Bike Setup: Serotta Concours CS, Dura-Ace 10 speed,Mavic Ksyerium wheels.
Summary: I have been reading a lot of reviews about the HAC4 and was suprised to see that not everyone is pleased with this product. First, the HAC4 is much better than any Polar Heartrate monitor on the market. The HAC4 is far more useful, especially with the software that is provided. I will agree with most people that the software is difficult to understand, but this product is not something you can take out of the box and expect to know how to run. I garantee if someone purchases one of the HAC4 HR monitors and you give yourself a few weeks everything will make sense.
The instructions manual is pretty badly translated from German, however, the necessary functions are easily programmable. As for the software, you just need to fool around with it for awhile. Once you get the hand of it you will see the benefits of using this product.
The reason I chose the HAC4 over the Polar 700 and 800 series watches, is that the cadence kit is much more accurate, and the power output (although not very accurate) is calculated in a logical manner. Many people like the wireless cadence kit, but a wired kit gives more accurate data. I am positive that when buying one of these HAC4 computers it will be something that nobody will regret, provided that you are smart enough to figure out how it all works.
Strengths: Stores up to 64 hours of data so you don't have to download it every day. The unit is water proof, and all the wires are pretty beefy. The HAC4 has 57 different functions!
Weaknesses: The mounting bracket system needs improvement. Ciclosport uses a cheap "rubber band" system to attach the mount to the bar. With 5 buttons to press it is a pain while riding because there is a lot of play. However, I solved this problem for myself by using wire ties (the locking kind) and securing the mount very tightly to the bar.
Similar Products Used: Polar 720i, returned after 2 weeks because it was worthless
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Bike Setup: Use on both road and mountain bike with additional mounting hardware.
Summary: I've had no problems with the watch itself; reliable, accurate. "Power" measure doesn't actually measure true power output a la Powertap, though (but then it doesn't cost $900+). Watch instructions provided were minimal. Downloaded instructions from website; English translation wasn't the best but was sufficient to finally figure the watch out. Purchased download link and software at the same time. Programs (Ciclotour, Ciclotrainer)are very difficult to understand, and the Help within the software is poorly translated. Downloading data from watch results in a list of strange dates and data. Support from website is almost nonexistent.
Strengths: Computer and on-bike components are well-built and durable. Gathers a lot of useful data accurately and w/o interference.
Weaknesses: Software sold separately is very difficult to comprehend and to use fully due to poor documentation. Web support is very poor, both on the US and German sites. English translation of what little documentation is available is not the best.
Similar Products Used: Polar, Axiom
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Summary: First, msgbikes.com was a good place to buy this - with the conversion rate to US Dollars it came out cheaper than anything in the U.S. Unfortunately the product was not what I expected. The Heart rate/power functions were not as accurate as Polar's. There were no instructions provided for the software which was very difficult to use. Finally, after a few weeks of normal wear and tear the underside of the glass broke and allowed water in to the unit.
Strengths: Batteries you can replace without sending it back. Cheap method was estimating power.
Weaknesses: You can't re-start the stopwatch. The download function doesn't display your interval times. Cumbersome in T1/T2 to switch from wrist to bike and back again.
Similar Products Used: Polar HRM's
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Bike Setup: Dean El Diente with Dura Ace Tripe, Time Mag Ti, Velomax Circuit Comp, Michelin Pro Race
Summary: Love this monitor. Allows me to have a upper and lower measurement displayed. Love the heartrate monitor and altimeter the best, but also enjoy the thermometer and stopwatches.
Strengths: Quality Build. 3 Year warranty. Allows you to see where you are in your heartrate zone in a bar that is displayed between the upper and lower displays.
Weaknesses: Takes a while to understand the settings and how to change them. Hard to get answers from the US distributor as its made in Germany. Don't know where I will get parts if I need them.
Similar Products Used: None
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