Adidas-Polar RS800 running computer one-ups Apple

Yeah, we've all heard about the Nike+iPod Sport Kit -- a consumer-grade monitor for your running apparel to connect to your iPod. But what if you're one of those high-end runners, and simply hearing your heart-pumping songs won't do it for you? Then you probably will want to shell out some hard cash ($490) to get yourself an Adidas-Polar RS800 running computer. This three-piece device includes a special running top (an additional $60-$70) and that integrates embedded sensors and an embedded shoe sensor to display workout metrics that include heart rate, speed, elevation, cadence and "running efficiency," to a wrist-worn display, all of which can be downloaded to your home computer (presumably over USB, but they don't specify). It'll be available from retailers starting next month -- we're already training for our run over to Adidas headquarters in Germany to get one.

[Via Popgadget]

[Zadillo @ Sep 11th 2006 7:05PM]

Sounds pretty cool (I'm going to assume if it is like other Polar stuff that it uses the same kind of footpod and isn't specifically tied into Adidas shoes).

However, I'm not sure I'd say it's a big deal that this "one ups" the Nike/Apple stuff. Polar already had plenty of things that were more advanced (and much more expensive) than the iPod/Nike solution (and with things like Marware's SportSuit Sensor+ that allows you to attach the Nike sensor to your shoelaces, thus not needing a Nike+ shoe, the iPod Nike combination is basically as cheap as a 1GB Nano for $150, the $30 Nike pod and another $10 forthe SportSuit Sensor+).

But yeah, I think the Polar stuff is going to inherently be a different part of the market that does also want the heart rate monitor stuff, etc.

I think the big news here might actually be the idea of this special running top; one of the things that sort of turned me off the idea of the other high-end Polar devices was having to wear that special wrap around my chest. I like the idea of just being able to put on a top with the sensor integrated.

[unimog @ Sep 11th 2006 7:09PM]

this price makes no sense.

you can get the 3-piece polar rs200sd w/ foot pod for about $200. It have been around a few months.

http://www.amazon.com/Polar-RS200SD-Running-Computer-Footpod/dp/B000B88FA8/sr=8-1/qid=1158016046/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4187033-2614536?ie=UTF8&s=apparel

[Zadillo @ Sep 11th 2006 7:10PM]

From looking at the site, it looks like the Polar S3 Stride Sensor W.I.N.D. can operate from inside the adiStar Fusion shoe (I guess something like the Nike+ system), or it can also operate from on the top of any other running shoe when mounted on top of the laces (like other Polar footpods).

Definitely interesting though, and I think the thing I like most is the thing with the heart rate monitor hooking directly into the Adidas running shirts.

[Zadillo @ Sep 11th 2006 7:14PM]

unimog, the Polar RS200sd is not the highest-end product in the Polar line. Being that this is the RS800, I think we can see it as a product designed to be the replacement for the high-end. Currently the high end Polar product is the S625X (or S725X for the biking version), and those are $329.95-$349.95.

Not saying it isn't still expensive, but I'm guessing it probably makes up for it in additional features.

If one doesn't need the capabilities of this RS800 system, then of course the RS200SD is still fine.

[unimog @ Sep 11th 2006 7:29PM]

@Zadillo
ah rs800... for some reason I saw the title as RS200. my bad.

[Smooth Op @ Sep 11th 2006 7:35PM]

I don't see how this is big news. It was announced over a year ago and still hasn't hit the market yet. It's nothing particularly new, just a higher end, sleeker version of existing products. There is really no new significant functionality over the RS200SD or S-625SX. It's a shame because this system costs a freakin arm and leg, while the Nike+ solution is significantly less, even if you need to buy an iPod nano.

[snife @ Sep 11th 2006 7:58PM]

I've had a Nike CV10 kit for over a year which does all this and more, the only unique thing is the heart monitor integrated into the clothing but that just limits the clothing you can wear so is not that great

[kian @ Sep 11th 2006 8:00PM]

Adidas also has a corporate headquarters in Portland, Oregon.

http://www.boora.com/portfolio_project.aspmktID=2600&projID=9

nice...

