Polar CS300 Heart Rate Monitor Cycling Computer

Note: In the list below BPM stands for Beats per Minute and % of Max HR stands for Percentage of Maximum Heart Rate.

The main features of the Polar CS300 heart rate monitor are:

• Continuous heart rate monitoring from the wireless chest strap using coded analogue wireless transmission
• The cycling computer is now a wrist watch unit so it can be worn when doing non-cycling related exercises such as running.
• You can set heart rate limits during your training if required. You can do so manually, automatically (age-based) or via OwnZone.
• Polar CS300 can perform a determination of your heart rate training zone using the OwnZone feature. This is based on how fit you are on the day of your exercise.
• The heart rate can be displayed as BPM or % of Max HR
• The wrist watch unit beeps and displays visual arrows when you train above or below your heart rate limits (or cadence limits*)
• If the optional cadence sensor is installed, it is possible to set upper and lower cadence limits*.
• You can select exercise types: cycling or other. Choose cycling to measure cycling speed and distance, and choose other for running and other sports.
• Polar Fitness Test: It is a simple test and it gives you a score called OwnIndex (comparable to VO2 Max) measuring your cardiovascular fitness. The test also calculates your predicted maximum heart rate.
• Stop watch: Use it to start and stop exercise recording/session. Alternatively you can use AutoStart when you are cycling.
• AutoStart: If this feature is switched on, exercise recording will start and stop when you start and stop cycling.
• Some of the following information can be viewed while cycling: total distance, trip distance, speed, heart rate, cadence*, average speed, calories burnt, exercise duration, estimated time of arrival, time of day, zone pointer, heart rate limits, cadence limits*, time in target zone, calorie consumption rate, energy output (cycling intensity), average heart rate, timers, graphical view (bars of heart rate, speed and cadence*). This information is not displayed all on a single screen but distributed over several screens. You can move from screen to screen by pressing a button. Note: The estimated time of arrival feature requires that you first set the distance you are going to ride. The cycling computer then estimates the time you are going to arrive according to your riding speed.
• Short post-exercise summary: Distance, average speed, maximum speed, duration, calories burnt, average heart rate, maximum heart rate.
• Stores up to 14 Files (exercise summaries)
• Each File contains: Date and time started, duration, target zone limits, time in, above, below target zone, maximum heart rate, average heart rate, calories burnt, fat percentage of burnt calories, distance, average speed, maximum speed, riding time, average cadence*, maximum cadence*
• You can view various Total Values since the last reset: exercise duration, riding time, calories burnt, exercise count, riding count, odometer 1, odometer 2, riding distance 1, riding distance 2, max speed, max cadence* and total time spent in heart rate zones. Note: You can set up the computer for 2 bikes. The 1 and 2 above indicate to which bike the quantity refers.
• Two alternating timers are provided.
• Basic time keeping: Time, 2 time zones, date, alarm
• You need to enter personal settings such as weight, height, date of birth, sex and activity level to help ensure accurate feedback on your performance e.g. calorie consumption. You can also override the defaults for maximum heart rate, sitting heart rate and VO2max.
• Keylock: This prevents accidental pressing of buttons
• The Bike mount is used to attach the wrist watch unit securely on to the bike.
• The wireless speed sensor measures speed and distance while you are cycling.
• The Polar WearLink coded transmitter is included.
• The Polar cadence sensor (optional) measures the speed at which you turn the pedals of your bicycle.
• Backlight
• The Polar UpLink tool can be used to edit cycling computer settings on a PC and then transfer the data from the PC to the cycling computer. It requires a Windows PC with a sound card and loudspeakers or headphones.
• Polar WebLink software allow you to transfer your training files to your personal training diary on polarpersonaltrainer.com. It requires a Windows PC with a sound card and a microphone.

Note: * refers to the various cadence values that are only available when the optional Polar cadence sensor is installed.

The differences between the models Polar CS300 and CS200cad are highlighted in bold in the list above. Bold in black means those features are found in CS300 but not in CS200cad.

The Polar CS300 has a major advantage over the CS200 (and CS200cad). It is no longer an exclusively cycling heart rate monitor. It can be worn on the wrist and so can used for running and other sports. In addition to heart rate limits, you can now set up cadence limits to control the intensity of your efforts while cycling (if you use the optional cadence sensor). The Polar CS300 also comes with a Polar Fitness Test to measure your fitness over a period of time. It can be a very motivating tool. The CS300 also has a greater capacity for storing exercise files (now up to 14).

However the CS300 also takes away some features that are available in the CS200 (and CS200cad). You can no longer mark laps (either manually or automatically) on the CS300.

Summary

The Polar CS300 heart rate monitor is the third model in Polar's CS series for cyclists. It can be worn on the wrist, and can measure cycling speed, distance and cadence. It also provides information such as energy output (calories/mile) and calorie consumption rate (calories/hr). It is equipped with the AutoStart feature. The Polar Fitness Test helps keep track of fitness improvement over time. The Polar CS300 comes with the comfortable Polar WearLink coded wireless transmitter. It has detailed information display, and you can flip from screen to screen at the press of a button. The two alternating timers can be used for interval training or can act as reminders. It can now save 14 sessions of data. Furthermore the session data can be uploaded via WebLink to Polar's training web site.

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Useful Information

The next one up in Polar's CS series is the Polar CS400 heart rate monitor.

Not sure which heart rate monitor is right for you? Take a look at the Which Heart Rate Monitor page.