Polar RS300X G1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch with G1 GPS Sensor (Orange / Black)

I consider myself a beginner when it comes to running. After looking around for several options, I decided to get the Polar RS300X G1 because of its multisport capabilities. I could easily run or ride my bike with it, and I would be able to measure distance and pace with the same device, without having to install/uninstall things to my bike every time I wanted to change excersices. After considering the Garmin 305 I decided to go for the Polar because of the extremely big and uncomfortable size of the Garmin. Everything looked nice in the website, but the story changed after only a few weeks I've owned the training computer.
1) The watch itself is incapable of transmitting data to the Polar site (or any other running website) which makes it a little boring for you as a user to log in and "manually" enter your data every time you complete an excersise. I was very sad to know that in order to do this automatically I have to separately purchase an extra device (Polar Flowlink @ $55.00).
2) I have been experiencing some problems with the accuracy of the distance. Since I just got my watch a few weeks ago, I entered in several forums to see if any other user was experiencing what I was going through, and to my unpleaseant surprise, yes... they were. Basically, the battery life of the G1 GPS Sensor is so short that you can only use it for up to 8 hours. More than that and you will start getting incorrect data from your runs. What is the purpose of a GPS sensor if you can get accurate data from it? Now I will have to constantly purchase batteries just to keep my distances correct.

Very sad that Polar hasn't come with better solutions for this issues. I saw several users unhappy about this same thing in their own web site.

I love this thing! The custom zones are great. Had my zones and VO2 levels tested at the gym and my trainer was able to set the watch to MY zones. This also allows me to see a more accurate calorie count.

A couple notes that didn't keep me from giving it 5 stars, but just to keep in mind:

1. The orange is MUCH brighter than on my screen. Think, street construction cone orange. It's much more neon orange.

2. The G1 GPS Sensor is AWESOME on most days. I recently ran with it on a very cloudy/rainy day and it completely lost track of the signal. I haven't used the footpod, so can't compare, but I may end up buying it for use on cloudy days.

I bought this watch about six months ago and have been pretty happy overall with its performance. I also bought the Flowlink along with the watch (and GPS arm band), but I have yet to use it because of the hassle of downloading the Polar software from its website. Even without being to download my workouts, I still take pleasure in using the watch and GPS. It has been invaluable to know what my pace and distance have been, although I'm not sure if the speeds, and therefore distances, are totally accurate. I say this because I have run with my boyfriend who has a Garmin with built in GPS and his watch says that we're going slower than mine does. Regardless, it gives me an idea of where I'm at.

The only issues that I have had with the watch have been one, if you accidentally hit your arm against something while not intending to exercise, you can start the timer. Two, while running in lightly wooded areas (big paths cut between fairly dense trees) the watch will lose satellite connection and will beep at you until it finds them again. I have found that turning the GPS off and then back on again seems to work. Of course, you have to stop and fumble around with it, but that's what it is. Issue three is the fact that the chest belt transmitter sometimes loses the ability to "talk" to the watch while working out. I have found that before each workout, one really needs to wipe down the chest strap (warm water) before starting. Like the instructions say, the strap needs to be moistened before working out anyhow, but a good wipedown is essential to have uninterrupted transmission for the duration of your workout.