SIGMA PC15 Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Reviews of SIGMA PC15 Heart Rate Monitor Watch

1.) Amazing HRM
Reviewed by: Californian
Rating:
I've been shopping around for a heart rate monitor for a while, Polar is the recommendation from everyone, however I didn't want to buy it for 2 reasons, its way too ugly and cheaply made, and very expensive for the specs, I ended up buying this HRM after I saw a cyclocomputer made by Sigma Sport, it was such wonderful, easy to use computer, so I thought their heart rate monitor would be designed and built the same way, I wasn't wrong, this HRM is amazing, very accurate, and most importantly it easy to use, straight forward, and loaded with functions without making your life complicated, it has all the features you need plus little extra for luxury, however without the hassle of digging around with buttons to get the important data output you need, it can display all the information you need with large print, so you don't have to concentrate a lot to read while cycling or running, unlike Timex or some Polar models, where the display is too small that you have to look longer to read it, quite distracting and frustrating when cycling, more over Sigma Sport utilized the whole surface of the watch to be as display (you can tell from the picture) and they placed all the buttons on the side, as a result you can get your heart rate, heart rate zone (health, fitness or Power) , your percentage heart rate out of maximum + training time or calories or lap count (you choose more if you want) all in one screen with huge print, very impressive, absolutely ergonomic design.
You can define your Max heart rate with the zones your self, if you know them, or you can simply enter your gender, age and weight and let the watch do all the work for you.
Another advantage is the chest strap and the sensor, you can change the battery by your self which is a major advantage over other HRMs, moreover the sensor is very sensitive, you don't even have to wet it to get the reading, didn't have distortion from electric signals yet, and very rarely lost the signal, when it happens the watch captures it again within few seconds.
The watch has a very attractive design, I found my self wearing it all the time instead of my regular watch, it has all the functions of practical watch, like time, 12 or 24 hr format, day and date, stop watch, alarm, backlight, plus nice looking, something you don't see in Polar models,
The watch comes with bike bar attachment so you can mount it while cycling
The only disadvantage is the size, its big and more suitable for men, I believe it would be too big for ladies arms, you can compare it in size to Casio G shock models, however its much thinner, but mounting it on Bike bar would solve this problem.
Over all I see this watch as a perfect HRM in regard to function reliability appearance and price, highly recommended


2.) Fantasic HRM with all the features you need, a best buy
Reviewed by: C. Barnes Illinois
Rating:
I have used this HRM for 4 months now and love it. I mainly use it riding my bike. Comes with a handlebar quick-mount for bike that is nice to use so can see it always without taking hands of bar.

Trying to decide I found Polar (and others) had too many models and they carefully structured features/price to make you spend $50 to $150 more. This HRM has a ton of features (all that I need) and a great flexible display. I don't think it has a light.

While working I like to display the Heart menu so I can see % of max constantly and a % graph and my current HR. It's easy to move thru the menus and see all the info. Keeps a running tally of calories, I think I burned 20,000 so far.

The Sigma Sport website is very well done and shows all the info you need to decide. This is a best buy.



3.) Impressed
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Johansen
Rating:
This product exceeded my expectations by a long shot. It is literally easier to use than my watch. It is set up with menus which you can scroll through rather than memorizing witch buttons to hold down for 5 seconds. The menus are also clearly labeled on the outside of the watch. The only set up this product requires is Time/Date and weight/age. the watch does the rest for you. press one button it will start to log your heart info press another button, and it will stop. you can also pause. it will beep each time you enter a new heart rate zone. At the end of a workout it has all your information logged for you. including max HR, average HR, Calories burned, length of workout and loads of other features. This is highly recommended for anyone who is looking at staying or getting into shape.

I was further impressed with the product when I took it to the gym, I bought this mainly for my bike riding, but soon found out that most treadmills pick up the sensor and display it on the machine, which is great so you don't have to look at the watch or even wear it while running. I am sure that is a feature all the HR monitors have, but it's just another great reason to invest in one if you are a treadmill user.

