Suunto T6...good buy or not?

[krisi]

I'm planning to buy Suunto T6 to use it for rowing on erg. How helpful is it for getting my times down? Is it worth $400?

What do you think? Any suggestions?

[gwjones]

Last Christmas I went through this purchasing process. I was looking at the Suunto T6, Polar F11 and Garmin Forerunner201.

My use was primarily for erging and a little running. I wanted, but didn't need, the GPS functions of the Garmin, which is really much more of a cycling/trekking computer. I also heard that there were problems with the hrm transmitter working intermittently.

So then I looked at the Suunto and the Polar. Turned out that the ergs at the Iron Oarsman and my ellipitcal machine at home are compatible with the Polar HRM. Also, as my main goal at the time was weight loss, the Polar's excercise program capabilities were right in line with my needs. The final straw was price. The Suunto is a very impressive device, but at $450 versus the Polar $150.

Final choice - Polar F11 for me.

[Alissa]

I have one, but I can't really tell you how helpful it is for getting times down, since that isn't my personal focus.

It does provide useful information (the associated desktop software provides interesting analysis of sessions), but you should be aware that notwithstanding that C2UK sells them, C2US assures me that the T6 will not interface with the PM3, since they are not "polar compatible."

Finally, if you decide to get one, check the pricing at Amazon...it looks like you could get one for $300 instead of $400.

I didn't vote since I can't really answer your question...it's not why I bought it.

Good luck.

Alissa

[krisi]

Thanks for your help, I checked Amazon and they sell it for less than $300. That's a lot better than $449 somewhere else.

All reviews focus on running and biking. None of say a word about rowing. Since it's gonna be my birthday gift, I may go for it.

I hope it's gonna make my work-out more interesting.

[johnlvs2run]

I got a nashbar heart rate monitor and strap quite a few years ago for $49.

I've used it for running, cycling, rowing, have changed the batteries a number of times and it is still working well.

[Citroen]

I'm planning to buy Suunto T6 to use it for rowing on erg. How helpful is it for getting my times down? Is it worth $400?

What do you think? Any suggestions?

You do realise that it's NOT compatible with the PM3 heart rate monitor interface.

That info was posted on the old C2 forum by Scott.
http://concept2.ipbhost.com/lofiversion ... t3553.html

[krisi]

T6 doesn't work with PMx, how about connecting Polar S625X instead? Does Polar S625X have to be connected to PMx? I thought all data goes from sensor on my body to S625X straight away and then I could see on the screen at home. What gives me connection to PMx? Blinking heart on the PM screen? What info goes from PMx to the watch?

[Citroen]

The chest strap is a radio transmitter. Your watch is a receiver. The PM2/PM3 HR interface is a receiver. (It's an optional extra - a little black doohickey on the bottom of the monorail connected with a cable to the PM2 or PM3).

The Suunto chest strap supplied with the T6 is NOT compatible with that receiver or with a Polar watch.

A Polar T31 chest strap is compatible with the PM2/PM3 HR interface.

Your watch has nothing to do with the PM2/PM3.

[krisi]

Thanks for all that explanation. I've never thought of connecting the watch to ergo though. I wanted to use it for training as additional help.

Anyway my initial question was, how useful is data received by the watch that you can analyze on laptop screen to get times down?

that's review from UK site...
http://www.concept2.co.uk/training/suunto.php

[jfo]

I bought the cheapest Polar watch (FS1) with chest strap.
Actually only needed the cheast strap but it was almost as cheap to by both in a set.
I use the chest strap with the PM3. It works fine. And it is nice to have the heart rate in the PM3 display instead of having to check the wrist watch.

[johnlvs2run]

I've taped a short piece of pvc above the handle in the middle.

Then it is easy to slip the watch receiver on and off of the handle, for use of the heart rate monitor on the erg.

I've never used the pm2+ display for the heart rate.