Polar's CS600 cycling computer

Polar, a company best known for its sports-related technology, has created a new on-board computer for cyclists hoping to improve their game, called the CS600. Supposedly developed with the help of six different teams that competed in last year's Tour de France, the advanced little monitor tracks your heart's performance (like if it's beating and how fast), bike speed, and altitude -- but that's just the start. All the data to the handlebar-mounted device is sent wirelessly over Polar's 2.4GHz W.I.N.D. technology (which we think might just be code for regular old WiFi), so you won't be worrying about pesky wires while you're speeding past all the bozos who didn't get one of these to train with.

[Via Crave]

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jul 18th 2007 10:20PM]

It looks like they used faux carbon fiber.

[Chris @ Jul 19th 2007 2:46AM]

It's not going to be wi-fi - very low power requirements and only low speed and short range mean something like zigbee is more likely.

[tis---strange @ Jul 19th 2007 8:34AM]

Can it control my EPO-pump????
Well, it was used at the tour, so it better...

[Rupan @ Jul 19th 2007 9:24AM]

This is better than my Garmin Foreruner how????

[John @ Jul 19th 2007 10:22AM]

It's not.

[Joshua Ghosn @ Jul 19th 2007 9:34AM]

How about more than 700 bucks for that little piece of dumbness???

[pork_musket @ Jul 19th 2007 10:02AM]

No GPS = lame

[jups @ Jul 19th 2007 12:53PM]

Who cares about gps while riding. GPS just takes too much power and doesn't provide any relevant information. If you are competent enough to read any map, that should be enough. Even that is quite useless on just about every cyclers life.

[kaztm @ Jul 19th 2007 10:02AM]

There aren't many cyclists among Engadget writers, I suppose.

[DakStaka @ Jul 19th 2007 10:06AM]

Doubt it is WiFi - that's far too costly in terms of power consumption. Prolly 802.16 (the stuff used in ZigBee).

[Anatoly @ Jul 19th 2007 10:34AM]

It doesn't say if it includes the power meter or if it's even an option. I agree that wifi wouldn't work in this device, however, ZigBee looks to be for industrial applications. There is a protocol called ANT, which is transceiver on chip, with a serial interface. Garmin as well as Suunto are using it for their fitness units. It also supports upto 256 devices for one host - which is pretty sweet. Low power usage AND low barrier to entry, I think in quantity these chips are only 4 bucks each.

As far as the polar - I agree, without GPS is a lame duck - however, I'd rather get something like this with a tiny external bluetooth/ANT GPS box which used AAA as opposed to one where GPS is built in, like Forerunner. The problem w/ the built-in GPS is it only lasts for 12 hours. If you're doing a multi-day hike, it will only work for some of that time. As opposed to a AAA powered device, where you'd be able to replace batteries without bustin' out an USB port.

[rrfrench @ Jul 19th 2007 10:39AM]

Forerunner 305 FTW... cheaper, GPS, and more software options. I can't wait 'til my honeymoon in France next year so I can topo map my rides in the alps. Now if Garmin would just buy out ergomo or SRM we could add in wattage and have the perfect training tool.

I guess Polar figures that second-to-market w/ wireless HR, altitude, and all the reg bike functions is better than never making it at all. I also suppose there's enough Polar fanboys out who'll dump the extra $400 for this over a Garmin.

BTW, anybody know of a bike mount for the x05 series Forerunners? I had a mount for my 301 but I can't seem to find one for the 205/305.

[paul34 @ Jul 19th 2007 11:09AM]

No offense, but don't they already have a lot of cycle computers like this? I just don't see how its innovative enough to warrant a news entry.

[TripleBypass @ Jul 19th 2007 12:45PM]

OK, the problem is that the reporter for engadget sort of missed the boat on this one. As reported last week in the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/technology/12power.html?_r=1&oref=slogin), and documented on the Polar website (http://www.polarusa.com/Products/cs/cs600.asp?cat=consumer), this device allows the rider to know his POWER output - a much more reliable index of performance than anything the Garmin 305 can give you. I agree GPS is cool, but for cyclists training for competitive events, knowing your watts is key. The reason it's notable is because power meters now cost >$2k, whether they're installed in the hub or bottom bracket, and this device can be had for 1/3 that price.

[MikeS @ Jul 19th 2007 2:50PM]

Even the power option isn't news. I've had that on my Polar 720i for a couple of years now. Seems the innovation is the wireless functionality that eliminates a handful of wires that the 720/725 uses for power measurement.

@rrfrench: Polar had all the functions you reference before the first Forerunner even came out. Back to the fanboy closet with you. The power measurement accuracy is just fine. SRM, et. al. are more accurate, but outside the lab the Polar is accurate enough.

[rrfrench @ Jul 19th 2007 12:47PM]

Garmin Forerunner 101 runs on AAA... no HR though and the old form factor. Still it can be found for about $75.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Wrist-Mounted-Navigator-Personal/dp/B0001ILXGQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1077238-4586253?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1184856091&sr=8-1

[Brendan @ Jul 19th 2007 12:49PM]

Of course, how accurate it is given the technology it uses remains to be seen....

[carl @ Jul 19th 2007 12:49PM]

Being able to compare power vs. heart rate and elevation gain (grade) vs. heart rate is informative, but it's nice to have gps so you can race yourself on a set course. I think there are computers out there that have a graphical display that can show your position relative to a ghost rider (you on a previous ride).

[rrfrench @ Jul 19th 2007 12:52PM]

Not to quibble with you but the power measurement method for this device (chain tension pickup), while a novel and very savvy bit of engineering, is nowhere near as accurate as a Powertap, ergomo, or CRM. At least that's what I've read from cycling websites and forums.

For the record, I've owned a Powertap and a Garmin. The Garmin is great for multi-sport but I DO miss my wattage meter (traded for a pair of Mavic Cosmic Carbone Premiums).