[Jerry @ Sep 11th 2006 8:37PM]

For $560 I'll stick to the iPod.

[Walter @ Sep 11th 2006 9:58PM]

There's no way this beats the $30 nike+

Plus I don't have to wear a skin tight shirt with a goofy "pod" in the middle of my chest.

[t10 @ Sep 11th 2006 11:11PM]

Silly toys.

I'll stick with my Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS watch.

[jacks @ Sep 11th 2006 11:18PM]

the price too expensive ... but i want it to be my next gadget :D

[zoara @ Sep 12th 2006 7:41AM]

At least you get a shiny orange light thing that follows you around.

[Hiro11 @ Sep 12th 2006 9:20AM]

Polar F11 + walkjogrun.com= $115 for the same functionality. Not sure I get it.

[J @ Sep 13th 2006 5:21PM]

Ok, this is the first time gadget has been discuseed that Ive actually played with (albeit for a few brief minutes).

The watch itself is as big as you would expect but surprosingly light, good fit on most male wrists, but a little too wide for the narrower female wrist. The big red translucent button on the front is not also the infrared transceiver as it looks like it should be (it is acutally round the back of the unit). I think there is also USB connectivity but Im not sure.

The foot pod is a new design that can clip onto the top of the shoe (using a rubber locating bracket that is very secure and discrete) or Ive as I have read, can be integrated into their marketing partners shoes. This is new foot pod technology that apparently is even more accurate than previous incarnations - so you dont have to worry about lost signals as with GPS running units.

The watch has all sorts of advanced technical information available, including the "first thing in the morning" recovery zones (I think the also rs200 has this though) that estiamtes how recovered you are from the previous days exercise. Not sure how it stacks up against the 625x to be honest.

My brief encounter with it looks like its the mutts nuts for runners. Im not sure about the need for the shirt (which is a gadget too far), but the shoe is certainly a good idea (as long as you can find one to suit your running style).

I cant wait to get my hands on one of these babies (for myself) when it is released in October.

[mac @ Sep 14th 2006 5:49AM]

The typical transfer method between high end Polar wrist computer and PC is IrDA. Same for the RS800. No USB (and no need for it as the 'watch' memory is less than 100KB - good for around 10h of trainig).

[Glitchmaker @ Sep 14th 2006 9:12AM]

If this is any similar with the Polar S625X the data trasnmission from the wrist display to the computer is made over IR or sound trasmisssion. Sorry I think no USB here.

[amancalledsun @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:15PM]

This is the next obvious step from the S625x, and not a huge one at that. Make it an RS because it's for running (as Polar starts to differentiate the target markets for their product lines), make it smaller than the S625x (which was/is huge for a wrist unit), improve the accuracy of the footpod, and update the data analysis software for your computer (no more Win98-esque PolarPrecisionPerformance4). I'm not sure why Polar is trying to market this as a revolutionary product though - it isn't. Integration with the shirt and the shoe is pointless unless there's a broad enough product offering on the clothing side, and there really isn't - sorry Adidas, we're still waiting for the LT2, RC2, and Rotterdam IV running shoes to be available in Canada.

Where Polar has really missed though, is support for the Mac with their software. Countless runners I've met would love to be able to download their data to a Mac to analyze it, and not through some Virtual PC garbage that doesn't support IrDA for downloading. Get with the program, Polar! Nike supports Mac, and Garmin has promised that Mac support is coming in the very near future. You're about to be left behind...

[JohnE @ Jul 20th 2007 5:40PM]

A GPS unit is coming soon for this baby! Yipeeee

[fhunkler @ Dec 19th 2007 10:52AM]

I am looking for users of the RS800 to communicate with. I love it. Thanks. Frank