Review: Polar CS600X with Power

The basic CS600x1 with Power set comes with the following:

Polar CS600X Cycling Computer: Records and displays cycling and exercise data during exercise.Polar WearLink® W.I.N.D. Coded Transmitter: Consisting of a connector and strap, sends the heart rate signal to the cycling computer. CD-ROM: Includes the Polar Protrainer 5™ and a complete user manual to help you make the most out of your cycling computer. Polar Bike Mount™: Secure the bike mount on your bike and attach the cycling computer to it.Polar Speed Sensor™ W.I.N.D.: Measures speed and distance wirelessly during cycling.Optional Accessories (also tested in this review):Cadence Sensor™ W.I.N.D.: Wirelessly measures the speed at which you turn the cranks of your bicycle, expressed in revolutions per minute (rpm).Power Output Sensor™ W.I.N.D.: Measures average and maximum cadence, power output, and pedaling index, as well as left/right pedaling balance.Polar G3 GPS sensor W.I.N.D.: Provides speed, distance, and location data, as well as tracks information in all outdoor sports using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. You can transfer your track data to the Polar ProTrainer 5 software to view in Google Earth or to convert into a GPX file. For more information, see software help.
 
   Initial Impressions:
 
Firstly, an admission, I am not a technophile. I possess a good stopwatch that up to now I found invaluable. As I laid out all the components on the kitchen table I wondered what I’d let myself be talked into. However, putting my disbelief aside I focused on the manufacturers promise that ‘the Polar CS600X is the perfect solution for competitive cyclists’. Sounds good to me.
 
  First steps:
 
As mentioned, not being into gadgets I was careful to read the user manuals; all 3 to my dismay. They were short and provided foolproof picture guides that worked for me. Later I discovered a more manageable online version. . The assembly of the 3 main bike components was simple (i.e., the cadence sensor, the output sensor and the bike computer itself). Installation takes about 30 minutes for the novice, i.e. once I cleaned my bike.

Once installed on the bike, I had to first ‘teach’ (sync) each of the components. I was dreading this but it all happened as suggested by the user manual, i.e. essentially automatically. Time wise I spent 2 hours from opening the box, reading the manual, installing and synching the bike computer. Now, it was time for the first spin!