4.) UPDATE: Bought Sept '07, Died July '08
Reviewed by: Psy.D. Baltimore, MD, USA
Rating:
My earlier comments are below...

July 2008 Update...

My SIGMA PC15 is now dead. It lasted less than a year.

Note: I never took my PC15 in the water.

Now in search of another heart rate monitor. Looking for one that can last longer than a year.

Disappointed. Worked great while it lasted...

******************************************************

I was going to wait a while to review the Sigma PC15, but as I was just asked for a HRM recommendation from a friend, it makes sense to got ahead now.

PRICE.

A while back I bought two HRMs for my work as a clinical psychologist. Got a coupla small HRMs, wristwatch size with a wire running to a "cuff" over a finger. Each of them cost $20-$25 more than the PC15. And all they did was monitor HR with an option to set an alarm. Seems to me the price for the Sigma PC15 is more than reasonable.

EASE OF USE.

I am NOT fond of digital watches with buttons. iPods OK. Cell phones, just fine. Complicated computer programs, no problem. But not digital watches with buttons. Add translated-from-the-German instructions written by techies for techies and you'd think a bad appraisal was forthcoming. But no. Non-digital-watch-techies can use the PC15. I still think some of the access is "random," but I can usually get to where I want to be.

RUN / CYCLE.

I've used the Sigma PC on both of my bikes and on one long run. No difference in signal strength or accessibility with wrist (running) vs. mounting (cycling). Another reviewer commented on the ease of viewing the data and I would concur.

SWIMMING.

The warning that users should not push the buttons when swimming has warned me off using this in the water. Although I'm training for a triathlon in 2008, I really don't need this.

SIGNAL STRENGTH.

Another reviewer noticed that SIGNAL LOST is common. My experience: it's related to signal strength and interference. Attempts to see what my HR was while driving failed: too much interference in the car. Also, while going around the BWI Airport (cycle) loop I notice that the SIGNAL LOST message came up in predictable, high interference areas. So if you lose signal? Be patient, check to see what might be interfering, move past, etc. My signal always came back as predictably as it disappeared.

SUPER OCD?

I gather some folks like to download HRM information to their laptops. Although I am OCD enough to warm to this marvelous notion, I'm not willing to pay for it and am pleased with the functionality available with the PC15 at this price. Happy using pen and paper, later *laboriously* transferring data to my Excel spreadsheet.

CONCLUSION:

So far can only say the PC15 is a great piece of kit at a reasonable price. Very pleased indeed.

If Amazon allows double entries I'll check back in a few months. If others could do the same that would be a real service.

Dr. Kirtland Peterson


ADDITIONAL NOTES July 25, 2008________________

POSITIVE

In general I remain very happy with the PC15.

When my wife wanted a HRM, she too went for the PC15 and is pleased with her decision.

NEGATIVE

Minor things...

The strap that comes with the monitor gets loose rather quickly. Be prepared to shorten it with staples, thread, knots, etc. Irritating.

Even tho' I've never used my PC15 in the water and did not wear it on my first tri, the display on the watch has started to go. A "band" near the top of the display no longer registers data--it's just blank. Of course, what used to be visible here is crucially important for functionality. Annoying.

5.) Works well
Reviewed by: C. Cooper Milwaukee, WI
Rating:
I use it for cycling. All the info I need to see is on the screen at one time. No hands off the bars to push buttons. The chest strap works with the fitness equipment at the gym too.

6.) Exceeds Expectations
Reviewed by: Rick Denver, CO
Rating:
For the money the Sigma PC 15 is a bargain. It has the Feature set of many more expensive HRM's, it's easy to program, well made, and as a bonus it comes with a handlebar mount for cycling. I have owned several Polar HRM's over the years and eventually you reach the dreaded point in time when you have to send them back to Polar to have the batteries replaced. In my opinion, one of the best features of the Sigma PC 15 is that you can replace the batteries in the watch and the belt yourself. If you have never had to deal with replacing your batteries yearly with Polar, you cannot begin to appreciate how great this is. It's a little big as another reviewer said, compare it to a Casio G Shock watch in size. It's a steal for $65 from Niagara Cycle Works. I feel it's one of the few things that I paid for and got more than my money's worth. That doesn't happen enough these days. Buy it.

