More Information
 On: 2007-07-28
Maybe its an unfair comparison. You can find the S150 online at lots of places for about $80; the S725X is a lot more (although I found it for $250 at Colorado Cyclist). In many ways I was happy with the S150: it appeals to my cheapskate heart, lets me record avg and final HR during intervals (which I simply counted off as laps). Gave me HR AVG and Max for the workout. I never used the cycling functions. Not as nice as my cyclecomputer and the limited data recording didnt really give me any incentive to hassle with that aspect of the HR.
Why I upgraded: S150 only records ONE training session. If you press the wrong button and start a new recording session you lose your data. Interference. The bike path runs under high power lines. Suddenly your heart rate is 220 or just disappears. First off this ruins the HR Max function (no, my heart rate didnt hit 220). Secondly, I often ended up having to cancel and restart the session to get it to start working again, which meant erasing the data (and sometimes feeling like I was trying to guess the size of the fish that got away--the erased data must have been for my most awesome interval set ever!). And of course, the S150 doesnt let you download your data via IR into your computer.
On to the S725X. First, the screen has FAR better contrast and legibility than the S150. I found the menus more intuitive and the manual easier to read, but perhaps this is because my familiarity with the S150 helped me to follow Polars logic. THis baby is packed with features. You will need to read the manual several times before feeling comfortable with all the functions. I found it very easy to configure, install the speed sensor and roll out the door. Interference from the high power lines is less of a problem (the coded transmitter may help somewhat), but it remains a problem and what is worse, is that it affects reception of speed and distance data as well. I suppose I may just put the wired cyclecomputer back on, but that means I give up being able to plot HR vs. Speed on the Polar Software. (or will I end up having the cyclecomputer and polar measuring speed simultaneously). Because the S725s can be set up to record data every 5 sec, those gaps while cycling on the path are less problematic than losing all data with the S150. In any case, you can record multiple training sessions, so even if you end up starting a new session (say, after you stop for a coffee), you wont lose the one you just closed out.
The nicest feature of the unit is downloading workout info to the software. If you dont have IR on your computer, you can save some money by buying a USB IRDA (I got one for $5) rather than shelling out the $50 that Polar charges.
It also does some interesting tests which purport to give you an indication of your current fitness (an estimate of VO2Max) and of your recovery (based on comparing resting to standing HR). Because the unit tracks those values over time, it can give you an idea of how your training is progressing.
Bottom line: If you dont regularly ride under high-power lines and you can forego the fancy plotting capabilities of the S725X, you could save a bunch of money and go for the older model. It is a good value. If you have the cash to spend, the S725X will help you measure and track your training with geek-like precision. I HIGHLY recommend Joe Friels Total Heart Rate Training book too. Lots more detailed info than in his Training Bible, much more clearly presented than in recent books by Sally Edwards.
 On: 2007-05-13
Decent product, a little spendy, bad support.
I purchased this and found that the software drivers for the watch were not compatible with Windows Vista, I dont care about other peoples evangelical opinions of Microsoft products but I use it and I think that it was rather cheesey of Polar to tell me that I need to *PURCHASE* the new version of software that works with Vista even though I had just purchased the watch. I dont care that Amazon sold me a watch that was manufactured before you started to ship the new software, its your watch Polar and not Amazons. For that low class act Polar gets 2 stars. Polar, the correct thing to do would have been to send a copy of the new software to me. The next time that I purchase a heart monitor it will probably not be a Polar model so Polar, was the loss of my future business worth the amount of money that you saved by not sending the new software to me?
 On: 2006-12-31
I have used a number of different Polar HR monitors and they seem to be getting better. I use the S725x for mountain bike training, road bike, interval training on a trainer, and for running. The altitude function is nice to have, so is the temperature readings. Once, I repeat only once, I was able to get the date downloaded to my Mac using a special serial adapter I had to purchase. I used this with iSmartTrain software (a great training aid).
Polar engineers would be well advised to figure out the battery problems. (There must be one old engineer at Polar who is stubborn and does not want to face the facts that batteries wear out, and we customers do not want to send the watch back to pay for the batteries to be replaced). By the way, I go through a lot of batteries, both in the watch and the strap. I just replace them myself, and things seem to work fine. I dont like the fact though that the warranty is supposedly void if you change the batteries yourself. Their is a thin o-ring like gasket on the backside of the watch, when you replace the battery you have to be careful with this.
