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TFS Review: Polar RS800sd (Polar/adidas Project Fusion)
Posted May 18th, 2007 at 1:48 PM by Paul Petersen
Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews
Product: Polar RS800sd Running Computer
Prices: $469.95 (watch + HR monitor + speed sensor), $50-$70 (adiStar Fusion top), $120 (adiStar Fusion shoe)
Rating: Very Good 7.6/10.0
Pros: Very intuitive, easy-to-use watch interface. High amount of functionality and features. Very reliable, accurate heart rate monitor. Low-profile, easy-to-use speed sensor. Comes with Polar ProTrainer software. Can be used with or without Adidas adiStar products (versatile).
Cons: Very expensive. Stride sensor yields inaccurate values when your stride changes. Different calibrations needed for different types of running.
Overall: This is an expensive, high-end personal training system. In general, you get what you pay for. I loved how easy the watch was to use, especially considering its vast array of features. The heart rate monitor was superb, and reported very reliable values. The only weakness of the system involves the Stride Sensor. Although it is accurate and reliable when running at the speed it was calibrated at, it becomes less and less accurate as you increase or decrease your speed (which changes your stride), up to 10 seconds/mile. For many, this relatively small “drift” is either not applicable (if you generally run the same speed every day) or unimportant (if you are not concerned with 10 seconds/mile). But runners who regularly vary their stride through speed work, or are concerned about obtaining their precise pace, may want to look instead at other GPS units.
Garmin, Suunto, Timex, Adeo, Polar… and the list goes on and one. In today’s saturated market of fitness toys there is a plethora of gadgets available that can measure running stats such as pace, distance, heart rate, and more. The gadget companies respond by releasing increasingly innovative products that offer features of increasing quality and quantity.
The Polar RS800sd (speed+distance) may have just trumped them all. Using a foot pod to measure speed and distance, and an ECG-accurate transmitter to measure heart rate, the RS800sd running computer offers enough features, analyses, and bells-and-whistles to make your head spin. I recently had the pleasure of taking this unit for a “spin”.
Read the rest of this entry »
TFS’s Top Picks of 2006
Gear and Accessories
Gear and Accessories
Posted December 22nd, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Adam Jacobs
Section: Announcements, Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Miscellaneous, Product Reviews, Sports Medicine, Special Features, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise, TFS Reviews, TFS Top Picks
Want the gear that will go the furthest, last the longest and do the most to improve your performance? Want to buy the perfect holiday gift for the runner in your family? Want the newest, most advanced training tools on the market?
Then look no further! The Final Sprint’s Top Picks of 2006 is your ultimate guide to running gadgets, hydration devices and much more! We have put hours into testing and comparing each of these items and take pride in recommending each of our top picks.
TRAINING SYSTEMS (HRM + Training Assistant)
Overall
- Top Pick: Polar / adidas Project Fusion
- Best Value: Timex IRONMAN Bodylink System
GPS Training System
- Top Pick: Garmin Forerunner 305
Non-GPS Training System
- Top Pick: Polar / adidas Project Fusion
MP3 Player
- Top Pick: iPod nano RED
- Best accessory: DLO Action Jacket
Hydration Device (short/moderate distance)
Hydration Device (long distance)
Injury Prevention and Treatment Products
Check Out the New ADIDAS and Polar “Project Fusion” at the New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo
Posted October 26th, 2006 at 4:00 PM by Adam Jacobs
Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Miscellaneous
Interested in the new Project Fusion running system from Adidas and POLAR?
Well, if you live anywhere in the New York City area - you are in luck!
Polar and Adidas will have a joint display at the ING New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo.
The expo will begin on Thursday, November 2nd and will run until Saturday, November 4th.
It will be open on each of those days from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Javits Center.
Stop by Table #314 (Adidas and POLAR) to see a live demo of the new joint venture.
ADIDAS and POLAR’s “Project Fusion” Running System is NOW AVAILABLE
Posted October 17th, 2006 at 6:16 AM by Martin Kennedy
Section: Announcements, Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Miscellaneous, Resources
Below is the original press release from Adidias concerning “Project Fusion” and their integrated system with Polar. This training system is NOW AVAILABLE. For more information on their alliance, please visit www.adidas-polar.com
Polar Electro, the innovative leader in heart rate monitoring, and adidas, one of the world’s leading sports brands, have formed a partnership that will introduce the world’s first completely integrated training system. Called “Project Fusion”, it seamlessly integrates Polar heart rate and speed and distance monitoring equipment into adidas apparel and footwear.
The integration simplifies use and increases comfort, allowing the products to become part of the athlete. Included in the project are the adidas adiStar Fusion range of apparel (t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, bras, women’s tops), the adidas adiStar Fusion shoe, Polar’s s3™ Stride Sensor, The Polar WearLink™ transmitter, and The Polar RS800™ Running Computer. Read the rest of this entry »
Polar ADIDAS Cooperation Wins Top Runner’s World Award
Posted May 12th, 2006 at 6:23 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: Announcements, Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Resources
Below is the press release from POLAR. For more information on their alliance, please visit www.adidas-polar.com
The Polar adidas cooperation has been awarded the “Running Accessory of the Year” Award at ISPO winter 06 by Runner’s World, the world’s leading running magazine. The award honors the cooperation with the two leading companies of their industries, both intent on developing technology and equipment that helps athletes to take their performance to the next level.
Polar Electro and adidas are the two companies with one shared goal. By joining forces, Polar and adidas have created products that when working together, are even greater than the sum of their parts.
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On August 29, 2008
Suzanne Walker Shaw said:
Jon- That was beautifully written, and such a true testament of the man you are....