Polar RCX5 - Polar RCX5

The first new performance heart rate monitor watch release from Polar in over a year has arrived and it is called the RCX5. It looks "hot" and has a series of features that we feel will make this watch a real winner and a big seller in 2011.

This watch includes Data link wireless transfer stick with all available packages, which is great because it means you will not have to cough up any additional money to transfer your data to training software.

The newly designed Wearlink Hybrid chest strap will allow you to transmit at two different frequencies. This is key because it is the first Polar watch in history that allows you to take advantage of two distinctly different technologies. While swimming you can use 5 kHz to pick up heart rate while swimming, however the G5 GPS unit will need to be placed in a swim cap because it is not waterproof. Still Polar has the only watch technology that gathers heart rate data from the swim now that Suunto has discontinued its Memory belt.

This monitor can also takes advantage of W.I.N.D. technology which eliminates electrical power line and transformer interference that can wreak havoc with the data on most heart rate monitors, especially when running or cycling.

As we always tell customers, having 5 programmed heart rate zones is huge. You might have different zones for running, biking, swimming or some other activity. It is also nice to have separate zones for interval days, weight lifting days and easy aerobic days. Being able to quickly shift between zones at transitions, especially in triathlon, X-terra racing or other multi-sport events is key. This is one heart rate monitor that makes it easy to access and adjust all your data and alerts fast.

Polar made sure that whether you had a Ma or a PC that the RCX5 would be able to accommodate your data and software needs.

This heart rate monitor uses a proactive training system that creates plans, helps to perform them and will help adjust the plan automatically. This combination of features makes organized endurance training very easy for anyone. Sports zones are personalized for every training session making sure you always train at the proper intensity.

First off, a heart rate monitor strap that allows you to switch between signals and functions making it useful for many sports. Also we like the training load feature and the fact that this heart rate monitor comes with a Datalink so you can transfer data.

However, the real killer features are the massive improvement in the new G5 GPS unit, which is barely the size of a cell phone battery - a tiny fraction of the size of the previous GPS units. Also the fact that the watch goes with the S3 Stride sensor - its the best foot pod in the business and has a newly designed holder that further increases accuracy. Lastly, it works with all of the top-end W.I.N.D. sensors for biking.

If you'd like to get some advice regarding any fitness electronics then just call the pros here at the Heart Rate Watch Company at 866-586-7129 and get some real expert advice from real athletes.