Range of the wireless signal is not that impressive. I purchased the cadence pickup and the bike wheel speed/distance pickup. Nice that they are wireless, but the range from the receiver to these transmitters must be close, and this matters when you want to record indoor training on a trainer (rollers would read off the front wheel of course..).
Alarms: When using the HRM in bike mode, there is some reason, that I forget now, that the S725x can not sound alarms for out of range pulse rates. This is frustrating, since I have to watch out and listen for a PSVT attack.
Interference from bike lights. I use a Light in Motion Li-Ion light for night rides. These pack a lot of power and I am not surprised that when I use it, it interferes electro-magnetically with the S725x and basically I cant use the HRM when I use the light.
Overall, it is a good training tool. I just have a bad attitude towards Polar for (1) the poor battery replacement issues, and (2) no Mac capability.
 On: 2006-11-29
Its not the be-all-and-end-all of training, but its by far the most useful thing Ive bought for my training in a long time. Im a veteran of heart rate monitors, having used them for nearly 20 years now. Ive used Nike, Timex and Polar HRMs, and Polar is the only one with which Ive had consistent results. Theyre the most expensive, and you pay through the nose for features which should be nearly free, but the base function, your heart rate, is rock solid.
I wouldnt recommend getting this without the foot pod (mine came with), speed sensor and cadence sensor, based on what sort of training you do. Im a triathlete, so I have all three, and theyre highly useful. With the infrared interface and included, easy-to-use software, you never need to record the basics of your workout. This greatly simplifies record-keeping, which has been proven to be part of improving fitness level or athletic ability. Simply enter the information you want, the rest is recorded automatically.
Calibration can be slightly tricky (hint: use a GPS), but installation of the foot pod and sensors is trivial. The user interface is not the best in the world, but most people will likely become used to it shortly.
I dont train without this useful piece of equipment anymore!
On: 2006-11-03
It is very useful to me. It helps me to improve my training running sessions and keep a track record on my pc of its evolution. On the other hand when the time comes to run races, it helps me to monitor myself and to better know my characteristics (pace, distance, heart beats, ets). Its an excellent training tool.
by: dougrw On: 2004-10-15
I purchased the s725 as single device to replace my heart rate monitor and bike computer. The s725 seemed to offer all the cycling features, in addition to being a full featured heart rate monitor. While it was certainly not cheap, I am satisfied with my purchase.
In terms of cycling features, it offers everything you would expect: speed, altitude, temperature, cadence and power (both with optional sensor). Both the speed and cadence sensors are wireless and have worked very well despite my worries (I dont own the power sensor, so I cant comment on how well it works). The only time I have encountered interference is when Im using my HID headlight, and even then it doesnt happen very often. My only gripe here is that both the speed and cadence sensor are kind of big and ugly. Also, the speed sensor can only be mounted on the front of the bike (or so they say). Id like to have the option to mount it on the rear wheel so I can record speed and distance while using an indoor trainer.
The more general features of the s725 really set it apart from other HRMs. First, each type of data, including heart rate and all of the cycling data can be recorded for the duration of your workout. You can select a sampling rate of every 5, 10, or 15 seconds to ensure the s725 has enough memory for your workout. I record every piece of data except power at 5 second intervals and can usually store about 8 hours of exercise. This is very convenient since you dont have to download your data after every workout.
While Im on the topic of data recording, I should mention the included software since it is a key piece the s725s appeal. Using an infrared link you can download and manage your workouts using Polars software. It keeps track of your workouts using a calendar view and allows you to see (and customize) graphs for each of your training sessions. Additionally, you can program the watch (intervals and other options) using the software, saving yourself the fumbling with the small watch buttons.
Anyway, back to the main functionality. During your workout the screen shows three rows of data, which you can rotate using the various buttons on the watch. I like to keep heart rate in the large middle row and then rotate among cadence, time and other pieces of information in the top row as my workout progresses. If you go outside any heart rate bounds you have set the watch will warn you by blinking the heart rate display or emit an audible signal.
So whats wrong with it? My biggest gripe is that the interval training functionality is very inflexible. An interval is defined in terms of heart rate or time, an optional recovery period after each interval and the number of interval repetitions. This means that every interval must be exactly the same. Unfortunately, I have some interval workouts where each interval is a different length. There is no way to program this into the watch so I have to punch the "lap" button every time I begin/end one of these intervals and monitor the lap time throughout the interval. An HRM in this price range should really have more flexible interval configuration.
Before I wrap up, I should mention that the chest strap is vastly improved and much more comfortable than prior models. All but one short segment, which sits in the middle of your chest, is entirely flexible, even the electrodes.
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