Software
The Polar S625X comes with a training log software called Polar Precision Performance
or PPP. This software only runs on a PC. As mentioned earlier, you will need an infrared
device if you're going to upload data to your PC and to this software.
Making the connection from your S625X to your PC through an infrared device can be troublesome
and Polar should consider a hard-wired connection like that in the Garmin Forerunners.
The graphs of your training data are quite detailed, although somewhat hard to read: you get
altitude, speed, and heart rate all on the same graph. While it is nice to see the relationship
of these variables, Polar should be able to tweak the formatting to make them easier to follow.
Users should be able to add or remove variables from the graph by right clicking on a variable.
It is also troublesome that Polar insists on using speed (MPH) instead of pace. The user should
be able to change this display to show pace in min/mile or min/km if they wish.
You get a reasonable collection of summary graphs in addition to the graph of each individual
workout. These include training time by week and training time per week with an allocation
to various HR training zones. The latter is nice because it lets you easily see what
portion of your training time is spent in the each zone for each week. (You should define
your HR training zones in PPP before you upload any data. If you upload data before
setting your personal HR training zones, then the preset defaults will apply. Any
subsequent changes to your HR zones are not retroactively applied to previously uploaded
training data.)
An interesting graph is the Total Exertion per week and pace. Exertion is based on a scoring
system linked to your HR zones. This is similar to Jack Daniel's "training points" concept
that he details in
Running Formula
.
(See page 39-40 of the second edition.) As with the
training zones mentioned above, you will want to set the exertion scoring up prior to
uploading any data because changes are not retroactive.
Those who are very picky about the distance and speed accuracy will want to take advantage
of the error correction features built into PPP. Like all speed and distance monitors,
the Polar S625X is not perfect. When you display the training data on the graph, you
will notice some spikes and dips. Spikes occur when the S625X thinks you went much
farther than you actually did for a brief period of time. Dips occur when the Polar
S625X thinks you went much slower than you actually did. We found that spikes were
much more common than dips. One or two on each run were not uncommon on runs of
10 miles or more. This could cause some runs to be one or two tenths of a mile
longer than they actually were. The PPP software allows you to smooth out these
spikes and dips. When you do smooth them out, the distance and speed for your
run, and for any laps in which the spike or dip occurred, are adjusted.
Overall, the software is not all that user friendly, but it works and has some nice features.
[top]
How well does the Polar S625X work?
The Polar S625X is a great training tool, the only hassle being that you need
to calibrate the food pod in order to get the greatest precision. Different
shoes, running surfaces, and training paces can require different calibration
factors, making accurate use of the S625X somewhat complicated for those
wishing to maximize precision. Properly calibrated, the S625X is quite
accurate; even without calibration, most runners will find the S625X to be
accurate enough.
The S625X adjusts to changes in pace rather quickly, unlike GPS units, which
can take a while to catch up to you if you suddenly speed up. This can be
important if you are doing intervals.
If you are not willing to take the time to calibrate the S625X then look to a
GPS based device. But remember, a GPS based device will not work well where
there is tree coverage or near tall buildings. And a GPS unit will obviously
not work at all on a treadmill (even one that is outside), whereas the S625X
will work just fine on a treadmill.
As discussed earlier, some people will not like the feel of the foot pod. This
will depend on how much cushioning you have on the tongue of your shoes and
how bony your feet are. If you train in heavyweight motion control shoes,
you probably won't notice it. If you train in Brooks T3s you probably won't
want to wear a foot pod that weighs almost half as much as one of your shoes.
Aside from the minor calibration inconvenience, there is much to love in the
S625X. It is a full featured and precise running computer.
Polar's customer service is generally quite helpful. We did not see, however,
any way of updating the S625X's firmware. We have noted a couple of problems
with the way the S625X operates and it would be nice to know that owners could
upgrade their firmware should Polar address these problems or otherwise make
improvements.
[top]
< < Next Page
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
Next Page > >
