What heart rate monitor do you use?
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kylie posted 3 years ago.
I do use the Garmin Forerunner 301 (which you can get for $215 at http://www.tvnav.com/forerunner301.htm (which is where I got mine). I love tracking workouts at http://www.motionbased.com.
I've never tried swimming with it, but have heard mixed reviews of HRM while swimming (something about the water making them not connect as well or something? Don't really remember).
I think if you are going for the $200 range, this one is great. I also love the maps of where I went on workouts, and tracking distance and time and splits so well (and sharing them online) is a great motivator for me. I like not having to plan ahead of time where I am going to bike or run, but just going where I want and still knowing the time and distance and elevations at the end of the day. It's also great to have such a small, lightweight GPS since some adventure races (another sport I love) require you to carry a GPS for emergency use, and this one is easy to fit in our packs and doesn't weigh us down.
If you aren't interested in that stuff, and really just want a HRM, then it probably wouldn't be worth it for you. However, just getting a HRM that interfaces well with a computer seems to put it in the $100-150 range anyways (at least when I last looked at them).
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kylie posted 3 years ago.
Hey... just noticed you are also on Irvine... Cool, and welcome! I'm Kylie... perhaps we'll have to train sometime!
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Jeroen posted 3 years ago.
I'm using and LIKING the Polar s720i... it comes with software and I bought a cadence meter for it. Works like a charm.
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Riverbrady posted 3 years ago.
2nd here using the Garmin Forerunner 301. Been using it and loving it for the last couple months.
"Care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible."
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
I have the Polar 520s and love it. Use it as my bike computer too. I dont know about Garmin, but with the Polar ones , they dont have a "under $200" model that includes a backlight (that I could find). Kind of important as 1/2 the year I run in the dark. Also the models in that range don't usually come "coded" to keep from interfering with another user with a moniter, and other electrical "stuff".
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trainDaBrain posted 3 years ago.
i've been using my polar s210 (which they don't seem to be selling anymore).
it was the watch that got me off the couch 3 years ago, and I've been using it ever since. strange to think it's been on the beginning 1 mile runs, all the way up to the ironman level. very useful tool.
if i wanted a new one I think it would be the one that has a barometer for elevation gain. the one with the foot pod that tracks distance sounds very handy as well.
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BrianMc posted 3 years ago.
I'm on the Polar 625 which I love. Its good for swimming too.
Also you can buy the bike package for it and it comes with a power meter......ooooooooooh. But then we are looking at $$$.
Brian
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bluetri posted 3 years ago.
Thank you everybody for your responses!
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Great Greyhound posted 3 years ago.
I use the Polar 720i, I broke down and bought the Power Sensor, and I now have more information than I can possibly use!
It's every engineers dream, so much data, that I can spend more time crunching data, rather than training.
Darrell "Legs 'n Lungs" Lenkner
in West Chester, Oh.
Check here for Images of us.
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Tikal Dog posted 3 years ago.
I use the Polar s720i with speed and cadence sensors.
Use it everytime I'm in the pool and have always perfect reads. No problems at all in the water, besides when swimming 25's and going real fast the band comes down from my chest. I normally end with it on my stomach. But this is only when doing 25's sprints. All the other time it stays on it's place and gives me accurate readings.
I love this thing.
Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)
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bluetri posted 3 years ago.
Thinking about getting the Polar RS200sd. It's downloadable, water proof, and has a foot pod for 180. It doesn't have bike tracking capabilities but that may have to come in another purchase.
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
well if you have a bike computer allready then that is the perfect choice! I did not, so the 520s works great for me. I can wear it in a race from swim to run and be able to track everything. The foot pod would be great, but they don't make one that works as a bike computer AND has the footpod (maybe that will happen some time) I figure I can always run for time when I travel and am away from home , but most of my routes I do any way are either marked (trail) or I have driven so I know the distance.
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kylie posted 3 years ago.
Doesn't the Polar s625x have footpad and biking capabilities? The biking stuff is an add-on I believe, but it saves having a full bike computer purchase later.
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
ohhh perhaps it does. I will go check it out!!!
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Hotice posted 3 years ago.
I use the Polar 625 and I love it since I can use footpad when I run and wireless speed control for my Bike :-)
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bluetri posted 3 years ago.
I did end up buying the rs200sd. Unfortunately it didn't have the graphing capabilites I was looking for. The only data that I could upload to the computer was HR, Min, Max, Dist, TIme, Pace averages. Basically I couldn't see any detailed data about the workout which was important to me. Other than the limited data recording the device was great. It looks a lot better than most polar devices, it was easy to use, and it worked well.
Because I wanted more data I ended up splurging and exchanged the rs200sd for the s625x. So far after using it on 2 workouts the 625 does everything I need and more. I haven't purchased the bike add-ons yet but I wil eventually. I've only noticed a couple drawbacks so far. One is that I've noticed is that it's harder for me to pick up the HR signal on the 625 than the rs200. I think it has to do with the chest unit. Although they look the same the one that came with the 625 needs to be wetter. Also, I've had some incorrect HR readings. I'm pretty sure it has to do with elctromagnetic interference like it states in the manual but I haven't been able to pinpoint where it's coming from yet. Either way it happens rarely and I can correct it with the software after the data is downloaded.
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dbosler posted 3 years ago.
You can get the Polar CS100b for the Bike at only $65, it will use the heartrate monitor from the s625x and the Speed Sensor from the CS100b works on the S625x. I like the mounting setup for the CS100b also. I keep the watch and the cs100b running during the bike, this way you get the charting and times to upload, but the display on your bike without having to look at the watch
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yeed posted 2 years ago.
None yet, but I'm hoping to get a Polor for Christmas or my birthday! ::crosses fingers::
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Matt Hill posted 2 years ago.
Yikes! Polar, Polar, Polar, and more Polar people!
I use a Timex HRM. It's really light weight and has all the basic training features like: HR, AvHR, MaxHR, MinHR, HRAv per lap, Recovery tester, Zone alarms, Time in Zone, Customisable Zones, Calories burnt + all the usual stop-watch, countdown timer, and lap timers.
I've had it for a year and only need to change the battery in the chest transmitter once. I've really enjoyed using this HRM, i would recommend looking at the Timex range in your local sports shops before deciding totally on the really fancy Polars.
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adame81 posted 2 years ago.
I have the plain timex HR monitor which cost about $55 and used it for about 2 years no problems. There are no bells or whistles with it, just HR stuff. I recently upgraded to the Polar 625 for the running speed and the ability to download workouts to to computer
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RV posted 2 years ago.
I had a basic polar HRM - which didn't last too long - had problems with the watch. I now use a Garmin Forerunner 301. HRM/GPS. Nice tool. Great info.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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rlevere posted 2 years ago.
i had a polar but thought the styling left a little bit to be desired. i was wearing 2 watches, one for working out and one for everyday use(business,etc)
i switched to the Nike Triax HRM/SDM (a gift) and got rid of the polar. the footpod is surprisingly accurate and a fun tool to know your total distance and pace (as the garmin users would tell you)
i think the styling is good enough that i wear it all the time.
I'm looking to buy a heart rate monitor and would like the to know which HRM's fellow triathelete's use. The Polar s625x and the Garmin Forerunner 301 seem to be the latest and gretest however I'd prefer to spend less than $200 if possible. I'd appreciate any feedback you have. I'm personally looking for a HRM that can at minimum do the following:
- Download workouts to a computer.
- Use it while swimming.
Can yours? Also, if you think it's worth it to splurge for something pricier, why?
Thanks in advance!
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