POLAR Pulse Meters?

[PoseidonSv]

What models are any good to use for freediving and what features is needed?
Some models are waterproof to 50 meters.

What is your experiences with this Pulsemeter?

 

[Adrian]

Hi Fredrik, do a search - I remember there was some previous discussion on this, you might find some threads.

 

[BennyB]

I bought one a year ago quite cheap at a closing down sale. I have to say I think they're cool, I still think they're cool, but it's been sitting in my drawer for nearly 12 months now! I just think they're a bit gimmicky and don't really add to your diving training.

For a start, with most models I saw (i'm talking Polar only) the watch was water resistant to 50m. Great! But look again - the chest device is only rated to 25m.

When the chest device is fitted and transmitting to the watch, you get a second by second display of heart rate. But when you record it the sampling rate is quite low, something like 15 seconds, so when you download it to your computer the information is somewhat useless. Of course you can keep an eye on the watch while you're doing a static or dynamic and remember when your heart rate decreases but that interferes with your whole dive experience I believe (ie. craning your neck, not relaxing, concentrating on the wrong variables, ignoring your body's signals etc.).

I think they're close to being a good tool but not quite there yet. Of course I haven't done any research into them for a while, I believe there's a Suunto watch with a similar function now, it might be better. All the Polar watches are aimed at the land based athlete so they're never going to be perfect for freedivers. Not yet, anyway.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[pim]

Hi Benny,

My Polar(s) is (are) a perfect tool for training. It totally depends on the model you have. When doing static I give the watch to my coach and we time long schedules from an hour or more with high sample rate.

Markings we place in the log by pressing the 'mark' button I have on my model and we mark resurface, diving, first visible contraction afterswards you get a superb tool to see where your training is going. I have used the Polar for Pranayama sessions to see changes over a longer period of time.

Dynamic also very easy, in depth don't use the Polar :head

Greetz Pim

 

[BennyB]

That's interesting Pim - I have to admit I haven't dedicated much time to training with it. I might revisit it in the new year.

Cheerio,
Ben

 

[watts]

I got a Polar s610 from Santa and spoke to a polar rep and was told the transmitter would be good to about 100m and the s610 says its good to 50m.

Pim what model are you using?



Nat

 

[watts]

Does anyone know the minimum effective hr for polar watches or other brands?

 

[Paul Kotik]

Which of the Polar models work in salt water? I've heard some do, but I don't know which.