Polar S150 Heart Rate Monitor - An Unbiased Review

We must emphasize that all product reviews are made with the subjective view of the reviewer.  As such, it is typical to read the pros and cons as well as the overall summary of the product under review, be it a car or a pen.  Such subjective approach also applies to this Polar S150 heart rate monitor review. 

Product Features

The Polar S150 is a cyclist's heart rate monitor in all things that matter.   You can either wear it on your wrist or mounted on the bike, whichever is the most comfortable for your training and competition requirements. 

In keeping with the cyclist's needs, the S150 provides for information on many aspects of fitness training.  You have the benefit of speed calculations, distance measurements and heart rate zones settings, all of which are necessary to formulate a personalized training plan. 

To complement these objective measurements, the S150 also has an uplink feature for gadget personalization and a timer for alarm purposes especially where dehydration is concerned. 

Strengths

As can be expected, the Polar S150 heart rate monitor should be judged on one important criterion - accuracy.  On that point, it is right in target - a hallmark of what makes the Polar name stand out from the rest of its competitors in the market. 

Your heart rate, be it real-time, average and target, will be provided accurately for each lap time.  Or as you desire since pre-settings are available.  Said accuracy is important to avoid under or overtraining for any kind of athlete in any training situation.  In fact, the S150 is used by runners and triathletes in addition to the cyclists for which it was designed for. 

Other good features include the 24-hour clock with a stopwatch feature, large monitor for displaying the measurements, and water-resistant case albeit only up to 30 meters.  All of these are par for the course when it comes to Polar products.

Weaknesses

Just like any product, however, the Polar S150 heart rate monitor does have its fair share of weaknesses that may or may not discourage anybody from its purchase.  Although it accurately measures heart rate, many reviewers complained that it does not automatically detect one's heart rate zone.  This is a handicap when you are using heart rate as the center of the training plan.

Speaking of heart rate zone, the S150 only measures just one unless and until you manually change the zones.  You also have to contend with significant interference especially when near power lines that, along with the inability to download files and erase ride date through the red button, can make for real inconveniences. 

Other reviewers have also asserted that the Polar S150 heart rate monitor is an ugly product compared to the others in its category.  Of course, this is a subjective assessment that you may or may not agree with in turn.

All in all, the S150 is a good product but not as good as the other Polar products.  Keep in mind that other Polar heart rate monitors now boast of advanced features like GPS.  This may be the reason why other sites have asserted that the S150 is an obsolete product but if you are looking for a basic heart rate monitor, the S150 will suffice.