Polar HRMs

[Willowbeauty]

I have a Polar X-Trainer HRm and it came bundled with Training Advisor software which is pretty
useless and ugly to boot (!)

I see Polar have their new piece of software out called Polar Precision Performance which still
looks less-then-wonderful but is easier on the eye. I have downloaded the 30-day trial but is there
anyway of getting the s/w without having to shell out for another HRM?

Does anyone download into more friendly/useful software than the Polar stuff?

Thanks Neil

[Nick Burns]

"Willowbeauty" <neil.kurz@NOSPAMwillowbeauty.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Hn_Sa.50913$xd5.2913123@stones.force9.net...
> I have a Polar X-Trainer HRm and it came bundled with Training Advisor software which is pretty
> useless and ugly to boot (!)
>
> I see Polar have their new piece of software out called Polar Precision Performance which still
> looks less-then-wonderful but is easier on the
eye.
> I have downloaded the 30-day trial but is there anyway of getting the s/w without having to shell
> out for another HRM?
>
> Does anyone download into more friendly/useful software than the Polar stuff?
>
> Thanks Neil

I think they sell it separately. Do they not? Email me if you can't find a source.

The newer software is a million miles better, isn't it?

[Willowbeauty]

Nick, whats your email address? Remove NOSPAM from my reply address, I've had no luck sourcing
the software.

"Nick Burns" <chris@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:ww_Sa.1317$ip3.889@news.randori.com...
>
> "Willowbeauty" <neil.kurz@NOSPAMwillowbeauty.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:Hn_Sa.50913$xd5.2913123@stones.force9.net...
> > I have a Polar X-Trainer HRm and it came bundled with Training Advisor software which is pretty
> > useless and ugly to boot (!)
> >
> > I see Polar have their new piece of software out called Polar Precision Performance which still
> > looks less-then-wonderful but is easier on the
> eye.
> > I have downloaded the 30-day trial but is there anyway of getting the
s/w
> > without having to shell out for another HRM?
> >
> > Does anyone download into more friendly/useful software than the Polar stuff?
> >
> > Thanks Neil
>
> I think they sell it separately. Do they not? Email me if you can't find a source.
>
> The newer software is a million miles better, isn't it?

[Chris]

I'm not sure you could make anything easier to use than Polar software, which is why its so
useless. What do you want to accomplish with it? There's little you can look at with HR alone, so
the software remains pretty basic. Not much advice here...maybe buy a power meter (just not a
power tap).

CH

"Willowbeauty" <neil.kurz@NOSPAMwillowbeauty.co.uk> wrote in message
news:<Hn_Sa.50913$xd5.2913123@stones.force9.net>...
> I have a Polar X-Trainer HRm and it came bundled with Training Advisor software which is pretty
> useless and ugly to boot (!)
>
> I see Polar have their new piece of software out called Polar Precision Performance which still
> looks less-then-wonderful but is easier on the eye. I have downloaded the 30-day trial but is
> there anyway of getting the s/w without having to shell out for another HRM?
>
> Does anyone download into more friendly/useful software than the Polar stuff?
>
> Thanks Neil

[Issurf]

I have used both, I don't see much difference. I would try to call Polar and see if they will send
you the CD.

[Warren]

In article <51eef7a1.0307310847.41caa31a@posting.google.com>, Clay Tidwell
<claytid@yahoo.com> wrote:

> excel_sports@hotmail.com (chris) wrote in message
> news:<a7157f5e.0307241130.3d4cc937@posting.google.com>...
> > I'm not sure you could make anything easier to use than Polar software, which is why its so
> > useless. What do you want to accomplish with it? There's little you can look at with HR alone,
> > so the software remains pretty basic. Not much advice here...maybe buy a power meter (just not a
> > power tap).
> >
> > CH
>
> Why not a PowerTap?

For one thing, a powertap is for just one wheel. Take your pick, race wheel OR training wheel.

