Want a low cost GPS sports watch ??
15/12/2010 by Tris.
Consider a BOWFGLEX GPS 905 - very very similar to a Garmin Forerunner 305
Bowflex Heart Rate/Fitness Monitor GPS Watch
Sports Beat / Bowflex GPS-905
We’ve only just taken delivery of these GPS units and we are VERY IMPRESSED with them. They make a good alternative to the Garmin Forerunner 305/405/310XT. They come with some impressive software that INCLUDES full Googlemaps with street marking and aerial photo view - so no need to export the data from one software to another. USB connection via PC cable, supplied, was quick and easy to set up. These units are IPX7 water-resistant, basically fine to get wet, but not spend time UNDER water, so no good for swimming (same as Garmin Forerunner 305/405 - only 310XT is ok for swimming).
The only ONE criticism of these units was their size.. they are a bit bigger than a Forerunner 305 - but we don’t think that should detract from their performance. They are THINNER than the Forerunner 305, but LONGER, from top to bottom. We are confident you will love this unit - however, if you are not happy with it when it arrives, just send it back for a full refund - WE’VE NOT HAD ONE BACK YET !!
In summary ~ we found the software to be VERY GOOD, user interface on watch VERY EASY to navigate around functions ~ great memory 15 hours of data at 1 second interval. All in all - an accomplished alternative to the Garmin Forerunner range (if you didn’t know better, you might think it WAS a Garmin, user screens are very similar, even the “beep” on power up sounds the same…)
The Bowflex 905 GPS watch has another advantage over the competition - it uses 5.4KHz analogue transmission - this means it will communicate with popular gym equipment equipped with Polar / analogue heart rate receivers like Technogym, Life Fitness, Cybex, Concept 2 etc. Garmin use a DIGITAL transmission that is NOT compatible with gym equipment (unless it states ANT+compatible on the machine)
The Bowflex Gps-905 is a multi-use GPS training watch that can be used in most outdoor applications to monitor, track, and analyze your exercise and training routines. It has the ability to record, store, and upload data via the USB port on your computer. It has a host of training tools such as alarms for distance, lap times, speed, heart rate, and more either above or below goal levels. It also includes dashboard views of workouts showing speed, altitude, and calories burned for specific sports (skiing, running, jogging, biking) and even the ability to record trails for easy back-tracking to your start location or a waypoint.
The GPS 905 is one piece of equipment that will change the way you exercise outdoors. Internal memory capacity can store up to 60,000 track points, 600 waypoints and 100 laps and includes a wireless Heart Rate Monitor providing yet another dimension to your workout data.
Features:
- Wireless Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) Included
- Easy to Read Over-Sized LCD Display
- Configurable Backlight Duration
- Configure Display Content on up to 4-Screens
- Firmware Updatable Via PC and Internet Connection
- Stores 60,000 Trackpoints, 600 Waypoints and 100 Laps
- SiRF Star III GPS Chipset for Accuracy and Performance
- Same Saved Data can Also be Used to Geotag Digital Photos with Location
- 5-Selectable Languages (English, Spanish, French, German, & Italian)
Polar CS500 bike computer review
27/07/2010 by Tris.
What Polar say about the new Polar CS500 ~ Functional Design for the Ride
For ambitious cyclists seeking improved cycling performance.
- Determines daily personal heart rate target zones for optimal training
- Allows quick and safe control with the rocker switch and oversized user-configurable display
- Displays the inclines and declines of your ride with altitude measurement
- Guarantees interference-free transmission with W.I.N.D. technology
For FULL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION of Polar CS500 - click here
What we say about the new Polar CS500 - CS500CAD : Polar have listened to customers comments about 1) Screen size and 2) Button ease of use, especially with gloves on.
1) SIZE - normally in the world of heart rate monitoring everyone tried to keep things small. Not this time - the Polar CS500 is LARGE - a full size bike computer is EASY TO SEE, even at high speed and poor light conditions. Well done - we like this OVERSIZED unit
2) BUTTONS - the CS500 is mounted on a vertical pin system / rocker switch. To activate either button just PUSH DOWN on the side of the unit near the edge. The Polar CS500 will ROCK down, activating the button on the rear of the unit - CLEVER. Very easy to use, even with gloves on or cold fingers.
3) Polar RECOVERY analysis. Download to polarpersonaltrainer.com and see if you are RED - over training - ORANGE - close to over training or - GREEN - just right, carry on…. .
New Polar Training Load feature
27/07/2010 by Tris.
Newsflash - Polar TRAINING LOAD analysis
Polar can now give you an indication of TRAINING LOAD from their online website service polarpersonaltrainer.com
Download to polarpersonaltrainer.com and see if you are RED - over training - ORANGE - close to over training or - GREEN - just right, carry on…. This is a new feature and gives the user sensible training load advice. It is available on any model that can download to the polarpersonaltrainer.com website
This feature is available with any new download from
Polar FT7
Polar Ft40
Polar FT60
Polar FT80
Polar CS500
Polar RS300X
Garmin Edge 500
04/12/2009 by Tris.
Well it’s here.. the much acclaimed and highly anticipated Garmin Edge 500 GPS cyclists computer
What is it ? - Garmin have gone all out on performance this time. The Garmin Edge 500 is NOT a mapping / routing device like the Edge 605 and Edge 706 ARE. The Edge 500 is designed for the serious cyclists that wants to track speed, distance, calories, pedal cadence and optional POWER. The Garmin Edge 500 uses ANT + communication protocol - this means it will work with ANY other ANT + devices including Power Tap and Vector Power Pedals.
GPS functionality? It uses GPS HotFix for quick and accurate speed and distance calculation. It also STORES where you have been - this means you can download to Garmin Training Manager or other FREE to use GPS analysis sites like www.sportstracklive.com to reivew, SPEED, DISTANCE, CADENCE, POWER, ALTITUDE and HEART RATE
The Garmn Edge 500 is about HALF the size of the Garmin Edge 605/705 (length wise). It has a nice big clear display which is completely user configurable. The user can choose between 1 and 7 segments on the display - you choose what you want to see…
You can also race against yourself from any previously saved COURSES… ride a circuit - save it as a COURSE.. then next time you’re out doing that course.. race against yourself… perfect
Available now from heartratemonitor.co.uk
