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Information such as average heart beats per minute, calories burned, and distance traveled can shock and disappoint those of us who know we should be pushing harder, riding faster, and going further. However, two factors aligned of late that forced us to quit our collective procrastinating and strap on the required electronic sensors and face the music as it were. First we’ve received a few reader queries asking us to recommend a monitor and secondly our female test riders have gotten into intense training routines thanks to long New York off-seasons that simply demand pricey gym memberships. <p> Enter the CS600X from Polar Electronics. When Mountain Bike Tales dives headlong into a project, we don’t play around. Considered by many to be the Cadillac of monitors, this little beauty does everything a cyclist could ask for and them some. Our testing consisted of the unit itself, the included W.I.N.D. speed sensor, and the optional G3 GPS sensor. Testing took place over a two-month period as winter turned to spring (but if you want to get technical, it is still ongoing thanks to the fact that the system is rarely if ever sitting around the office). <p> <b>Boxful of Goodies & Initial Setup </b> <br> Let’s begin by talking about the CS600X unit itself. Polar takes absolutely no shorts when it comes to selling the complete system (as in everything you need to get going right out of the box). Included in the package is the cycling computer itself, the Polar WearLink transmitter, bike mount, speed sensor, and Polar’s ProTrainer 5 computer software via CD-ROM. All of the possible hookups for PC synchronization are included as well: USB cord and wireless USB. Even the two required batteries are included. <p> Setting the computer up for use is an intuitive process beginning with language selection (English, German, Spanish, French or Italian are all options). From there the user is instructed to input the number of bikes they will be riding (1,2 or 3) which is then followed by entering the wheel size of each bike for calibration purposes. We here in the mountain biking realm typically run 26, 27.5 or 29 inch diameter wheels but the width can vary from one bike to another so we broke out our trusty tape and measured to be sure. <p> Next the user has the option of viewing their data in 12 or 24-hour format (regular versus military time), which is followed by inputting the local time, date, and preferred standard of measurement. Finally the user inputs his or her specific stats- weight, height, birthday, and sex. All of this information can be inputted directly into the computer via its onboard buttons or through the ProTrainer 5 program on your PC. <p> <b>Ready To Roll </b> <br> At this point the CS600X is ready for action. All the unit requires is that you slip on the included WearLink transmitter to begin making use of the unit’s feature-set. Main options at your disposal include Training Program (which you can customize through Protrainer 5 or use preset options), and Exercise Log (which tracks your duration, distance (if you have the bike sensor hooked up), calories burned, max, min, and average heart rate, percentage of time spent in the zone, time and date of work out and so on). Naturally all of this information can be further examined with the included PC software. <p> Also included in the box is the Polar Speed Sensor and bicycle mounting hardware. Now you’re talking our language! The handlebar mount is a two-minute installation process with the included zip ties and it allows the computer to snap securely into place. The sensor is a standard two-piece magnetic affair with one part fastened (via a zip-tied plastic collar) to the fork leg and the other locked onto one of the wheel’s spokes. A nice touch over cycling computers we’ve run in the past is that wireless communication between the sensor and computer means no wire hanging from the handlebars. <p> With the Speed Sensor mounted, the CS600X’s abilities suddenly include the ability to monitor not only the rider’s stats but also the speed of the bicycle and distance traveled. <p> <b>Global Positioning </b> <br> Finally we tested our unit with one of the optional W.I.N.D. sensors Polar manufacturers for use with the CS600X, the G3 GPS Sensor (also available are a Power and Cadence sensor should you wish to track such things). The G3 GPS sensor is a unit slightly larger than the CS600X itself and comes with a Velcro band for mounting on either the rider’s upper arm, thigh, directly to a Camelback or hip-pack. Once mounted up and “introduced” to the cycling computer, the G3 functions just like any other GPS-equipped receiver in that it begins to determine the exact location of the rider by measuring distance between itself and at least four earth-orbiting satellites. <p> Speed, distance, and location data are then calculated and sent to the CS600X (which is on your handlebar) where it is all recorded. You can choose to have the data displayed live (in real-time) or save it all for later analysis on either the unit’s own screen or really break things down in the PC software. The data this thing collects is incredible; everything from preprogrammed trail markers to minute changes in elevation, to average ride times on documented trails, to correlation between terrain changes and heart rate fluctuations. This is modern technology at its absolute coolest. <p> <b>Pro Training </b> <br> Everything we talked about until now summarizes what type of data the CS600X gathers from its various sensors. If you happen to be wondering what good all of this data collecting is in the first place, read on. The true beauty of the power of this Polar is that the included software suite turns the plethora of collected data into the ultimate tool for tapping into one’s own potential and optimizing their workout for his or her specific goals. <p> <table border=1 align="right" width="375"> <tr> <td> <img src="../images/review/polar2.jpg"> <tr> <td> <font size="-1"> <center> Amazing data display.