4 O Accelerator Trail Runner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Silva Tech 4O Accelerator watches seemed like a really great idea, and are, but they are rather limited. I use mine for running and keeping track of speed and distance that I'm running. To do this you must figure out your walking and running pace lengths and set the sensitivity of the watch to your footfalls. Then each time your foot hits the ground the watch knows how far you traveled and using how often your foot hits the ground, speed can be determined. Great idea, right? The problem is that pace length varies considerably with the speed you run at. Faster speeds require longer strides, but when you run faster with this watch it is still using your inputted pace length and doesn't realize you are running faster.
For example: I calculated my pace length while running at 6.4 mph. When running 6.4 mph on the treadmill the watch is spot on (less than 1% error). BUT when I run 8.0 mph on the treadmill the watch thinks I'm only running 7.1 mph and thus both the speed and distance are horribly off. Similarly with running slower and shorter strides. When I run 5.0 mph on the treadmill the watch shows me running at 5.9 mph and thinks I'm running faster and further than I am. At both ends of this spectrum if I only look at the watch it may tell me a speed almost 1 mph off of the truth and if you add that up over some time it will read miles wrong on distance.
In summary, this watch is severely limited. Unless you can consistently run at the same speed (in which case why are you buying this?) you will probably be disappointed with the accuracy of this watch.

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T31c Replacement Strap (EA) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is not a "compatible" strap for a Polar, but the real thing. The only difference from the original is its size; most Polars are shipped with a "Medium" size strap that is adjustable and fits most people, but this "Large" could be better for those who found the "Medium" tight even at its maximum length. Since I had lost the original one, I needed a replacement. The "Large", which goes from 27" to 63", was a better fit for me.

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VDO Z3 PC Link Altimeter, Heart Rate Monitor and Cycle Computer with PC Syncing Cable and Training Analysis Software Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Like others, my unit has a sticky button, especially under 12°C. Other negative points: The user interface is poor - it takes 4 separate operations to start recording a ride from scratch, which is ridiculous. While it has an altimeter it does not display the rate of vertical climbing, which is a great function to have. The wattage function is poor and average wattage is missing.
Ergonomically, the design is poor. The buttons are placed on the sides and require a strong push, best administered against an opposing thumb or finger. This is awkward to do while riding, because you have to bring your elbow into your gut to get your hand in the right place. If the buttons were top and bottom it would be much easier.
Worst of all, every so often it stops recording: on a recent ride of 380 km only 233 were recorded in detail, which is utterly unforgiveable.
The only positive thing about it is that my B&M headlight doesn't interfere with it: otherwise I would have stayed with my HAC4, which is a 2007 product but infinitely superior in handling.
The software has so many features that it is hard to work with, the graphic portrayal of performance is poor, and I am not convinced that it works as it should. I haven't yet found out how to extract my total km and metres climbed from it. The best thing about it is that you can export the data in Excel format and do your own evaluations - but this is rather laborious, because you have to do it for every little chunk that the idiot counter has chopped your ride into.
Abyssmal value for money.
PS: my unit gave up the ghost today. Despite all blandishments, the screen remains blank. What a crock!

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Elegantly designed, the wrist-style VDO Z3PC cycle computer keeps track of your training run times as well as includes integrated heart rate monitoring and an altimeter. The Z3PC offers data storage and the ability to download it to your PC for analysis with the included software. It also offers power measurement (WATT), calorie consumption, and fully digital wireless transmission for speed, heart rate, and cadence (with optional accessory). And it features ANT+Sport wireless signal coding that transmits to your computer without interference from other training computers nearby. It's backed by a five-year warranty.
PC Download Features
100 hours storage capacity (maximum 100 individual trips of 1 hour each)
Download of all cycling, cadence, heart rate data to PC
Lap data individually flagged for easy identification and analysis
Graph or spread sheet-display of trip (either on time axis or on distance axis)
Training-Analyzer-Software (by week, by month, by year)
Docking-Station with USB connection, compatible to Windows XP and Vista

Altimeter Features
Current altitude and gradient in % (permanently displayed)
Current temperature (Celsius or Fahrenheit)
Altitude gain uphill on current trip
Distance uphill on current trip
Maximum altitude on current trip
Maximum/average uphill gradient of current trip in %
Fast re-calibration of actual air pressure to home altitude

Timing and Heart Rate Monitoring Features
Current speed and distance; average speed
Real time comparison of actual and average speed, indication by arrows showing speed difference of +/- 1 km/h
Second, individually programmable distance counter; either forward or backward counting possible
Cadence Data (optional, with cadence sender equipment installed)
Two presettable wheel circumferences (wheel sizes)
Six selectable timers
Current trip timer (up to 24 hours)
Current heart rate (permanently displayed), ECG-precise measurement
Average/maximum heart rate
Current heart rate in % of personal maximum heart rate
Time in % of total training time:
within the preset heart rate limits (Limit Zone)
below the preset heart rate limits (Limit Zone)
above the preset heart rate limits (Limit Zone)

Calorie-consumption on current trip
Recovery time or recovery heart rate measurement (adjustable time or heart rate)
Lap-timer for 50 laps with data for lap time, average speed and average heart rate
Audible signal if current heart rate is above or below limit settings.
Personal data presettable (age, weight, sex, personal maximum heart rate)
Automatic calculation or manual setting of upper/lower limits for each of the three training zones
Current time, selectable 12- or 24- hour display
Alarm function