7.) Sigma Heart Rate Monitor
Reviewed by: N. Keller Chicago
Rating:
I purchased this monitor based on a review by another user. He did not lie. This monitor is easy to use if you read the instructions, accurrate, and is 2/3 the cost of comparable heart monitors in the stores such as Cabelas, Sports Authority, etc. The bike attachment is a nice touch.

8.) Excellent
Reviewed by: aka Dogmama
Rating:
I've had two Polars that never quite worked properly and eventually quit after a year. The Sigma works consistently, accurately and is easy to use yet gives a lot of information. Highly recommended.

9.) Just What I Was Looking For
Reviewed by: RUNNING ON EMPTY Los Angeles, CA
Rating:
I looked at two heart rate monitors before this one. They were both complicated and difficult to program. This one was easy to program and easier to use. If you're looking for simplicity I highly recommend this heart rate monitor.

10.) Simply Wonderful!
Reviewed by: Easily Amused Guthrie, OK USA
Rating:
This heart rate system was so easy to use. You set your information and go. I do suggest setting it up using the guide, otherwise you will get lost in the menus. However, it works so great at the gym. Most of the treadmills, elipticals, and cycling machines will pick up the signal and send it to the machines Heart Rate Display. It is a good training tool!

11.) Great for the price
Reviewed by: Gil Levy Burlington, Massachusetts United States
Rating:
I have this device for over a year and I love it. It is accurate and simple to use (once you learn how to). All the threadmils I have run on were able to receive and identify the belt signal. this is a great device.

12.) Good for the price, could be more sensitive.
Reviewed by: Shaun Thomas Chicago, IL
Rating:
All in all, I liked the functionality provided by this heart rate monitor. Unfortunately common bodily flexing can lift the contacts from the skin just enough for it to lose the heart signal, where it starts an incessant and annoying beeping. This will happen despite being covered head to toe in highly conductive sweat, possibly thanks to the design of the sensors.

Aside from that minor annoyance, the watch remains easy to use, offers review of your last workout with all the expected averages, maximum sustained levels, and some accumulated values for total workout length and calories burned. Very good price for all the features it offers, and it even comes with a handle-bar mount for all you bikers out there.

13.) a GREAT heartrate monitor
Reviewed by: Mike Mandeville Huntsville, AL
Rating:
For the money, this one does a great job. It works reliably and is flexible enough to view anything you'd want (current heartrate PLUS ... max HR, avg HR, % of max HR, calories burned, training time, more). If that wasn't enough, you can turn off the HR monitor and use it like a watch. You can even change the name across the bottom to anything you want (like YOUR name). Indigo night light works WELL in dark environments.

14.) works
Reviewed by: paul maryland
Rating:
had a lot of trouble getting this thing set up and still don't know how to get all the bennies from it. it works as a watch and takes the heart rate fine but I would have liked a much less complex monitor.
My fault for not understanding what I was buying.

15.) PC 15 HR Monitor
Reviewed by: Edward Weingarden CT
Rating:
Well functioning device that gives lots of useful information; monitor can double as a watch if you desire. The button sequence is not exactly intuitive,so I have to review the instructions from time to time (thus 4 stars instead of 5). I would recommend it to those who want to monitor their aerobic capacity.

16.) Good monitor
Reviewed by: P. Fontaine Boston MA
Rating:
This is a good HR monitor for the price, both myself and my Girlfriend have one and we like them a lot. They're mainly very accurate and have good functions.

PROs: accurate, customizable(IE age, weight, training zone) simple (I don't like having to mess with a lot of buttons when working out.) Kcal is acually somewhat accurate unlike the timex I tried out and the polar wrist only model. bicycle mount included.

