Polar RC3 GPS with Heart Rate Monitor strap

The Polar RC3 is Polar's first integrated GPS and heart rate monitor watch. We've been lucky enough to have tested one for several months before release and we were very pleased with the results. The Polar RC3 GPS HRM is smart, easy to use, discrete, motivational and accurate. The Polar RC3 is not quite as technical as the Polar RCX5, it's more similar to the Polar RCX3, but with a convenient internal GPS sensor. Please note, this model does includes the Polar WIND heart rate monitor belt.

Please note - these are the VERY LATEST firmware version of Polar RC3 that include ALTITUDE data live in the watch. This model will give realtime ALTITUDE data while running / riding and inlcuded in the summary at the end (and also after upload to PolarPersonalTrainer.com webs). The Polar RC3 shows live: Current Altitude - rolling Ascended height and rolling Descended height. The Polar RC3 shows Max Altitude and total Ascent / Descent distance at the end in the summary file.

• Men's Running Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor REVIEW

The Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor is packed full of features that enable you to get more from your training. These include Polar Sports Zones (5 x autoset heart rate zones based on age set or manually entered max heart rate) The Polar Sports Zones help you train at the right intensity and Training Benefit that gives you instant feedback after every session, so you can monitor your progress each and every time.

Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor - UPDATE >> As from December 2012 it is possible to get altitude data in polarpersonaltrainer.com. Simply make sure you are using the latest version of Polar WebSynch (in Dec 2012 this was 2.7.0) - and make sure you enable "Add altitude data in my training results..."

If you want to save on GPS battery, then you can pair the Polar RC3 with the Polar WIND bike speed and pedal cadence sensors to give accurate speed, distance and pedal RPM data.

Who's the Polar RC3 GPS Heart Rate Monitor for?

The Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor is NOT a highly technical watch like the Polar RCX5 or the Polar RS800CX N. The Polar RC3 does not have interval timers nor does it have data field customisation. So, if you are a technical athlete, please consider the Polar RCX5. What the Polar RC3 is, is a competent training aid for anyone who cycles, runs or similar outdoor aerobic exercise 3 or 4 times per week - someone who wants to know how far, how fast and at what intensity, and importantly, providing what training benefit. The Polar RC3 GPS HRM is a great training watch to keep an eye on their training intensity, making sure you are not overtraining. At the same time as giving objective feedback about each session, it will give you the hard facts, how far, how fast and how hard. In summary, the Polar RC3 GPS is suitable for MOST recreational / moderately competitive athletes who want a neat, smart sports training watch with integrated GPS.

Polar RC3 GPS for Running:

When running with the Polar RC3 you can toggle between 7 data screens. The Polar RC3 can be configured to give either 2 or 3 lines of data per screen, depending on your preference (and eyesight). When in RUNNING MODE the Polar RC3 displays speed as PACE, i.e. minutes per mile or min/km as required

The 7 data lines displayed on the Polar RC3 GPS HRM cannot be changed, but between the 7 screens, there is pretty much everything we wanted to see at hand in a convenient format (we would like to see average lap pace, when autolapping during a race for example). These data fields include all the essential fields like : lap time, lap distance, total time - total distance, live heart rate (displayed either as BPM or %MAX), HR zones, and running pace (or bike speed)

The Polar RC3 GPS has an autolap feature which will automatically store the lap data every "x" miles. I normally set this to 1 mile when running and 3 miles while biking. After the session you can review your auto saved mile times with associated heart rate data.

At the end of the run session, you can check your Polar Running Index. Running Index score is calculated automatically after every run, based on your heart rate and from the speed data collected from your GPS or stride sensor. A higher reading indicates that you can run faster with less effort

• View all Polar Heart Rate Monitors
• View all Polar Heart Rate Monitors for RUNNERS

Polar RC3 for Cycling:

The Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor lets you select between RUN, CYCLE or OTHER each time you train. When running, the Polar RC3 GPS will display RUN specific data, similarly, when CYCLING the Polar RC3 will provide bike specific data like SPEED in MPH instead of minutes per mile.  The Polar RC3 provides bike speed from either the integrated GPS within the unit or a wireless WIND bike speed sensor. If you want pedal cadence, then there is also an option to add a Polar WIND cadence sensor to the crank (magnet) and chainstay / seat tube  For people with more than one bike, the Polar RC3 can store setting for 2 bikes (wheel size, cadence on/off etc)

Other Sport training with Polar RC3:

The Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor is designed for all aerobic exercisers, not just running and cycling. In the "other sports" mode you still get the essential data views like, heart rate, calories, speed and distance (if enabled), training time etc. In the "other sports" mode the Polar RC3 will NOT pair for a bike speed sensor, nor a cadence sensor or a stride sensor - it will only pair with the heart rate belt and the G5 GPS unit. We found this "other sports" mode was useful for sports like swimming, gym training, walking etc.

