Product Reviews
Polar RS800sd
Competitive Runners Dig This Doc-in-a-Watch
Rather than just count how many times a minute your heart thumps, this doc-in-a-watch tracks heart-rate variability — a more accurate measure of fitness (the quicker your heart rate adjusts to activity, the better shape you're in). In addition to speed and distance, an optional matchbook-size footpod ($140) gauges cadence and stride length — two hugely important but hard-to-track variables.
WIRED Best choice for competitive runners. Amazingly customizable software and display. Graphs heart rate with almost EKG-level detail. Desktop software provides more feedback than a year in therapy.
TIRED Who said the Finns were good at design? Watch has the aesthetic appeal of Soviet-era architecture. PC-only software's learning curve is steeper than the Boston Marathon's Heartbreak Hill. Bulky GPS pod.
- Electronics: Data-driven watches
- Manufacturer: Polar
- Price: $500
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Editors' Ratings — what do they mean?
- Metaphysical product perfection
- Nearly flawless — buy it now
- Excellent, with room to kibitz
- Very good, but not quite great
- A solid product with some issues
- Recommended with reservations
- Downsides outweigh upsides
- Serious flaws, proceed with caution
- Just barely functional — don't buy it
- A complete failure in every way
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