Product Description

Now Introduces mapping / route positioning capabilities with the G3 GPS Sensor, enabling users to download their route information to their PC after the training session. RS800CX G3 MULTI - Complete for the athlete with the multi-sport G3 GPS Sensor (MSRP $499.95)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11035 in Sports & Outdoors
• Size: One Size
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Polar
• Model: 90033450
• Released on: 2008-09-01
• Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

Features

• Sophisticated training watch designed for dedicated, multi-sport endurance athletes
• Integrated Polar ProTrainer 5 software lets you create custom GPS routes and maps
• Displays heart rate as percentage of maximum, bpm, and within target zone indicator
• Includes G3 GPS sensor for reading speed and distance on land, snow, or water
• Built-in altimeter for altitude analysis; 12/24-hour clock; 2-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Are you serious about your athletic training? If so, turn to the Polar RS800CX multi-sport heart rate monitor watch, which offers a complete system for planning, monitoring, and analyzing every part of your training. This particular version of the RS800CX is equipped with a host of valuable tools, including a built-in altimeter, a WearLink W.I.N.D. heart rate transmitter with a soft textile chest strap, a copy of Polar ProTrainer 5 software, and a G3 GPS sensor that helps you measure your speed and distance in a variety of sports. As a result, there's no better way for athletes to create a comprehensive training workout that's efficient and effective. Even better, the watch lets you combine training sessions from different sports into a single file, so you can integrate your running, cycling, hiking, rowing, and skiing sessions without missing a beat. It's the ultimate multi-sport training watch.

The RS800CX watch is the ultimate training computer for multi-sport athletes.

As a heart rate monitor, the RS800CX works by first checking your daily condition, and then guiding you to the ideal training intensity for your age and fitness level. Knowing your heart rate not only helps you reach your personal fitness goal, but also improves your physical condition in general, as it's vitally important to train at the appropriate intensity level. If you exercise too hard, you may quit before you reach the real benefit, but if you work out too leisurely, you'll struggle to lose weight at all. The RS800CX helps overcome these problems by encouraging you to map out a complete fitness routine. The watch also displays heart rate info in several ways, including as a percentage of your maximum heart rate, as beats per minute, and within a graphical target zone indicator. And should your heart rate exceed or dip below your target zone, the RS800CX will sound an alarm that helps you return to form.

The RS800CX also offers a variety of proprietary Polar functions. The ZonePointer, for example, is an audible and visual feature on the display of your watch that shows you where your current heart rate sits within your target heart rate zone. The Polar OwnZone mode, meanwhile, provides a customized target zone for individual exercise sessions. Finally, the Polar OwnCal mode shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session, as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. You can also set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calorie expenditure, helping you achieve both short-term and long-term goals. Other proprietary Polar functions include a Polar fitness test that measures your aerobic fitness at rest in just five minutes; a ZoneLock button that activates a target zone alarm while exercising; and an OwnOptimizer mode designed to keep you from undertraining or overtraining--a must when trying to improve overall performance.

The watch comes with the multi-sport G3 GPS sensor.

Serious athletes will appreciate in the built-in altimeter, which measures your altitude, cumulative ascent, and cumulative descent. It's the Polar ProTrainer 5 software, however, that really helps the watch stand out. You can use the Polar ProTrainer 5 to plan your workout in advance--including creating maps and routes in conjunction with the G3 GPS sensor--and then transfer the settings to the RS800CX watch. Then, after training, you can analyze the results using versatile, customizable graphs to ensure a deeper understanding of your speed, exertion level, and distance. The software also includes a custom calendar that functions as a complete training log. Each time you transfer an exercise file to the program, the calendar automatically creates a diary entry with all your training data--a terrific option for athletes who want to monitor their workouts over the long term. The software even lets you export your GPS mapping routes to Google Earth, so you can view your exact training route or calculate mileage on the spot.

This version of the RS800CX comes with the G3 GPS sensor, which measures your speed and distance during nontraditional sports, such as canoeing, mountain biking, rowing, or Nordic skiing. The highly sensitive SIRF III GPS system provides highly reliable GPS reception even in densely wooded areas, so you can easily measure your key data across land, snow, and water. The sensor is particularly valuable for athletes who want to map out a specific route when training in the mountains or along the water. The G3 communicates this speed and distance data directly to the RS800CX, which analyzes the data in a variety of ways so that you can hone your long-term performance. The RS800CX also supports other optional W.I.N.D. sensors (sold separately) that are custom built for various training needs. The S3 Stride Sensor, for example, measures every stride you take while running, helping you perform better in competitive situations, while the CS Speed Sensor accurately measures your cycling speed and distance. With the purchase of all three W.I.N.D. sensors, your RS800CX will become an extremely versatile multi-sport training computer.

Other watch features include several recording options to help track your heart rate, calorie expenditure, distance, and more and save it in an exercise file (with 99 total files); water resistance to 50 meters; a Polar WebLink connection for transferring exercise data from your wrist unit to a computer; a 12/24-hour clock with a day/week indicator; a built-in backlight; an alarm with a snooze; and a low battery indicator. Sporting an attractive silver housing, the watch carries a two-year warranty.

Manufacturer's Warranty
The original purchaser of this heart rate monitor is backed by a limited warranty that states that this product that the product will be free from defects in material or workmanship for two years from the date of purchase.

About Polar
The first EKG accurate wireless heart rate monitor was invented by Polar back in 1977 as a training tool for the Finnish National Cross Country Ski Team. The concept of "intensity training" by heart rate swept the athletic world in the eighties. By the 1990s, individuals were looking to heart rate monitors not only for performance training needs, but also for achieving everyday fitness goals. Today, the same concept of heart rate training is being used by world-class athletes as well as everyday people trying to lose weight. Polar is the leading brand among consumers, coaches, and personal trainers worldwide and the company is committed to not only producing the best products, but also being the leading educator on the benefits of heart rate based exercise.

