Customer Reviews

Polar S-720

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I waited several months for this watch to arrive as was on backorder at every dealer I could locate. So when I finally received it, I was rather disappointed the instant I opened the cardboard shipping box. My first impression is that it looks like it was designed by Fisher Price. The watch is very large compared to the other Polar watches, which are typically a bit larger than a conventional digital watch. Clearly, it could never double as watch for any other purpose but exercise as it looks quite goofy due to its thickness and large red button.

Bicycle Functions:
Basically, the Polar S-710 is a computer that, among many other functions, tells time and has a wrist strap. It can determine time, elapsed time, temperature, altitude, heart rate, speed (bicycle), cadence (bicycle), and power (bicycle). What makes it somewhat unique is that it comes with several bicycle functions, including speed, which is made possible through a wireless speed sensor that is included with the watch. A cadence sensor can purchased as can a rather sophisticated and expensive power sensor ($400+). Amazingly, the latter can determine power output (in watts) by measuring the vibration of the bicycle chain and its velocity. The accuracy is claimed to be within 15%.

Heart Rate Functions:
The heart rate set of functions work quite well. Of course, like other heart rate sensors, you must use the included heart rate sensors. There are numerous settings for lower and upper limits which are nice for the sophisticated user.

Data and Transmission Functions:
Lastly, the watch, like a regular computer, can hold up to 48 hours of memory and upload it to a PC via a built-in IR transmitter. The annoying downside is that it doesn't work with a conventional IR receiver on most laptops. To get the data from the watch to the computer, one must purchase a USB IR receiver for US$40. I actually got through to the engineering team at Polar and they claimed that Microsoft changed the standard in Win98 that made it impossible to use convention built-in IR receivers. From what I can tell, they have four+ years to mitigate this problem and haven't.

User's Manual and Learning Curve:
I consider myself a fast learner (who was formerly an engineer) and was rather surprised when I first perused the 100+ page manual. Basically, the combinations of pressing different buttons is rather confusing (100x more complicated than programming a VCR). Honestly, this watch is for the serious user only. Expect to spend hours reading the manual.
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