GPS Running Watch Review

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Reviews

Polar RS800CX Review

August 16th, 2009

Click Here To Learn More About The Polar RS800CX

Specifications

Dimensions: 2.3 x 2.3 inches (5.84 x 5.84 cm)
Primary Use: Cross Sport Training
Weight: 3.5 oz (99.22 g)
Average Heart Rate: Yes
HR Zone Alarms: Yes
Heart Rate Zones: 3
Heart Rate Memory: Yes
Calories Usage: Yes
Lap Timer: 99 laps

GPS sensor included: Yes
PC Compatible: Yes
Illumination: Yes
Software Included: Polar ProTrainer 5
Altitude Function: Yes
GPS Enabled: Yes
Water Resistance: 50m
Replaceable Battery: Yes

Pros

Compact design
Excellent heart rate monitor
Infrared data transmission to PC

Cons

Poorly organized documentation
Small display – not color
Software not Mac compatible

Ratings

Score (Rank)

Value: 8.75/10 (3)
Performance/Ease of Use: 8.25/10 (4)
Quality: 8.75/10 (3)
Size/weight: 8.5/10 (3)
Overall Rating: 8.25/10 (4)

Review

The Polar RS800CX GPS watch is a stylish GPS enabled sports watch that allows you to improve the overall quality of workouts that you are receiving by using an assortment of different tools that can accurately tell you if you are on target for your training goals. Through the use of its W.I.N.D. transmitter you can use the next generation technologies to monitor your heart rate and other important information in order to have the most effective workout possible.

The RS800CX has dimensions of 2.3 x 2.3 inches; it weighs 3.5 ounces and it is waterproof up to 20 meters.

The sports watch can be used for a wide variety of sports. It can be mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle. The watch also has many different customizable features that make it ideal for not only cyclists, but runners, swimmers and even those training for biathlons or triathlons.

The RS800CX allows you to upload your workout information to your computer using the ProTrainer Software 5. Once you are finished with your workout you can use the software to upload that information onto your computer to store, study and even graph your overall training, helping you determine how effective your workouts really are.

The unit comes with the altimeter feature allowing you to be able to see your overall levels of accent and decent. You can also upload this information to your computer where in order to see the overall effectiveness of your workouts at the different altitudes. This will help you be able to know which altitudes are ideal for achieving your overall fitness goals.

The Polar RS800CX is a very easy to use watch with many different features. It can be used by different levels of athletes in a variety of sports. That being said, some of the common drawbacks that have been reported by others who have purchased the watch include: there are no mapping directions, the display is small and the software program is limited compared to other workout software programs. All in all, the newest offering by Polar is the top of the line. You may want to give the RS800CX some serious consideration.
Click Here To Learn More About The Polar RS800CX

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Polar RS300X G1 Review

August 16th, 2009

Click Here To Learn More About The Polar RS300X G1

Specifications

Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 1 inches (5 x 5 x 2.54 cm)
Primary Use: Cross Sport Training
Weight: 1.6 oz (45.36 g)
Average Heart Rate: Yes
Heart Rate Zone Alarm: Yes
Heart Rate Zones: 1
Heart Rate Memory: Yes
Calories Burned: Yes
Lap Timer: Yes

GPS sensor included: Yes
PC Compatible: Yes
Backlight: Yes
Software Included: Yes
Altitude Function: Yes
GPS Enabled: Yes
Water Resistance: 50m
Replaceable Battery: Yes

Pros

Multi-sport capable
Easy to use

Cons

No recovery heart rate mode
GPS can lose tracking

Ratings

Score (Rank)

Value: 8.5/10 (5)
Performance/Ease of Use: 8/10 (5)
Quality: 8/10 (4)
Size/weight: 9/10 (1)
Overall Rating: 8/10 (5)

Review

The Polar RS300X G1 GPS watch is designed for those runners who want to improve the overall quality of the workout that they are receiving. It allows you to track your speed and distance using some of the most advanced technologies on the market.

The sports watch has dimensions of 2” x 2” x 1”, is water resistant, and it is GPS enabled to allow you to be able to follow your overall progress during the course of your workouts.

