Now I came up with these specifications of the M400 into view and for 159 EUR incl. BTS chest strap I had to slam. The unit I have now 4 weeks and my physical condition improved measurably. The device is worn as a normal clock and gives me hints when and how much movement is displayed. This requires not everyone admitted, and actually we know that too. If you immerse yourself in the device but as a ubiquitous e-coach one, is (for me!) A real motivational tool, especially as the large amount of data (also my personal Tick) can additionally be used to control motivation.
*** *** Activity Tracker
The M400 will track your activity 24, is thus nothing more than a slightly enhanced pedometer. According to one of three possible activity level, the achieved level is given in% and provides additional information as needed about what activities would still be needed to reach 100%. These are on the one hand from a self preset root sports (running, NWalking etc.) with corresponding time information. On the website (see below) other activities also are still mentioned, as ironing, golf or volleyball. But this seems to me rather than childish gimmick, especially since this can not compare them with their own routines and sports. But this is me not worth a valuation deduction.
I had at first (honestly), the lowest level is selected, because I had actually barely made the time of purchase for a few months something. After a short time is a clear, however, that after a few short walks to the bar on the clock, indicating the achievement of the necessary daily activity graphically, was full with this attitude. And that was now not in my senses. So gone on level two. There is much more selective. A dog round is not enough to reach your daily target. My usual geplantermassen 3 times per week takes place Laufrunde (30-45 min at the moment), however, at least 90%. I think if the training schedule has integrated into my other activities, you can even go to level three. Currently I'm in the weekly average at about 100%, which is exactly right (the last lazy rainy Sunday has given me just 48%, then Monday at 17:00 already 140% incl. Overflow unit).
After about 1 hour office work admonished me the device for movement, I personally find class, even though it already satisfied with the Get a cup of coffee from the kitchen are located.
The M400 also recognizes the stages of sleep, indicating the hours of sleep and the proportion of fixed (motionless) phases. Every athlete knows how important sleep is for the health and makes part of the training. Mir says the Activity computer: often much too little sleep. Again, clearly you know it that way, but in black and white is again another form of exhortation.
*** Pulse control in sports units - the H7 sensor with belt ***
The coupling with the supplied H7 BTS sensor works flawlessly and very quickly if it is not connected to the phone. Actually, this is not worth statement, but I do not initially happened accidentally. So always connect only one device. The belt is as always comfortable to wear at Polar. Unlike Garmin, the sensor is however quite a chunk and bulges the shirt from disadvantageous that can Garmin better with the flat integrated sensors, but is at best a blemish. Otherwise, the measurement is working fine, tune the values.
*** *** GPS
The SAT-Fix is reasonably fast vonstatten, but only if you stand quietly. Strangled one outdoors even running shoes, sometimes I get the message, you may yet stand still in order to accelerate the satellite search. If you stay calm, it, however, only takes a few seconds before GPS becomes fully operational. The device apparently measures (non-adjustable) with very many measuring points. This means that are sometimes displayed as 0-Pace Pace indication ("speedometer") though is quite clean, but for example, in underpasses track afterwards displayed. Here will then show in the summer, how leafy forests affect the measurement. At this point, I think Garmin is hard to beat. The tracks are as such, however beautiful to the past ways. KM details in very good agreement with the amounts measured distances, have not yet tested but 100%.
*** *** Synchronsiation
About the included Micro-USB cable to the device to the computer can connect. The Polar Flow plugin then ensures the synchronization with the flow site, where you have previously created an account. This is done automatically and absolutely clean. Settings you can make within the device itself. These (Max RF, sports, display views in the different running sessions; training goals etc.) is taken prior to the site and then loaded on the device. This seems sometimes a bit awkward, given rather rare requests for changes but is also only a marginal error.
Synchronization with the free Android app will not work on my (exotic, but new) smartphone. Polar provides a list of supported phones, but contains only the most important brands. Although my Acer LZ500 is not it, but includes required by Polar Android version (my Acer with 4.4., Demanded Dür BTS is 4.3). A request was answered tersely at Polar and absolutely unsatisfactory with the contemplated available in a few weeks the new version of the app. This is a real small flaw, since the USB port located on the inside and the clock must be removed for a Sync, which at the right rigid (but by no means uncomfortable, mind you) band always is a bit tedious and certainly its wear certainly not delayed. With the iPhone to my wife that works well otherwise, but that suits me just rarely available.
*** Site Polar Flow ***
The site is clearly laid out and here are all the information about activity, sleeping, training sessions included extensive analysis options included. It is the only way to gain access to the digital training data and make adjustments. You should only insofar be subject when three things are to be noted for the functionality:
1. You can not enter workouts manually. that is a throwback to polarpersonaltrainer.com where I sync my old F11 clock, but could also enter units by hand.
2. there is no coupling between polarpersonaltrainer.com, what is disadvantageous for Arctic fans who previously had another device and like to continue with a loop, V800 or M400 and want to pair old workouts.
3. as an absolute bonus here is to name but that finally training can be exported (as TCX or CSV) and can be transferred to other programs. The weigh up the disadvantage again, although it is therefore likely that the Arctic will be his old PPT page completely rebuild either or something completely new builds. Too bad.
*** Other Features ***
The M400 supports the fitness test by heart rate variability measurement, like many models previously. As resulting functions Polar has developed the OwnIndex and OwnZone. Both features that I loved even with the F11. In the forum there is often talk of Spielkram but intraindividually can follow his values very nicely repeatable. A rising OwnIndexWert that measures to create the chest sensor for about 5 minutes while lying down (!), The HF-variability, evidence of increasing fitness. Polar speaks of VO2max counterparts, but this probably is not 100% ig correlated. After all, a Verfolgskontrolle is so very possible.
The second feature that has OwnZone Polar (as opposed to more than twice as expensive V800) omitted strangely in M400. This is (not lying down :-)) measured during warm-up in training similar to the Fitness Test HRV and then optimal training HF (from - to) output. I have this function rarely used in F11, so they do not really miss it. Why OwnZone has not been implemented, but I fail.
Otherwise, should be called to information in recent weeks on the clock the diary. On the clear display (BW) the days are displayed as records, there is even space for small icons, if on the day a training session has taken place or a fitness test (OwnIndex) was carried out.
In general, the display is great to read. In normal operation (small), the date (large) the time and the activity bar (graphical portion of today's activity) appears. Through philosophy, to make most of the settings via the website, the settings menu is kept entprechend short on the clock and includes not only the question of the provision of training tones still some RF information and whether or not to train with GPS. A timer and a favorites menu (on the website set) round out the menu items, which are driven with two cursor keys.
A training starts with the main button, which then each preset profiles (site) can be controlled. Repeated operation of the main button will start (if GPS and RF sensor found) the workout. Some getting used to is the stop of the training, which is done with the across the back button (3 sec hold). During training introduces pressing the start button on a Lap flag (Meanwhile). This happens from time to time at the beginning. But you get used to it. And the fact to capture split times as a round is indeed per se is not bad.
The fifth Button provides pleasant blue light or hold the key lock. The old concept to trigger illumination through introduce the clock on the sensor, Polar apparently no longer persecuted, too bad.
*** Wearing comfort and Präsentabilität ***
Since the clock is provided as a tracker, it is worn 24/7. The demands on comfort are relatively high for me, but there are already a number of clocks around somewhere because they are uncomfortable. It starts first at in the absence of water resistance, which is not an issue in the M400. She stays in the shower on the wrist because it's waterproof to 30m. Permanent weight loss of watches under water annoys me like hell. The tape is as indicated above somewhat stubborn, especially during the acceptance to sync, but it wears very well, without much attention. The clock itself is very shallow for a heart rate monitor and does not stand out in this regard, on the contrary, it embodies a certain elegance and will not be visible for each pulse Kontrolletti the user. The clock permanently to wear is therefore not an issue. I find it quite aesthetically, no showpiece, but no piston on the wrist (as it is the for sure not provided FR305 Garmin).
*** Conclusion ***
The few small flaws (insufficient Android app Missing OwnZone despite HFV measure, smaller GPS problems) can not involve making deductions from my perspective. The unit is close to perfection limit for me. A GPS heart rate monitor (not currently get less than 150 EUR) with good and informative-working activity tracker (on average 100 euros in the trade) for 159 EUR is a must for people who want to run more sports and activity than in the past and a little technology affine are. I find the device completely successful and a great side arm of this scope settled rather in the higher price segment Polar devices. Unrestricted buy recommendation.
Have fun PK
