer Reviews

Polar RS400 Heart Rate Monitor Watch

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Like many (at least based upon the countless reports I found in several forums), I experienced problems in transferring the data from the watch through IR to my computer (I've spend hours on it to the point I was ready to return the watch). To make a long story short and not to end up in endless technical reasons why the connection can/cannot work, for everyone having IR connection problems make sure you place the watch next (and I really mean next, just a couple mm, not inches or cm's) to your IR port on your computer. Also, the IR transmitter on your watch is NOT the red bottum but are the 2 very small holes above the letters O and A of POLAR.
Once you do this, it will very likely solve your problem. I had problems connecting with both my laptops, one with a build in IR port, the other with an external (USB) IR transmitter. The watch seems to have a very short IR transmitting range.


Other than that, the watch does what it is supposed to do. I still find it pretty expensive for what it is but there are not a lot of options if you want to have a HR monitor with all these features. I use the watch for swimming, bicycling and running. So far, so good. I have used it for about 50 hours now.

Good luck

I'll start by saying this is a great gadget all-around. It's not something you can just strap on and run out the door with though, you need to read the manual carefully and completely to truly appreciate what this computer can do for you. Also, read all of the HELP file in the Pro Trainer sfotware that comes in the box.

There are so many things this computer can do for your training from beginner to advance that I couldn't possibly comment on them all, so I'll just go over my personal favorites. But first, and extremely brief introduction of myself so you may know if you are receiving usable information for yourself. I am 35 years old, about 50 lbs overweight, having gradually gaining weight over the last 10 years or so from a very healthy frame. I'm no stranger to exercise, except maybe the last several years. I have a gym membership I never use(d) and a perfect 10 mile running trail right outside my office door I never use(d). I am fairly tech-savvy and I lie to play with electronics, but I have no degree in the stuff. I have been trying to get on a running/jogging routine for almost a year now with no success at persistence. Until now...

This watch changed everything. The first thing it when I got it was hook myself up to it and head out the door, turn it on, then stood at the end of my driveway for 30 minutes trying to figure out how to use it. I went back inside with a heart beat of about 150 BPM nopt from exercise, but from frustration. What did I just get myself into? I just want to exercise I don't want a mess of electronics to fight... back inside to read the manual.

I spent an hour reading up on the basics, enough to go back out and get a workout in. I figured I could keep schooling myself with the long but well written manuals for the watch and software while I workout for a couple of days. Then later when I figured it all out I could find/create a workout and load it onto the software and the watch, and follow the workout. And that is exactly what I did, and I recommend it to you to do so as well.

The first thing I realized, on my very first walk after getting a training plan onto the watch, was that I have no need whatsoever to run; at least not now, and probably not for a while. The watch tells you to keep your heart rate within certain predetermined zones for a given amount of time. Going over would be over training and over time a major cause of de-motivation. Going under would be, well, not working out at all.

So the watch starts beeping at me and I see it wants me to get my heart rate (HR) up to zone 3, which for me is around between 121 and 135 beats per minute (BPM). I start to jog lightly, just like I always had when starting a routing in the past. After less than a minute the watch starts beeping at me and I see that I have exceeded 150 BPM which is zone 4, an anaerobic zone for serious athletes, NOT fat guys on Dec 26th with a belly full of leftovers bouncing along a sidewalk in his neighborhood and a $250 fancy watch. Geez no wonder I never stuck to my program!

I've been at it for about a few weeks now, and I can tell that I was over training in the past, just by how I feel before, during, and after I work out. I have a great source of knowledge and motivation in my corner; I work with several marathon runners at my office. They agree unanimously that my routine is spot-on. Except for the rare heavy workout every few weeks coming up in my exercise plan, I should feel an energizing from my workouts; before, during, and after. I've begun to feel this great state of euphoria when I near the end of my workout, which is also normal (as long as you don't see a tunnel and a light, and if you do, you probably pushed it a little to hard and the watch will no longer be of use to you).

So there's the exercise routing part of the watch. If you don't even plan on going that far, and you just want to know what your heart rate is, there are cheaper computers out there. Get one of those. The exercise plan is just the beginning of what this watch can do for you.

