Heart Rate Monitor

[Slime101]

The misses wants one for her birthday, i know knowing about them so am looking on advice as to which type is best, and then what ones i should be looking at.

Thanks.

 

[janesssssy]

Ive got a Polar CS300. I was told that Polar are the best.

the cheapest is about £50 all the way up to £600

Basicly a watch and a chest strap with an ECG monitor. Im sure others will give you better info.

http://www.polar.fi/en/products/cycling/CS300/

 

[Slime101]

Is it best to have one of the chest strap ones, or a wrist only version?

 

[6thElement]

What does she want to use it for?

I think they all need the chest strap?

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

You can get wrist ones but chest straps are better. I've got Polar and Garmin and they are equally good.

 

[Slime101]

Cycling mainly, however she does swim but i gather 99.99% of them dont mix with water, so predominantly cyclying.

 

[firstborn]

Is it best to have one of the chest strap ones, or a wrist only version?

Strap.

 

[wonderlust]

I am looking for one too, my fitness instructer says to only buy a Polar one.

looking at an FS2C at the moment.

 

[BennyC]

I have a polar F11. Polar are favoured amongst many as a safe bet/reliable brand. Most CV equipment also has technology that works with Polars (maybe other brands too) that will show the heart rate on the display of the machine you are using.

 

[Sagalout]

I use a Polar one aswell - F4 black thunder (!) - cost about £50.

Its completely reliable, but has a few annoying lack of features, eg you cant pause a workout, so if you stop at a tea shop (cycling!) you either sit there with it beeping or stop it, but then you need to note down the stats because it only records one set of stats at a time, so once you start it again you lose the old data. You also cant change the settings mid session eg toggle between heart rate and percentage which would be useful sometimes. Juts little things that I never even thought of before I bought it. I dont regret the purchase, but I'm now looking at some of the Garmin GPS/HRM units, but mostly because I want a cadence sensor and dont want multiple units.

 

[Uriel]

Cheapest Polar are only £20 to £30 and will do the job.

 

[Slime101]

Thanks fellas, i'll check out the polar ones

 

[Slime101]

Ok, i think i've narrowed it down - the polar website was rubbish and really doesnt help chose at all, however im now looking at:

Polar F4
Polar F7

The F7 seems to have a better quality transmitter, which appears as tho it might be more comfortable.

Any advice on them (also seems there is an F6, but no info avail on that either!!)

 

[tom_e]

from what iv read the chest strap that comes with the f4 needs to be replaced when the battery dies which is about £30 where as the new one with the f7 is user replaceable and more comfortable, this is just what iv been reading

 

[6thElement]

If she wants it for cycling for training purposes, you could consider looking at one of the Garmin GPS/HR units. Far more useful than just a HR monitor. Something like the Edge 500 or the more advanced 705.

I have the 705 and it's a fantastic piece of kit for cycling.

 

[Slime101]

Its on a stationary bike not a moving one

 

[Hamster]

Some of the cheaper Polar HRMs come with a hard plastic chest strap. I would avoid those and go for one with a stretchy fabric strap as they are much more comfortable.

 

[Slime101]

I ordered the F7 last night for £57 which seems to be a bargain

 

[tom_e]

I ordered the F7 last night for £57 which seems to be a bargain

where did you find that?

 

[Slime101]

Am i allowed to say, OCUK has always been tight on naming places and sells enough of everything to find most places a competetor!!

Do a google shopping search for Polar F7 and itll come up