So, I thought since I threw such a little tantrum about my troubles with my new heart rate monitor, I'd give an update.
Based on Mary's comment on my earlier post about it, the issue with the logo is at least partially resolved. I can now remove the yin yang, though I have yet to successfully add a logo to the device. This, however, is a cosmetic problem, and I'm not terribly worried about it so long as the more functional stuff works. Which it does, when I can figure out how to do it. UPDATE: Success! I was able to change the logo.
The first time I wore the F55 was on my long ride on Saturday. Everything looked fine, it started monitoring (My body seems to like to ride at about 82-83% of max HR...gets there in the first 5 minutes and camps out. Need to work on that). Since I neglected to read about basic operations before heading out, I didn't know how to display the time of day while the monitoring was going on, and I also didn't know how to pause. So I turned exercise mode on and off about 6 times in 3 hours. However, it didn't really matter, because it turns out that I also never started an exercise session. I started it monitoring, but never pressed the button again to start recording a session. I should have known better, since the only monitor I've had/seen that started the session on the first click was the little F4. Nevertheless, I was so disappointed when I went to look at my ride stats and discovered...there weren't any. RTFM, Joy.
Regarding my uplink issues, I was able to download the correct software to do the upload from my watch to the web application shortly after my last post. However, since neither of my computers has an IR interface (not even my laptop, which surprised me), I had to buy the Polar USB IR adapter before I could use the software. Though shopping for it was not exactly pleasant (I couldn't find a single local store that carried the 2006 version, had to hit Amazon and wait. Plus, $60? Damn.), I am utterly satisfied with this little device--installation was easy, it's tiny and unobtrusive, and--most importantly--it works. I set my F55 to connect mode, the Weblink software found today's exercise file and uploaded it to the web. Easy peasy.
One thing that I'm unclear on, though...it won't let me transfer workout programs for some reason. It comes to a screen that gives me three options--transfer the workout program from my wrist unit to the web app, transfer the workout program from the web app to wrist unit, or don't transfer anything. "Don't transfer anything" is the only one I can choose. I think this might have something to do with the settings I chose when I set up my watch, though, so I'm going to have to review my settings some more before I complain too loudly.
So, though it may not be coming across this way, my overall impression of the F55 is really pretty good. It's got a lot of features that I'm looking forward to figuring out, and I like the web application (though I'd also like a local application option). Its out-of-the-box learning curve is a little steep, but I'm catching on as I work with it. I suspect I would have caught on faster if I had spent some time with the manual before trying to use it but, pshhht...who does that?? :)
Posted by Joy at November 20, 2006 01:54 PM