Bikeputer or SuperHRM?

[colby]

I'm not sure where this goes, so Apparel it is

I have a basic Polar HRM right now, which does the OwnZone and OwnCal stuff, but has limited memory (only the last outing), and displays limited information. I use it both on my bike and running, and find it a little tedious to change zones for each one (it's all manual aside from 'low, medium, high', so I end up not changing it and it beeps at me incessantly). In order to track progress over time, I have to record everything. I really enjoy having it around, though, it keeps me in check (I tend to push myself too hard without input).

I do not have a bikeputer to track my mileage or speed on the bike, and I'm jonesin' to know how far I'm going and how fast, especially if I'm going uphill (where I lose my current cycling buddies) or am out on my own entirely. I am looking at the local cycling club's events, and I don't know if they'd be ahead of me or just my speed or if it'd be a relaxing ride, or if I should bring a buddy or go alone.

After looking around, I'm left with two options: super snazzy HRM like Polar's S625X that has running and bike-specific stuff (if I buy the attachments) and more features, or sticking with the trusty Polar basic model and just getting a bikeputer. I'm leaning toward a new HRM (I can donate my old one to my husband as he gets himself going), but the cost is enough to make me second guess myself.

Are there features I would be missing in either a HRM or in a cyclocomputer if I went with the combined model? Are the additional features of the S625X even worth the extra $$ over other models? Are there good cyclocomputers I should be investigating as a comparison?

Obviously I am an input junkie. Hopefully at some point I'll be answering as many questions as I'm asking

Note: Either way I'll call it bikeputer, like the femputer on the Futurama episode with the Amazon women. "Bikeputer, Bikepute!"

[Dianyla]

Do you plan on using your HRM when running? I seem to recall that the only reason to get the Polar 625 (or the newer 725 that I think replaced the 625) is because of the running cadence foot-pod unit. Otherwise the 720 is designed more around cycling-only features.

I've got the 720i with the cadense sensor and I like it a lot.

ETA: Oh duh, reread your post and I see that you do run. Here is a good link from Polar that compares all their cycling products:
http://www.polarusa.com/comparison/cycling.html

[Veronica]

I really like being able to download my data into the computer. I can look back over the years and see how I've progressed. Yeah, you can do the same with a spreadsheet. But I'm lazy.

V.

[colby]

Do you plan on using your HRM when running? I seem to recall that the only reason to get the Polar 625 (or the newer 725 that I think replaced the 625) is because of the running cadence foot-pod unit. Otherwise the 720 is designed more around cycling-only features.

I've got the 720i with the cadense sensor and I like it a lot.

ETA: Oh duh, reread your post and I see that you do run. Here is a good link from Polar that compares all their cycling products:
http://www.polarusa.com/comparison/cycling.html

Yep, I'm definitely running (or my version of running ), which is what led me to the 625 in the first place. It'd be nice to have an all in one package.

Oh wow, I didn't even see the 725. The 625 is listed under the Triathlon and Running sections. It looks like the 725 has more cycling features with running attachments, where the 625 has core running features with cycling attachments. However, the 725 does have more features all around, since if you get the running attachments you get all the same running features anyway. The 725 is $329 while the 625 is $349. The footpod is $120, the cycling attachments come out to $40 each for the cadence and speed sensor (I guess that explains the price difference between the 725 and the 625).

Since the 725 (or even the 625 with all the attachments?) and the 720i have similar features, it is good to hear it's useful. It does seem like it has everything a cyclocomputer would have... plus the HRM features which means I only have to carry ONE gadget

[colby]

I really like being able to download my data into the computer. I can look back over the years and see how I've progressed. Yeah, you can do the same with a spreadsheet. But I'm lazy.

V.

This was DEFINITELY attractive to me, I am an information junkie. Graphs and charts and spreadsheets oh my!

[Dianyla]

Yeah, I think the 725 definitely looks like a nicer unit. At the time I was looking, it was mainly the 625 vs. 720 and being primarily a cyclist the choice was clear. BTW, I'm fairly sure all of the S-series cyclocomputers come with the speed sensor. It's just the cadence sensor that you have to buy extra.

I am a complete performance stats junkie as well. What's funny is that my job also consists of gathering and analyzing monitoring data, and my coworkers all just rolled their eyes when I showed them the stats I was collecting with the HRM.

I know it's dorky, but I find that journaling and tracking these statistics really motivates me. I like watching the little days get colored in on the calendar of my training diary.

[caligurl]

i LOVED my polar s720i! when i got my bike... that's the computer i got... cuz after careful research... i deemed it the best out there! it gave me GOBS of info... i loved uploading it to the computer... loved the calendar software thingy! i even added my morning workouts to it!

then i decided i wanted what was supposed to be the next coolest, hottest computer/HRM.. .the garmin edge... it had even MORE information for me! YAY! MORE stuff to know! (did i say i love info!?!)

unfortunately i've become dissillusioned with the edge... it's a first model year product.. it has bugs... i've already gotten a replacement and i just today ordered a back up computer so that if/when the edge dies mid ride again... i'll have at least some info....

what did i order as a backup? the polar cs200! yep... another polar... (and i have a polar f11 as a fitness HRM for my morning workouts!)

polar makes GREAT products! and i would personally recommend the 720i over the 725 cuz the 720 has auto start/stop and the 725 doesn't i don't know anything about the 625 (but from looking over the last several days.. the cs200 seems pretty cool too.. but no altimeter like the 720....

if i end up giving up the edge completely... i'll go back to a 720i!

