Polar 720 vs HAC4

I don't know about the HAC4, but I do like my Polar 720. The interface is a bit quirky, you will
need to read the manual, but it does everything I ever wanted. I have had it 6 months now with no
problems at all.

--
Tom Carrico ccdargo.comccdargo.comOpen ↗

"Jim Edwards" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, Any opinions on these two HRMs. I've checked the features on-line but

wanted

Quoted message said:

to get some opinins from users. Thanks, Jim

I own a HAC4 and I wish I had bought the Polar unit instead. Specifically I have the following
gripes with the HAC4;

1) The handlebar mount that you have with the cadence option is difficult to secure properly. It's
a half-moon of plastic with ridges on which you are supposed to secure a rubber O-ring to
complete the circle around your handlebar. I had to buff up the set up with zip ties right from
the get go.
2) The software isn't very well documented. Online Help files are the only documentation included.
Using the data can be a steep learning curve. It actually comes with 3 different programs that
each let you look at the data in a different way. Two of the programs don't share data very well
and I used to have to upload from the computer multiple times just to get the data into all the
programs. (they don't use the same data file format after they've uploaded the data from the
unit) There is a trick so that you only have to upload the data once, but it took me over a
month to find the hint in the help files.
3) The power "measurement" is actually just a calculation based on four variables: your weight,
your bike's weight, your current speed, and your current grade (up or downhill). At best it's a
guestimation, definately NOT a "measurement."

On the plus side the HAC4 does have some nice points;
4) Once you figure out the software, it does give you a huge number of options on how you review
your ride data.
5) The barometer in it is very accurate (I have compared it to pressure standards in a calibration
lab). So it will tell altitude pretty repeatably depending on the local barometric swings.

I guess my biggest gripes are the calculated power numbers and the lack of good documentation.

Check this out.

hac4linux.sourceforge.nethac4linux.sourceforge.netOpen ↗

RJJJ said:

I own a HAC4 and I wish I had bought the Polar unit instead. Specifically

I

Quoted message said:

have the following gripes with the HAC4;

1) The handlebar mount that you have with the cadence option is difficult to secure properly.
It's a half-moon of plastic with ridges on which you are supposed to secure a rubber O-ring to
complete the circle around your handlebar. I had to buff up the set up with zip ties right
from the get

go.

Quoted message said:

2) The software isn't very well documented. Online Help files are the

only

Quoted message said:

documentation included. Using the data can be a steep learning curve. It actually comes with 3
different programs that each let you look at the

data

Quoted message said:

in a different way. Two of the programs don't share data very well and I used to have to upload
from the computer multiple times just to get the

data

Quoted message said:

into all the programs. (they don't use the same data file format after they've uploaded the data
from the unit) There is a trick so that you

only

Quoted message said:

have to upload the data once, but it took me over a month to find the hint in the help files.
3) The power "measurement" is actually just a calculation based on four variables: your weight,
your bike's weight, your current speed, and your current grade (up or downhill). At best it's
a guestimation, definately

NOT

Quoted message said:

a "measurement."

On the plus side the HAC4 does have some nice points;
1) Once you figure out the software, it does give you a huge number of options on how you review
your ride data.
2) The barometer in it is very accurate (I have compared it to pressure standards in a
calibration lab). So it will tell altitude pretty

repeatably

Quoted message said:

depending on the local barometric swings.

I guess my biggest gripes are the calculated power numbers and the lack of good documentation.

--
Mark Wolfe wolfenet.orgwolfenet.orgOpen ↗ gpg fingerprint = 42B6 EFEB 5414 AA18 01B7 64AC EF46 F7E6 82F6
8C71 Also note that i knew _far_ more about the people that call address mungers names like
'lusers', 'egoists' or try to make luser giraffes. -- Megahal (trained on asr), 1998-11-06