Clothing and Accessories

On test: Polar CS 500

Details

Parent Category: Clothing and Accessories

Category: Polar

Published on Saturday, 19 June 2010 08:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

The new design improves visibility, perfect and complete functions available

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New Polar CS 500 introduces a new form of the cycle computer that differs from what has been seen in Polar CS range. With the new conformation has tried to create a larger display, which allow you to view more information and larger numbers. Then the new "rocker-switch" allows you to change display more easily, without removing his hands from the handlebars. In practice we tried to reach out to those users who wanted to note CS display larger numbers more visible and more immediate change in the display. New lens flat screen, which minimizes the disturbance caused by reflected sunlight, new support handlebars Dual Lock Bike Mount, which ensures maximum stability and ease of assembly. Another new feature is that the CS 500 is the first product Polar Mac Compatible. Two versions available, in the only color you see in the picture, one that includes CS speed sensor WIND and support handlebars Dual Lock Bike Mount, while another includes the CS cadence sensor WIND. Both versions are equipped with belt transmission WearLink + WIND and instruction manual. Among the accessories available separately: Polar DataLink, CS cadence sensor WIND and power sensor Power Output Sensor.

These functions in detail:

Altimeter and barometer functions

- Altitude with graphical monitoring - available on polarpersonaltrainer.com

The altitude calculation is done using a sensor at atmospheric pressure. Altitude is displayed in meters / feet uphill and downhill slope and rise / fall in percentage and degrees.

- Altitude, ascent and descent - m degrees and percentage

- Temperature

Cardiovascular functions

- training load - available on polarpersonaltrainer.com

- Heart rate - bpm /% / graphic monitoring

- Automatic Heart Rate based target zones - bpm /%

- maximum and average heart rate of each fraction

- Heart rate average, minimum and maximum workout

- HRmax (based on heart rate) - Maximum number of heartbeats per minute (bpm) during maximum physical exertion.

- OwnCal ® - calorie expenditure with consideration of the altimeter

- OwnCode ® (2.4 GHz WIND) - coded transmission

- ® OwnZone - automatic calculation of training zone staff

- Target Zone with audible alarm based on heart rate

- Manual target zone - bpm /%

Recording Functions

- File Training (with summary) - 14

- Weekly Summary - available on polarpersonaltrainer.com

- Totals - The totals include data for training since the last reset to allow monitoring of training in the long term.

Watch Functions

- User-replaceable battery

- battery indicator

- Date / day of the week

- User interface in English

- Timetable (12/24h)

- Waterproof - IPX7

Functions for training

- graphical target zone indicator

- Number of laps - 99

- Automatic registration Intermediates - This feature allows you to set the computer on training split by distance default, eg every kilometer / mile.

- Remainder - calorie expenditure, distance or time course (you can set reminders to remind you of different activities or training sessions, indicating, for example, which should be drinking).

- Scroll automatic display - Automatic scrolling display can automatically switch the display during the workout.

- Timer intervals - The timer can be either time or distance.

- ZonePointer - Area Pointer is a visible and moving symbol on the display of computer training, indicating that there is within the preset Target Zone.

CS cadence sensor functions W.I.N.D.

- Cadence - current, average and maximum

- Settings bike - for three bicycles

Features power sensor W.I.N.D.

- Power - current, average and maximum

CS speed sensor functions W.I.N.D.

- Autostart / stop

- Distance - training, lap and total

- Settings bike - for three bicycles

- Speed - current, average and maximum

Data transfer

- Compatible with polarpersonaltrainer.com - Opt. With DataLink

These weights measured with our instrumentation:

Cycle Computer: 60 grams (including stand)

Band Cardio: 70 grams

Cadence Sensor: 10 grams (including stand)

Speed Sensor: 10 grams (including stand)

Road test

The new CS 500 is distinguished immediately by its distinctive shape and completely different from what used to date with the CS series. From the aesthetic point of view a big step forward. The installation is easy, and it seems also improved the ability of the sensors send a signal to the instrument. In tests of CS 400 and CS 600 had in fact shown that the speed sensor went positioned as close as possible to the instrument to avoid loss of signal. This incident, though small, has not happened with CS 500, allowing greater freedom in positioning the two sensors for speed and cadence. Now, then, it is easier to attach and remove the instrument from the handlebar support and above all easier to change the display, both at the push of the thumb or wrist, then without removing his hands from the handlebars. A nice convenience and more security. The larger the display provide better visibility, it is easier to quickly see the data, especially when you decide to include in a single screen all possible data. While data on the previous CS had small numbers, to be displayed all together now are larger and easy to use. Always good scorll function that allows you to change the display automatically and continuously. Remain common to the positive aspects of the CS Series Polar instruments. Cardiovascular functions are excellent for accuracy and completeness of data. So you can better plan and monitor the training. Positive that this version the energy consumption is also calculated according to altitude and indicating the % of fat burned. As always useful function Interval Training, here based on time or distance, and not the heart rate and recovery as in CS 600. Excellent ability to set three different types of bikes (5 on the CS 600) and automatically set the recording interval by time or distance traveled. Perfect the usefulness of the altimeter and the indication of the slope of the trail, the meters of ascent and descent routes and the ambient temperature. Among the various features absent, as compared to the CS 600, is one that indicates the form of the athlete and his level of recovery compared with previous training. Instead, we found a good fit instrument for use in Mtb, and the usual stability in the Polar data, which are always displayed and saved correctly. Always perfect, among the positive polarity complex, analysis of training, although it is not a standard that allows key Polar DataLink to transfer all data from the instrument directly to your computer and view them on the site polarpersonaltrainer.com, missing, In addition, the CD Polar Precision 5 and the ability to view files on your computer workout. In conclusion, a more just that, overcoming some limitations of the CS series, as the size of the numbers, now the largest and most easily visible and the ability to change the display without removing his hand from the handlebars. Given the many inquiries, we now come to the limits of this instrument. Overall objective and we are talking about a great tool, even in comparison with direct competitors. Compared to the CS 600 loses several functions that may be more or less important depending on how you train and how and what is the heart. The CS 600 is, at present, the best instrument available to an athlete to monitor and plan their workouts based on heart rate, cadence and the power generated. Even so, the CS 500 is less effective and certainly its functions are more suitable for those who do not carry specific and targeted training. In fact, the features on the CS 500 is more than enough for all the amateurs who train with the heart, but not as professional sports are not followed by a trainer who can understand, analyze and set all the functions available on the CS 600. For this new model CS 500 is guessed and winning, since fits the actual needs of amateurs rather than professionals. Finally, the price set at € 239.90 for the basic version and € 279.90 for the full version, while reach € 329.80 for the version with cadence sensor and data link, in line with what the market offers, for the first two proposals, slightly higher for the third.

Positive aspects

Large numbers and easy to read

Completeness of the information

Reliability of data transmission

Easy to change the display without removing their hands from the handlebars

Ease of data analysis

Negative aspects

Datalink for the data transfer must not set

To learn more:

Polar

Website: www.polar.fi