[colby]

Thanks, cali! I was reading about why Polar chose not to do the GPS technology, which was interesting. I guess my third option is to stick with my baby HRM for running, and go with the 720i for biking

What's the auto start/stop? From the Polar chart posted earlier, the 725X and 720i look nearly identical.

[caligurl]

auto start/stop is a setting... if you turn it on.. it automatically stops (or starts) the computer when you stop (or start riding)... sooooo if you stop at a long light... your timer doesn't keep going.. cuz it's not ride time... or if on a ride and you stop to rest or at a sag stop... the computer stops... then starts up again when you take off... that way your stats are all RIDE time... filtering out the rest time...

with the 725 (which for some weird reason they left it out.... didn't get an answer way back when when i asked to polar guys about it at a both) but anyways.. the 725.. you either have to manually remember to push the button to stop at a rest stop... then remember to push it again to start the timer (ya.. like i'd remember to do that!?!?) or your computer keeps on recording time... so say you ride 1 hour... stop 10... ride another hour... when you get your stats.. it will show 2 hours 10 minutes of time passed.... and also get your heart rate (if you are close enough for it to pick up) for that 10 minutes you were stopped.. rather than just averaging ride HR...

(one thing i think is going to be really cool with the cs200... it has "time to destination" or something like that... so, for example... saturday i will put in 114 miles... and it supposedly will tell me that i have X hours til i reach my destination based on my current speed.... i think i will have fun with that (or i will get depressed! especially when climbing at 4 mph and it tells me 4 days to destination! lol! the 720 doesn't have that though! just the cs models!)

definitely make sure you look at the comparison chart at polar.. and get the one that has the most... most IMPORTANT features you need and want!

(editted to add: if i remember correctly... the only difference between the 725 and 720 other than the way cool casing of the 725... no auto start stop on the 725... and you can upload the info from the 725 to certain phones... other than that.. yes... i think they are identical! but to me, personally... the auto start/stop was a big deal!)

[maillotpois]

Does anyone know if these zero out after 10 hours??

I love my ciclosport except for the fact that it zeroes out time and distance (but at least not altitude) after 10 hours. It's like any number greater than 9:59:59 won't fit on the screen. I'm not doing any doubles under 10 hours any time soon! It would sure be nice to not have to watch it like crazy for the last 15 minutes and then miss it right when it zeros out so I don't have an accurate mileage counter...

[colby]

Does anyone know if these zero out after 10 hours??

I love my ciclosport except for the fact that it zeroes out time and distance (but at least not altitude) after 10 hours. It's like any number greater than 9:59:59 won't fit on the screen. I'm not doing any doubles under 10 hours any time soon! It would sure be nice to not have to watch it like crazy for the last 15 minutes and then miss it right when it zeros out so I don't have an accurate mileage counter...

Here's what the 720i's user manual says:

Limit Values
Exercise time 99 h 59 min 59 s
Heart rate limits 30 - 240
Target zone time 99 h 59 min 59 s
Recovery time 99 min 59 s
Calories 99 999 kcal
Cumulative calories 999 999 kcal
Cumulative exercise time 9999 h
Riding time 9999 h
Odometer 999 999 miles/km
Files recorded to memory 99
Interval phases recorded to memory 99
Temperature measurement 14 F to 122 F / -10 C to 50 C

[caligurl]

Does anyone know if these zero out after 10 hours??

I love my ciclosport except for the fact that it zeroes out time and distance (but at least not altitude) after 10 hours. It's like any number greater than 9:59:59 won't fit on the screen. I'm not doing any doubles under 10 hours any time soon! It would sure be nice to not have to watch it like crazy for the last 15 minutes and then miss it right when it zeros out so I don't have an accurate mileage counter...

the 720's? no... they don't... they keep on ticking! lol!

but the memory may get full if you have the number of readings set too low.... you set it to check the stats every... uhm... forget the exact number.. but like 15... vice every 5 seconds.... then you have more memory available...

my memory got full once... but i still had the info at the end of the ride (i did write it down before turning it off.. just in case.. but it all uploaded fine! as a matter of fact.. it was BA.. the ride i'm doing this weekend that i'm stressing over the edge lasting long enough without dying!

[maillotpois]

Hmmm... that's pretty cool. Thanks for the info, guys. Maybe when my ciclo dies that's what I'll get. I can't imagine a situation in which I would ever ride for more than 99 hours 99 minutes continuously!!!

[Dianyla]

Hmmm... that's pretty cool. Thanks for the info, guys. Maybe when my ciclo dies that's what I'll get. I can't imagine a situation in which I would ever ride for more than 99 hours 99 minutes continuously!!!

Not for cycling, but I do plan filling up all 99 hours at some point. I'm doing the Inca Trail in September and want to log the altitude and HR data for walking and sleeping during the four days.

[Try-Chick]

OK I have a basic Polar HRM and a double wireless Cat Eye bike computer and unfortunately the two interfere, telling me I have a HR of 235 or something equally ridiculous! My HRM also messes with the computer, indicating outrageous cadence rates. I'd suggest spending the $ and go for the HRM with cycle features like the 720