CONs: prone to interference from other HR monitors. ( I was on an eliptical @ the gym next to my GF and my monitor read 285bpm, which means I should be dead, once I moved it away from hers it was fine.)very prone to interference outside the gym (IE wireless networks, cell hpones, radios) tends to disconnect when seated like on a recumbent bike, other languages make this a little cumbersome.



17.) excellent features, instructions and menu could better
Reviewed by: livinginhungary Budapest, Hungary (originally Ann Arbor, MI)
Rating:
I've been running with Heart Rate monitors for over five years. In this time I have used products by Sports Instruments and its predecessor Freestyle. The thing I liked about their heart rate monitors was the abundance of data, in particular the 3 zones (health, fitness, performance). The Sigma gives this data as well as the percentage of time spent in each zone. Naturally it also gives average heart rate and estimated calorie burn. As indicated in the description the watch also has numerous other features, but I really don't use them. I primarily like to track my time in the various zones, so I was very happy to find that the Sigma PC 15 provides this data.

When I first used my PC15 I thought it wasn't working. It turns out that I needed to moisten the chest strap a bit (as per the instructions!). My previous monitor/strap must have been more sensitive as I never had to moisten. In any case, once I moistened the electrodes the watch picked up the signal almost immediately.

The monitor is definitely worthy of 5 stars. I give it only 4 stars because the menu isn't the most intuitive. The instructions are somewhat confusing and could have been clearer.

Finally, I am very happy with my Sigma PC 15 and recommend it as an alternative to its higher-priced, name-brand alternatives.

18.) Watch
Reviewed by: John D. Brakey
Rating:
Works good the only problem I see is when trying to locate the heart rate signal...it takes a couple of minutes to do so but other than that the watch works great.

19.) Excellent value
Reviewed by: Rob Jones
Rating:
While the slew of menus and features in this HRM may be daunting to those using it for the first time, it soon becomes very simple, and those extra features in the product description become quite handy. My favorite feature is the display of the "zone" you're in, calculated from a percentage of your maximum rate. It seems to be quite accurate, and the only real criticism I have is that the backlight requires you to press two buttons at once, potentially going into another menu if you press one button slightly before the other. Also, the light turns off after a short time, even if you are still navigating through the menus.

20.) Great Monitor, Great Price
Reviewed by: tpgc Boston, MA
Rating:
I ordered this item when I saw it on an Amazon.com special. It was the right price and had the chest band. It actually works really well and does all the thinking for me, for instance I put in my gender, weight, and age and it calculates the correct cardiovascular zones for me, keeps track of KCal, total KCal, and can keep track of laps. Its consistent, meaning that if I do approximately the same exercise I burn the same number of calories, so I can rest assured that it is functioning correctly and takes stable, reproducible readings.

I don't know if its because I'm female, but I do have some problems with the signal dropping from time to time. Its usually very brief and typically happens during sit-ups or stretching, which is fine with me as that's not really when I need to watch my heart rate. I also have to make sure the plastic that covers the sensor is warm and I have to breathe on it to provide some moisture so that it will actually start reading before I get 5 minutes into my workout. I also cannot use a sports bra I have to use a top with a shelf bra, or exercise top with a shelf bra. Fabric from my sports bras tended to get in the way of the chest band and caused some signal problems, this of course is not the fault of the chest band.

21.) Great product
Reviewed by: J. Shal
Rating:
I own this product myself and liked it so much I bought it for my dad as a gift. It works very well, has a large display, and the strap is not uncomfortable at all. It has a ton of features, so much in fact that it's a bit confusing learning how everything works at first. This is the only reason I gave 4 stars.

22.) Great value, works well
Reviewed by: A. Berkey Chicago
Rating:
Compared to the other heart monitors, I feel this was a huge value. My husband asked me how much I paid for it when I first got it because he couldn't believe it was less than $100. Training with a heart monitor has changed my workouts for the better and improves the efficiency of my fitness routine. I bought this for spin class, but now I use it for every workout. I highly recommend it!

