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Chest belt HR monitors - do they exist?

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Chest belt HR monitors - do they exist?

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Old 08-25-19, 02:58 PM
  #1  
Richard Cranium
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Chest belt HR monitors - do they exist?

Is anybody using an "old school" HR monitor that requires the matching chest belt radio synced to a wristwatch based or handlebar mount device? I tried a couple of wrist based devices and am not impressed. (ten or more beats off)

Is Polar the only brand that still makes accurate HR monitors? What do the pro riders use?
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Old 08-26-19, 08:45 PM
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The article is out of date. I used a Polar OH1. I liked that it had a memory. I liked the band. I didn't like the battery - I got 6 hours/charge, instead of the expected 10-12 hours.

I bought a Wahoo Tickr Fit. I wore a medical HRM for 3 weeks, and it was tracked by my Tickr Fit pretty well. Also the Tickr Fit gets a lot of hours/charge.

Another option to be considered along with the Scosche 24+, if you want to avoid possible discomfort with a chest strap and get good accuracy.
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Old 08-27-19, 07:35 AM
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Are you looking for better wrist monitors or a chest-strap style? Lots of people use the latter so far as I can tell. I use a Wahoo Tickr and have been happy with it for several years, but it's not the only option.
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Old 08-27-19, 01:08 PM
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superdex
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I use a Polar H10 -- it transmits bluetooth/ant+ so I can pair it with either my phone or cycling computer. It's not as old school as you think.
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Old 08-27-19, 01:52 PM
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caloso
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4iiii HRM. It also transmits both as BT and ant+ and acts as bridge that lets my PM talk to Zwift. https://4iiii-innovations.myshopify....oducts/viiiiva
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Old 08-27-19, 02:34 PM
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Many of the polar watches can work either with a wrist pulse sensor or a chest belt. The chest belts seem to be more accurate.
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Old 08-27-19, 08:06 PM
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RGMN
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Originally Posted by drewguy
Are you looking for better wrist monitors or a chest-strap style? Lots of people use the latter so far as I can tell. I use a Wahoo Tickr and have been happy with it for several years, but it's not the only option.
Another TICKR user here. Comfortable, accurate, the straps last about a year, and relatively cheap.
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Old 08-28-19, 12:53 PM
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I think do it yourself
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Old 08-28-19, 01:32 PM
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Polar Ft1. Simply a chest strap and a wristwatch monitor. Easy to see on the handlebars. So, yes they do exist and the price is reasonable, The watch can do some other things. I don't care. As a monitor it was easy to set up and use. (I had to buy it on Amazon as non of the sports stores I spent a day going to in Portland had it. Tried to spend my money locally.)

Edit: Each of the strap and watch take common electronics batteries and are easy to replace. The batteries I put in last June are going fine. The chest unit is waterproof so taking it into the shower after a ride is no big deal.

Ben

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Old 08-28-19, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by RGMN
the straps last about a year, and relatively cheap.
Hmm. . . . what leads you to need a new one? I've had the same strap for several years and it seems to work fine.
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Old 08-28-19, 03:06 PM
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The one I have from garmin seems to work pretty well and seems to be a representative match with my effort. Haven't counted it to see how accurate it is though.
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Old 08-29-19, 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by drewguy
Hmm. . . . what leads you to need a new one? I've had the same strap for several years and it seems to work fine.
Most manufacturers sell replacement straps. I've had some where the stretchiness gets worn out or the contacts got so grody that I just got a new one.
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