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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)
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)
