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 Polar AXN500 Altimeter, Barometer, Temperature, and Compass (Black) By: Polar Average Rating: 3.5 Total Reviews: 7 More Information Pretty good  On: 2008-08-26I bought this a few months back for around $300. I initially was a little hesitant to spend that much on a HRM that wouldnt do distance or pace with a GPS or footpod addition, however, I hoped to get the best of both worlds with a good HRM and hiking watch. I had thought I would probably use the hiking features more than the HR, but that has proved to be the reverse. I have found it to be an excellent HRM, particularly when paired with the solid polar software bundled with the watch (although you may have to cough up some extra cash for an IR receiver to use this. I bought a cheap $10 rather than the $70 polar receiver and it works fine). Despite various comments about the size of the unit, I run with it every day and really dont notice the size or weight at all. I download my data every week and keep a log of how much exercise Im doing on the laptop which I find an excellent motivating tool. It tracks everything I need except distance, which I manually enter (therefore meaning I cant get variations of pace within the exercise file). I have also used this for a 5 day hike in Peru. The altimeter worked perfectly, and was useful when combined with the HRM over a days hiking. I also considered the AXN700, which I almost got for the same price. I am glad I didnt spend an extra $100 for the AXN700, as I dont think the extra features are particularly useful. The AXN500 is more than adequate for my needs. Overall, Ive been really happy with this watch. Its my everyday watch, my HRM, and my outdoors hiking watch. Despite some initial trepidation about spending so much on a "jack of all trades" watch I now have absolutely no regrets about the purchase. Had it been capable of working with a polar footpod or GPS for distance and pace I would have given this 5 stars. I see that as a bit of a weak ommission. As others have said, the alarm is too quiet to be useful at all. Great watch On: 2008-01-18I have purchased this model specifically due to all functions it has and also due to the possibility of replacing the batteries of the HR band. It delivers what have been promised, with reasonably easy navigation through its menus. However in my case mine presented some problems with the compass function which stopped working after almost one year. But, to be honest, I wanted this feature but, in the end, I almost dont use it. Despite this, everything else is great. The built in IR works fine with my laptop and it is very nice to follow the evolution of the workout in the program provided together with the watch. HR monitoring is perfect, as it was in my previous polar watches. sweet watch On: 2007-10-29Yes this watch is big but you know if youre looking for a watch with HR monitor, altimeter, etc etc...the watch you find will be big. The features are excellent. The alarm is a bit soft so dont depend on it to wake you unless it is right next to your ear. I also would have like more data features to be viewed when using the HR monitor..ie like viewing the %of HR max, calories burned, time, etc..But overall the watch will do what you need it to do. I am also a bit of a data geek and like to look how much vertical I got after snowboarding or hiking/climbing - especially seeing the data on the computer. Anyhow, great watch. I payed about 200 for it so it was worth every penny. I did have to shell out another 30 or so for the IR data device for my laptop. Very nice watch  On: 2007-07-17Granted, I paid much less at REI, but I think this watch is very nice. I too found the interface to be a bit clunky (mostly because it does so much stuff, but also because the buttons are stiff), but it works as advertised. The barometer/altimeter and compass are handy, the heart rate functions are top notch, and the software works well enough. Also, it tells time! One thing that has really stood out is how tough the watch is: its large and heavy and gets bonked every so often, but the only evidence of wear after more than a year is a tiny scratch on the face caused by drawing very hard it across a piece of rough steel. Anyway, price and size would make this a four star item in my book, but I am giving it a tilt because I think the other ratings are pretty low and it really has worked very well for me. Very nice watch On: 2007-07-16Granted, I paid much less at REI, but I think this watch is very nice. I too found the interface to be a bit clunky (mostly because it does so much stuff, but also because the buttons are stiff), but it works as advertised. The barometer/altimeter and compass are handy, the heart rate functions are top notch, and the software works well enough. Also, it tells time! One thing that has really stood out is how tough the watch is: its large and heavy and gets bonked every so often, but the only evidence of wear after more than a year is a tiny scratch on the face caused by drawing very hard it across a piece of rough steel. Anyway, price and size would make this a four star item in my book, but I am giving it a tilt because I think the other ratings are pretty low and it really has worked very well for me. Not for me  On: 2006-04-09I have owned an AXN500 for just over a week, and unfortunately, its going back. The quality of this watch seemed high to me, but there are interface issues that make it annoying to use, and at the price of this watch, I dont want to feel annoyed when using it. The biggest quibble I have is the fact that you cant view multiple types of data at once. Id like to see my heart rate as bpm and as a percent of max, plus the temperature and either stopwatch or time, but instead Im stuck with viewing just two of those simultaneously. There is so much screen real estate youd think Polar would utilize it better and not make the user move through the menus to view this kind of data. And speaking of HR as a percent of max, I still cant find that feature. The users manual is passable, but it is certainly not well written. It alludes to HR as percent of max a couple of times, but it refers you to other pages that also refer you to other pages. It might be in there somewhere, but Ive lost the desire to page through every page, which is what seems necessary to find it. Theres also smaller issues. For example, the temperature readout goes up by 4-5 degrees when I put the watch on. That is understandable, but why not let the user do some experimenting and then be able to decrease the readout by a few degrees to get rid of the need for mental subtraction? Also, when the watch is just in watch mode, I think the numbers should be about 20% bigger than they are--make it that much easier to read in a hurry. The watch is quite big, but hides its size better than the Suuntos Ive seen, and you cant fault it for needing some size to accomodate everything it needs to. Unless youre a big guy, expect it to look a little chunky on your wrist. Overall, if youre really into altitude and other data and dont mind sifting through menus, this will be a good product. I am disappointed though. Don't do it!!! Poor quality control!  On: 2006-02-14I should have sent the first watch back and gotten a refund. But now Im stuck, and have to hope that Polar can get it right. First Watch: Bad temperature sensor would peg the pressure and temp at the limits within 5 min of putting the watch on. Second Watch: Some fault caused the battery to go dead within a month. Third Watch: Bad collumn of pixels. Fourth Watch: Maybe a Suunto? Polar must be having some real problems with the production line and inspection process for the AXN series. Its now been almost 4 months, and I still dont have a functioning watch. Ive wasted a TON of time shipping stuff back and forth, talking to customer support people (one of whom insisted that the watch has no temperature sensor) who dont have a clue about the product, etc. Bottom Line: Save yourself endless problems and go in a different direction. I really like the concept, but this product line is one to steer clear of. YOu MIGHT get lucky and get a good one, but if you dont, prepare for endless nonsense. Polar AXN 500  On: 2005-10-11Nice features and more complete that equivalent Suunto X6HR but too heavy, very difficulto to keep it during fitness activity or competition. The S625X could be a better choice if compass is not required once is lighter and has the altimeter feature as well with additional bycicle and running features. Polar AXN 500 On: 2005-10-10Nice features and more complete that equivalent Suunto X6HR but too heavy, very difficulto to keep it during fitness activity or competition. The S625X could be a better choice if compass is not required once is lighter and has the altimeter feature as well with additional bycicle and running features. |