23.) Works well
Reviewed by: R. Halevy
Rating:
I have the PC15 for already a couple of months, using it in the Gym mainly.
The watch is well built and solid. I wear it daily though it is not the nicest watch seen. It works fine with no prolems so far.


Pros
-----
The minimal set of features I needed is supported. This set consists of HR, Cals, HR zones, % of max HR, Tansmitter's compatibility to Gym equipment.
Max HR and avg HR measurements are also given.

Cons
----
Menu navigation- Navigation is hard to control while at workout. Switching between displays requires attention as normally more than 5 steps are needed with 2 buttons to control.

Back light - light stays on for about 3 seconds only. After that it turns off even if you are still not done with the menu's buttons. You'll have to push the backlight button again.No automatic light on.My old Polar was much better in that sense.

Watch - No week's day, no seconds.

Stopper - There is actually no real stopper inside. Resolution is of seconds, no fractions. After 10hrs the resolution degrades to minutes. It takes about 10 buttons push to get to the stopper from the main menu. In case of no signal (if strap is off) the stopper display switches to the main time/date display.

Lap Counter- No heart rate measurements per a lap, only time/lap.

24.) Why Spend More?
Reviewed by: dave kochman Pittsburgh, PA
Rating:
This watch does everything you need for personal training and is an unbeatable value, especially considering that it fully beats the features of competing watches costing 30 dollars more.

The included chest transmitter belt is easy to adjust and comfortable to wear, quickly linking up with the watch and maintaining a signal throughout long workouts. The HRM automatically sets up your optimal training zones based on the initial interview and audibly alerts you as you go from zone to zone during workouts, although I found the visual zone indicator to be a bit on the small side to quickly glance at if mounted to bike handlebars. The watch gives you a per-workout and overall statistics which are very helpful and complete.

The only minor aspects that prevent me from giving this HRM five stars is the decent but not perfect build & aesthetics of the body/strap, and instruction manual & watch menu interface that could use some more refinement. This is certainly not a deal-breaker though, and you quickly get used to the interface with repeated use.

Good stuff: thanks for pro fitness equipment affordable, Sigma!



25.) Works Well!
Reviewed by: Joe R Fort Washington, MD USA
Rating:
I bought this HRM after my last Polar gave out. I'm pleased. The Sigma does everything it claims to do, and does it well. I wish the display were a little brighter, but otherwise I'm happy with it. If it were a bit more readable under my rather dim gym lights I would have given it 5 stars. This may not be a problem for anyone else.

26.) Sigma PC 15 Heart Rate Monitor
Reviewed by: Tarmac Augusta, Georgia
Rating:
So fare the monitor has performed flawlessly. Nothing real fancy, but give me all the information I need. Easy to use and good instructions. Definitely a product I would recommend for an entry level HR monitor

27.) Great value
Reviewed by: Terrence J. Bahn Columbus, OH USA
Rating:
This HRM may lack in bells and whistles but it does its primary job, providing heart rate feedback, very well. Once I got the device started the first time, I've had no difficulties at all. It's definitely a good value for a relatively simple HRM.

28.) PRETTY GOOD
Reviewed by: workout queen Fitzgerald, GA United States
Rating:
This watch does pretty good for the price. I'm not really sure if it accurate or not because I had a polar 11 and the amount of burned calories seemed higher with it but it started losing connection after the battery change, so i replaced it with this. I like the fact that you can put your name on the front of this watch. The connection seems to be good most of the time except when in position for push ups or to pick up weights it does lose connection breifly. As far is the fit of the watch , its a little bulky for a womans wrist.At first the set up of the watch was very diffucult to figure out, but once I got the language figured out it was a breeze. They could have done aa better job on the instruction manual, because when I emailed into Sigma they promptly sent me how to instructions that were to the letter and easy to follow. Over all I'm very happy with this monitor.

29.) Good Product.... Now!!
Reviewed by: no_ghia Baltimore, OH USA
Rating:
I've had the HRM for over a year now, so I feel pretty well prepared to give it a fair review.
I'll give the bad first, since at one time, I was ready to throw the thing in the trash.

