HRM recommendations?

If you don't need the ability to download detailed data to a computer and can survive with only 2 heart-rate zones, then the Sigma PC1600 is a very reasonably priced HRM. I've been using mine for half a year now and would recommend it as a good alternative to the more expensive Polar watches. If you want more detail though, then Polar is probably the way to go.

Hi Aaron, I am using a Polar S610. It was quite expensive and I use only the following features:
- HR storage capacity for 15 hours (to record at least one IM).
- stop watch with lap timer (to monitor how long it took me for each kilometer during the marathon)
- a large display showing the timer and the HR simultaniously.
- capabillity to transfer the HR data (with the lap times included) to an PC
- and my favourite feature: the counter of the calories I burned during training. I find it cool to
see that I burned 10.000 calories a week - or 20 Big Mac's.

Manfred

"astaebell" <[email hidden]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have done three four tris, 2 alone and 2 as a member of a team. I am getting more serious about
the sport and I am going to add a HRM to my training. Which models do you folks recommend? I am
curious to know

which

Quoted message said:

model you recommend based on features you feel are necessary versus

features

Quoted message said:

that you like but don't need. I want to spend less than $150.00. TIA.

--
Aaron M. Staebell [email hidden]

How do you track your calories on the S610?

"Manfred Dötsch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi Aaron, I am using a Polar S610. It was quite expensive and I use only the

following

Quoted message said:

features:
- HR storage capacity for 15 hours (to record at least one IM).
- stop watch with lap timer (to monitor how long it took me for each kilometer during the
marathon)
- a large display showing the timer and the HR simultaniously.
- capabillity to transfer the HR data (with the lap times included) to an

PC

Quoted message said:

- and my favourite feature: the counter of the calories I burned during training. I find it cool
to see that I burned 10.000 calories a week - or

20

Quoted message said:

Big Mac's.

Manfred

"astaebell" <[email hidden]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have done three four tris, 2 alone and 2 as a member of a team. I am getting more serious
about the sport and I am going to add a HRM to my training. Which models do you folks recommend?
I am curious to know

which

Quoted message said:

model you recommend based on features you feel are necessary versus

features

Quoted message said:

that you like but don't need. I want to spend less than $150.00. TIA.

--
Aaron M. Staebell [email hidden]

"astaebell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I have done three four tris, 2 alone and 2 as a member of a team. I am getting more serious about
the sport and I am going to add a HRM to my training. Which models do you folks recommend? I am
curious to know which model you recommend based on features you feel are necessary versus features
that you like but don't need. I want to spend less than $150.00. TIA.

I have had a low-end Polar and a Timex HRM. Both were about the same price. I don't require a data
link - - something else to break, in my case.

I prefer the user-maintenance features of Timex. Specifically, a dummy can replace the batteries;
you aren't required to ship it to the manufacturer.

I am also accustomed to the conventions, from pre-HRM Ironman product line days. That made it easier
for me to get accustomed to using it.

What I miss most about the Polar is the feature that allows you to activate the backlight and start
the HRM, just by holding it in proximity to the chest strap. This is handy during winter workouts
that occur after dark. A Timex requires you to touch a button to activate the light/chrono.

rsquared

"astaebell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I have done three four tris, 2 alone and 2 as a member of a team. I am getting more serious about
the sport and I am going to add a HRM to my training. Which models do you folks recommend? I am
curious to know which model you recommend based on features you feel are necessary versus features
that you like but don't need. I want to spend less than $150.00. TIA.

I have never used a HRM before, but I just bought a Polar S510 (last years model) from Perfomance
for $169. My reason for picking it was that it was the cheapest model that can download its data to
a computer. It does so through the microphone which I thought was a cleaver idea. The added bonus is
that it doubles as cyclo-computer, and can even do cadence (the cadence sensor is another $35).

I'm just now learning how to use it, but it already has saved my butt as my regurlar cyclo-computer
freaked out in the rain on my most recent long ride.

The download mechanism has given me the incentive to keep a training diary (software included) which
I always thought was too much effort - but now I look forward to it (yes I am a geek).

-Christopher

"astaebell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I have done three four tris, 2 alone and 2 as a member of a team. I am getting more serious about
the sport and I am going to add a HRM to my training. Which models do you folks recommend? I am
curious to know which model you recommend based on features you feel are necessary versus features
that you like but don't need. I want to spend less than $150.00. TIA.

I've used both a wireless Polar HRM (S510) and the Timex BodyLink system... I have decided that the
Timex BodyLink system is by far the better of the two. While the Timex HRM portion of the BodyLink
system is a bit too simplistic (at least until the Timex Data Link device comes out in a few
months), it is still the better choices of all wireless system concepts. Not to mention, more
reliable and provides real time useful information for BOTH the bike and run.

Upgradeable and Reliable - Timex BodyLink seems to done this. It will be complete once the Data Link
is available - until then, (IMHO) the HRM is not as good as the Polar but it's S+D is a far better
device than the Polar Wireless system.

FWIW Joe Moya