Heart Rate Monitors
03-07-13, 12:13 PM
#1
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Heart Rate Monitors
Looking to buy a HRM. What are the more recomended brands and why? What should I be looking for? Need one for the wife and myself.
Thanks in advance!
Rick
Thanks in advance!
Rick
03-07-13, 01:36 PM
#2
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I've had a few Polars over the years. I recommend one with a way to set an upper and lower thresholds that beeps or something. That way you can tell if you are overdoing it or just faking it. Things like tracking time in HR zones are OK but not needed. If you get one that has calories burned, take that with a grain of salt as they usually way overestimate how much burned.
If you plan on using the HR with equipment at a gym, like a LifeCycle stationary bike, that kind of equipment usually works best with the cheaper HR straps. The fancy HRs, like Garmin and the more expensive Polars, are incompatible with a lot of gym equipment.
Speaking of Garmin, consider getting something like an Edge 500 with a HR kit. That way you have your bike computer AND HR monitor all in one device.
If you plan on using the HR with equipment at a gym, like a LifeCycle stationary bike, that kind of equipment usually works best with the cheaper HR straps. The fancy HRs, like Garmin and the more expensive Polars, are incompatible with a lot of gym equipment.
Speaking of Garmin, consider getting something like an Edge 500 with a HR kit. That way you have your bike computer AND HR monitor all in one device.
03-07-13, 02:09 PM
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If you just want something basic I'm on my second one of these. I think it was highly rated by Consumer Reports many years ago. I broke the watch trying to replace the battery (which died after about 5 years.) Lesson learned, next time I'll have a watch shop change the battery.
The bluetooth sensors that interface with a smartphone are cool but I just don't see the value in logging your heart rate in that much detail.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The bluetooth sensors that interface with a smartphone are cool but I just don't see the value in logging your heart rate in that much detail.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
03-08-13, 08:59 PM
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Heart rate monitors with chest straps are more accurate.
R
R
03-08-13, 10:35 PM
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I've had a few Polars over the years. I recommend one with a way to set an upper and lower thresholds that beeps or something. That way you can tell if you are overdoing it or just faking it. Things like tracking time in HR zones are OK but not needed. If you get one that has calories burned, take that with a grain of salt as they usually way overestimate how much burned.
If you plan on using the HR with equipment at a gym, like a LifeCycle stationary bike, that kind of equipment usually works best with the cheaper HR straps. The fancy HRs, like Garmin and the more expensive Polars, are incompatible with a lot of gym equipment.
Speaking of Garmin, consider getting something like an Edge 500 with a HR kit. That way you have your bike computer AND HR monitor all in one device.
If you plan on using the HR with equipment at a gym, like a LifeCycle stationary bike, that kind of equipment usually works best with the cheaper HR straps. The fancy HRs, like Garmin and the more expensive Polars, are incompatible with a lot of gym equipment.
Speaking of Garmin, consider getting something like an Edge 500 with a HR kit. That way you have your bike computer AND HR monitor all in one device.
