Polar 725 vs 720i

I ordered a 720 (a power kit and the IR interface) and the online store shipped me a 725 since they were out of the 720s.

For the price difference I did not see why I should order the 725, that’s why I ordered the 720. But I’m VERY satisfied with the 725, the power kit and the IR interface. Been using the 725 for 2 weeks now.

Click on the link below and then click “Compare Models” on the right side of the screen and you will see a comparison of the 720 and 725.

polarusa.comhrm.aspOpen ↗

Below are the 4 items I noticed, other than the exterior styling of the HRM. I do like the exterior styling of the 725, IMHO looks much nicer.
[indent]Target zone (% of max or bpm) with visual and audible alarm
Altitude and ascent
Mobile software availability
HRM transmitter
[/indent]polarusa.comproducts.aspOpen ↗

I was in the same dilema when I ordered, as the other poster did..I went with the 720. The added functionality of the 725 is nice, but for me didn't seem worth the extra $.

John

Mansmind said:

I was in the same dilema when I ordered, as the other poster did..I went with the 720. The added functionality of the 725 is nice, but for me didn't seem worth the extra $.

John

Just to be 100% clear... I ordered the 720 and paid for a 720, but I received a 725. Because the online store did not want to delay my order. Go figure.... Things like that don't happen very often. 🙂

bikeguy2004 said:

Just to be 100% clear... I ordered the 720 and paid for a 720, but I received a 725. Because the online store did not want to delay my order. Go figure.... Things like that don't happen very often. 🙂

I understood... you got very lucky. I really like the carbon face on the 725. Is it a "look" or is it real?

IMO S625X is worth consideration.

Yes it is a running model but it has ALL (including bike, speed cadence and power) functions that S710i, S720i, and S725i have (including mobile connectivity) PLUS Optimizer Test which can be very useful - it's a modification of traditional ortostatic test. And running speed functions.

I isn't much more expensive (only additional cost in comparison with S725X is speed sensor - not included in S625X - but there's a Footpod 😉 )

It is very helpful in observing our reactions for workload and optimizing it for best results.
...and when you run in off-season the running speed funcion is quite useful 😎

I'm MTB racer, bought S625X 6 months ago (mostly because of Optimizer Test) , and I'm satisfied.

I have both 710i and 725i.One thing I noticed is the 725 lacks the "auto start" option for the bike measuring that is on 710i and I assume the 720i has as well.Does anyone notice that?

Mansmind said:

I understood... you got very lucky. I really like the carbon face on the 725. Is it a "look" or is it real?

hmmm not sure, but it sure does look nice....

giantbike said:

I have both 710i and 725i.One thing I noticed is the 725 lacks the "auto start" option for the bike measuring that is on 710i and I assume the 720i has as well.Does anyone notice that?

I have the 720i and it is great. Now that I am getting familiar with some of the zillion features, I am liking it even more. There is an autostart on the 720i, perhaps it is enabled differently on the 710.

The Polar manuals are really quite good - but BIG! The index is excellent, definitely the way to find out about a feature. For example Autostart is listed in the Index and and is described on page 37.

Bike Set
->
Bike 1/Bike 2/ Bike OFF
->
Wheel <-> Cadence ON/OFF <-> Power ON/OFF <-> AutoStrt ON/OFF

As I understand it, the only two features that the 725i adds is the "Carbon look" face and the ability to upload data to Nokia cellphones.

Randybaker99 said:

I have the 720i and it is great. Now that I am getting familiar with some of the zillion features, I am liking it even more. There is an autostart on the 720i, perhaps it is enabled differently on the 710.

The Polar manuals are really quite good - but BIG! The index is excellent, definitely the way to find out about a feature. For example Autostart is listed in the Index and and is described on page 37.

Bike Set
->
Bike 1/Bike 2/ Bike OFF
->
Wheel <-> Cadence ON/OFF <-> Power ON/OFF <-> AutoStrt ON/OFF

As I understand it, the only two features that the 725i adds is the "Carbon look" face and the ability to upload data to Nokia cellphones.

Thanks Randy.Yes, indeed it is the same way to setup the 710 for the Autostart.

Just checked the manual for the 725 page 36,the setup is as follow:

Bike Set
\/
Bike 1/Bike2/Bike OFF
\/
Wheel size > Cadence on/off > Power on/off

And seems like this is one feature has been omitted from the 725 which I find quite helpful at times.

Mansmind said:

I understood... you got very lucky. I really like the carbon face on the 725. Is it a "look" or is it real?

no the look on the 725 is only for looks, its made of plastic not carbon fiber

giantbike said:

Thanks Randy.Yes, indeed it is the same way to setup the 710 for the Autostart.

Just checked the manual for the 725 page 36,the setup is as follow:

Bike Set
\/
Bike 1/Bike2/Bike OFF
\/
Wheel size > Cadence on/off > Power on/off

And seems like this is one feature has been omitted from the 725 which I find quite helpful at times.

[font=Times New Roman]My old bike computer had auto start and my 725 does not. With the 725 I press the red ‘start’ button once to start measuring my HR (when I’m still getting my bike ready for the ride) and then I press the red start button at the beginning of my ride, to start recording my ride data. At the end of the ride I press stop. Sure it’s not auto starting, but I don’t care.[/font]

bikeguy2004 said:

[font=Times New Roman]My old bike computer had auto start and my 725 does not. With the 725 I press the red ‘start’ button once to start measuring my HR (when I’m still getting my bike ready for the ride) and then I press the red start button at the beginning of my ride, to start recording my ride data. At the end of the ride I press stop. Sure it’s not auto starting, but I don’t care.[/font]

I agree,it's just a bit unusual for this feature to be omitted.

But out of curiosty,I never bother to stop the recording even when stopped at the lights, yet the end average speed for the entire ride is very close to what I have on the bike's own speedo.Could this be the result of the actual software ( I download all the data onto the pc's software ) correct automaticly for the entire ride?

giantbike said:

I agree,it's just a bit unusual for this feature to be omitted.

But out of curiosty,I never bother to stop the recording even when stopped at the lights, yet the end average speed for the entire ride is very close to what I have on the bike's own speedo.Could this be the result of the actual software ( I download all the data onto the pc's software ) correct automaticly for the entire ride?

The 720i automatically stops recording speed when the wheel has stopped for about 5 seconds, and that is how most cyclocomputers work, too, so I am guessing that is why both come out with the same AVG speed at the end of your ride.

i just bought the 720i < 24hrs ago. still playing with it trying to get to know it a bit better. i aim to actually develop my cycling ability well enough so that it would make buying the thing worth while.