I'm a long time Polar HRM user, and highly recommend the products. You could check out the RS100 for a basic one, should run about $120 (www.polarusa.com), they may be cheaper at your local running/bike/tri store. There are cheaper monitors out there, but as others have said in other threads, you get what you pay for. My husband tried using some under $100 ones for a while and ended up returning every one of them...he now uses a Polar. Anyway, with respect to the chest strap, according to what I've always heard (which may not be worth much) that is truly the best option for reliable readings. There are supposedly some finger tip type things, but I can't imagine how that would work in practical use. Can't see how you could hydrate, keep up with nutrition, or do an interval workout without them.

Others may have other recommendations or preferences.

Unless something has come out recently that I missed (I don't use a HRM anymore so don't pay attention to new ones) there is no HRM that will provide continuous HR readings without the strap. The other option is ones where you only get a reading as you are touching them (often on the face of the watch).

I have a Garmin 301 and love it, and it worked great as a HRM, but I mainly love it for the GPS part. I don't really wear the HRM strap now.

I have a polar and love it, as I can swim with it (yes I can sneak a peak pretty well now while still stroking). I also use it as my bike computer, so it can take me through a race. You get used to the strap.

Personally I am not a huge numbers person as far as keeping track for training , rather for pacing (HR). I know the distances for all the places I run, and if I don't I run for time/hr so while I am sure the GPS is nice, I see more use (personally) for being able to swim with it (because most of my swimming is done for time in an endless pool rather than distance-even though I have a distance meter) , I don't think most of the Garmins can be used so safely in the water with out doing something goofy with it from what I have read, I could be wrong and if I am then I will be purchasing one as soon as my Polar dies.

Nope, no swimming with the Garmin.

And my uses for HRM were very different from Brit, so before you pick the one for you you probably want to know how you plan to use it.

I use a Timex IRONMAN Triathlon Heart Rate Monitor
Price: US $90.00
Product Code: T59751F5
I got it from www.timex.com

It does have a chest strap but you get used to it.
I do get a signal when I swim in a wetsuit.
In the pool the strap has to be pretty tight or it rides down, but then you have a strap mark for a few days.

I am happy with it. I have had it a few seasons.

[quote=kylie]Nope, no swimming with the Garmin.

And my uses for HRM were very different from Brit, so before you pick the one for you you probably want to know how you plan to use it.[/quote]

bummer---- I really like the idea of the Garmin, but want to be able to have the same usage as I do now...

[quote=brittda][quote=kylie]Nope, no swimming with the Garmin.

And my uses for HRM were very different from Brit, so before you pick the one for you you probably want to know how you plan to use it.[/quote]

bummer---- I really like the idea of the Garmin, but want to be able to have the same usage as I do now...[/quote]

The 301 and 305 are water proof to a point and Garmin doesn't recommend using it for swimming but I have heard of people putting it under their swim cap (or something along those lines), but I doubt it would be very practical for training in the pool/OW other than to collect your overall workout metrics.

[quote=stewarba][quote=brittda][quote=kylie]Nope, no swimming with the Garmin.

And my uses for HRM were very different from Brit, so before you pick the one for you you probably want to know how you plan to use it.[/quote]

bummer---- I really like the idea of the Garmin, but want to be able to have the same usage as I do now...[/quote]

The 301 and 305 are water proof to a point and Garmin doesn't recommend using it for swimming but I have heard of people putting it under their swim cap (or something along those lines), but I doubt it would be very practical for training in the pool/OW other than to collect your overall workout metrics.[/quote]

It is waterproof for brief accidental dropping in water (30 min, 1 meter I believe). However, that doesn't mean 30 min of swimming although your stroke is less than a meter deep: the forces put on the unit with swimming are very different than those of dropping.

I've heard the swim cap thing, but of having it in a ziplock bag there. I just don't bother to do that, and have heard of both successes with it and failures.

Brit -- I'm wondering... in an endless pool, would there be a place close enough to you that you could place the unit and have it collect data while you swim without the unit itself being in water? Ahh never mind, that wouldn't help you with feedback during the working, and I remember now that it is what you use a HRM for.

[quote=kylie]I've heard the swim cap thing, but of having it in a ziplock bag there. I just don't bother to do that, and have heard of both successes with it and failures.[/quote]

I hear ya, I wouldn't bother either, but you never know when a young enterpising inventor may be in the mix. ;-)

[quote=kylie][quote=stewarba][quote=brittda][quote=kylie]Nope, no swimming with the Garmin.

And my uses for HRM were very different from Brit, so before you pick the one for you you probably want to know how you plan to use it.[/quote]

bummer---- I really like the idea of the Garmin, but want to be able to have the same usage as I do now...[/quote]

The 301 and 305 are water proof to a point and Garmin doesn't recommend using it for swimming but I have heard of people putting it under their swim cap (or something along those lines), but I doubt it would be very practical for training in the pool/OW other than to collect your overall workout metrics.[/quote]

It is waterproof for brief accidental dropping in water (30 min, 1 meter I believe). However, that doesn't mean 30 min of swimming although your stroke is less than a meter deep: the forces put on the unit with swimming are very different than those of dropping.

I've heard the swim cap thing, but of having it in a ziplock bag there. I just don't bother to do that, and have heard of both successes with it and failures.

Brit -- I'm wondering... in an endless pool, would there be a place close enough to you that you could place the unit and have it collect data while you swim without the unit itself being in water? Ahh never mind, that wouldn't help you with feedback during the working, and I remember now that it is what you use a HRM for. [/quote]

I can set it on the edge of the pool, but that wouldnt help much. I found an underwater clock I am pondering getting, but it's $200 :(. Really though I like being able to take it from a swim work out (or race) through the bike and run. I have the speed sensor/cadence thingy on my bike. That way I can keep an over all time. I do like the GPS idea though and may still get one , I just find it easer from a lazy stand point to just have the one watch to wear.

[quote=kylie]I have a Garmin 301 and love it, and it worked great as a HRM, but I mainly love it for the GPS part. I don't really wear the HRM strap now. [/quote]

I concur with Kylie on the 301. As a related/side note, I was using mine today and thought of this thread. The thing I like most about the 301 is the interval function combined with the GPS. Today I did eleven 400 meter repeats without having to be at the track.