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Polar s625x
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any other ideas would be good.
Benny.
From reading all the posts, do you have to recalibrate when you go from street to track to treadmill. I run on all three surfaces using different stride length and different sneakers. Will this require recalibratiion?
I guess it will take some days to understand how it works ...
What about the data interface? Do I need to buy a Polar interface or can I use any USB infrared interface?
as for the infrared - any IRDA interface is fine. I use the one built into my laptop - which is fab.
"You can basically trust both ways of calibrating. I like to let the unit
receive the last information, and then stop the calibration when the unit
is no longer receiving data. You can also stop the unit right away when
hitting the goal line. In that case the calibration will be a little bit
different, because the last data is not arriving, however, the formula will
still correct the data so whether the unit is showing 420 or 380 meters
during a 400 meter calibration, then the result will be 400 meters. The
foot sensor know that by running like you do, then the result will be 400
meters no matter whether the S1 measures 380, 400 or 420 meters. That is
the good thing about the calibration formula. You can try different
distances, and ways to calibrate, and then use the calibration which you
find best and most accurate.
There can be some small differences in the data which you see in the PPP4,
compared to the data which you see in the S625x wrist unit. The reason for
that is that the S625x display is updated constantly, but the data which
you transfer to the PPP4 software is taken from samples which (depend on
the REC RATE which you have set in the S625x). Make sure that you have
chosen 5 sec rec rate.
The data in the wrist unit is the most accurate, however our software team
is working constantly, and maybe we will find a solution about how to
transfer the exact results from the wrist receiver to the PPP SW. We have
the Polar S810i which can measure beat to beat, or so-called RR-Recording.
When using RR-Recording, then every single beat is transferred to the PPP4
software. Though the memory is naturally limited.
1200 meters or more are good calibration distances. That gives the S625x
and S1 running sensor time to make a good the best calibration factor for
your running style."
"
Thank you for passing on this email. It is very nice that you have such a
high level conversation on runnersworld. We will try to assist as fast as
possible when there is a question. However, unfortunately we can not visit
all the forums all the time, so please send all the questions to
helpdesk@polar.fi Then we will try to solve the issues asap.
It is true that you can not see the lap distance, only the exercise
distance. However, if you set the interval, and distance based, then there
is a counter which counts down how much you need to run before the next
interval/recovery starts. I find that very useful, and use it often when
running/walking.
You can not see the average pace, but you can see the average speed. That
is atleast enough for me in order to find out my average pace. Further, if
the pace limits are well set, then the runner has to run basically at
his/her pace in order to avoid the audible alarm, so the average pace has
to be very close to the preset pace limits.
Actually the power used when doing heart touch is so small, that it will
not use up the battery. You can not deactivate the heart touch function,
that is correct. However there is one easy way to avoid heart touch, and
that is by not putting the wrist receiver close to your chest transmitter.
I never use heart touch, but have not had any problems as I dont just put
the receiver close to my chest receiver.
Once again, thank you for all the questions and feedback. It is very
valuable for us."
Number 1 I went for a run last night at a fast (for me) pace and when running hard up a steep hill my heart rate read as 101% or 190 bpm. Now I'm 33 so using the tried and tested formula my max hr should have been 187bpm and using polar's test it came as 188bpm. Now I ran at between 186 and 190bpm for approx. 4 minutes solid. What does this mean? Am I some kind of freak? Generally at rest the HRM is accurate for sure as it corresponds with my pulse so what is wrong my max hr or the hrm itself? PS. My resting HR is approx. 54 bpm. Also how accurate is the VO2 max figure from the polar test and what does it actually mean anyway, mine is 57 but that means bugger all to me. I'm certainly no superman as my fastest mile is 6.5 mins and my fastest 5 mile is 44 mins.
Finally on this topic, how would I get a completely accurate max hr and vo2 max figure for myself? is it a GP job?
Now the second thing.............. At the front door of my house the other night I started recording my exercise set but had forgotten to switch on the footpod. I stood around chatting to the missus for a minute or two and then looked at the display, it showed a pace of 5:36sec per mile and a distance of 0.05 miles even though footpod was OFF and I hadn't gone anywhere. I cancelled the session and started it again with the footpod switched on and everything was fine. Anyway I have now tried this several times and it is always the same, on an exercise set with the running function activated if I start recording WITHOUT the footpod switched on it defaults to a pace of around 5:34 to 5:36 per mile and notches up the distance accordingly without you going anywhere. Will you guys please try this too and let me know if its the same for you. Your feedback on either or both of these points would be appreciated.
I tried the same as you, again I was on my way out talking to my missus and reassuring the kids I wouldn't fall into the canal… the display on the watch says “Check Sensor” if the foot pod is not on and if cleared will return after 20 seconds or so – If I wanted to run without the sensor I think this would annoy me.
I also switched the pod off on my warm-down (just to save 5 minutes worth of battery juice) and again the display eventually changes to “Check Sensor”.
A problem I have had is switching the foot pod on, sometimes it switches on and starts flashing after holding the button for 10 seconds, but a couple of times it has taken a good 30 seconds+, holding that little button for that time makes my thumb sore – ahhhh
TT
Benny.
Interesting points there.
For point 1 - I would say that you now have a new maximum HR! The formulas don't work for everyone as a spot on figure, and it is more likely that you will be a good couple of beats either side of your age calculated max.
It is unlikely that the HRM was giving a wrong reading, unless you were being electrically interfered with - and then you would expect the spike to be much bigger.
Were you really going for it?
On point 2, I haven't noticed that, but will try it out today.
Been reading this thread for last few weeks and in the end gave in a nd bought one of these devices. Wow its great.