When you exercise regularly, your body adapts by strengthening your body (and mind) in so many ways. If you keep doing the same thing over and over, your body will adapt completely. You'll no longer be doing anything more than getting fresh air. Its kind of like if you went out and had a slow walk for 5 minutes on your sidewalk. You've already adapted to that and probably won't get much other than reversing the sag you have going on in your vital signs. To the inverse, if you try to get results by exercising too hard, you'll over train. Some over training every few weeks is good. Being in a STATE of over training is BAD. Very bad.

It's my belief that over training is what gets inactive people like myself to quit an exercise plan. It hurts all over, however, you think its working because it hurts, and the short-term feeling of self accomplishment keeps you going but for only a short while.

The RS400 has a test within itself called "OwnOptimiser" which is a simple test involving lying down for 3 minutes then standing up and holding still for another 3 minutes. All the while the watch is checking your pulse BPM and variations, which it compares to your previous tests (you do this a few times a week) to determine how hard you've been at it and whether or not you should push harder, back off a bit, back off a lot, or keep doing what your doing. This keeps you improving at the most efficient level of activity possible.

The "OwnOptimiser" feature, along with the ability to transfer exercise data to and from the watch and software, including a training plan, make this watch worth every penny in my opinion.

It is my first heart rate monitor (HRM) so I can't compare it to others. But now I will do the best I can do be critical of the device...

#1 The buttons get pushed accidentally very easily, particularly when not exercising. That problem, combined with it's giant ugly red button make it unusable for anything other than exercise, so the $250 watch sits in my gym bag when I'm not exercising. I would like to use my $250 all day long as my casual watch if I were given the realistic option.

#2 There's a bunch of push within the owner's manual for the watch and software to use the online version of the software. It's a great site, with great info and great training plans that are INCOMPATIBLE with the RS400!!! Polar, why are you suggesting I use training programs I cannot load onto my watch? That is very foolish on your part. You should have a compatible version of every training program you have on that website for every data transferring HRM you have in your portfolio, and I shouldn't have to suggest that.

In the end, I am very happy with the watch and the software it came with. I am more energetic, even after a few short weeks, and more excited about exercising than I have been in years. The watch is becoming second-nature to use. I'm not really analyzing my workouts yet.. I'm just walking on the sidewalk for cryin' out loud. But I will step it up, as my HRM tells me its time to, and it'll get more useful. With the level of knowledge this HRM provides me, I plan to stay on track with exercise longer than I ever have in the past. And the twiggy marathon runners I'm surrounded by agree 100%.

fin.

I have no problems with the IR transfer others have mentioned, although this has been problematic on my two previous models (one i broke and one I gave to a friend as an excuse to buy this cool new one). My S610 worked well for the first couple of years but then struggled to connect via IR. One thing I will say is steer very clear of that Polar after marker IR device (see my other review on that specifically). It is an absolute overpriced piece of garbage (I usually don't speak out that strongly against something but after spending $120 on two of them I want to help others not flush good money down the drain). For $20 you can get a Startech model that works flawlessly. I use this monitor 5 days a week and the Polar Precision Performance software that comes with it is solid. I do recommend upgrading to a model that includes this software as their weblink tool is pretty worthless (my wife uses it because her F55 is not supported by the Polar Precision Performance software). Overall though the Polar watches and chest bands are the best.

I've actually owned two of these. I wanted to upgrade from the RS200, and initially was very satisfied. However, about a month after purchasing this, the watch face became very scratched for no particular reason. Then the watch just died (after only 3 months) - no new battery would help. The watch eventually was replaced after a month of arguing with Polar. I've now had my second watch for over a year. It is working fine, but the watch face has become so scratched that it is very difficult to read when you are working out. I know that the scratched face is undoubtedly because of me, but the design of this watch is clearly different from that of the RS200, which never had the same problem.

