 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Newsletters / June 2005 / Polar RS200sd /
|
|||||||
 | Review of the Polar RS200sd HRM/ S&D monitor |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newsletters / June 2005 / Polar RS200sd /
|
|||||||
| Review of the Polar RS200sd HRM/ S&D monitor |
|||||||
|
"A great new HRM for runners that displays your running speed and distance. If sleek, lightweight and simple are more important than cycling features or fast IR interface – then the RS200sd is right for you." | |
Editor's note: This review was originally published in June 2005. Since then, PC Coach software has added
the capability to download workout files from the RS200sd. Please see our PC Coach 4.6 feature article for details.
Reviewed by Jim Dotter, President, Biometrics, Inc.
Polar has just released a new model for running sports (that’s what the RS stands for) that brings together some of their most compelling technology at a very attractive price. The sd designation means that it includes their breakthrough ‘speed and distance’ footpod, as previously shipped only with their S625X. The cost is a definite breakthrough.
The RS200sd is very, very new. Yesterday, this model landed in the states, today I am trying one out and writing this review, by tomorrow you might be reading it. Good news travels fast. Just think, if you get next-day shipping on your order, it can be on your wrist four days after touch-down.
Normally you might want to wait a bit before buying a new gadget, but the RS200sd is really just a new combination of several well-proven technologies, so there’s not much risk, and Polar’s quality assurance group is a well-oiled machine. Also, the standard 2-year Polar warranty applies. (But be sure to buy from a licensed dealer - like PC Coach - or else the warranty is void).
The RS200sd has a sleek new design and a very aggressive price, and did I mention it tells you your pace and distance? Here is a quick look at the headlines:
Polar’s S1 footpod technology has been available for a full year with the S625X. We have sold a boatload of them, with very few complaints. It gets the job done accurately and with minimal fuss. The ‘sd’ designation in the RS200sd model name indicates that the footpod is included in the package. Be careful when purchasing, because there is also an RS200 (with no sd suffix) that does not include the footpod, and the footpod is not currently available as a separate option.
This new flexible fabric design has won over the hearts and ribs of most of us here, who find it more comfortable and more likely to stay in place than the older plastic style.
If you have a favorite feature of Polar models, it is probably included. They did not skimp in that area. All the necessary items for a good product, such as coded transmission, and all the Polar ‘signature’ scientific advancements, such as fitness test and accurate calories calculation, are present. It even has some new features (although minor) that the high end S625X does not have. More on all these new features later.
This is a new direction for Polar, who sometimes seems to fall short in the style category. This model is slim and very lightweight, and not clunky on the wrist as the S625X sometimes feels. It looks good and feels ‘marvelous’.
There are a lot more good things to say, but those are the top stories. Meanwhile, let’s check in with an overview of what features you give up to get that low price. Given the cost difference, it seems unfair to compare the RS200sd to the S625X. Obviously you get many more features with the S625X - Polar's other model that gives you running speed and distance. Assuming that’s why you’re reading this, here’s what’s ‘left out’ if you will, of the new Polar RS200sd when compared to a Polar S625X. Sorry if this sound negative, but if you want the choose the sd/hrm that's right for you, you should compare them.
While the Polar S625X can accept inputs from the Polar cycling sensors, giving you speed, distance, cadence, and power on the bike, the RS200sd does not. This is not a factor for many athletes, who are primarily runners, or have another cyclecomputer. But if you are a triathlete, and you want to get all your data from one watch, the S625X is a better choice for you.
This will be missed if you like the hills and trails. If you live in the flatlands, no problem!
This is a big drawback if you want to use the download feature every day. This model has the SonicLink download technology and the sonic Uplink technology. It is the same as found in the S410 or S520 or the older Polar Coach. It means you can transfer data in either direction, but only one operation at a time.
SonicLink is also is not as trouble-free as the InfraRed-to-USB method used by the S625X. However, that being said, the RS200sd does have a lot of nice display features that allow you to get simple reports right on the watch face. So if the reason you download is to get reports like weekly mileage, calories burned, or time in zones, you can get that information right from the watch. And, you get to decide when to "reset" the values.
The only way for the PC to communicate with this model currently is via the Polar web service. The Polar PPP software for Windows is not included in this package, and the current version of PPP does not support this model. We anticipate that we will be able to make PC Coach compatible with the RS200sd, as we are today with other SonicLink-based models. This is not ready today, however, and it depends on Polar to share the protocol. They have always done so in the past, so this is likely just around the corner. But in the meantime, the rs200sd only downloads only to the Polar web service.
Also, when you do download to the web service, instead of getting the heart rate and speed data in a nice graph of your workout, you just get summary information for the workout.
