HRM. Polar S510 v S710

Guest

Thinking of a heart rate monitor? Top of the range: Polar S510 & S710. Which? ??? First check you bank balance! Both are expensive! Soon to be even more expensive when the exchange rate kicks in. Both have everything a serious biker needs. Main differences:

S710 measures ambient air temperature (avg, max & min) while riding. Must be mounted on bike not wrist. Not very important to me. Hell, I just KNOW when I'm hot!! :-[

S710 stores many more records on watch than the S510. How many depends on heatbeat interval recording selected (5, 15, or 60 seconds. 15 seconds usually suitable). Important if you're away for a week or so before you can download records to your computer. Otherwise not so important if you download and delete files after each ride.

S710 uses infrared interface. S510 does not have IR but uses SonicLink using computer loudspeakers. Works well. However the S710 does NOT have SonicLink which is a problem if your COM2 port is in use by your modem or something else.

S710 has an altitude sensor. ;D S510 does not. At first I didn't realise this importance. In fact it is one of the main features of the S710. It will give your altitude while riding (actual, max, min & avg) and ascents. Not too important. I rarely switch this feature on while riding. However when you download ride info to Precision Performance (software included. S510 has Polar Coach software), you get a Curve showing actual heartrate and cycling speed at 5 or 15 sec
intervals. But ALSO the actual altitude profile of the ride showing the altitude at whatever time. By moving the cursor over the profile will show for instance at 1h20 into the ride you were on a hill at an altitude of x metres (or feet) with a HR of x BPM (or %max). Seeing the altitude profile this way you can really analyse the ride. It will also give you a summation of the number of ascents you made on the ride. ie an indication of the difficulty of one route v another. Incidentally I also find being able to get a visual profile is a great motivator for going to try a new route, or the same route the other way round.

Both HRM have a cadence sensor as an optional extra. 8)

S710 also has a "power output" option for anyone wanting know their chain tension, chain speed, or power output of their right leg v left leg. 8)

Guest

very interesting old timer as i was thinking about a hrm. that is way cool that you can have a ride profile (altitude-distance) with the s710. i can only think of one missing feature   a gradient feature so you know how many degrees a hill is. but i guess you can work that out too once you have the data on the computer. way cool. could you post a picture of a graph the s710 produces for a ride?. also is the infarred thing for the s710 expensive?. i think its a waste of money if your not geting it with the hrm its essentual. thanks for all the information.

Guest

Thats some pretty good info, i think i'd get the S710  
For those that dont know, the polar website can be found here http://www.polarusa.com

cheers

Vo2

I have an S510. The 710 was too expensive at the time (still is). Its a great tool to have.

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Guest

Nicholas. The IR interface is an extra. Cost me an extra R295 in South Africa. That's probably why they don't include the SonicLink! Apparently you don't need the IR if you're using Windows 95. Don't quite know how that works. The altitude profile gives you a pretty good idea of the gradient. I can post/upload a picture of a graph the s710 produces for a ride if someone tells me how! ??? Admin? It will need to be a colour picture to make sense.

VO2. Yes, it costs an arm & a leg! But I took early retirement end of December ;D ;D ;D so instead of a gold watch I got myself a S710! ;D

Guest

Email it to steven@cyclingforums.com and i'll upload it for ya

cheers!

Guest

Well guys, in my lunch break today i went and ordered a S710  ;D Old Timer did a pretty good job at selling me one  

I think i'll get the power sensor in a month or two

Vo2

Heya, way to go admin! 8)

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Guest

Good on yer, Bruce! ;D I did tell you I was on commission for these things?! (No, only kidding!) ;D If you need any other info I found their main URL in Finland very helpful and prompt to reply: *http://www.polar.fi

< Link fixed - Vo2>

Guest

Here is an image old timer sent me;

Vo2

hmm, I'm kinda jealous that I don't have an S710 now. :'(

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Pain is inevitable...suffering is optional

Guest

have you got it yet admin?. hey old timer does the s710  tell you your vo2 max?.

im thinking of geting it more and more each day ;D ;D ;D

Guest

Nicholas. The S710 (& the S510) have a "fitness test" which shows an approx of your VO2max. It's based on your resting HR, HR vaiability at rest, age, gender, height, body weight, and self assesses physical activity. I've pushed mine up 5 points since I restarted exercising after my 7 week accident layoff. ;D They say to only check it once a month but being an optimistic kind of guy I've been doing it about every day! :

Guest

So whats your current V02max old timer?

nah Nic I havent got it yet, sould have it at the end of the month though  

cheers