I got the RS400 to replace the Polar 625X--which failed to connect to my computer just after the warranty expired. key thing about this device is being able to download data to the computer to use the analyzing software. Unfortunatly, I am RETURNING the RS 400 becuase it FAILS TO DOWNOAD to the computer--even using the very expensive POLAR brand IRD interface device. The old watch (625x) was always very touchy to download, took many tries. This fails to transfer at all. I've had the Garmin 305 for 2years and love it. It downloads thru a USB connector every time. the only reason I tried to get polar again is to for the OWN INDEX test. But I don't need to spend $249 for only that functoin when the Garmin 305 does everything else and also has a robust analytical software program (but you cannot print it). really wanted to give Polar another chance and really disappointed. GET THE GARMIN 305 INSTEAD!
-middled aged female athlete

This is my second polar (I had a M32 years ago) and my second, and last, deception too - Let me start saying that polar really uses cheap materials to build their monitors. This is an expensive model and yet the plastic it's made of is so cheap.. The rubber band did not last for more than 14 months (properly fixed by polar themselves as it was still in the warranty period). It scratches so easily etc.

But this is not the main disappointing factor. The main problem is that just like the M32, this monitor also worked for only a little over 18 months... After that it starts showing either crazy readings (like my heart at > 200bpm while I'm watching TV at home seating on my couch) or no reading at all. Batteries? Well, no, Polar changed the batteries of the watch when they fixed the band and I changed the ones for the wearlink myself - the problem remains. And if it was the battery I would be disapointed anyways since it's been only 18 months. Of course I could use the warranty and have it fixed by Polar again, but why bother? I had the M32 and it was the same drama... it keeps getting crazy and then at some point you don't have the warranty any longer and end up with this piece of useless thing that it's even not that nice as a watch itself (you can get much better and quality digital watches for 1/5 of this price). This one will have the same fate as my old M32: the trash can.

And I know this is not something that happened only to me since I've been talking to some friends who are always Polar users and at least a couple of them reported exactly the same problems with their watches (even different models).

I would give it 0 stars if I could, but since the Polar customer service was always so correct with me I will give it 1 star. Goodbye Polar, I will never have another of your monitors again..

I have had 3 Polar watches and bought another as a present. Although the RS200 and this RS400 record data they are cheaply made and the buttons don't work first without pressing numerous time. Very disappointing - Do not recommend.

Often products that have a multitude of functions and settings can be a little daunting. I was a bit concerned that this heart rate monitor would be too difficult to program, but was really interested in having the ability to program/customize my own workout zones. Much to my delight, the watch is very simple to program, the directions are easily understood, and I am able to transfer data back and forth between my watch and my laptop via the infrared function. (People with computers without infrared readers will need to purchase the optional cable.) I now have records of my workouts and am able to plan my interval training in advance and program the workouts, including 5 zones, into the watch. The only downside is that there is not a design/color option for women. The watch appears to have been designed more for a man than a woman.

The RS400 is my fourth Polar monitor. The electronic part, software and ease of use are very well designed and implemented. I must however admit, that I was very disappointed with the poor craftsmanship and materials.

The S610i which served me for many years was battle proven. It was very durable, the glass was not scratched easily, water did not penetrate into the watch easily, and I thought it was the perfect training companion.

This is exactly why I was so disappointed with the RS400. I bought it because of the new look, the fact that polar was shifting most of their production to a new line similar to the RS. Series, the fact that the transmitting belt operated in two frequencies, which enable me to read my pulse while traveling in various gyms of various hotels, and still get WIND technology sleek, no interference operation.

The supporting software is also very good.

Very quickly I learned that the watch is not built very well: the red start button sometimes is quite stubborn, you really have to convince it to operate. The glass is built in such a way that it's being constantly and easily scratched, even on normal, day to day circumstances. The watch is very sensitive to water, and even in very shallow water in the pool you will notice small signs of evaporation on top of the glass.

I tried to ask the Israeli agent how much will it cost to replace the glass and the answer was over US$100.

Unfortunately Polar has stopped producing the former models, and they are hard to get by.

Hope Polar will read some of the customers comments and go back to produce their previous, durable models.

I got this watch in April. In May, it began to have troubles-- switched screen even when buttons were locked, zoomed in on screens and the manual gave no clue how to fix, deleted profiles. I contacted Polar twice-- no answer. In June, it stopped working altogether. I gave it to my healthclub who gave it to a Polar rep, who held on to it for 2 months, and then gave it back saying that I needed to mail to Polar directly. So, I've had the watch less than five months, it's worked less than one month, and Polar has been disappointing. Garmin, Timex and others have similar features and can't be worse in taking care of you after sale.