HR monitor
10-18-16, 01:58 PM
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HR monitor
Anyone have any good suggestions for a good HR monitor? I'm not a fancy features type of guy but would like something to keep up with my workouts. Fitbit is too expensive for what I need it for so keep that in mind when suggesting things. Thanks.
10-18-16, 02:09 PM
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https://www.amazon.com/Jarv-Bluetoot.../dp/B00BWX023E
Something like that. I got a really cheap one called a Scosche Rythm, but it worked once and then failed. You get what you pay for sometimes.
10-18-16, 02:22 PM
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Same. I would never buy any Scosche products. Mine has circuit issue. It drained up battery within hours. After a week it totally quit working. Very bad brand.
10-18-16, 02:45 PM
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Polar has some pretty inexpensive HR monitors at around $40. Fitbits aren't great hr monitors, as any hr monitor on your wrist is less accurate than one with a strap around your chest.
10-18-16, 02:46 PM
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Scosche's Rhythm+ is pretty well respected. In your shoes I'd probably get a Bluetooth chest strap and pair it to my phone.
I agree that Fitbit is not a good HRM.
I agree that Fitbit is not a good HRM.
10-18-16, 03:06 PM
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The most basic Polar Watch-type I can find is the FT-1, for about $50. It is focused on cycling.
Caveat: I didn't do an extensive price search.
Caveat: I didn't do an extensive price search.
10-18-16, 03:23 PM
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[QUOTE=Dan333SP;19131656]If you ride with your cell phone in a pocket, you can get a Bluetooth HR strap for your chest that will transmit data to your phone-
https://www.amazon.com/Jarv-Bluetoot.../dp/B00BWX023E
Something like that. I got a really cheap one called a Scosche Rythm, but it worked once and then failed. You get what you pay for sometimes.[/QUOTE
Do you have to take your phone or will it sync once I contact with your phone?
https://www.amazon.com/Jarv-Bluetoot.../dp/B00BWX023E
Something like that. I got a really cheap one called a Scosche Rythm, but it worked once and then failed. You get what you pay for sometimes.[/QUOTE
Do you have to take your phone or will it sync once I contact with your phone?
10-18-16, 03:26 PM
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You have to bring your phone. There are some HRMs that have their own memory so they'll sync when you get back from your ride, but those cost more.
10-18-16, 03:54 PM
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10-18-16, 04:04 PM
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Are you asking if I can recommend a chest strap, or if I can recommend one that has a memory so you can leave your phone behind?
If you want one with a memory, Wahoo Tickr X. Haven't used one personally, so I can't say anything about how good or bad it works, just that it has this feature. Note that it's double what you'll pay for one without a memory.
I've heard that you can do what you want with Garmin's HRM-Swim and HRM-Tri but I'm not sure if that's true, and you would need a Garmin watch for that anyway. Suunto also makes a strap with this feature, and it uses Bluetooth so it should work with a smart phone, but I'm not sure what it's called. Store and forward maybe?
If you want one with a memory, Wahoo Tickr X. Haven't used one personally, so I can't say anything about how good or bad it works, just that it has this feature. Note that it's double what you'll pay for one without a memory.
I've heard that you can do what you want with Garmin's HRM-Swim and HRM-Tri but I'm not sure if that's true, and you would need a Garmin watch for that anyway. Suunto also makes a strap with this feature, and it uses Bluetooth so it should work with a smart phone, but I'm not sure what it's called. Store and forward maybe?
10-18-16, 04:05 PM
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If you ride with your cell phone in a pocket, you can get a Bluetooth HR strap for your chest that will transmit data to your phone-
https://www.amazon.com/Jarv-Bluetoot.../dp/B00BWX023E
Something like that. I got a really cheap one called a Scosche Rythm, but it worked once and then failed. You get what you pay for sometimes.
https://www.amazon.com/Jarv-Bluetoot.../dp/B00BWX023E
Something like that. I got a really cheap one called a Scosche Rythm, but it worked once and then failed. You get what you pay for sometimes.
10-18-16, 04:21 PM
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10-18-16, 05:08 PM
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right around AT the SPO2 will drop 5-7.
10-18-16, 05:49 PM
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I don't get the cost issue. If I were to rank bike equipment in order of importance it would go:
Shoes (for clipless)
Clothes (comfort)
HRM (something that will upload to keep track of data)
Bike (whatever, used)
A Garmin 520 is probably a good minimum gadget.
Obviously you can't ride without a bike, but in terms of getting decent gear, that's how I ranked my purchases when getting back into riding seriously 20-some years ago. I got fairly cheap MTB shoes but they cost as much as the bike. I rode my first double after upgrading to a $200 bike. Today I have more money in shoes and clothing than in my best carbon road bike.