However just like a number of you had a few problems mostly to do with data transfer between watch and PC (and back again). Anyway after chasing around for answers I logged onto the Polar site and found a newer version of the PC s/w. Downloaded it yesterday and now all seems to work ok. Have succesfully sent excercises from PC to watch and back again and now it does not seem to corrupt/modify.
Also having read that many of you are having problems with measured distances, I was determined to calibrate right from the off.
As I do have a GPS I used this to measure and exact mile, then as per manual calibrated watch. I have now completed 3 runs over the sames distance (I know - boring) and each time it was well within 98%- 99% accuracy.
One thing I do have an issue with is the altitude. I have set this to on and (using my GPS) entered the altitude for my home (310ft) however as soon as I start running from my house it drops to 260 although the road is flat. More interestingly whenever I get back the altitude differs from the start by upto 70ft!
Anyway must get on with some work, but hope this may help.
cheers,
Jon
It is a bit odd, but does it matter? Just don't forget to turn the pod on!!
Just went for a plod in my new shoes, changed the pod from old to new, and it still read the same distance - which is great.
Tip of the day (from Finland and relating to the S625x)):
"If you place the S1 high up on the shoe, then the measurement becomes most accurate and consistant. That is due to the foot pod will be be affected by the movement of the lower part of the foot, and that it will
remain tighter than if placed on the lower part of the shoe."
So there you go.
To Tallbird, yes, I was giving it some Dixie running at 8.5 min a mile pace up a steep hill when I would normally do about 11 min/mile. I was out for a run with my boss who is a much faster runner and was trying hard to keep up. Does a higher max rate mean I'm fitter or less fit?
The pod spider is the same size as my laces, so I'm not sure if I could get it any higher!
The only thing you can change is your resting HR.
I tried to do a max HR test (running up and down a big hill) but my legs gave out before my heart did and I didn't get it as high as I have seen it before.
Best place to 'get' your max HR - last 200m of a race!!
I'm writting you from Argentina. I've been reading you for the last weeks.
I think it's going to take a lot of time since we have this kind of watches in this country. =(
Luckily I have a friend living in Madrid, that's coming next thursday and she has bought one for me!!!
I'm very anxious, I've downloaded the manual from Polar's web page and I'm done with it!
I'm using an Accurex Plus, but I think using the footpod it's going to be amazing!
Sorry about my English!
Cheers,
Saga.
If I look at the display straight-on it looks fine.
I'll see if I can take a photo and post a link to it here.
I would like to buy one S-625X, but I want to know how exactly device is about distance and speed?. Could anyone say me that?.
Thanks in advance.
I was reading all questions and answers about it, but only few people are sure when S625X measures speed and distance.
Cheers
How are you calibrating altitude?
Based on a topographic map I know that the altitude at my house is exactly 183ft, so if I'm leaving from my house I calibrate my altimeter to that. I'm also an avid skier and I know the elevation at ski resorts, summits, road passes, etc. so I can calibrate my unit when I reach these known-elevation points.
Are altitude and ascent applicable to runners? To me Yes. Since I do a lot of backcountry traveling it is very valuable for numerous reasons including navigation, reporting, tracking trip progress, etc. At the very least you should enable the altitude function so you can see hills when you graph your workouts.
If you only care about ascent and seeing hills in your graphs then in theory it's never necessary to calibrate your unit as the elevation difference between two points over a small span of time (ie, the time it takes you to run up a hill) will be virtually identical to if you unit was calirbated.
I started without calibration and got a 9.9 km reading on the wrist unit for a route which should be 10.55 km - rather disappointing, more than 6% difference. I still don't have an IR interface so I'm not able to see a more precise distance. The display should display more digits ...
Yesterday I did a calibration run (5 laps on a 400m track). I stopped the calibration immediately after completing the last lap (as suggested by Laszlo) and got a factor of 1074. Wow, that 7.4% difference.
However, this factor makes 10.63km out of 9.9 km which means only 80m difference for 10.55 km. Plus I didn't ran the shortest line when running on the 10.55km route - so this were some extra meters.
So the result is pretty good. The calibration run was done with a speed of about 5 min/km on a rather soft surface and the 10.55 km run was at a speed of about 4 min/km on asphalt. Amazing ...
The altimeter also works fine. I had a difference of less than 2 meters on three 1-hour-runs when I returned to the starting point and a difference of 4 meters on a 2.5-hours-run. Pretty good! However, I also had one run with a difference of 7 meters, but on this run the weather changed from cloudy sky to rain.
So far I'm quite happy :-)
I would like to present some new observations regarding S625X and my testing work:
- The wireless transminsion from footpod S1 to wrist unit S625X is very sensitive for elektro-magnetic noise like: high voltage lines, tramway... You can hear two short bips and sometimes (with very high noise) you can read on the display "check sensor"... on PC aplication you can see the abnormal values (chart). This problem applay rather S1 only... the HR transmiter can work without disruption.
- Maybe it will not be the surprise that the accuracy of distance/speed measurement depends on type of surface/style of run/ pace (under test) and ... as well type of shoes. (accelerometer technology)
Yes, you have to calibrate S625X for every used type of shoes ! (just remember the calibration factor eg. 1005 or 990...) My example:
- For the Nike Air Pegasus Storm (very good cushion) I use the calibration factor 1000 - 1005.
- I have bought Asics Nimbus VI (top cushion model from Asics but.. not such cushioned like Nike Pegasus) and I have noticed 200m difference per every 10km. After several tests I have got the correct calibration factor for these shoes - 979 (21m less at 1km)
Now, I'm testing how big influence has the speed of run on the accuracy of measurement (I have noticed some differences).
Regards
Laszlo