Author Archive
New Polar FA20 FT40 FT60 FT80 heart monitors
11/09/2008 by Tris.
Heart Rate Monitor UK www.heartatemonitor.co.uk are pleased to offer the new Polar FA20 Polar FT40 Polar FT60 and Polar FT80 heart rate monitors. These new models are aimed at general fitness enthusiasts of all levels. The distnguishing feature of these new range of heart rate monitors is their appearance. They are very stylish and have moved away from the - look, I’m a heart rate monitor - style to - look, I’m a stylish watch, and a competent heart rate monitor too !!
We have started reviewing these models at heart rate monitor UK and so far - we are very impressed.
The one big notable difference in the new line up is the Polar FA20. The Polar FA20 is NOT a heart rate monitor - it is an ACTIVITY MONITOR with step counter, activity monitoring and calories burnt throughout the day. This is great for the user who’s main activities are walking, jogging and running - but don’t want to have to wear a heart rate monitor belt and are not concerned about level of training intensity, just want feedback on general activity.
All the rest of the range are regular chest strap style continuous heart rate monitors. All using the comfortable Polar Wearlink coded chest strap, compatible with most popular gym equipment.
The range has sensible feature progression from Polar FT40 to Polar FT60 to top of range Polar FT80. The FT60 and FT80 have the ability to support the Polar G1 GPS or Polar S1 Foot POD to give running speed distance and pace. You can compare the feaures from this page - top of page there is a Polar FA FT series comparison table - available here in PDF
r-r intervals - Polar RS800 - Suunto T6C
17/06/2008 by Tris.
A useful question asked today by a customer regarding Polar RS800 and Suunto T6C and their use of, and analysis of R-R heart rate data - with regard to heart rate variability.
I have been looking at Suunto T series because of the R-R facility. (1) How does this compare to Polar’s R-R facility.
(2) How does the software differ between T6 and T3 (not really interested in T4 Coach system).
Thanks for the mail regarding R-R analysis.
1) The big difference is that the RS800 Pro Trainer software gives you ACCESS to the R-R data - so you can extract the RAW R-R information
The Suunto Training Manager does NOT
HOWEVER….
Suunto analyses the R-R data it has stored and outputs TRAINING EFFECT and EPOC data to give the user a very clear understanding of the WORK LOAD.
That means you have TRAINING EFFECT data for EACH and EVERY session you perform, so it is clear to see when you are over training
The Polar has the OWN OPTIMISER test. This is performed voluntarily and, upon completion, gives the user an idea of their current wellbeing - over trained, under trained, balanced training state etc.
Both are GOOOD.
For the average user, TRAINING EFFECT is useful and gives immediate review of progress and workload
The Polar RS800 is possibly better suited to the purist, the user that wants access to the RAW DATA.
2) Please review the SCREEN GRABS on these pages:
Suunto TRAINING MANAGER software with TRAINING EFFECT and TIME versus HEART RATE curves
Suunto TRAINING MANAGER LITE software - does NOT give time versus heart rate curves
The T3/4 does NOT give a TIME versus HEART RATE curve.. the T6 does
www.heartratemonitor.co.uk
Hope we can help
Suunto T3c T4c and T6c - general questions
02/06/2008 by Tris.
Copy of mail from a soon to be customer…..Hi…… I would like your advice. I am a recreational runner looking for a HRM to improve my performance - mainly 10k and half marathon distance. Previously bought a ciclosport from you some years back but stopped using it because after a while I didn’t feel it gave me sufficient feedback.
I now think that a HRM with distance/pace measurement would help and and have also been intrigued by the training effect concept. So have narrowed down my selection to the Garmin 405 and the suunto t3c/t6c.
<<<< Good choices to start with >>>>
My questions are:
1) I mainly run outside in variable terrain, also tend to be alot of trees where I run. Would the GPS of the 405 and Suunto be able to cope with this?
<<< yes, the new SIRF aerial is VERY SENSITIVE >>>>
http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/garmin_forerunner_405.html
Garmin forerunner aerial sensitivity tests.. for 405 read 305 … same SIRF high sensitivity aerial
2) Would the Suunto foot pod work in hilly terrain - the Suunto web-site indicates it accomodes hills but I have read conflicting information on the web about foot pods - what is your experience with this particular one?
<<< yes, from my experience it is fine on hills… as it is on SAND or soft grass versus tarmac / track etc>>>>>
3) Does the training effect concept work and is it in your view more important than perfect distance/pace measurement in improving performance?
<<< it 100% works… it very clearly indicates where there are patterns of over/under training… allowing you to make changes to training plan and achieving results more effectively and quickly. It is 100% not a gimmick and it is justification enough to buy a T3/4/6 >>>>
4) Finally - is the T6c overkill for someone like me - what would it give me in practical terms that the t3c would not?
<<<< It would give you better PC analysis and altitude data…. nice if within budget, but not the end of the world it outside budget >>>>>>
Finally which would you most recommend as an effective training tool for runners?
<<<< T3C or above with FOOT POD >>>>
http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/suunto_t3c_heart_monitor.html
Suunto - Total ascent / total descent
02/06/2008 by Tris.
We had a mail from a customer about Suunto T6/S6/X3HR altitude data.We thought it would be useful to publish this:Many thanks for the email.
The first two figures are, as you suggest, the MAX and MIN heights, above sea level, from a session. This figure is based on barometric pressure changes. It relies on an accurate setting of start altitude. It seems that these were pretty close, so no problem there. These are simply the HIGHEST and LOWEST points within a session
The other two figures are TOTAL ASCENT and TOTAL DESCENT heights.
While you are cycling you are either
On the flat, thus no climb
Going uphill, thus ASCENDING
Going downhill, thus DESCENDING
If ascending at a rate of 3 m/min for 6 minutes… the x3HR would put 18m to TOTAL ASCENT data (3m/min x 6 mins)
If descending, steeply, at 20m/min for just 30 seconds.. the x3HR would put 10m to the TOTAL DESCENT data (20m/min x 0.5mins)
This is done throughout the ride….
If you’re ride was pretty flat, the total ASCENT / DESCENT heights would be low
If the ride was hilly… it is represented by a high total ASCENT / DESCENT height
Normally, ASCENDED and DESCENDED totals will be quite similar… but not always identical.
Your two rides look very different… one very FLAT with on a 15m climbing and 9m descending
The second ride was pretty hilly… with climbs approaching 1000m
The max/min (start / finish) heights do not have any impact on ascend/descend figures.
Hope that makes sense
Suunto heart rate monitors with ALTITUDE ASCENT / DESCENT