Editor's Note: Beginning Dec 16, 2005 - you can download the RS200sd into PC Coach software products.
The RS200sd stores up to 16 workout summary files, so you can download the summary data from up to 16 workouts at once, but summary data (Total time, total distance, ave HR, ave pace, etc) for the workout is all you get. When downloading the RS200sd, you won't get the data samples that create the heart rate and pace graphs (like you get from the S625X), and currently the RS200sd does not download any lap data to the Polar web service (although this is planned as a future addition).
Even with these drawbacks, the RS200sd is a great model. If none of the negatives mentioned above are a deal-breaker, and this slim little monitor has caught your interest, read on to get the skinny on all the features that make it unique.
As mentioned above, the area of the screen that is a full matrix display ( as opposed to alpha-numeric) is the entire top half. This allows them to do some good work guiding you through setup and functions, but the main advantage comes when you go for a run. You can choose to use that top half as either a 2-line display ( so 3 lines total, including the large numbers on the bottom half), or a large single line display which gives, in my case (reading glasses not worn while running) two very large, very readable rows. The best thing about the new display is that the options are so complete that you can put anything anywhere. If pace is your most important data, put it in the large numbers at the bottom, and show heart rate and time in two rows above it. This is a vast improvement from earlier models in this price range, and is almost as nice as the more expensive S625X, which still has more screen real estate.
The watch is well-constructed and looks sport-fashionable. There is nothing cheap-looking about it. Good marks for ergonomics. I could wear this watch all day at the office and out for the evening, which is something I can not honestly say about the S625X.
The strap is lightweight and very comfortable, durable plastic but very flexible. It is incorporated into the body of the watch, which makes it look and feel very streamlined, so it doesn’t catch on things. Compared to the S625X, the RS200sd is much smaller and lighter, and will fit well on just about any wrist.
Since I come from a software perspective, I personally have a difficult time recommending a SonicLink model. This is because some computers have sound cards that disagree with SonicLink, and the SonicLink interface can be slow.
Also, the data that is downloaded from the RS200sd is a lot less than what you get with the S625X. The S625X will give you a heart rate graph that details your heart rate, pace, altitude throughtout your run. The data downloaded from the RS200sd is more of a "summary" - time, distance, avg hr, avg pace, but not the nice heart rate graph you get with the S625X and other IR models.
I realize however, that not everyone is so caught up in the download/upload features. If you don’t see yourself incorporating the computer and software logbook into your regular routine, all this comparison between IR and SonicLink is not a factor for you, and the RS200sd is an excellent choice. If you only want to download summary data - again, this is a fine model. If, however, you are a data geek that may be downloading one or two workouts per day, you probably want the S625X - since the IR to PC interface is so much faster and more reliable, and you get so much more data for analysis.
If running is your primary or only sport, and you’d like speed and distance info while you run; if the price on the S625X is just too high, or you won’t miss the altimeter and the computer interface is not so important; if sleek and lightweight and simple are more important than in-depth data analysis – then the RS200sd is right for you.
Having the pace information along with heart rate while training is a really valuable thing. We have all learned that heart rates can be fickle depending on temperature and humidity and last night’s sleep. Adding pace to the mix brings some well-grounded reality to the whole training process.
I have used both GPS and footpod technology, and the advantages of the footpod are real: they always give you a number regardless of trees or tall buildings; they don’t suck batteries dry at an alarming rate or require you to remember to recharge them. This one does not require you to calibrate it, but if you want exceptional accuracy, you can.
I like the fact that Polar has done a good job with the design and the human interface. The screen and view options are terrific. It looks good and it feels great on the wrist. Perhaps best of all, they have put speed and distance on an equal footing with heart rate. The things you could do with time and heart rate in the past, like controlling your workout, setting limits and autolaps, can all be done with pace or distance now too.
If you use a software log, such as PC Coach, and wish to downloaded all your workout data, and have lots of ways to graph single workouts and long-term progress, then I suggest that you spend the extra money and get the S625X with IR communication, and PC Coach. If you don’t see the computer being a major part of your training program, then you will be happy with the RS200sd.
In closing, I'd like to say that after years of waiting, Polar has finally given runners two great choices in speed and distance monitors - with a clear cost vs. feature benefit to both. I think they are both great choices, and a lot of fun to run with.
Polar page describing the RS200sd
Click here for a full list of the Polar RS200sd features
The Polar RS200sd fits well, even on medium and small wrists. Below, it is shown on a 6.5" wrist.
It fit well, and the strap had plenty of adjustment room to make it smaller or larger.
To order the RS200sd,
call PC Coach at 800-522-6224.
You can now download workout data from the RS200sd directly
into your PC Coach software!
Call 1-800-522-6224to order the Polar RS200sd or any other PC Coach product |
