Wireless ECG accurate heart rate
The heart rate is wirelessly transmitted from a light weight form fitting heart rate chest transmitters to the Polar wrist watch receiver. The chest transmitter picks up and transmits every  "R" wave electrical signal of the heart. The watch receives the wireless signal calculates and ECG accurate heart  rate which is displayed  in "beats per minute". 


Exercise Set (extended exercise profiles
The number of exercise files stored in your heart rate monitor. An exercise file includes total exercise time, time in target zone and average heart rate. Create training sessions with individual settings for duration and heart rate limits. A feature that allows selecting exercise programs for interval training including heart rate target zones and recovery calculations.


Polar OwnCal®
Counts and displays calorie expenditure.
The Polar OwnCal feature shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions.

You can set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calorie expenditure with the OwnCal feature. Because the OwnCal tracks both the energy expenditure during one exercise session and the accumulated kilocalories during a longer time e.g. one week, it helps in achieving both short term and long term goals.

Polar Heart Rate Rest Test™
Measures your resting heart rate to determine how well you have adapted to extreme conditions. Take the Polar Heart rate Rest Test to measure your resting heart rate. This will provide you with information on the state of your physical fitness and recovery, or your acclimatization to altitude.


Polar Fitness Test™ with OwnIndex®
Measures your fitness level in 5 minutes.

A fitness test that measures your aerobic/cardiovascular fitness at rest in just five minutes. The result, Polar OwnIndex, predicts your maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max).
The Polar Fitness Test is a revolutionary way to test aerobic fitness. Gender, age, height, body weight, in addition to level of physical activity, heart rate and heart rate variability at rest are all factors influencing the test results. The OwnIndex ranges usually from 20 to 95 and is comparable to VO2max, the golden standard of aerobic fitness.
OwnIndex is most meaningful when following changes in your fitness over a long period of time. Find out how fit you are for your age and gender by comparing your result to the global references listed in the Polar user's manuals.
With the Polar Fitness Test you can measure your aerobic fitness by yourself, automatically and without any exertion. No other equipment other than a heart rate monitor is needed. The Polar Fitness Test is as accurate in predicting the VO2max as any submaximal fitness test.


Polar OwnCode®
Prevents cross-talk from other heart rate monitors.

As more and more people use heart rate monitors today, preventing cross talk from other devices in group situations at the gym or when jogging with a friend becomes essential. The unique coded technology blocks unwanted signals from other heart rate monitors, ensuring disturbance-free transmission of your heart rate data.


Polar OwnOptimizer™
Train and rest in the right balance. Polar OwnOptimizer test tells you whether you have recovered enough for your next training session.

Polar OwnOptimizer test is an easy and reliable way to determine whether your training program is optimally developing your performance. Based on the test, you are provided with a nice-scale description of your personal training status.


Target zones with visual alarm
A high exercise heart rate and low exercise heart rate can be easily set the wrist unit.  During exercise the watch will beep when the heart rate is above the high heart rate setting, or below the low heart rate setting. While inside the high and low the watch is silent. The beep sound can be de-activated and a visual symbol will be displayed instead.  


Target zones with audible alarm  (3 - if not in bike mode)
A range of heart rates that a person chooses to aim for when exercising, based on their personal fitness goals. Target heart rate zones are expressed as percentages of a person’s maximum heart rate (HRmax). The most common target heart rate zones are: 50-60% HRmax, 60-70% HRmax, 70-80% HRmaxand 80-90% HRmax. The intensity 90-100% HRmaxis used only for sprint training by experienced exercisers.


HR max (Polar Fitness test-based)
Maximum heart rate for a specific person can be calculated by running a heart rate based Polar fitness test with the heart rate monitor. This test a close approximation of maximum heart rate for a specific individual, but to get a 100% accurate maximum heart rate it is recommended to do a fitness test with a health professional. 


HR max (age-based)
Polar heart monitor can automatically set an age based maximum heart rate based on the formula "220 minus your age". This age based maximum heart rate will not be as accurate as maximum HR based on the Polar fitness test or a fitness test with a health professional. 


Interval timers
The freely programmable Interval Trainer will automatically guide you through the interval training session with the help of the preset exercise phases: warm-up with a target heart rate zone and a countdown timer, up to 30 intervals with a target heart rate zone (after each interval you have a recovery calculation option), cool-down with a target heart rate zone and a countdown timer.


Maximum heart rate of total exercise
A figure expressed in beats per minute (bpm) representing the peak heart rate measured over a specific period of time (e.g. an exercise session).


Average heart rate of total exercise
A figure expressed in beats per minute (bpm) representing the average heart rate measured over a specific period of time (e.g. an exercise session).


Average heart rate of each lap
Laps are recorded during exercise, and the heart rate monitor will calculate the average heart rate of each lap and save that in memory for review. 


Maximum heart rate of each lap
Laps are recorded during exercise, and the heart rate monitor will calculate the average heart rate of each lap and save that in memory for review. 


Recovery measurement (HR / time)
Heart rate recovery after exercise can be calculated in two ways. 1) how far the heart rate drops during a present time interval, or how much time it takes for heart rate to drop a preset number of heart beats. The recovery heart rate is saved in memory and can be recalled after each exercise session. 


Automatic lap recording
Laps can be recorded by touching the wrist receiver to the heart rate chest transmitter. A beep will sound when the lap is recorded. 