1. For the first week, I had a difficult time figuring out the menus to get the information that I wanted after a workout.
In defense of the manufacturer, I only casually looked at the manual once I had it configured for my heart rate zones, age, weight, etc.
If I'd read it a bit more thoroughly, I could have saved myself some aggravation. I suppose that's the curse of being a male.

2.There is no back-light. I've gotten so used to Timex HRMs and watches that I didn't pay attention when I was buying this and didn't notice that it wasn't included. I do early morning bicycling and would really, really love this feature. Also, because it has a reasonably stylish design and displays date and time very clearly, I wear it as my regular watch. So if your listening SIGMA, I would really, really, really like a back-light feature on this watch.

3. When changing the watch battery at one time I lost my language settings and the watch defaulted to German, if I remember correctly. I had to go out to the Sigma Sport web site to lookup the manual to figure out how navigate the menus to get myself back to English.

4. Now, the really annoying. When I first got the device, I was having problems with connectivity. It would sometimes take 5 minutes of exercise before the chest strap and watch would synchronize. It would then frequently drop the connection during the workout. I bought new batteries for both pieces twice. I bought electrode gel to get a better connection between my skin and the chest strap. By the time I decided it was a piece of junk, the warranty had expired. I shelved it for about 3 months before I stumbled upon a reasonably priced replacement chest strap on the internet and decided to buy it. That solved my problem, and I'm in love again.

Now for the good.

1. This HRM has features normally found only on much more expensive devices. It's very cool that you can get your calories burned per workout as well as a running total. The calories burned seems fairly accurate when compared with calorie counter on our treadmill. It also lists time in the various heart rate zones, which I find pretty useful.

2. The display is very clear, both as a watch and when displaying hear rate information.

3. The menus now, after long-term use, seem pretty intuitive. I have no trouble navigating to the features that I want.

4. The silicon rubber watchband is very comfortable. It seems nearly indestructible. It's easy to clean with a wet cloth, and doesn't stink. I sweat buckets when I'm working out hard and the no-stink-thing is a big deal. My old velcro sport bands would hold the sweat and start smelling funky in no time. I don't have to worry about wearing this watch out in public and having people wonder if I have a dead mouse in my pocket.

The take home on this is that even with my initial problems, I still love this watch. If it had a back light, it would be perfect.

30.) Sigma PC 15
Reviewed by: R. Heller
Rating:
Has a lot of useful functions, esp. the average HR and time in each HR zone that the user establishes. Also, it has user replacable batteries in both the watch and chest strap, which is an important advantage.
The initial setup requires some careful attention to the instructions, but is not all that difficult if you do that.
One problem I've found is that the heart rate signal is occasionally lost (drops to zero) even if the chest strap connectively is good during vigorous exercise. This happens infrequently, but I don't understand why it should happen it all.
Overall, I am very satisfied with this HR monitor.

31.) not bad.. could be better
Reviewed by: falakayn MA, USA
Rating:
It works well overall, but my main complaint is that it looses signal too often. Also, the dial is difficult to read in dim light. The manual is difficult to read and follow. Some info doesn't seem to be in there.. what are the beeps for??? It does work well when it has a good signal but as mentioned, it looses it for no apparent reason. The range isn't that good either. I only seem to be able to get about 8 feet from the sensor ..

32.) HRM Reliability, not as advertised
Reviewed by: Hookebine Rocket City, AL
Rating:
Sigma Sport, a German Company is producing very good bike computers which I and my family used to equip our bicycles with. 2 years ago I bought a HRM Sigma balance with a few essential features. I was not satified with the touch sensors arraged on a ring around the display, because I did not really feel when it was taking the finger push. Another flaw I discovered that the data link between the breast strap and the watch failed to work occationally without having any glue why. Due to a report in a bike magazine I decided to buy this PC 15. On this HRM the buttons are much better to push and clearly to recognize but I find the menu for the features that you can choose to be displayed confusing and not very easy to find. Again I discovered that the Data link failed to work sometimes for a couple of minutes and I have no read-out. Why I cannot tell. The spot under the sensors were always wet from my sweat. I think this is a general Sigma manufacturing flaw. I have sent the PC 15 to Sigma to have it checked. They denied any discrepancy but they have sent me a new breast band(?)
Loosing data while you were running, biking or walking messes up the total results and the end of the training.