-WG

[Robert Chung]

"warren" <warren@usvhremove.com> wrote in message news:310720031557073150%warren@usvhremove.com...
> In article <51eef7a1.0307310847.41caa31a@posting.google.com>, Clay Tidwell
> <claytid@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > excel_sports@hotmail.com (chris) wrote in message
> > news:<a7157f5e.0307241130.3d4cc937@posting.google.com>...
> > > I'm not sure you could make anything easier to use than Polar software, which is why its so
> > > useless. What do you want to accomplish with it? There's little you can look at with HR alone,
> > > so the software remains pretty basic. Not much advice here...maybe buy a power meter (just not
> > > a power tap).
> > >
> > > CH
> >
> > Why not a PowerTap?
>
> For one thing, a powertap is for just one wheel. Take your pick, race wheel OR training wheel.

Perhaps so, but I'd still like to hear what Chris' reasons are.

[Chris]

FYI: I have actually used a Power tap (pre-Graber), so I'm not just talking about things I've heard.
Serveral reasons Robert:
1. It seems to not want to work at the most inopportune times; this comes from several people,
including myself.
2. It sucks up the batteries a little too fast.
3. You could get a good one or a bad one; get a bad one and you may as well throw it away.
4. The software sucks
5. Warren's reason; that damn hub is heavy, no matter what rim you buy it'll be a heavy wheel. My
SRM cranks weigh in about the same as my Chorus cranks.
6. I've heard they have a high return/repair rate.
7. ALL OF THE ABOVE: If you only use your power meter part of the time, you should have just saved
your money.

I may have fogotten something, but I think that sums it up. Compare the guys who own SRM's vs.
power taps and you'll see that most power tap users are part-timers, the majority of SRM users (not
pro's) are full time users. Now, the SRM does have its problems, but its still the best on the
market...for now.

CH

"Robert Chung" <invalid@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:<3f2bb748$0$17247$626a54ce@news.free.fr>...
> "warren" <warren@usvhremove.com> wrote in message news:310720031557073150%warren@usvhremove.com...
> > In article <51eef7a1.0307310847.41caa31a@posting.google.com>, Clay Tidwell <claytid@yahoo.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > excel_sports@hotmail.com (chris) wrote in message
> > > news:<a7157f5e.0307241130.3d4cc937@posting.google.com>...
> > > > I'm not sure you could make anything easier to use than Polar software, which is why its so
> > > > useless. What do you want to accomplish with it? There's little you can look at with HR
> > > > alone, so the software remains pretty basic. Not much advice here...maybe buy a power meter
> > > > (just not a power tap).
> > > >
> > > > CH
> > >
> > > Why not a PowerTap?
> >
> > For one thing, a powertap is for just one wheel. Take your pick, race wheel OR training wheel.
>
> Perhaps so, but I'd still like to hear what Chris' reasons are.

[Robert Chung]

"chris" <excel_sports@hotmail.com> wrote
> > Not much advice here...maybe buy a power meter (just not a power tap).

and then:

> FYI: I have actually used a Power tap (pre-Graber), so I'm not just talking about things I've
> heard. Serveral reasons Robert:
> 1. It seems to not want to work at the most inopportune times; this comes from several people,
> including myself.
> 2. It sucks up the batteries a little too fast.
> 3. You could get a good one or a bad one; get a bad one and you may as well throw it away.
> 4. The software sucks
> 5. Warren's reason; that damn hub is heavy, no matter what rim you buy it'll be a heavy wheel. My
> SRM cranks weigh in about the same as my Chorus cranks.
> 6. I've heard they have a high return/repair rate.
> 7. ALL OF THE ABOVE: If you only use your power meter part of the time, you should have just saved
> your money.
>
> I may have fogotten something, but I think that sums it up. Compare the guys who own SRM's vs.
> power taps and you'll see that most power tap users are part-timers, the majority of SRM users
> (not pro's) are full time users. Now, the SRM does have its problems, but its still the best on
> the market...for now.
>
> CH

So when you said, "maybe buy a power meter" you meant, "buy the SRM?"

[Chris]

Actually, no...because you'll also note I said:

Now, the SRM does have its problems, but its still the best on the market...for now.

Chung said:
> So when you said, "maybe buy a power meter" you meant, "buy the SRM?"

[Robert Chung]

"chris" <excel_sports@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:a7157f5e.0308021710.3cec7798@posting.google.com...