The RX300X G1 can track your last training sessions and it can store the last sixteen workouts that you have had. This will help you be able to identify any potential weakness you may have by monitoring how your training is progressing and your overall level of performance.

The watch has what is known as Polar Cal, this shows you the overall amount of calories that you are burning during a particular workout and it can store the calories used during all of your workouts over a chosen period of time. This will help you be able to see how you are progressing with short and long term fitness goals.

The RS300X G1 has a language display that allows you to switch to different languages and it has the Polar Own Index Fitness test. This is where the device will calculate the overall amount of Oxygen used during your different workouts; it then will compare this information to show the overall amount of improvement that is taking place and the intensity of your different workouts. This will help you be able to know how your workouts are progressing and which ones are the most effective, so that you can be able to use this information to improve the quality of your workouts.

The Polar RS300X G1 is very easy to use and all levels of runners would find the different features as well as tools that it provides incredibly helpful in improving the overall quality of your workout. Those who have purchased the device in the past have commented about how quick they can be able to receive the satellite signal with this GPS enabled watch. While you do have a choice of GPS watches to choose from, if you are looking for one that can provide you with the tools to help improve the overall quality of your workout the Polar RS300X G1 is worth some serious consideration.

Click Here To Learn More About The Polar RS300X G1

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Timex Ironman T5J985 Review

August 16th, 2009

Click Here To Learn More About The Timex Ironman T5J985

Specifications

Dimensions: 2.5 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches (6.35 x 4.57 x1.27 cm)
Weight: 2.7 oz (76.54 g)
Battery type: Lithium coin battery
Calories burned: No
File storage: optional data recorder
Speed/distance: with GPS module
Clock: Yes
Lap timer: 100 lap memory recall
Stop watch: Yes
Daily alarm: Yes

Countdown timer: Yes
Date: Yes
Water-resistance (wrist unit): Resistant up to 50 meters
Heart rate display: Yes
Target heart rate zones: 5
Time in target zone: Yes
Average heart rate: Yes
High/low target heart rate: Yes (alarm sounds when not in target zone)
Heart rate memory/recall: Yes

Pros

User friendly
Multi-sport use
Many features

Cons

Slow satellite locking
Distance measurement may not be accurate

Ratings

Score (Rank)

Value: 8/10 (6)
Performance/Ease of Use: 8/10 (5)
Quality: 8/10 (6)
Size/weight: 7/10 (10)
Overall Rating: 7.75/10 (6)

Review

The Timex Ironman TJ985 GPS watch is a great tool for both the weekend and professional athletes, where you can be able to use its many different features so that you can the most effective workout possible. Where it can be used for a variety of different sports including: running, cycling and walking.

The unit’s dimensions are 9.5” x 1.8” x 0.5”, it weighs 4.8 ounces, and the battery lasts for up to two years. Plus, you can store up to 100 laps on the watch.

The Ironman TJ985 combines both flexibility and a sleek look, which can be worn during your workouts, and it can be used as an everyday watch. It comes with the Timex GPS 3D unit, has a heart rate monitor and it can be mounted onto your bicycle handlebars.

The TJ985 has the Timex trail runner that can be used by runners to be able to have the most detailed information when they are working out. The way it works is you can use the exact speed tool to tell you in real time what your current speed is, what is the average speed that you are traveling and the top speed that you achieved during your workout.

The Ironman TJ985 comes with a one of a kind heart rate monitor called the Heart Rate Display in % of max format. This tool helps you be able to see what your maximum heart rate is then set different zones for where you would like to see your heart rate at during the workout. Once you hit the top or bottom of the zone the alarm goes off to let you have the most effective workout possible.

The watch has a two-tier interval system that is interconnected, thus you can set the different intervals that you will be training at and compare the overall effectiveness of both.

The Timex Ironman TJ985 is a very user-friendly watch that all levels of athletes would find very useful. As you examine the different features and weaknesses, the watch performs very well under many different conditions. The GPS may take a minute or two to give you an accurate reading but aside from that the watch had no other problems. If you are looking for a GPS watch that is not too expensive and want to be able to have lot of features you may want to take a close look at the Ironman TJ985.