In the battle for the best heart rate monitor the battle is fierce. Today we are going to analyze 2 of the best sellers.
On the one hand the Polar RS400 SD.
We have tested it for 4 weeks. The first impression right out of the box is its spectacular design. A modern watch, almost galactic and offers the user that ego to show others that your thing is sport.
Polar RS400 heart rate monitor functions
Polar Sport Zones
This system provides you with an easy way to program and monitor the intensity of your training and follow training programs based on Polar sport zones. Training is divide into five zones based on percentages of maximum heart rate: very light (50-60%HR max ), light (60-70%HR max ), moderate (70-80%HR max ), hard (80-90%HR max ) and hard (90-100%HR max ).
Polar OwnOptimizer
Training and rest in the right balance. The Polar OwnOptimizer test will reveal whether you have recovered enough to train again.
Exercise set
Create training sessions with individual settings for duration and heart rate limits.
Function that allows you to select exercise programs for interval training including target heart rate zones and recovery calculations.
Planning
Polar Protrainer 5 software allows you to comprehensively plan your workouts and analyze them after you have completed them.
USE AND HANDLING
This is the weak point of the Polar. Its handling is complicated. The complex menus to configure the training session. The button to activate the heart rate monitor is really badly placed. You press it unintentionally at the slightest movement so that the stopwatch jumps at the slightest carelessness. You can find yourself with the watch memory full in a week (it has happened to us).
On the other hand the speed measurement system (POD) that comes with this model and that is placed in the shoe is disproportionate. If you are one of those who like to go light and you even look at the grams of the shoe, forget about wearing this "boulder" on your feet.
We did like the chest strap. It is of a very good quality, it does not bother, nor has uncomfortable seams and the closure system is very simple and practical.
WE LIKE
-Design
- Polar ProTrainer 5 software system for planning, analyzing and tracking the progress of your workouts.
-Chest band
WE DON'T LIKE
-Complicated menu
-Excessive POD size
-START button too sensitive and poorly positioned.
It's the turn of SUUNTO T3C BLACK Running pack
On the Sunnto everything is simple. Our first impression when we took it out of the box was "My God, it looks like a flea market watch". Relax, in this case it's not the first impression that counts. Everything else were rewarding surprises.
The Finnish brand has created a navigation system for the different functions of the heart rate monitor that is really simple and attractive. Getting started and programming the heart rate monitor is very easy. The weight of the watch is so insignificant that you won't even notice you're wearing it. It is a machine that helps you to do sport. With an austere design it is true, but tremendously functional and aerodynamic that you will be grateful in your long outings in which you have everything to spare.
For its part the Suunto Foot POD that allows you to measure speed and distance traveled has an extra-flat design and small dimensions and with a very low weight.
The Suunto Comfort Belt, we liked less. Not so much for its design (as everything in this heart rate monitor very simple and comfortable to wear) but for its durability because in the month of use is quite deteriorated.
The Suunto Running pack provides essential real-time information about the race. It allows you to monitor heart rate, calories burned, speed, distance traveled and personalized data.
It also has a personal trainer that measures your condition and adapts based on your training so you can see how your workout improves your fitness. Real-time Training Effect data allows you to modify the speed and duration of your run in order to reach your training goals.
WE LIKE
-Simple and efficient operation
-Movescount system for planning, analyzing and tracking your training progress compared to other athletes using Suunto.
-Suunto Foot POD
WE DO NOT LIKE
-Poor durability of the Comfort Belt
-Austere design
VERDICT:
It's been an intense month. We have used the heart rate monitors for running and swimming and in this case we have no doubt, we will choose the SUUNTO T3C.
For its handling, for its weight and for how well designed its functionalities are...