Polar RC3 and swimming

Swimming ..... the Polar RC3 is IPX7 water resistant. This means it can be used for surface swimming... BUT ... as it comes with a WIND digital strap, there is no heart rate while swimming.

Polar Training Benefit on the RC3 GPS heart rate monitor

The Polar RC3 heart rate monitor provides motivating feedback that’s delivered straight to you immediately after exercise is something we can all benefit from. If you want to know the trianing effect of different training sessions, this feature will tell you exactly what you need to know. WIth the Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor you get a quick overview after each session, and for more detailed feedback, you can either check your training file or you can get further in-depth analysis at polarpersonaltrainer.com.

Polar Fitness Test built in to the Polar RC3

For anyone who is looking to improve their fitness and wants to keep up to date with how well you’re doing, Polar RC3's Smart Fitness Test will tell you exactly what you need to know in just five minutes. By regularly comparing your test results, you can see what progress you are making and how your fitness is improving.

Polar RC3 Training Load:

The Polar Training Load on the Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor  helps you to find the perfect balance between rest and training. Find out your training load status at polarpersonaltrainer.com. It shows you at a glance your cumulative training load for every day, advising if and when rest days are needed and when it’s best to train harder in order to maintain your performance improvement.

Polar RC3 and the Polar Zone Optimiser

The Polar Zone Optimiser feature of the Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor ensures that you always train at the right intensity. Knowing how hard to train can be a challenge. By using ZoneOptimizer, you can get the exact training effect you’re looking for as the feature adjusts your five heart rate training zones to perfectly match your body’s current physiological condition

Polar RC3 and Polar Own Calories

Polar RC3 heart rate monitor has the Polar OwnCal feature. This is the most accurate calorie counter on the market. The Polar RC3 heart rate monitor calculates the number of calories expended during a training session based on your weight, height, age, gender, your individual maximum heart rate (HRmax) and how hard you’re training.

What's In The RC3 box ??

• Polar RC3 GPS heart rate monitor / training computer
• Polar W.I.N.D digital heart rate transmitter set
• Charging and data transfer cable
• Polar RC3 heart rate monitor  "Getting Started Guide"

Polar RC3 BHIP Ltd video:

Next Polar Hart Rate Monitor model UP ??

Is the Polar RCX5 heart rate monitor - you are able to do intervals, whereas you can't on the Polar RC3 heart rate monitor, it has pace/speed alarms and also has the Race Pace feature, which allows you to set a target speed/pace for a certain distance.  It then helps pacing the run or ride by showing the current speed/pace and by telling in time, how much you are behind or ahead of the set target.

All features of the Polar RC3 GPS HRM:

Body Measurement Features of Polar RC3

• Average and maximum heart rate of each lap
• Average, minimum and maximum heart rate of training
• Heart rate – bpm / %
• HRmax (age-based)
• HRmax (user set)
• Polar Fitness Test
• Polar OwnCal® – calorie expenditure with fat percentage
• Polar OwnCode® (2.4 GHz W.I.N.D.) – coded transmission
• Polar sport zones
• Polar ZoneOptimizer - personalized sport zones
• Polar Training Benefit

Data Transfer from Polar RC3 to PC or MAC

• Compatible with Mac (Intel-based) via USB cable
• Compatible with PC via USB cable
• Compatible with polarpersonaltrainer.com via USB cable

Recording Features of Polar RC3 HRM

• Totals
• Training files (with summaries) – 99
• Weekly history

Training Features of Polar RC3 Heart Rate Monitor

• Automatic lap recording
• Graphical target zone indicator
• Number of laps – 99
• Sport Profiles (5 fixed sport profiles)
• ZoneLock
• ZonePointer

Watch Features of Polar RC3 heart Rate Monitor

• Time of day (12/24h) with alarm and snooze
• Date and weekday indicator
• Backlight
• Dual time zone
• Water resistant – IPX7
• KeyLock
• Low battery indicator
• Rechargeable battery
• StopWatch
• Display text in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish