For me, two factors are important when using these watches: On the one hand the functionality while running, on the other hand, the pre and post workouts on the PC (keyword interval training). Both I like very much!
While running:
The clock is the GPS signal quite briskly, felt between 30 seconds and one minute unless you as described in the manual calmly stands and holds the clock in front of the body. Since I live in a big city and often start the run in streets with tall buildings, this value is absolutely satisfactory for me. Once found, the clock no problems to keep the signal or when you go through time under a slightly longer bridge to find the signal after the bridge again.
The recording of the track is sometimes not 100% accurate, which it never is completely wrong: Most of it is accurate enough to be able to see on which side of the street I ran. The back and back existing inaccuracies bother me in the evaluation not: It is still unclear which path I walked, and primarily I lay in GPS support a point to get my lead times for certain kilometers and a rough running speed and the total distance since I do not run on fixed routes. That the running speed will never be exactly each of Runs should be obvious.
In short-term interruptions, the recording will be provided automatically configured for the duration of the pause is stopped and started again. A nice nice to have.
Very pleasant I find the ability to configure the display according to my preferences. So I have influence on the data and the display size on the inverse display legible.
The bracelet is long enough to be worn in cold weather and thicker clothes on the arm on the clothes.
Preparation and follow-
Here I have at the present time security not tried me all functions, but nevertheless I an assessment of the functions that I have tested. The changeover from the Polar Personal Trainer on Polar Flow is a bit strange because the input processes have changed a bit but that's probably always the case with a system change, and with moderate expenditure of time you find yourself also quite well.
For the first time the clock is to be initialized. For this, a synchronization software from the website of the Arctic must be installed. For not completely inexperienced user, the process should not present any problems.
The synchronization works fine in itself, only if the clock in standby hung on the PC, I had 1-2 times the situation that the sync software has reported upon waking the PC problems with the synchronization. As this situation with me but only occurs when the clock after a synchronization still stuck to load on the PC and the issue is resolved after a short separation, does not bother me. Especially since I'm not sure even if it is on my PC or on the software of Polar
The synchronization means IPhone works without problems to Android I can not say anything, I can not use BlackBerrys.
The preparation of workouts offers several options. On the one hand can easily get a workout with a predetermined distance or a predetermined time set and transferred to the M400, on the other interval training can be applied to distance or time base (or combinations). In the area of interval training as many phases appear with any number of repetitions possible (I'm using up to 10 phases entered).
The data of a sports unit can be analyzed quite diverse, which has been treated in detail in another review and will not be repeated here. Who knows the Polar Personal Trainer, is more than missing the point Trainigsbelastung
Speaking Polar Personal Trainer: In the current version of the Flow webapp there is no way to rely on ready-training programs (or I have not found).
Activity Tracker
Since the Activity Tracker is on board and apparently (?) Also can not be disabled, you use (s) halt if one (n) always carries him the clock all day. The fact that this Activity Tracker for a real workout analysis suitable only very limited you should be able to derive from the fact that here in everyday life only an acceleration sensor provides data Accordingly, the thing is maybe for a rough motion analysis throughout the day, for the targeted evaluation of a training, of any kind, no way around with HF sensor on the chest strap.
Of regarded the fact that on a day at the office sometimes just 30% of the recommended range of motion come together with me already to the one or other accessory drive unit has performed. In this respect: goal achieved :)
Summary:
I think the M400 for a mature heart rate monitor. Your primary purpose for me (providing the important data during the run and evaluation of the data after running, support and nachalten training targets) they met. I would buy again.
