April 8th, 2008 by 
thien
Alex from Silicon Valley Cycling Center continues our series of intros to power meters by giving a brief introduction, the Polar CS600 with Power and heart rate.
The CS600 measure power by using the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. direct from the chain, unlike other models that use the crank or hub. This precision system combines measures from two key factors: chain tension, (using a sensor on the chain stay) and chain speed (using a sensor on the rear pulley.) The polar is not only the lightest power meter in the series on your wallet, but it’s also the lightest system on your bike, at a measly 275 grams for the whole system installed. The system retails for $710.
More detailed information including technical specifications from Polar.com - click here.
Stay tuned for the next installment, where we’ll start looking at the included software and how to utilize them to make sense of all this data being collected!
April 9th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I don’t believe that the WIND power unit will work properly the way it’s mounted in the picture. The unit has to be much closer to the chain — maximum 3 cm (according to the specs), and the closer the better (according to my experience). If too far, the readings will be inaccurate. If set up properly, though, the unit works well, although it is sort of ugly on the bike.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:30 am
I bought two under recommendation that they “work”. I’ve found that getting them to work is near impossible… I’m constantly trying to get the power and candence to work at the start of rides and races. My pro bike mechanice won’t even install them. I wanted a system that didn’t constrain my wheel choices, when it works I like it. However, it is WAY more hassel that it is worth. Poor job from Polar in my opinion.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
okay — here’s Polar’s dirty little secret. If you have the first generation of WIND units, you could have bum equipment. I have two — one works well. Really very well, actually. The other, not so much, which at first I thought might have been due to mounting issues. When I found myself talking to Polar Customer Service about how to set up the second bike function (which wasn’t hard — I was a little stupid), and he asked me the serial number of my power unit. I told him, and he said, “Send it back.” I’m still waiting to see what happens.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I have had mine since October. Never had a problem with it. The 3 cm from the chain to the wind sensor is when the 11 or 12 on your cassette and small chain ring. Mine is about 1 cm when pedaling in the small/small.