Customer Reviews

SIGMA ONYX Pro Heart Rate Monitor Watch

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Overall, this is a great product. The functions are easy to use and I like the multiple memory function.

I would rate if 5 stars if not for one annoying thing. The strap must be really wet for the watch to pick up the signal. That's no problem in warm weather, but riding (my bicycle) in cold weather, or riding an easy recovery day where I don't really sweat, the strap loses the heart signal. I have used heart monitors from two other brands (yes, one was the big "P" brand) and didn't experience this problem on easy days.

Losing the heart signal temporarily wouldn't necessarily be a problem, but what usually happens is it registers an abnormally high heart rate (like 205 bpm) when I'm trying to hold my maximum to say, 145 bpm. It's frustrating to read the data after the ride to discover you don't know what your maximum really was.

If you're the type who sweats a lot, or you use it in warm weather, it is worth 5 stars. Otherwise, it is a 3 star rating if you use it like I do.

This is my fourth HRM and I have used/own other popular brands and models including Polar, Oregon Scientific and Reebok. Wonder why I have four, I think once you get in to the metrics world and actually observe that smart training has major impact and you strive for the perfect equipment and of course..Just because !! :)

Here is my initial product definition requirements (Note - I summarized what my needs are before I started searching for the right product)

1. Constant heart rate display with options to quickly check for KCAL burnt, Check time, Average HRM.
2. HR Zone and ability to customize the interval and zone parameters
3. Endurance trainer and preferably have the ability to customize own routine
4. Memory to store my workout data for future reference (Ideally the watch should interact with my computer but if the price point was an indulgence, then it should at least have workout summary in memory for at least a week)
5. Chest belt can be replaced easily
6. The product should have decent website and I can actually look up information and address issues
7. MOST important - I should be able to change the batteries and avoid paying over the cost of watch for maintenance (Case in point my POLAR watch - Great equipment but hate the fact I have to send a product that I paid for in full to service center to have it replaced and pay for shipping and battery which is almost 40% of the watch cost)
8. Finally - Price. I'm a value hunter and I wanted a midpoint between features and price and budget was $100.

The value -
1. All my technical requirements were easily met and I had additional features like "Custom name" - The watch displays your name.
2. I love the multi-line display and the functions are nothing but logical. The manual with it's tiny print and multiple language can scare people, [...]
3. Price - The seller I got it from through Amazon had a decent deal for 80 bucks and you surely cannot go wrong with the price point for the features.

The technical meat -
1. The chest strap and watch synchronization is perfect every time. Compared readings to my other heart rate monitors and gym equipment and it's right on dot.
2. User profile customization is neat (Gender, Weight, height and watch calculates your ideal HR zones)
3. Endurance trainer is a real test and love the fact it keeps me motivated. The custom program allows you to set your preferences like warm up time can be increased to 10 minutes or more and like wise for workout and cool down. Device supports monitoring by time, distance and HR threshold.
4. The interval training mode is perfect for weight training.
5. If you are in to Marathons, this model supports a 42k, 21k, 11k tracking with HRM and LAPS (50)
6. This model supports IAT (individual anerobic threshold) - Now whether this method of training is effective or not is a different topic but the device can help you focus on your training based on your max heart rate.

Final conclusion -
1. Sigma Sport Onyx Pro effectively offers same and more features at about half the price of it's rivals.
2. Online research indicates the company is based in Germany and seems have good market share in europe and is knows for it's HRM devices for Cycling.
3. The watch and Chest trap construction is durable and the device actually looks clean without crazy offroading looks. If I can get at least 3 years with an investement of 2 dollars for batteries every 3-4 months, I got my returns for the investment.

From the original review, I would now rate it at 2 stars.

Really like the product; very comfortable for 4-5 hours of wear and a comfortable strap...not that hard plastic that makes so many others uncomfortable.

But, the multiple language documentation is really poor. I just want to be able to set the time and my workout parameters...tell me how...easily, please!

It has become more frustrating as I wear the product. The buttons are confusing and it continues to drop the HR function to a lesser screen that I cannot access while riding, pushing buttons, swearing, and staying on course.

It would still be 5 stars if the documentation was readable and understandable.

This is my first heart rate monitor. I researched quite a few, including the Polar and the Garmin GPS / heart rate monitor. For the money, I think the Sigma Onyx Pro is a good deal given the features.

I use the Sigma mainly to help with my bicycle riding workouts, which include both indoor (trainer) and outside.