</center> </table> <p> Thanks to the included wireless USB, synchronizing the CS600X with a PC (desktop or laptop) is as simple as firing up the program and putting the unit near the computer. Once interfaced, the ProTrainer 5 software allows you the ability to review data collected in a wide variety of unique formats. The main hub of the program is the Calendar feature, which takes the data from the CS600X and organizes it onto a daily break down (hence allowing you to erase past data from the unit itself). From the Calendar, the user can get much more thorough analysis of any given day’s workout by simply clicking on the date. The information is then spread across various graphs or charts, can be used to compare against similar regimens of a different occasion, or simply plotted as an overall progress report. <p> The Calendar also keeps track of weekly totals which is great for quickly reviewing how many calories were burned altogether and how much time actually spent training (after what felt like forever, we learned that our first three weeks added up to a total of eight hours and nine minutes of actual training). <p> Of course data from the sensors (in our case Speed and G3 GPS) also transfers into the Calendar as well. Especially cool is looking back on a memorable ride and discovering little things like what the temperature was at any given moment of the ride or how many times you were forced to take a breather. <p> The program also allows for the development of a training plan whereby you build your own routines based on what works for you in ProTrainer 5, which in turn can set a reminder within the CS600X so that the old, “oh yeah, I totally forgot” excuse goes right out the window. <p> We also found the Zone Summary feature very helpful which compared your workouts to your optimum heart rate to determine how much time you spend above, below, or right within your target zone. <p> Distribution spreads heart rate zones out across a wider period of time so you can see exactly which parts of your training are most effective. <p> <b>Our Thoughts </b> <br> Even after several weeks of nonstop usage, we realized that our meager efforts barely scratched the surface of the Polar CS600X’s capabilities. Riders who were fearful of overly complicated electronics or worse still, afraid of what the numbers themselves might reveal, were both absolutely delighted by this unit. This isn’t simply a device that motivates you by mocking your current results but rather a wealth of information on everything from the most epic to the most mundane rides. We spent several days studying the Track Information of our favorite loop. It turns out that thanks to the color-coded GPS plotting, we actually travel in far more circles than is perceived from the saddle and the trails we fancy are really quite flat (we average 9 minute miles on the 4.5 mile loop, cruise at 12 miles per hour on the flats, conquer a laughable 16 feet of ascension and enjoy 23 feet of descent)- the bottom line is that we really never stop pedaling on our test loop, some spots just require that we pedal harder. <P> Couple this data with average hear rate, maximum and minimum rates, fluctuations at rest and you really start to see patterns that would otherwise be invisible about how effective you train. Even if you care little about the effectiveness of your rides, the G3 GPS sensor’s data is just a joy to review. <p> Testers praised the unit for its large, easy to read display, which allows for effective glances from the saddle. Also noted in our log was the effectiveness of the Indiglow nighttime display, which is quite readable after the sun slips below the horizon. All testers recorded high marks for ease of use, initial set up, and functionality. <p> <b> Conclusion </b> <br> The Polar CS600X is as much a basic heart rate monitor as a Ferrari is basic transportation. The unit starts to dazzle right out of the box and continues to amaze several months into exploring its rich feature set. The only con to report amidst a logbook chock full of praise (from everyone from beginners to crusty old veterans) comes in the form of price. The CS600X isn’t cheap. The unit itself (with bike mounting hardware, speed sensor, and ProTrainer 5 software) retails for around $400 and the G3 GPS sensor we became instantly enamored with will set you back around $300 more. We should note however that Polar does sell the two packaged together at a substantial discount. In all this is a full five-star product and a testament to the subtle advantages of embracing modern technology. If the price doesn’t scare you off, prepare to be absolutely delighted with the CS600X’s impressive capabilities. </table> </table> </table>  <a href="http://www.statcounter.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://c12.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=1417207&java=0&security=4e65ebbd&invisible=1" alt="hit counter html code" border="0"></a>