Polar 725 vs Hac4

confusedxx

I have been out of cycling for several years now due to bunch of different factors and some laziness
However, I want to start up again as it is sunny outside and I need to do some fitness again. Which brings up the questions below.

I was thinking of buying a Polar 725 to replace my older polar and cateye cadence monitor. Watt training is never something I did and my old watch could not download to a PC and I never used it beyond watching my HR.

How accurate or worthwhile are the features of the 725 (Power, L/R balance, Accent, etc)?
Do the PC programs help in your training and lead to improvements in your fitness or are they just distractions?
How does the Polar 725 compare to the HAC4?

Thanks for helping someone eager to get back on the bike.

Woofer

I think you should forget about the toys for now and enjoy riding the bike. If you can't get back into it you don't have to fret about money wasted. If you have to choose between the HAC 4 and nothing, go with nothing. You will get more accurate data by using a stopwatch and simply visiting analytical cycling to calculate power for known climbs.

Jesus Malone

I would avoid the HAC 4 for reliability issues, and go for the 725 IF you dont want power. If you want HR, Altitude, Speed and Cadence definitely check out the Polar unit. Its easy to use, simple to download and the software is great. However, the Polar power unit is a piece of $hit. Its a pain to set-up, and isnt as accurate as other systems out there.

If you want power, get a Powertap rear hub built up. Its accurate, easy to use and works. If you really have money burning a hole is your pocket get an SRM.

steve

I'd like to see a warning on the packaging that states something like:

"Your wattage reading may or may not jump from 350 watts to 450 watts and then back to 250 watts for no apparent reason"

The HRM and HRM software is great, best on the market IMO but the power meter is crap when compared to other units.

cheers

__________________
Steve

CyclingForums.com

Jesus Malone

Full review of the SRM/PT and Polar....

http://www.biketechreview.com/archive/pm_review.htm

steve

Nice one....thats a good article

__________________
Steve

CyclingForums.com

Walrus

How does a stopwatch measure heart rate?

Woofer

Your heart rate only measures your heart rate. Your time over a known distance and climb can be used to measure your performance. What your heart rate is is mostly irrelevant in that it is not a measure of your performance in the same way that power or doing a known amount of work over time, i.e. distance/climb over time.

Walrus

All corect, but that's not what I was getting at.