PROS:

* The display includes the current heart rate and a range bar to show you where you are within the target range. This is helpful when visibility is a bit low, for example when riding your bike in the rain. I was able to see at least my approximate heart rate even while riding in the rain for over an hour with my glasses full of water.
* The countdown time for the warmup, workout, and warmdown is helpful.
* The chest strap is not problem at all. After I've had it on for 5 minutes and started riding, I don't even realize that it's there.
* The memory includes several days worth of training. The information stored in the memory includes: target heart rate; training time within the zone; percentage of time within the target range. This should be enough to help properly guide training and track progress;

CONS:
* The elapsed time for the workout (or warmup and cooldown) alternates between the actual countdown timer and the current workout phase (warmup, workout, cooldown). When riding a bicycle, this is a pain. The countdown timer alternates every 3-4 seconds. When I'm riding my bike quite often I look down to check the countdown time and I see the current workout phase, not the time. That means that I need to look down more often than I would like to see the actual countdown timer. That can be bad when riding on roads with even moderate traffic.
* The display includes the countdown timer, the heart rate range bar, the heart rate, and total time. The countdown timer display is a bit small making it difficult to see while riding. I would gladly give up the total time display to provide more space for the countdown time so it would be easier to see.
* The adapter that is provided to allow you to attach the monitor to bicycle handlebars is essentially useless. It is far to small for my bicycle (which is a typical road bike). If you simply strap the monitor to the handle bars using the wrist strap alone, it is not as tight as it should be to prevent movement while riding.

Another reviewer has indicated that the buttons are a problem, especially having to press buttons twice in some cases and holding down the buttons for 2 secs to get started. I don't find this a problem because it prevents accidental selection. Although, I can see how some people may not like this.

I bought this HRM because it seemed to have better features than the equivalently priced HRMs from Polar. After having used it for several weeks, I can say that I am perfectly happy with it, with the exception of some minor features that I would change or enable the users to adjust according to their preference. The overall performance is very good and only very rarely did I get a "no signal" indication, and this was possibly due to a loose fit of the strap. The watch is simple and elegantly designed and I now wear it all the time. The % heart rate indicators are excellent and enable quick evaluation of your target and actual heart rates. The bike adaptor is a good idea and very useful when cycling.

The only annoying features are:

1. The buttons are a bit bulky and it's difficult to press a button without pressing an unwanted button on the other side of the watch.

2. Every time you press a button, you need to press twice - once to turn on the backlight (unnecessary on most occasions and also consumes more battery power) and then again to operate the feature you need.

3. The chest strap is a bit bulky, but similar to the straps on the lower-priced Polar models.

Overall, I'm happy with this HRM and I think it gives good value for your money. Recommended if you're not very picky about the comfort of the "user interface".

I bought the Sigma Onyx Pro heart rate monitor from amazon and have been using for over a month now, this is the first heart rate monitor i'm ever using, but so far i'm very pleased with the unit, it's fairly simply to use and navigate around for the average user. So far i'm really getting the hang of it, i look forward to a new year 2010 of training with it, it help me to keep into the zones i need to be in on specific days and specific part of rides.

I recommend it as a very good training monitor.

Excellent HR monitor. I use it for S,B,R workouts weekly. It records swimming HR with no problems. It is usually about 20bpm lower in the water, but that only took about 2 session to figure out the difference. I have been training with HR for over 10 years, so I was able to use RPE to match HR pretty easy. Overall totally awesome monitor for not having the features of the more expensive Timex and the 310XT. It has everything I need, does laps with HR splits as well as time. I really like the recovery mode. Zones are programmable, has a marathon mode for racing. The watch strap is user replaceable, probably a proprietary strap, but I will just find some leather and make my own. User replaceable batteries. I have used it in several races and long bricks up to 6hrs in endurance. It has performed awesome on each occasion. Bang for the buck Polar, Timex, nor Garmin can match the features. Check out oem website for full details. I have used several Sigma products from cycling computers to my previous HR monitor. I have had nothing but success from their products. In fact the last HR monitor lasted the full 10 years, and I only replaced because the water seal wore out. I still use it as a daily watch though. The Onyx Pro is a much improved upgrade. I am glad I didn't get the 310XT yet, the 910XT was just released, and I am sure there are several smartphone apps in the works. For now this is a perfect product for all athletes, pros and beginners, of any sport.

Very good model, have been using it for two years already. When battery level goes down, figures on the screen become very dim and difficult to see, but calories still keep counting. There were couple times when I was able to see extremely high heart rate exceeding 222, which is impossible to imagine for anyone, but this must have been caused by some signal problem. Otherwise works very well. Function used most frequently is Free training which is good for playing tennis. If you don't run, Laps function is almost unsuable.

had this watch for 1 month, ran in the rain, and now the watch is full of water and doesn't work..... very frustrating

I am starting using it in my trainning, first I changed the belt batery -there were some periods with missing HR- now is working 100%.
Up to now, I am using it on the "training endurance own", where it give you the total time and the parcials on diferent HR zones, and save it on diferent memories, looks very flexible and complete.
The funtions -tree diagram- is frienly, and de display looks good to interpre it if you need reading glasses -and not carry them when you are running- this is someting i was concern when i chose my new a HR monitor. It is a not well exploted niche for older people 45+ who use reading glases