Customer Reviews

The Good and Bad of Polar GPS G3 and RS800CX
Polar RS800CX Multi Sport Heart Rate Monitor Watch with G3 GPS Sensor W.I.N.D.I have had the Polar 625X for a number of years. The 625X product really has not changed but it works very well. Changing to RS800CX was pretty easy as a result, but of not a Polar user need to read manual and get the many features. Since I like to mountain bike, run, and/or road ride (Triathlons) I needed something that would give me HRM data as well as the other data from the 625x that I like to see. The 625X only had a foot pod for pace and a special bike adapter for biking. So I liked the Altitude, speed, pace, HR data, and HRM zones but so many devices. What I really like about the RS800CX:

- I can use on all bikes and running without special equipment everywhere.
- The look and feel of the watch so I can wear it all the time it fits under work shirt sleeves. I had to take the big and unstylish 625x on and off all the time since it was unsightly and bulky.
- The GPS unit turns on and quickly acquires signal. Also strap built very well.

To exercise you just turn on GPS, start your watch and forget about all of it until you want to check your pace or HR zone. The flashing heart in your custom training zone 1-5 is very helpful in the display. Like most watches exercising and flipping through screens can be be a challenge. As is finding a balance between viewability and the amount of data that can be displayed on the small screen and in big letters. Increase the screen size too much and you have a computer that can't be worn all the time and as a result is likely to be forgotten for many workouts (some Garmins). I am not sure of the balance has been struck on the Polar RS800CX but I was able to see most of what I wanted to see without an issue and was able to flip through screens during the workout to see pace, HR and a few other data.

After exercise I just pointed the watch at the Infrared device and load my exercises into the excellent Polar 5 software. I can then analyze graphically and with data the zones and how my workout fit my goals. Some people have complained about the GPS not integrating with mapping etc. I really don't want that feature so if you do you have to go to Garmin or other device - I think. This watch is about valuable data and not fancy GPS mapping features. And that is coming from a real gadget geek. I really like the software and Polar is a great HRM company from my experience. I would guess but don't know that Garmin with its roots in GPS would provide a more comprehensive GPS feature set. Your choice will depend on your needs and interests.

Well, I will amend later if I come up with anything else useful.

Best Polar Training Computer Yet
I am a sponsored (not by polar) competitive distance runner and have used this device in training at least once every day for the last 300 days (approx 530 training hrs). Prior to the RS800 I used a s625x for a few years.

Firstly, this is a training computer, not a watch. You can use it as a watch if you like but it is primarily a training computer.

Reading the existing reviews for this product it appears there are a lot of 'user' issues with people failing to operate the device correctly as opposed to actual faults. The majority of my issues are simple wear and tear which perhaps a comment on the longevity of the product if used a lot.

I use the RS800 + GPS + S3 footpod + HRM + Performance Software.

RS800 - 5 star
Works perfectly. You'd have to be an idiot if you found it confusing or difficult to operate. IR link to PC is fine and data transfer works without a hitch. I found replacing the battery myself easy and have done it once in 300 days.
The customizable on-screen reporting data is a great addition.

GPS - 5 star
Accurate.
Using good quality AAA's I get around 10hrs run time. I decided to go with the RS800 over the Garmin 405 as the Garmin gets less then hrs run time before hard powering the entire watch off leaving you with a 'blank wrist band of uselessness'.
The GPS is robust and has survived a few hard knocks and falls on trail.
It is fast to get satellites and has never lost them during a run through town or in dense bush. I race friends to get satellites before training runs and can say the G3 beats their Timex and Garmin units hands down.
The only complaint I have about the GPS unit is the velcro armband hooks all wore out within a few months of use. I now have to use safety pins.

S3 Footpod - 1 star. NOTE: the S1 footpod is NOT included in this RS800CX Multi bundle.
Have to say I preferred the S1. The S3 is smaller and has cadence which is great when the unit works. I lose communication with the device more often then not so I don't bother training with it and only use it when racing. The S1 ate batteries but at least it worked.
The rubber strap that holds the S3 on broke and I now have to tie it to my shoe with string.
I don't know anyone that hasn't had a problem with the footpod.

Performance Software - 5 star
Hard to imagine how you could make this any better. The Google Earth interface is brilliant.
If you like data and know how to use a computer then there is no software comparable.

Chest strap - 5 star
Never had a problem with the Polar chest straps. If you wash it as instructed it will out last any other part of this kit.

some things good, some bad
Well, I wanted to upgrade from my old Polar unit that I used for swimming as well as trail running. On the Polar website under "Product Search" I ticked the box that said I wanted a training unit for swimming and the RS800CX, among others, was suggested. I shut my eyes about the cost and ordered a unit. However, when I unpacked it and read the manual I was shocked to discover you can't read heart rate in the water. Not that it isn't waterproof, you can wear it to swim, but the signal can't be transmitted, no heart rate values. So no training in the swimming pool then. Why is it recommended for triathletes? I don't know. It would have been nice to know up front about the lack of swimming training capability. Anyhow I've been using it for hikes and runs and am well pleased with the GPS function. I can see how far my routes go, how many vertical feet, how much effort I'm putting into those hills, and see my routes on Google Earth. Pretty cool. But, the AA battery needed for the GPS runs out fast. Today, the stop button stopped working on the main wrist unit. So now I shall find out how good Polar customer service is. Many good points to this watch but too many not so good points for the price tag.