Heart rate monitors
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tsilcyc posted 1 year ago.
I'd look at Polar's line of products. You have to decide what you want to do with it. There are all sorts of features... high, low, average, alarms, syncing to a computer, etc. Look at the different models and see which features interest you.
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J.Michael posted 1 year ago.
I have a Polar F6 and it does everything I need. They are on sale at quite a few vendors. (means Polar's probably releasing a new model soon) I got mine on the cheap for around $55.
Also, check out the gear reviews here on trifuel. quite a few of us love to rave about (and sometimes bash) our newly purchased training schwag.
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434
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1163 days
fastdog5 posted 1 year ago.
I went cheap with my first one & ended up replacing it right away because it didn't do average HR. If you follow any kind of HR-based training program, knowing your avg. HR is essential. Other features nice to have that may not be obvious: Accessible batteries you can change yourself (some Polars are factory sealed & have to be sent in for battery changes. Hassle!); "soft" chest strap (vs. hard plastic); "coded" transmission (will not pick up interference from other electronics like bike computer). BTW, I got mine on ebay & saved a ton of $.
10
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527 days
prosperousandrew posted 1 year ago.
+1 on the F6. I got one off of eBay earlier this year and it has been working well. Only complaint is that it doesn't do split times, just total time for the session.
713
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668 days
jhudalla posted 1 year ago.
I also have the F6 and really like it. Though at times I wish I'd have gone nuts and got something like the garmin 305 or something.
That said, there are all sorts of turds priced below the F6 but Polar is kinda the industry leader so for what that's worth. Ya know what they say, buy nice or buy twice!
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20
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Dean55 posted 1 year ago.
J.Michael wrote:
I have a Polar F6 and it does everything I need. They are on sale at quite a few vendors. (means Polar's probably releasing a new model soon) I got mine on the cheap for around $55.
Hey, I need a new F6. I'd love to get one for around $55 but haven't seen new ones listed for less than about $95. If you could post some places that are advertising them for anywhere near $55, that would be much appreciated.
thanks
Dean
588
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jnrice posted 1 year ago.
Dean, I just did a google search and the first hit was a Polar F5 for about $70.
http://www.geardirect.com/browse.cfm/4,1421.html
Oh, so what features do you all feel are the must have functions on a HR monitor? sure I think I know what I want but have never trained with one and was wondering what you have found to be useful and which ones just make the list of functions longer on the box.
20
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692 days
Dean55 posted 1 year ago.
jnrice wrote:
Dean, I just did a google search and the first hit was a Polar F5 for about $70.http://www.geardirect.com/browse.cfm/4,1421.html
Oh, so what features do you all feel are the must have functions on a HR monitor? sure I think I know what I want but have never trained with one and was wondering what you have found to be useful and which ones just make the list of functions longer on the box.
Hey, thanks for the link.
I used a HRM fairly routinely over the past year. It had been a while since I did much endurance training. The HRM was helpful for me in finding out what my maximum heart rate is and to get a sense for what perceived level of effort generally corresponds to various HR training zones. Also helped me to slow down and learn to train in a true aerobic zone for base building.
I haven't needed many features - instantaneous heart rate, average during the exercise period and maximum HR were pretty much all I needed, plus the basic watch/stopwatch functions.
If you've never used one before, the F6 is a pretty good entry level model and not too expensive. Polar is a good brand. One thing about Polar is that when the battery dies you have to mail the unit back to them for battery replacement. I did that once; it wasn't too expensive and they actually turned it around pretty quickly.
I am looking to get a heart rate monitor. I do not want a piece of crap but I don't need top of the line. Can you all give me suggestions for what functions to look for in a heart rate monitor? Also, what brands are good? Thanks!