Number of laps
Study your performance through lap times.
This feature identifies the number of laps recorded, lap time for each lap, split time, heart rate and average lap heart rate. It also automatically identifies your best lap time.


Exercise Date
An exercise date is recorded in memory every time the heart rate is recorded. 


Altitude and ascent
The wrist monitor will display altitude and ascent. Some Polar models will record altitude and ascent in memory for download to PC.

Altitude with graphical trend - ( report available in PC software )
Exercise sessions can be downloaded to PC and altitude graphs displayed. 

Altitude as displayed during exercise
Shows your current altitude reading with graphical trend curve and your vertical progress.

Altitude is measured by using an air pressure sensor. Air pressure changes constantly due to varying weather conditions. Therefore, measured altitudes in the same position may vary. Pressure variations due to weather conditions, or indoor air-conditioning, may affect altitude readings. Calibrate your Altimeter at regular intervals to make sure it remains accurate.

Since the Altimeter and Barometer both use barometric pressure, only one of these features can be activated at a time. Therefore, you will have to activate the Altimeter separately for use. When the Altimeter is activated, all changes in barometric pressure are interpreted as changes in altitude.

The Altimeter allows you to identify your current altitude and to determine altitude-related conditions. It will also aid in pinpointing your position on a map and help you select an appropriate route. Using the Altimeter, you will learn how much you can ascend or descend per day, and how fast you can ascend or descend in current weather conditions.


Cumulative Ascent and Descent available in PC software
Exercise sessions can be downloaded to PC and altitude summary information displayed. 

Altitude with graphical trend
Displays a altitude trend line in graphical form on the wrist watch display. 


Vertical speed (ascent and descent rate); ave. and max.
Displays vertical ascent and decent rate with summary of average and maximum of ascent and descent rate


Altitude Alarms
Alarm sounds when  preset altitudes  have been reached


Slope Counter
Shows the number of slopes you have gone down a ski hill or other vertical ascent & descent.
The Slope Counter will automatically record the number of slopes you cover. A course of at least 50m /165ft descended continuously is registered as a slope.


Cumulative Ascent and Descent
Summary report of total ascent and descent during a recording session. 

Barometer Functions                          · top of page
Barometers are built into certain Polar models
.

Monitor weather changes with barometric pressure and temperature reading.
Use the Barometer to measure sea level or absolute barometric pressure. Sea level pressure represents the unit’s estimate of absolute pressure corrected to sea level (as reported from a weather station or airport). Absolute barometric pressure is true atmospheric pressure at current altitude and conditions.

Since the Altimeter and Barometer both use barometric pressure, only one of these features may be activated at a time. Therefore, you will have to activate the Barometer separately for use. When the Barometer is activated, all changes in barometric pressure are interpreted as changes in weather conditions.

If you remain at the same altitude, changes in barometric pressure tip you on changing weather conditions. For example, when you camp overnight, activate the Barometer for the night and check it in the morning for changes to make sure you are up-to-date on changing weather conditions.


Sea level pressure with graphical trend
Displays graphical trend of barometric changes using sea level as the base line. 

Absolute barometric pressure
Displays absolute barometric pressure

Barometric pressure drop alarm
Alarm is sounds when barometric pressure drops to a preset "trigger" level.

Compass Functions                             · top of page      
Compass functions are built into certain Polar models
.

Bearing in degrees
For navigating and monitoring the right direction.

A digital compass is included in select Polar Outdoor Computer models. The direction value is given as a cardinal point, as well as in degrees. For example, when heading east, the letter E, the value in degrees (90) and three pointers indicating your north will appear on your wrist unit display.


North indicator, cardinal points and graphical bearing indicator
Indicates magnetic north with cardinal points for east, west and south. Graphical bearing indicator displays bearings for direction of travel


Bearing tracking function
Tracks bearings in direction of travel
DETERMINING YOUR CURRENT BEARING

If you are asking yourself "What direction am I really heading?", you will need to take your compass reading and add your declination value. This is your "True" direction. Meaning, this is your direction with respect to true North. (Remember, if you add a negative number, you are actually subtracting a value)
Referencing examples from above?
    Example 1: 72 + (-12) = 60
    Example 2: 90 + (-20) = 70
    Example 3: 90 + 10 = 100

SETTING YOUR CORRECT BEARING TO TRAVEL

If you are asking yourself "How do I travel a true 120 degrees?", you will need to take your desired heading and subtract your declination value. This will compensate for the error. (Remember, if you subtract a negative number, you are actually adding a value)
Referencing examples from above (if you want a true bearing of 120 degrees)?
    Example 1: 120 - (-12) = 132
    Example 2: 120 - (-20) = 140
    Example 3: 120 - 10 = 110
Another way to think about this scenario is doing the opposite of your declination value. For example if you declination value is -15, then you will add 15 to the compass bearing to adjust for this error. And if your declination value is +15, then you will subtract 15 from the compass bearing to adjust for this error.


Declination setting
A declination value represents the error between magnetic North and True North, for a specific location. Declination degree values can be either expressed as Easterly and Westerly, or as positive and negative values. Easterly declinations are represented as positive values, and Westerly declinations are represented as negative values. For example, your current location could be represented as a Westerly declination of 15 degrees, or as a declination value of -15 degrees. 

The Polar declination setting allows the user to compensate for the error between magnetic north and true north.