- Simple-to-use wrist heart rate monitor/training computer in black helps you to train at the right intensity
- Includes S1 foot pod for real-time pace and distance measurement and WearLink+ 31 coded transmitter
- Provides metrics for heart rate, speed, distance, pace, and calorie burn
- OwnZone feature for individualized zone training by heart rate or pace, a fitness test, and auto lap splits
- Compatible with G1 GPS Sensor
Product DescriptionNow our most popular and top performing running computer is enhanced with GPS speed and distance capabilityAmazon. com Product DescriptionA smart, intuitive training computer for runners and cross-training athletes, the Polar RS300X SD wrist heart rate monitor helps you to train at the right intensity with personal training zones. The RS300X SD comes with Polar’s S1 foot pod, which accurately measures your running speed/pace and distance. Committed runners. . . More >>
#1 by Sergio H. Guimaraes on March 5, 2010 - 6:18 pm
The Polar RS300X works well. But the footpod is a little bulky compared to some others I’ve seen (specially the Nike+ one). The monitor has a lot of functions, but during workout is somehow difficult to read, as the numbers are thin and small, specially the pace. During the night it becomes really hard to use.
#2 by David Tucker on March 5, 2010 - 8:20 pm
I’ve been running for the past two years and I’ve been using a heart rate monitor most of that time. I always wanted a Polar but for one reason or another I ended up with other brands. This past weekend at a pre-race expo, I came across the Polar table and decided to take the plunge. I haven’t been disappointed! I ran in my 5K the next day with the footpod on and the level of accuracy without calibration was impressive. For the 3. 1 mile race, it said I ran 3. 26 miles. Given that I was not running a straight line due to the crowds, I figured this was actually very close to my true distance. When I finally got to calibrating it, I discovered that it was about 0. 04 miles over per mile. Obviously not GPS level accuracy out of the box but good enough to use without doing any set up. Now that its calibrated, it measured within 1/100th of a mile.
I’ve started to use the OwnZone feature that Polar built in and it seems to be very smart. I’ll be interested to see how it guides my intensity over the next few months. The OwnZone measures your current physical state and recommends a range to train in. I’ve been running hard for the past few days and it recommended a pretty low intensity today after my warm up. Earlier it had recommended much higher levels of intensity so it appears to be doing its job.
The decision you have to make with this watch is if you want it with the footpod or the GPS and for my money I wouldn’t trade it for the GPS. A GPS is great if you want precise distance measurement outside. You will know exactly how far you ran. Battery life is an issue and if you train indoors or do any trail running you may run into problems with GPS signals.
The footpod, on the other hand, trades accuracy for flexibility. The GPS can’t give you as much useful information DURING the run which is more important to me. A GPS has a fairly long lag time when it gives you stats like speed. If I’m trying to keep a certain pace while I train, the footpod will tell me immediately how fast I’m going in real time. A GPS simply can’t do that. Also if you want to run on a track, run indoors, or run on a trail, the footpod is going to serve you very well.
The amount of data that the watch provides could be overwhelming if you’re new to HRMs. Even though I’ve been using one for a while, this Polar provides far better data than my original Timex and Suunto t3c did. The Suunto is close, I’ll admit, but the Polar’s ability to record how long you spent in all 5 training zones during a workout is pretty key. Whether you choose the GPS or Footpod version, the HRM itself is a very good mid-level device. Unlike other HRMs I’ve had that simply tell me what I’m doing, Polar actually tells me what I should be doing.
I’m also very happy with the ability to sync the watch with Polar’s training website with the FlowLink that I purchased seperately. It captures all of the information off of your watch and displays it in easy to read charts and graphs. With the ability to create training plans right there, its a great package.
#3 by World Traveller on March 5, 2010 - 11:13 pm
I gave this product 4 stars only because no one else had reviewed it yet, and I didn’t want to put the kabosh on it when I ended up returning it.
I bought this product along with competing models from Garmin, Timex, and Suunto. I wanted to check ‘em all out, and I found pros/cons to each one. In the end, I went with the Garmin, and very happy I did. Look for my review there (click on my name to see my other reviews).
Polar is a fitness company, and they excel in creating all the little workouts and many ways to challenge yourself and measure your progress, both on the watch itself and accompanying software/web site.
The watch itself was the smallest of the four I looked at, which is good for me since I’m a gal, and not necessarily looking for a clunker. But, Polar is not a watch company, and it shows in their oddball design. I wish it looked just a little more watch-like, and less like some alien hardware that fell off a Vulcan vessel.
Still, I might have gone with the Polar, but what killed the deal for me was the GPS unit. I decided I really need GPS for tracking where I’ve been and how far I’ve gone. There are two problems with Polar’s GPS solution:
- the hardware: Polar’s GPS is a separate unit strapped to your arm that contains three AAA batteries that run out of juice after 8-12 hours. It’s a battery hog. That GPS is a third-party unit that both Polar and Timex use, so they’re the same. The door of this little plastic GPS thing was so hard to close – me and another reviewer had a similar problem with the Timex-branded unit – I almost nixed it for that problem alone. So, hit or miss on the manufacturing. Problem is that unloading and reloading the batteries every few runs will get to be a hassle. And, you look plain silly running down the road with that thing on your arm. The Garmin unit contains it all right inside the watch itself. So superior.
- the software: If you’re interested in downlaoding (uploading) your workouts into your PC and analyzing your total miles, calories, and actually seeing your route overlaid on a map, it will require a lot of steps for you and a little PC savvy to do it with the Timex and Polar solutions. I didn’t even look at Suunto’s, because their GPS solution was way out of my price range. Garmin’s software is so easy – read my review and you’ll see.
But, if you are really into your sets and reps and targets and goals, or already comfortable with other Polar products, this is probably the right one for you.
#4 by Victor Brazon Lopez on March 5, 2010 - 11:44 pm
Pleasant, light, with the good characteristics but I make not understood perché it& #039; s not compatible with polar software. Large against for me.
#5 by Sheila on March 6, 2010 - 2:10 am
This watch is great, it gives you time, distance, pace and calories. This watch works for everyday workouts to long training runs – it is great!