> Chung said:
> > So when you said, "maybe buy a power meter" you meant, "buy the SRM?"
>
> Actually, no...because you'll also note I said:
>
> Now, the SRM does have its problems, but its still the best on the
market...for now.

So now I'm confused. There are only three power meters widely available on the market. You said that
the OP might want to consider buying a power meter, but specifically advised against the PT. So what
did you have in mind when you wrote "maybe buy a power meter (just not a power tap)?"

[Chris]

www.ergomo.de

"Robert Chung" <invalid@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:<3f2c944b$0$10530$626a54ce@news.free.fr>...
> "chris" <excel_sports@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:a7157f5e.0308021710.3cec7798@posting.google.com...
>
> > Chung said:
> > > So when you said, "maybe buy a power meter" you meant, "buy the SRM?"
> >
> > Actually, no...because you'll also note I said:
> >
> > Now, the SRM does have its problems, but its still the best on the
> market...for now.
>
> So now I'm confused. There are only three power meters widely available on the market. You said
> that the OP might want to consider buying a power meter, but specifically advised against the PT.
> So what did you have in mind when you wrote "maybe buy a power meter (just not a power tap)?"

[Clay Tidwell]

excel_sports@hotmail.com (chris) wrote in message
news:<a7157f5e.0308031613.74538cbb@posting.google.com>...
> www.ergomo.de

At $1200 per unit, I'd like to know that this meter worked at least as well as the SRM. Have you
been able to ride on one yet? I've heard that power is measured on one side of the bb and then
doubled for the actual wattage reading. Can't help wondering about accuracy

[Warren]

In article <51eef7a1.0308110734.536e1bb9@posting.google.com>, Clay Tidwell
<claytid@yahoo.com> wrote:

> excel_sports@hotmail.com (chris) wrote in message
> news:<a7157f5e.0308031613.74538cbb@posting.google.com>...
> > www.ergomo.de
>
> At $1200 per unit, I'd like to know that this meter worked at least as well as the SRM. Have you
> been able to ride on one yet? I've heard that power is measured on one side of the bb and then
> doubled for the actual wattage reading. Can't help wondering about accuracy

It seems to be observing the amount of flex in the BB spindle to obtain the measurements.

-WG

[Robert Chung]

Clay Tidwell wrote:
> excel_sports@hotmail.com (chris) wrote in message
> news:<a7157f5e.0308031613.74538cbb@posting.google.com>...
>> www.ergomo.de
>
> At $1200 per unit, I'd like to know that this meter worked at least as well as the SRM. Have you
> been able to ride on one yet? I've heard that power is measured on one side of the bb and then
> doubled for the actual wattage reading.

The official response from Ergomo is that it does measure off one side (the left). I haven't yet
seen a comparison with any other power meter so I dont know if this is a big problem or a little
one. As for comparisons with the SRM, some samples of the SRM amateur are reported to have
calibration slopes that vary with the orientation of the crank.

[Chris]

I can provide you with comparisons if you contact me directly. It has been used extensively in
Europe and some in the U.S. with strong agreement. I also know they (Ergomo) have done comparisons
with SRM. I hope to also compare these in an upcoming study this fall.

From what I've seen and know, had I the choice to buy again I would buy the Ergomo. I want to buy
one now but cash is tight.

CH

"Robert Chung" <invalid@nospam.com> wrote in message news:<3f37c9a1$0$6210$626a54ce@news.free.fr>...
> Clay Tidwell wrote:
> > excel_sports@hotmail.com (chris) wrote in message
> > news:<a7157f5e.0308031613.74538cbb@posting.google.com>...
> >> www.ergomo.de
> >
> > At $1200 per unit, I'd like to know that this meter worked at least as well as the SRM. Have you
> > been able to ride on one yet? I've heard that power is measured on one side of the bb and then
> > doubled for the actual wattage reading.
>
> The official response from Ergomo is that it does measure off one side (the left). I haven't yet
> seen a comparison with any other power meter so I dont know if this is a big problem or a little
> one. As for comparisons with the SRM, some samples of the SRM amateur are reported to have
> calibration slopes that vary with the orientation of the crank.