Polar S725X Pro Team Tour de France Edition Heart Rate Monitor Watch with Free Cadence Sensor

Other products by Polar

Product Features

• Powerful cycling computer with heart rate monitor; measures speed, distance, and training conditions like altitude and temperature
• Wirelessly sends exercise data to PC via infrared connection; can also wirelessly transmit to Nokia 5140i or 5140 cell phones
• Displays your heart rate as beats per minute and percentage of maximum heart rate, average heart rate, and exercise duration
• Ability to enter two different wheel sizes, enabling you to train on two different bikes
• Large easy-to-read display with backlighting and split screen

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Polar S725x cycling heart rate monitor combines the highest level of personal performance data, training conditions like altitude and temperature, and cycling functions. It includes the WearLink coded transmitter, which is made from a soft fabric material that contours to your body's every curve. Featuring a sleek carbon fiber look, it offers a variety of cycling performance measurements, including trip, distance based on interval, speed (current, average, max). It comes with a wireless sensor that measures cycling speed and distance via a magnet rotating on the front or the rear wheel depending on the sensor. It also offers the ability to enter two different wheel sizes, enabling you to train on two different bikes.

This powerful cycling computer enables you record personal performance, running and cycling data plus training conditions like altitude or temperature, then analyze your performance when you download via Infrared technology directly to your PC using the included Polar Precision Performance (PPP) 4.0 software. You can also manage your exercises with a Nokia 5140i or 5140 cellular phone with the MobileLink feature. You'll get instant feedback on your training sessions by reviewing graphical summaries of your exercise on the large color display of the phone. You can also free memory of your Polar product during longer trips by storing the exercise data in the phone.

Train and rest in the right balance. The OwnOptimizer test tells you whether you have recovered enough for your next training session. Based on the test, you are provided with a nice-scale description of your personal training status.

The OwnCal feature shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. It also allows you to set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calorie expenditure. The OwnIndex feature will determine your fitness level, track your improvements, and provide motivation. Polar's OwnCode technology blocks unwanted signals from other heart rate monitors, ensuring disturbance-free transmission of your heart rate data.

Feature Detail:

• Heart rate displayed as BPM (beats per minute) as well as percentage of maximum heart rate
• Time in Target Zone feature calculates the amount of total exercise time spent in your personal target zone
• Automatic lap recording, with 99 maximum laps
• Records maximum and average heart rate of total exercise, maximum average heart rate of each lap, and recovery measurement (heart rate/time)
• Visual exercise reminder appears on the display after three inactive days
• Visual and audible alarm occurs your heart rate and/or speed/pace exceeds the upper limit or falls below the lower limit of your target heart rate zone
• 24-hour clock with day/week indicator, stopwatch, and dual time zone
• Backlit display
• Water resistant to 30 meters

What's in the Box?
S725x heart rate monitor watch unit, wireless transmitter, elastic strap, battery, bike mount, wireless cycling sensor, printed instructions

Manufacturer's Warranty
Two-year limited warranty

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 S725 takes our most popular cycling computer to the next level. The S725 has a sleek carbon fiber look, and a few cool new features. Now you can set your target zones as a % of your max. Download performance data to the Nokia 5140 cell phone for instant feedback, and even send your file to a friend. Finally, spending hours on the bike has never been this comfortable. The new WearLink¿ coded transmitter comes standard with every S725. Made from a soft fabric material, the WearLink¿ transmitter will contour to your body's every curve. Our New S725X has the ability to track running speed and distance with purchase of optional S1 Foot Pod.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 2 inches ; 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000CSI61U
• Item model number: 90027632
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,389 in Sports & Outdoors (See Bestsellers in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great HRM, just a few shortcomings, October 14, 2004

By	Douglas Welzel (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased the s725 as single device to replace my heart rate monitor and bike computer. The s725 seemed to offer all the cycling features, in addition to being a full featured heart rate monitor. While it was certainly not cheap, I am satisfied with my purchase.

In terms of cycling features, it offers everything you would expect: speed, altitude, temperature, cadence and power (both with optional sensor). Both the speed and cadence sensors are wireless and have worked very well despite my worries (I don't own the power sensor, so I can't comment on how well it works). The only time I have encountered interference is when I'm using my HID headlight, and even then it doesn't happen very often. My only gripe here is that both the speed and cadence sensor are kind of big and ugly. Also, the speed sensor can only be mounted on the front of the bike (or so they say). I'd like to have the option to mount it on the rear wheel so I can record speed and distance while using an indoor trainer.

The more general features of the s725 really set it apart from other HRMs. First, each type of data, including heart rate and all of the cycling data can be recorded for the duration of your workout. You can select a sampling rate of every 5, 10, or 15 seconds to ensure the s725 has enough memory for your workout. I record every piece of data except power at 5 second intervals and can usually store about 8 hours of exercise. This is very convenient since you don't have to download your data after every workout.

While I'm on the topic of data recording, I should mention the included software since it is a key piece the s725's appeal. Using an infrared link you can download and manage your workouts using Polar's software. It keeps track of your workouts using a calendar view and allows you to see (and customize) graphs for each of your training sessions. Additionally, you can program the watch (intervals and other options) using the software, saving yourself the fumbling with the small watch buttons.

