Polar CS600

Price Paid:  $695.00 at ??

Favorite Ride:
all of them

Bike Setup:
Cervelo Soloist Team, DuraAce, Oval Concepts, Mavic Ksyrium Elite, Selle SMP Evolution. Waiting patiently for the arrival of the new HED Jet4 FRs.

Summary:
I bought this product for the price; it's an entry-level power meter for the recreational cyclist that wants to track power.

Initial setup was a little confusing, being that Polar documentation leaves a lot to be desired. But once set up, it worked fine.

Yes, I know, the accuracy is not the best.

Strengths:
HR, Cadence, Speed & power. It's all there. Best part: the bundled Polar Pro Trainer software. You can build your training plan(workout) and load it on the unit for use during your ride. Pick what performance aspects you want to focus on, and program it. It's the only power meter available with this type of software interface. The others only let you review your data after the workout. While the power data may not be as accurate as the big boys, it's consistent.

Weaknesses:
The interface is difficult to work with. Manuals are terrible. Be careful what you tell the software to tell your Polar unit to do.

Similar Products Used:
None, but lots of research before, during and after purchase of this unit. I've looked at upgrading to the PowerTap, and the Quarq is very interesting.

Price Paid:  $450.00 at (club sponsor shop)

Summary:
I wanted to try as an alternative to the Powertap. I have a training rig set-up with a Powertap hub, but I found not only that changing the wheel for different bikes was too inconvenient but I missed power data from my racing wheels.

My first go-round was not encouraging. The power signal was intermittent. I called Polar, though, and they sort of kind of acknowledged that earlier generations had a connection problem and sent me a new power unit.

I now have the CS600 set up for three bikes, and I am very happy with it. I probably will get another one for my TT bike (you can only set up three bikes on each CPU), because I want to use it with my Zipp disc.

Strengths:
The data are useful -- I particularly like the altimeter information. I don't invest a great deal of confidence in the accuracy of the altimeter, but the profile at least shows where on the course you are.
My power tap now pretty much stays on my indoor bike (where the Polar apparently will not work well).

Weaknesses:
Some of the bells and whistles are, to me, beside the point, with more gee whiz factor than actual value (left-right pedaling?). But I continue to learn about the features, and some may have more use than I am giving them credit for.
It's also not as sensitive as the Powertap. Peak accelerations particularly are inaccurately reported. But, over time, which is the chief value of a power meter -- as a tool to gauge effort for endurance -- it is at least as accurate. The spikes in the power tap can be just noise.

Similar Products Used:
Power Tap
Other Polar HRM's

Price Paid:  $300.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Ventura to Santa Barbara through the mountains

Bike Setup:
Specialized Tarmac Expert, Fulcrum 3 wheels, Selle SMP Glider saddle, FSA carbon cranks, Shimano Ultegra components.

Summary:
So far this computer is everything I expected and more. It does a real good job with altitude/ascent readings. It also hasn't taken long to dial it in (I previously owned a CS200CAD). I don't have the power option but I may add that later. If your looking for something small and powerful, this is the computer.

Strengths:
Small, easy to navigate, accurate readings, instant incline/decline readings, adjustable screen displays (5 of 6), easy to upload to computer, plenty of information about nearly everything.

Weaknesses:
Backlight a little too dim for night rides (you can see it but you have to stare at it for a sec or two!), no gps, no wind speed. The included Polar ProTrainer software is a little buggy but does a nice job with graphs and readouts.

Similar Products Used:
CS200cad

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere

Bike Setup:
colnago C50, Campy Record w/kyserium ES

Summary:
This is for the CS600 With power. If you've done any research, you know this thing has been plagued with glitches in getting a steady readout from the power unit. After having two power transmitters, having spent untold hours fiddling, aligning, praying for this thing to work conistently, it's a BUST. This is a terrible design that is great when it's working, but that's less than 30 percent of the time in my experience. The computer itself is brilliant with great readouts, nice features and great reliability. But I had that in my Polar CS200 for 120.00.

Strengths:
Great computer
Power readings are good when they're there.

Weaknesses:
Power unit is a joke...no help from Polar to make it work

Similar Products Used:
Powertap SL on Zipp 404s.

Price Paid:  $339.00 at Performance Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Local Mountain Loop

Bike Setup:
Colnago C40 with Campy Record 10 SPD

Summary:
I have to say that this unit is a great unit. The refresh rate between the speed sensor, Cadence Sensor and the chest strap is like instant with no delay. I was able to mount the speed sensor on the back wheel now instead of just the front that's a great feature if you use a trainer. I previously owned a Polar S725 which is a nice unit the CS600 has a lot more great features and actually displays more information on the screen. You are limited to what you can view on one screen at a timw and you can only adjust your screen layouts from the computer but that is not a big issue. All in all I have to say this is a great unit and I would highly recommend it

Strengths:
Accurate, Fast Refresh rate, Can mount speed sensor on back wheel for trainer use now, Universal mount can mount on stem or Handle bars

Weaknesses:
Slightly limited with what information can be displayed at one time, Price but worth it,

Similar Products Used:
Polar S710, Polar S725, Garmin Edge 305