Shoes (for clipless)
Clothes (comfort)
HRM (something that will upload to keep track of data)
Bike (whatever, used)
A Garmin 520 is probably a good minimum gadget.
Obviously you can't ride without a bike, but in terms of getting decent gear, that's how I ranked my purchases when getting back into riding seriously 20-some years ago. I got fairly cheap MTB shoes but they cost as much as the bike. I rode my first double after upgrading to a $200 bike. Today I have more money in shoes and clothing than in my best carbon road bike.
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10-18-16, 06:03 PM
#19
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+1 on Scosche Rhythm +
I use it w/ biking and at the gym. Excellent all around.
The old Rhythm did have several issues though.
I use it w/ biking and at the gym. Excellent all around.
The old Rhythm did have several issues though.
10-18-16, 07:36 PM
#20
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Most cycling apps will work in airplane mode. No data usage. They only need to use data to upload the recorded data to Strava or whatever, and you can wait until you're on wifi for that. I've used a SIMless iPhone as a bike computer before.
10-19-16, 05:21 AM
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I don't get the cost issue. If I were to rank bike equipment in order of importance it would go:
Shoes (for clipless)
Clothes (comfort)
HRM (something that will upload to keep track of data)
Bike (whatever, used)
A Garmin 520 is probably a good minimum gadget.
Obviously you can't ride without a bike, but in terms of getting decent gear, that's how I ranked my purchases when getting back into riding seriously 20-some years ago. I got fairly cheap MTB shoes but they cost as much as the bike. I rode my first double after upgrading to a $200 bike. Today I have more money in shoes and clothing than in my best carbon road bike.
Shoes (for clipless)
Clothes (comfort)
HRM (something that will upload to keep track of data)
Bike (whatever, used)
A Garmin 520 is probably a good minimum gadget.
Obviously you can't ride without a bike, but in terms of getting decent gear, that's how I ranked my purchases when getting back into riding seriously 20-some years ago. I got fairly cheap MTB shoes but they cost as much as the bike. I rode my first double after upgrading to a $200 bike. Today I have more money in shoes and clothing than in my best carbon road bike.
If later down the road I opt to start taking this really serious, I would obviously upgrade at that point but until then, I don't see the need in it.
10-19-16, 07:04 AM
#22
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Get a Garmin EDGE and an HR Monitor (Rhythm+) or/and download an app Motofit. You can run EDGE and MOTOFIT at the same time and connects to your Rhythm+ via ANT+ and BT respectively.
With the app, you can use it not only for riding for anything else you want to track your HR for.
With the app, you can use it not only for riding for anything else you want to track your HR for.
10-19-16, 07:11 AM
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True, you could just turn off cellular data on your phone and it'd still track the HR data from your chest strap. GPS would still work but it won't be as reliable as if cellular data is on, but it's still worth trying because this would be the cheapest way to track HR out of all the suggestions mentioned so far.
10-19-16, 07:29 AM
#24
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True, you could just turn off cellular data on your phone and it'd still track the HR data from your chest strap. GPS would still work but it won't be as reliable as if cellular data is on, but it's still worth trying because this would be the cheapest way to track HR out of all the suggestions mentioned so far.
I've had no GPS accuracy issues in either configurations, that said, and rode exclusively using a phone as my bike computer for 3 years. Mostly the benefit of turning off mobile data for me was battery life, as I have an unlimited data plan.
Last edited by dr_lha; 10-19-16 at 08:17 AM.
10-19-16, 07:51 AM
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Cost isn't an issue per say, I just don't need a fancy HR monitor for what I'm trying to accomplish. I'm in no way training for a triathlon or century. I'm just wanting to monitor my HR while I'm riding and an inexpensive HR monitor would fit the bill.
If later down the road I opt to start taking this really serious, I would obviously upgrade at that point but until then, I don't see the need in it.
If later down the road I opt to start taking this really serious, I would obviously upgrade at that point but until then, I don't see the need in it.
Expect to need a new strap about every year, about $17. When readings get erratic, you need a new strap. When readings go to zero, you need a new transmitter battery, maybe every 3 years if you use it almost every day. Lick the strap electrodes before you put it on. For long rides when I really want accuracy and no screw-ups, I use a gel on the electrodes: Buh-Bump cream or less expensive Spectra Gel. Polar makes a bar mount or just use pipe insulation and electrical tape. The watch style HRM is nice because you can use it to hike, run, gym, spin class, etc.
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