Polar RS300X Multi Sport Watch : My First Look

I got a loan unit from Polar.  Just in time for my practice for the Milo Marathon in Bacolod.  My Garmin 405 is still in "coma" so I don't have anything to track my trainings for pace and distance.

Enter Polar RS300X.  I have seen this in display in most Toby stores together with other watches by Polar.  Polar specializes in heart rate monitors, sports watches for running and cycling, and in fitness watches.  Visit the PolarUSA website for their complete line of products.

Polar RS300X comes with a heart rate monitor and either a foot pod or a GPS unit to measure speed and distance.  The accesories are compatible with other Polar watches so you can easily move from one model to another.  It also comes with a training software that where you can upload and monitor your runs.  But, I still don't have the accessory to upload the data to the computer.

Here are some close up photos of the watch and its add-on units.

The watch comes in black and orange.  Shown in the picture is like the home page screen showing the date, time and the watch model.  It has four buttons on the side for the menus and the up/down cursor.  Then a red button in the middle to start or enter.  The watch has a nice form factor and lightweight.  The strap seems to be durable too and locks securely on the wrists.

The Wearlink+ heart rate monitor (HRM) is strapped around the chest.  The unit was small and light compared to the HRM of Garmin.  It provides a good fit on the chest, doesn't have to be very tight and doesn't easily fall off.  The material was comfortable to the skin.

The footpod is a separate accesory.  It allows you to measure the speed and distance while running.  This is battery operated with 1 AAA battery.  This allows the footpod to be powered continuously for several hours as long as you use a battery of good quality.  But batteries can be heavy which will add some weight on one of your foot.  At least, it is just on one foot.

If you wish a more accurate measure ment for speed and distance, you can use the GPS which can be strapped around your arms.  This is battery operated as well by 1 AA battery.  The GPS can last for 8 hours of running.  This is good news for ultrarunners.  But this one is really an added weight.  The GPS unit is a bit heavy and bothersome to be placed on the arm.

The GPS and the footpod cannot be used together at the same time.  The Polar watch can only receive data from one of them.  You have to choose which one to use.

That's a first look on the Polar RS300X.  I will start practicing with them and provide a feedback on the product in the coming weeks.  Polar watches have a good reputation for being durable and lasts longer compared to other sports watches.  What I don't like about it so far is the number of add-ons you need to have or purchase if you want more features.

Polar sports watches are available at Toby's branches and also at Runnr in BHS.  Also available are Heart Rate Monitors, Fitness watches and pedometers.

Here are the prices for the Polar RS300X and its add-ons.

RS300X with HRM – 12,495 Php (available in Orange and Black)
RS300X with HRM and S1 Footpod – 17,495 Php
RS300X with HRM and G1 GPS Unit – 17,495 Php

S1 Footpod only – 7,895 Php
G1 GPS Unit only – 10, 295 Php
Wearlink+ Heart Rate Monitor – 3,495 Php
Flowlink Data Transfer Interface – 3,495 Php