Ok.
Now bearing in mind that I previously had a Polar A1 and a 50 lap stopwatch - everything about the S625x is a world of extra information.
So, the wrist unit is quite large - but not too big, even for my (reasonably) slender girl wrists - too big to wear all the time though.
The display is good - three lines - which you can customise depending on what you are doing and the information you want to see (HR, pace, distance, stop watch time, altitude, temperature, speed, etc.).
The HRM "wearlink" strap is ace - much more comfy than the old stylee.
You can set 5 exercise sets - to include intervals with warm up and cool down periods, set by time or heart rate. The intervals themselves can be set for distance as well as time or heart rate. You can also set limits with alerts for when you go outside them - these are both HR and pace.
The foot pod - once you manage to get the batteries in - fits nicely on your shoe, and although I thought it felt fairly heavy in my hand, you really can't notice it on your shoe (I think).
I haven't been for a 'proper' run with it yet (sorry, will do so over the weekend), but did run up and down my road a few times - and yes, it shows pace data which seems pretty reactive, and measured the distance to be what I had previously measured using accuroute - which is a good sign.
I am a bit worried that I will spend so much time looking at my watch and changing the displays to start with that I am going to run into a lamppost or something, but I'm sure I will get the hang of it.
It is quite complicated - getting it to do what you want can be a bit frustrating when you aren't sure which buttons to press - but again, I think that is user inexperience rather than a problem with the kit.
I have managed to upload and download information from/to my laptop - via the infra red link. This also takes a bit of figuring out, but looks like it will be a world of fun (if you like that kind of thing).
The exercise files that are stored while the stopwatch is running are incredible - it records allsorts of information at 5, 15 or 60 second intervals - which you can then use to draw graphs and things via the software. Quite amazing.
So, that's it.
I have to admit to wearing my HRM right now, sat at my desk - I monitored my HR for 15 minutes, and then drew a graph - suprisingly peaky :) I know, it's sad.
Hoping to get out for a run either tonight or tomorrow so will better be able to give some views after that.
First impressions though - it is going to be great!!
Posted: 18/06/2004 at 13:10