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Polar Wearlink Strap Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My shirt size is "M" and this strap fits fine on me, considering that I used it totally extended, so don't be fooled by the XXL size. Buy only the X - XS only if you are really skinny.
Also be aware that this replacement strap can't not be used with the old transmitters (T31 or T61), I know is obvious, but just in case.
If your Polar wrist watch came with one of the old transmitters, you should seriously consider changing it for the Wearlink. One big improvement from the original transmitters (T31 or T61 transmitters) is that with this model (the Wearlink) you only have to buy a new battery and replace it once they ran out and your transmitter is ready to use again. With the original ones you have to buy a new transmitter every time the battery dies, since the whole structure is sealed. So if your Polar wrist watch came with the T31 or T61, wait until the battery is finished and buy the Wearlink transmitter instead, you will save a lot of money over the years (compare the 39.95 US$ that the T31 or T61 cost vs the cost of a replacement battery).
The other big advantage is that the Wearlink transmitter is more confortable to wear, since it adapts better to the shape of your body since even the electrodes are flexible and are embedded in the fabric. Being flexible and all makes it easier to storage it your pocket when your finish training or if you are traveling.
In summary a great product for your Polar HRM, and a smart improvement if it is time to replace your old transmitter. Don't buy another T31 or T61, buy this one instead.
I run with my Polar six days a week, and probably train about ten hour a week with it. I used to have the T31 with my first Polar (the M61) so I can tell you first hand the Wearlink is far better. In summary more confortable, easier to wash, and a money saver. I was more than happy to trow the old one away after I bought this one.

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Polar RS800cx Pro Team Edition Limited Edition with Bike Speed and Cadence and USB IrDA adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the Polar RS800CX for the purposes of training myself on my road bike as an average cyclist. I will divide my review in two parts: 1. Documentation and setting up; and 2. The Polar computer.
Polar can definitely do better in terms of documentation for the Polar computer, the Speed Sensor and the Cadence Sensor. The illustrations were tiny and not clear in the manual. In the process of setting up the Speed Sensor, I had to key in the size of the wheel. Instead of using standard nomenclature for wheel size, one is expected to key in the wheel size configuration in mm. There was no literature that I could find in the manual on keying in the right size. I had to call the local Polar agent to key in the right number.
Then, I tried attaching the Polar heart rate sensor on the chest strap which has two clip buttons to secure the heart rate sensor. After buttoning the heart rate sensor, I removed it from the chest strap and one of the buttons (the female piece) broked from the strap. Fortunately, it took me 1 minute to have a "one-for-one" exchange from the Polar agent with no questions asked, not withstanding that I bought the product online.
The Polar Computer - Pro Trainer Software
If you guys are on Mac - good luck! The software is compatible on Windows OS only. Lucky me, I have both OS on my Mac and managed to load the Pro Trainer Software. It is pretty cool in terms of what it records but I wished it has some cookie cutter training programs that I could export to the Polar Computer. I had to design my own training program, if I were to venture beyond the "My Own Zone" program, which just tells you that you are thrashing yourself beyond your heart rate zone.
So, for a premium heart rate model, Polar can do better!

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Suunto M5 Men's Heart Rate Monitor (Clamshell) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It's everything you are looking for in a training watch.
Pros:
Design
Functions
Heart rate belt
Coach
Training programs
Cons:
It's light is too dimm

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VDO Z2 Heart Rate Monitor and Cycle Computer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is not an inexpensive computer; and if a good definition of quality is to meet expectations, then I have been let down.
It works well enough but the bugs it has are quite annoying. Maximum speed and maximum heart rate are important metrics, yet sometimes when I push hard I see a speed or heart rate on the display and then I find that the maximum recorded is a couple of units below it. That's simply not good. If the computer captures a top rate well enough to display it, it should not be a problem to record it as the maximum. It's the easiest thing to do in software.

Also, ergonomics could be better. To start the next lap, for instance, you have to press two buttons at the same time. It is error prone and in the heat of the ride it is easy to fail to do it, so you do it a few times and then find that it skipped two laps. It's quite annoying.
I have emailed customer support about this complaints and I got no answer, so there you go. So much for German engineering...


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Elegantly designed, the wrist-style VDO Z2 cycle computer will keep track of your training with integrated heart rate monitoring as well as calorie consumption and fully digital wireless transmission for speed, heart rate, and cadence (with optional accessory). It also features ANT+Sport wireless signal coding that transmits to your computer without interference from other training computers nearby. It's backed by a five-year warranty.
Features
Current speed and distance; average speed
Real time comparison of actual and average speed, indication by arrows showing speed difference of +/- 1 km/h
Second, individually programmable distance counter; either forward or backward counting possible
Cadence Data (optional, with cadence sender equipment installed)
Two presettable wheel circumferences (wheel sizes)
Six selectable timers
Current trip timer (up to 24 hours)
Current heart rate (permanently displayed), ECG-precise measurement
Average/maximum heart rate
Current heart rate in % of personal maximum heart rate
Time in % of total training time:
within the preset heart rate limits (Limit Zone)
below the preset heart rate limits (Limit Zone)
above the preset heart rate limits (Limit Zone)

Calorie-consumption on current trip
Recovery time or recovery heart rate measurement (adjustable time or heart rate)
Lap-timer for 50 laps with data for lap time, average speed and average heart rate
Audible signal if current heart rate is above or below limit settings.
Personal data presettable (age, weight, sex, personal maximum heart rate)
Automatic calculation or manual setting of upper/lower limits for each of the three training zones
Current time, selectable 12- or 24- hour display
Alarm function

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