*Note: I am reviewing this item in two parts. Part 1 is after day 1 of use. Part 2 will be after 2 weeks of use)
Item: Sportline S12
Purchased at: Walmart (I believe this is a Walmart only item)
Price: $38.77
Functions: Clock (time/date), heart rate zone monitor, resting heart rate tracking, alarm, chronograph, timer, dual time zone clock, pedometer, workout timer, calorie counter, distance calculator, speed (mph) calculator
Part 1 [Rating: 3.5/5]
I’ve been stepping up my fitness gradually since November, and I recently began training for my first 5k. While burying myself in message boards and websites dedicated to helping people improve their fitness level, I began to read about the glorious Garmin 305. As someone who’s been focused on fitness for all of 2.5 months, I wasn’t really comfortable shelling out $160-$300 for a device that I wasn’t even sure if I’d use.
So, yesterday, at the glowing goliath, I saw this little guy hanging in the fitness section.
Now, the primary functionality I wa excited about in the 305 was, tracking my speed, tracking my heart rate, and tracking my distance. After reading the box, and determining that this little baby did all of those things, I decided to grab it.
Today, I used it for the first time, and there were a ton of pros:
- It is significantly smaller than the 305. I don’t know if the 305 would have been too big or not, but this one is definitely smaller.
- It was pretty easy to set up. After determining my stride length, measuring my resting heart rate, and determining the ideal heart rate range I was aiming for, I was ready to go.
- While running, I could glance down and check my speed which was great for determining if I was pushing hard enough.
- It was easy to switch between speed, heart rate, and distance while running.
- It tracked my steps (which I love).
- You can stop the tracking process (stop the pedometer function) but you don’t have to clear the data right away, so you can track it/record it when you get home (see the cons list)
Now for the few cons:
- It uses my stride length to determine my distance, not GPS… So, if I was super wrong about my stride length, or if my stride length changes significantly then I’d need to make an adjustment.
- This little guy can’t compete with the computer interface of the 305. It does NOT connect to your computer, nor does it keep track of all of the goodies that the Garmin does. (but for $40 bucks, I’ll just open excel
)
All together, my day 1 assessment, is that I CERTAINLY got $40 worth of functionality. No. It is not as cool, shiny, or as technologically advanced as one that costs 5 times as much. However, if you’re just getting started, or unwilling to shell out that much green at the beginning of your fitness quest, or if you simply don’t have the cash available to spend on a big honkin one right now, so far, it seems that this thing will do the trick.
We’ll see how I feel after 1 week of use. 
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I have one also. Is the target heart rate supposed to beep on its own if you go below or above or do you have to hit the heart rate silver button?
[Reply]
I recieved the S12 for Christmas, but it didn’t come with any directions. Could you help me with directions? Thanks for information.
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Twitter: kelsnotchels
says:
Hey Chuck, It’s been my experience that you’ve got to hold down the button in order to 1)get the heart rate, and 2)have it tell you if that rate is within your target range.
Good Luck!
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Twitter: kelsnotchels
says:
Is there a specific question you had, Patty? It’s a pretty big manual, and would take quite a while to get the whole thing compiled for you.
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I purchased the S12 watch, not impressed. doesn’t seem to be accurate in both steps and calorie counting. I guess you get what you pay for…i’m taking mine back and getting one of the better known brands. Today I compared it versus what the treadmill read. I’m a 37 year old male that measures 66 inches tall, 230 lbs. Treadmill shows burned about 105 calories which is comparable to what most fitness websites show…www.fitday.com… watch only registered 20 calories! The ONLY accurate reading is when you get heart rate…don’t understand how the watch can get an accurate heart rate….but not calculate accurate calories burned.
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Kim Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Is it possible you ran for 20 minutes. I read it the same way first. The Calories burned are under the total time.
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[...] I am reviewing this item in two parts. Part 1 is after day 1 of use. Part two will be after 2 weeks of [...]
[...] Review: Sportline S12 heart rate monitor (part 1)-Kelsey Toney [...]
Guess you get what you pay for. Mine is going back too. Probably go with the Garmin 305. Lord I hate spending that much money…lol
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Need help with setting up the watch as it didn’t come with any instructions. I would like to know how to set up the pedometer, and distance calcultor to get started. Thanks for you help!
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What are the best brands of pedometer on the market?~.-
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my pedometer is made by general electric and this is a long lasting pedometer~’`
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My biggest issue is that my pedometer keeps turningoff and I have to turn it back on. It doesn’t got back to 0 but It misses some of my time spent exercising. IS that because if I sit still (at my desk at work) too long it turns off? Is there a way to deactivate that so that it is always on?
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The best tool I use to lose weight is the Omron walking style pro pedometer it is really accurate and lets you track your results online. Im interested to know if you have had any experience with this pedometer and how it compares to the sportline? I have not seen any sportline pedometers for sale in the UK
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Just in case you have never seen the product here is a link Omron walking style pro pedometer
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I dont usually comment on blogs but i have to tell you awesome job
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i alway use our stock pedometer when i am jogging from home to our local park:”`
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well, i bought some digital pedometer on the local walmart and it is great for monitoring your performance when walking `’-
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Twitter: Crymmelve
says:
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