Do I really need a $300+ HRM?
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glbrum posted 2 years ago.
I don't have any experience with HRM's, but my thinking is that avg. HR, max. HR and current HR are the only features I would look at in a HRM. The rest is just bonus.
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runpuddrun posted 2 years ago.
yes you do need one if you want to be any good at all. :)
HECK NO!!! A simple $50 HRM from Timex will work just fine, I bought mine 2 years ago and still use it 3-4 times a week.
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MAggie posted 2 years ago.
I got a HRM from Timex, ran me around $140 and it is wonderful!
To quote my buddy the BlueAssed Biker: "Don't think about it, just do it." - PrinceofClydes
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Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.
I got a Sigma PC- 15 off ebay for $50 shipped. It has alarms, three zones, % display, and lap timer. Pretty nice and it works well.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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Anton posted 2 years ago.
No...sure don't. You don't need an HRM at all. I use mine maybe once a week to make sure I'm going slow enough...that's it.
There are plenty of great athletes out there in all three disiplines that don't use them...
They are expensive and help lead to "paralysis by analysis"
See the article on this site "The Trouble with relying on Heart Rate Monitor" It gives a bit of a different spin.
If you must have one..a basic model serves fine.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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PJT posted 2 years ago.
Aside from the real basics that glbrum mentioned--HR avg., max, and and current HR-- the only "extra" feature I would really look for in an HRM/strap is coding to avoid interference. I used a cheapo Timex for a while that would do OK as long as I was not near any other HRMs, power lines, etc.--then my HR would read 220! I think you can find Polars for $100 or so that are coded to avoid interference. I'm sure there are other brands that work OK as well. (Full disclosure: I do use a more expensive HRM, but I am using it as a bike computer too, which somehow justifies the expense in my mind :) ).
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Robj3411 posted 2 years ago.
As a general rule, I don't think a $300 HRM is more accurate then a $50 HRM. it's really just the bells and whistles.
IMHO all you need in a HRM is on Current, Max and average. with the laps. the rest you can figure out on your own. I bought a polar RS200 in the fall on sale for like $100 and it has many more options then I use. I've had a timex that worked fine till I lost the chest strap. The coded thing is also nice like PJT said if you run with a bunch of people that use them. I also like the polar because alot of treadmills and stationary bikes are capatible and you can just wear the chest strap and get the display on the machine.
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bluebirdbiker posted 2 years ago.
Mine is still for sale if you are interested:http://www.trifuel.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4729
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Atropos posted 2 years ago.
Heh, sorry BBB. Had I seen that a few hours ago I probably would have got it off you.
I just bought the same model from Speed Theory here in Kits. I was $199 before tax (came to $250 or so with the Bento Box I bought :cool: )
I'm looking forward to playing with it. :D
[URL="http://lincolnp.blogspot.com"]Sprinting to Ironman
The breakdown that happens at the seven-hour mark often starts 200 meters off the beach
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Blake posted 2 years ago.
Realistically either get one for 89.99 or go all out. I recommend the 625X... i got it on ebay used, because i'm a college student and can't really afford full pice anything. Basic monitors are reliable, and by the time it craps out on you, you'll know if you want to go down the 350 route.
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Winters27 posted 2 years ago.
Here's the truth:
I spent $60 on a Polar FS1 HR-monitor 5 yrs ago. I have replaced it once. I love it. It's basic, and it's all you "need" clock, HR, average HR, total workout time.
I sincerely think that it is best to keep it to the basics with your first HR monitor. The important thing is to learn how to effectively train using your HR as a guide. Having a lot of bells and wistles often gets in the way.
p.s. the Polar FS1 still costs about $60
I'm going to go out and buy my first heartrate monitor this week, but I don't want to spend a boatload of money on the thing. I think most of the shops around me only sell Polar gear, so I think I'm going to have to go with one of them.
I know the more you pay, the more features you get, but already have a cycling computer and I don't think I really need a distance/speed thing for when I'm running.
Is it possible to get good HR readings using an s150 model, or is it worth spending $100 or more to get the better models?
[URL="http://lincolnp.blogspot.com"]Sprinting to Ironman
The breakdown that happens at the seven-hour mark often starts 200 meters off the beach
--Gordo