33.) Inexpensive, but frustrating
Reviewed by: dinsoftbd Brattleboro, VT
Rating:
I've had this heart rate monitor for over a year now. I use it for running and biking. It was one or the lower priced models I could find with features such as target zones. For the most part it has been reliable and helpful.

Problems I have encountered:
1. Not sure how it reset, but one day it was displaying in German. Only way I could reset it (since I don't understand German) was to dig out the manual and match up the German instruction pictures to the English instructions (there are 6 languages in the manual) until I could get it back to English.
2. Generally I find the menu system confusing. I'd like to be able to see Clock time with the Heart Rate, but that is not easy to do. It seems like you can get that, but that it switches out of that setting on its on.
3. Sometimes it gets stuck at a heart rate - usually at some unreasonable rate, like twice what it should be. I have to stop running and wait until it corrects itself.
4. Probably the most frustrating bit is that the training time doesn't work unless it is getting a pulse rate. If there is "No Signal" then the timer stops running. No signal and you can't start the stop watch. Went for a 30 minute run today and the watch only counted 19 minutes of the run, because the signal kept dropping.
5. NO SIGNAL - After a year I have figured this out pretty well. Generally I can wet my chest and the band "pickup" areas (saliva works quite well) and get a signal. In the winter this may not work and I use an electrode gel I got from the drug store (most don't carry it in my area, so I had to shop around to find it.) The chest strap does stretch over time and you will need to adjust it ever now and then to get the band to stay put during exercise.
6. The handle bar attachment for the bike is made for small bars. It still works on my road bike, but I can't use the O-ring they include to "lock" it in place. So when I take the watch off the attachment, I have to remove the attachment from the bike or it may fall off and get lost.
7. The battery compartment cover was difficult to turn on my watch and I almost destroyed the slot you put the coin in before I got it open. Tried to open it last week and it is too damaged to open with a coin. Will need special attention to open it.

For the money it isn't a bad deal. The transmitter isn't being picked up anymore by the watch, so I'm in the market for a new monitor. I won't buy another Sigma.

34.) Doesn't work
Reviewed by: Jeff VA
Rating:
I bought this item a few weeks ago and have used it 4 - 5 times. The heart rate monitor works for about 10 minutes and then the signal is lost. I can pause it, reposition the monitor, find the signal and then start it again but it quits again and again. I'm going to try to replace the battery in the monitor but I don't know why the battery would be weak already. I think it is more likely the battery compartment is getting wet from sweat. Why doesn't the manufacturer put the battery compartment on the front away from the body? No one sees the monitor anyway.

35.) Short Term Product
Reviewed by: Andriuz Windermere, FL
Rating:
I purchased this product in August,07 and I was pretty satisfied with it until after not even 3 months it stopped working. I replaced the batteries twice in the belt and once in the watch. Nothing! It simply stopped monitoring the heart rate. The watch still kept its normal functionality though. For last recourse, I sent an email to Niagara Cycle customer service asking only if they could help me in finding a solution to the problem. They replied informing that after 30 days of purchase they could not accept returns and suggested that I should contact the manufacturer. Very frustrating as I take my training very seriously. Well, I did get in contact with Sigma customer care and they were very cordial and helpful. They provided an excellent assistance and requested that I would return the product to them for repair/replacement.
I really think this is a great product. That's why I insisted so much in trying to fix it! I don't know what's the reason of the problem with my watch...but I can't wait to get it back!

36.) Run AWAY from this
Reviewed by: BuyerBeware SanJose, California, USA
Rating:
The watch is extremely difficult to program, one wrong button push and you are in a menu written in German...with no way back...and good luck if you don't speak it...
The worst part however is that product lasted 2 days and stopped working, even replacing the band battery did not help, and this was a brand new product....

