Polar V650 bike HRM and GPS - first impressions

[Headshot]

I have wanted a GPS bike computer for some time and with ebucks over flowing I went to Takealot for a Polar. It is easily the cheapest way to get a device like this and comes in far cheaper than most Garmin units. I had to add a HRM strap however as mine came without. This pushed the price up to around R4800.00. It comes with a single stem or bar mount that I adapted to fit on my top tube to keep it safe. (I crash a lot)

 

When it was released the V650 lacked some features and these were promised in firmware updates. So far it seems most have materialized and it is very user friendly. Its big and phone like and has a touch screen and colour display although the resolution is far below a phone. Setting it up is simple and I had no problem pairing it with my phone or HRM sensor. There is a phone app which allows uploads from the unit to your phone and  to the Polar Flow website and you can also set it to automatically upload to Strava too. 

 

So far, after two rides and some fiddling, all has worked flawlessly although the second phone upload took a few attempts. I have found the training info interesting and also the post ride assessments of my exercise intensity and benefits. The GPS signal is picked up quickly and remained accurate. The barometric altimeter did me out of 200m of Strava climbing when compared to my wifes phone Strava record of the same ride.

 

It uses open source maps and has a nifty screen that shows distance and direction back to your start. The touch screen works fine with FF gloves and battery life is good. 

 

All in very impressed so far.

[Prince]

I have an M450. Ticks all the boxes and cheap as chips.

[Pieterlab1]

I love my V650! Well priced and specced.

[Mr Anderson]

Are you still happy with the 650? I am currently considering one and have seen some mixed reports on this device..

[Bateleur1]

I have wanted a GPS bike computer for some time and with ebucks over flowing I went to Takealot for a Polar. It is easily the cheapest way to get a device like this and comes in far cheaper than most Garmin units. I had to add a HRM strap however as mine came without. This pushed the price up to around R4800.00. It comes with a single stem or bar mount that I adapted to fit on my top tube to keep it safe. (I crash a lot)

 

When it was released the V650 lacked some features and these were promised in firmware updates. So far it seems most have materialized and it is very user friendly. Its big and phone like and has a touch screen and colour display although the resolution is far below a phone. Setting it up is simple and I had no problem pairing it with my phone or HRM sensor. There is a phone app which allows uploads from the unit to your phone and  to the Polar Flow website and you can also set it to automatically upload to Strava too. 

 

So far, after two rides and some fiddling, all has worked flawlessly although the second phone upload took a few attempts. I have found the training info interesting and also the post ride assessments of my exercise intensity and benefits. The GPS signal is picked up quickly and remained accurate. The barometric altimeter did me out of 200m of Strava climbing when compared to my wifes phone Strava record of the same ride.

 

It uses open source maps and has a nifty screen that shows distance and direction back to your start. The touch screen works fine with FF gloves and battery life is good. 

 

All in very impressed so far.

 

Just bare in mind that the Strava app on the phone is possibly the most inaccurate when it comes to measuring altitude.  This is because of the algorithm used.  So your Polar is propably as accurate as it gets.  Still not 100% as on a long ride air pressure can change and cause inaccuracies but it is not as much.  Strava does not take into consideration if you cycle over a bridge that there is a bridge.  Their algorithm thinks you moved down the cliff and back up the other side, hence showing more climbing.

 

Thanks for the report. Will have a look.

[Karman de Lange]

Just bare in mind that the Strava app on the phone is possibly the most inaccurate when it comes to measuring altitude.  This is because of the algorithm used.  So your Polar is propably as accurate as it gets.  Still not 100% as on a long ride air pressure can change and cause inaccuracies but it is not as much.  Strava does not take into consideration if you cycle over a bridge that there is a bridge.  Their algorithm thinks you moved down the cliff and back up the other side, hence showing more climbing.

 

Thanks for the report. Will have a look.

 

On long ride you can always hit the recalibrate altitude button during a ride

[Capricorn]

one thing that hacked me off, was the lack of an out-front mount from day 1. Polar only very recently (as in mid Sept) released one. I'm much happier with the unit being further out front, and can be angled as required. So much better that sweat no longer pours all over it, and thus i no longer to engage the screen lock to prevent accidental screen inputs by sweat.

 

The out-front/aero mounts are available directly from the distributor, or retailers such as sportsmanswarehouse. NB wrt SMWH: it's a special order last i checked, and can take up to 2 weeks to procure.

[Marsh00]

Bought mine from CRC, for R3800 (includes R600 import tax).

  Polar Cadence Sensor Bluetooth Smart
Polar V650 Strava GPS Cycle Computer with HRM

 

Great features and battery life is good. You wont find better value at that price.

Only gripe is that Im struggling to find an out front bike mount.... 

[Capricorn]

Bought mine from CRC, for R3800 (includes R600 import tax).

  Polar Cadence Sensor Bluetooth Smart

Polar V650 Strava GPS Cycle Computer with HRM

 

Great features and battery life is good. You wont find better value at that price.

Only gripe is that Im struggling to find an out front bike mount.... 

 

see one post above yours