Anyway, back to the main functionality. During your workout the screen shows three rows of data, which you can rotate using the various buttons on the watch. I like to keep heart rate in the large middle row and then rotate among cadence, time and other pieces of information in the top row as my workout progresses. If you go outside any heart rate bounds you have set the watch will warn you by blinking the heart rate display or emit an audible signal.

So what's wrong with it? My biggest gripe is that the interval training functionality is very inflexible. An interval is defined in terms of heart rate or time, an optional recovery period after each interval and the number of interval repetitions. This means that every interval must be exactly the same. Unfortunately, I have some interval workouts where each interval is a different length. There is no way to program this into the watch so I have to punch the "lap" button every time I begin/end one of these intervals and monitor the lap time throughout the interval. An HRM in this price range should really have more flexible interval configuration.

Before I wrap up, I should mention that the chest strap is vastly improved and much more comfortable than prior models. All but one short segment, which sits in the middle of your chest, is entirely flexible, even the electrodes.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compare S150 to S725X, July 28, 2007

By	A Sturdy Girl (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

Maybe it's an unfair comparison. You can find the S150 online at lots of places for about $80; the S725X is a lot more (although I found it for $250 at Colorado Cyclist). In many ways I was happy with the S150: it appeals to my cheapskate heart, lets me record avg and final HR during intervals (which I simply counted off as laps). Gave me HR AVG and Max for the workout. I never used the cycling functions. Not as nice as my cyclecomputer and the limited data recording didn't really give me any incentive to hassle with that aspect of the HR.

Why I upgraded: S150 only records ONE training session. If you press the wrong button and start a new recording session you lose your data. Interference. The bike path runs under high power lines. Suddenly your heart rate is 220 or just disappears. First off this ruins the HR Max function (no, my heart rate didn't hit 220). Secondly, I often ended up having to cancel and restart the session to get it to start working again, which meant erasing the data (and sometimes feeling like I was trying to guess the size of the fish that got away--the erased data must have been for my most awesome interval set ever!). And of course, the S150 doesn't let you download your data via IR into your computer.

On to the S725X. First, the screen has FAR better contrast and legibility than the S150. I found the menus more intuitive and the manual easier to read, but perhaps this is because my familiarity with the S150 helped me to follow Polar's logic. THis baby is packed with features. You will need to read the manual several times before feeling comfortable with all the functions. I found it very easy to configure, install the speed sensor and roll out the door. Interference from the high power lines is less of a problem (the coded transmitter may help somewhat), but it remains a problem and what is worse, is that it affects reception of speed and distance data as well. I suppose I may just put the wired cyclecomputer back on, but that means I give up being able to plot HR vs. Speed on the Polar Software. (or will I end up having the cyclecomputer and polar measuring speed simultaneously). Because the S725s can be set up to record data every 5 sec, those gaps while cycling on the path are less problematic than losing all data with the S150. In any case, you can record multiple training sessions, so even if you end up starting a new session (say, after you stop for a coffee), you won't lose the one you just closed out.

The nicest feature of the unit is downloading workout info to the software. If you don't have IR on your computer, you can save some money by buying a USB IRDA (I got one for $5) rather than shelling out the $50 that Polar charges.

It also does some interesting tests which purport to give you an indication of your current fitness (an estimate of VO2Max) and of your recovery (based on comparing resting to standing HR). Because the unit tracks those values over time, it can give you an idea of how your training is progressing.

Bottom line: If you don't regularly ride under high-power lines and you can forego the fancy plotting capabilities of the S725X, you could save a bunch of money and go for the older model. It is a good value. If you have the cash to spend, the S725X will help you measure and track your training with geek-like precision. I HIGHLY recommend Joe Friel's Total Heart Rate Training book too. Lots more detailed info than in his Training Bible, much more clearly presented than in recent books by Sally Edwards.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ok, No Mac Compatibility, Battery replacement..., persnickety, December 30, 2006

By	Zozobra (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews

I have used a number of different Polar HR monitors and they seem to be getting better. I use the S725x for mountain bike training, road bike, interval training on a trainer, and for running. The altitude function is nice to have, so is the temperature readings. Once, I repeat only once, I was able to get the date downloaded to my Mac using a special serial adapter I had to purchase. I used this with iSmartTrain software (a great training aid).

Polar engineers would be well advised to figure out the battery problems. (There must be one old engineer at Polar who is stubborn and does not want to face the facts that batteries wear out, and we customers do not want to send the watch back to pay for the batteries to be replaced). By the way, I go through a lot of batteries, both in the watch and the strap. I just replace them myself, and things seem to work fine. I dont like the fact though that the warranty is supposedly void if you change the batteries yourself. Their is a thin o-ring like gasket on the backside of the watch, when you replace the battery you have to be careful with this.

Range of the wireless signal is not that impressive. I purchased the cadence pickup and the bike wheel speed/distance pickup. Nice that they are wireless, but the range from the receiver to these transmitters must be close, and this matters when you want to record indoor training on a trainer (rollers would read off the front wheel of course..).

Alarms: When using the HRM in bike mode, there is some reason, that I forget now, that the S725x can not sound alarms for out of range pulse rates. This is frustrating, since I have to watch out and listen for a PSVT attack.

Interference from bike lights. I use a Light in Motion Li-Ion light for night rides. These pack a lot of power and I am not surprised that when I use it, it interferes electro-magnetically with the S725x and basically I cant use the HRM when I use the light.

Overall, it is a good training tool. I just have a bad attitude towards Polar for (1) the poor battery replacement issues, and (2) no Mac capability.