37.) poor
Reviewed by: Bruce T. Tuten
Rating:
Bought this monitor and found the instructions on setting the watch up very hard to understand and follow. In addition in a few days it stop working and was sent back to Amazon. Ordered a Polar RS-100.

38.) Short useful life
Reviewed by: Dzhim Revdy Indiana
Rating:
Used the monitor for six months, worked great. Suddenly "NO SIGNAL" appears whenever I try it. Changed batteries, slathered self with conducting gel, still NO SIGNAL. Shouldn't a $50 HRM last longer than six months?

39.) sigma PC 15 watch
Reviewed by: Howard C. Strong Jr.
Rating:
This was the first product that I purchase off of the internet that I felt is JUNK! I can kick myself for throwing away the box. The chest ban the is use fails over 50% of the time. I e-mailed the mfg. and was told to water down the contacts. That worked for less then fifteen seconds and received a no signal read out on the watch. Do yourself a favor and go to consumer report let this company rate the product first before purchasing. I will sell this watch for $10.00 because that is the only module that works. BYER BE WARE!

40.) Very bad quality!!! Don't buy.
Reviewed by: Edson C. Valle Porto Alegre - Brazil
Rating:
Sigma watch has a very poor quality. I bought I PC7 one year ago and the first time I put it under the shower it stops working (it was supposed to be 3m water resistance). I sent to sigma and I have to pay for all transport expenses from (From China to Brazil).After 1 year the battery is down and the back is rusty (I have a 10 year old Casio watch that is used is swimming in pool and seawater and does not have any rusty).
Don't recommend Sigma watches.

Features of SIGMA PC15 Heart Rate Monitor Watch

The PC 15 is like its users: sporty, ambitious, committed. Anyone with a passion for sport and fitness will soon find a place for it in their heart. It is an individual trainer that allows you to control, plan, and evaluate your exercise sessions with total precision ¿ complete with Training Manager and Lap Counter. Features include: Max, % Max, Average, Current HR. 3 settable HR zones with audible alarm and zone graph. Alarm Clock, Backlight, Calorie Counter. Stopwatch, Training Time, Lap Counter and more.

Sigma Sport's PC 15 Heart Rate Monitor Watch is like its users: sporty, ambitious and committed to excellence. Anyone with a passion for sport and fitness will soon find a place for it in their heart. It is an individual trainer that allows you to control, plan, and evaluate your exercise sessions with total precision--complete with Training Manager, Lap Counter and is 100% electro cardiogram (EKG) exact.

Features:

• Training manager for optimum exercise evaluation and monitoring
• Time menu with 7 functions
• Pulse menu with 6 functions
• Automatic exercise zone feature to calculate individual ideal limits
• Zone indicator
• 3 zone alarm
• Easy-to-use menu
• My name function
• 5 language support
• Lap counter (50 laps)
• Backlight
• Battery compartment

What's in the Box?
PC 15 heart rate monitor watch, elastic chest strap, transmitter belt, bicycle mounting bracket with O-ring.

Manufacturer's Warranty
Five-year warranty on defective parts or products.

About Sigma Sport
Sigma Sport represents German technology at its highest level, combining innovative design with precision engineering. Sigma tests all their products in their in-house laboratories to withstand the harshest conditions, ensuring quality continually throughout production. All Sigma Sport standard lights conform to the stringent German traffic standard, and all Sigma Sport products are CE-approved.

1.) Includes clock, date, stopwatch, alarm clock, lap counter, total training time,etc;
2.) 3-settable zones with audible alarm, calorie counter, total calories, back light, etc;
3.) Compatible with cardio machines;
4.) Includes handlebar mount;

Package Height x Length x Width: 6.5 in. x 6.5 in. x 4.7 in.
Package Weight: 0.55 lbs.

Accessories for SIGMA PC15 Heart Rate Monitor Watch