Heart Rate Monitor Recommendations

02-11-2005, 07:22 AM

Can anyone suggest a good heart rate monitor? I have an older model Polar
in the past but I'm looking to upgrade to a model that retains data that I
can download into my computer. It want to be able to review and monitor my
rate while I do a variety of exercises including running, bicycling, and
using cardio machines at the gym.

I see Timex, Nike, and others are in the business. Any recommendations on
recent models are advancements?

Thanks in advance.

McGinty

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directly please send messages to pjbphd @ cox dot net

02-11-2005, 07:29 AM

pjbphd wrote:
> Can anyone suggest a good heart rate monitor? I have an older model
Polar
> in the past but I'm looking to upgrade to a model that retains data
that I
> can download into my computer. It want to be able to review and
monitor my
> rate while I do a variety of exercises including running, bicycling,
and
> using cardio machines at the gym.
>
> I see Timex, Nike, and others are in the business. Any
recommendations on
> recent models are advancements?

Polar is a company that specializes in HRMs. They are built to last.
Here's a link to a comparison tool that will help you decide which one
is best for you.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Phil M.

02-11-2005, 07:29 AM

pjbphd wrote:
> Can anyone suggest a good heart rate monitor? I have an older model
Polar
> in the past but I'm looking to upgrade to a model that retains data
that I
> can download into my computer. It want to be able to review and
monitor my
> rate while I do a variety of exercises including running, bicycling,
and
> using cardio machines at the gym.
>
> I see Timex, Nike, and others are in the business. Any
recommendations on
> recent models are advancements?

Polar is a company that specializes in HRMs. They are built to last.
Here's a link to a comparison tool that will help you decide which one
is best for you.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Phil M.

02-11-2005, 08:36 AM

The Star Trac treadmills at my work read my polar transmiter. Thats
nice since you don't have to keep looking at your watch. This is
especialy helpfull doing speedwork on the treadmill. I still use the
wrist watch that came with it to review avg hr, laps etc...

02-11-2005, 08:36 AM

The Star Trac treadmills at my work read my polar transmiter. Thats
nice since you don't have to keep looking at your watch. This is
especialy helpfull doing speedwork on the treadmill. I still use the
wrist watch that came with it to review avg hr, laps etc...

02-11-2005, 08:48 AM

"The Star Trac treadmills at my work read my polar transmiter. Thats
nice since you don't have to keep looking at your watch. This is
especialy helpfull doing speedwork on the treadmill. I still use the
wrist watch that came with it to review avg hr, laps etc..."
~ Greyhound

"Greyhound? Got surround sound,
Or just a cavity, a ribbed cage
Of Light? Or perhaps, you know of a certain Grille
Sited in Morning Wood,
Where together,
We drink Grenadine? Just a splash ~
Over crystal rocks, a Water
Ford, a sparking way, silvery sprays
Of mist, gulps of love,
Gulfs of Blew?
O, but if you knew,
You would be sure to tell me, would you not?
For if not, how very selfish
Of you."
~ Moi

02-11-2005, 08:48 AM

"The Star Trac treadmills at my work read my polar transmiter. Thats
nice since you don't have to keep looking at your watch. This is
especialy helpfull doing speedwork on the treadmill. I still use the
wrist watch that came with it to review avg hr, laps etc..."
~ Greyhound

"Greyhound? Got surround sound,
Or just a cavity, a ribbed cage
Of Light? Or perhaps, you know of a certain Grille
Sited in Morning Wood,
Where together,
We drink Grenadine? Just a splash ~
Over crystal rocks, a Water
Ford, a sparking way, silvery sprays
Of mist, gulps of love,
Gulfs of Blew?
O, but if you knew,
You would be sure to tell me, would you not?
For if not, how very selfish
Of you."
~ Moi

02-11-2005, 10:37 AM

pjbphd wrote:
> Can anyone suggest a good heart rate monitor? I have an older model Polar
> in the past but I'm looking to upgrade to a model that retains data that I
> can download into my computer. It want to be able to review and monitor my
> rate while I do a variety of exercises including running, bicycling, and
> using cardio machines at the gym.
>
> I see Timex, Nike, and others are in the business. Any recommendations on
> recent models are advancements?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> McGinty
>
>

I have a Polar 720i, I use it for biking and cardio machines (elliptical
trainers, mostly) at the gym. The thing I find nice about it is that
you can download the exercise details to a PC for tracking. I got it
new on e-bay. HTH.

rww

02-11-2005, 10:37 AM

pjbphd wrote:
> Can anyone suggest a good heart rate monitor? I have an older model Polar
> in the past but I'm looking to upgrade to a model that retains data that I
> can download into my computer. It want to be able to review and monitor my
> rate while I do a variety of exercises including running, bicycling, and
> using cardio machines at the gym.
>
> I see Timex, Nike, and others are in the business. Any recommendations on
> recent models are advancements?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> McGinty
>
>

I have a Polar 720i, I use it for biking and cardio machines (elliptical
trainers, mostly) at the gym. The thing I find nice about it is that
you can download the exercise details to a PC for tracking. I got it
new on e-bay. HTH.

rww

02-11-2005, 11:14 AM

"pjbphd" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:nZ4Pd.14433$6u.11738@fed1read02...
> Can anyone suggest a good heart rate monitor? I have an older model Polar
> in the past but I'm looking to upgrade to a model that retains data that I
> can download into my computer. It want to be able to review and monitor
my
> rate while I do a variety of exercises including running, bicycling, and
> using cardio machines at the gym.
>
> I see Timex, Nike, and others are in the business. Any recommendations on
> recent models are advancements?
>

I've tried a couple of other brands of HRM's, and none of them worked as
well as the Polar do. I would stay away from the S410 if you're interested
in downloading. Some people have had problems with them. IIRC, the S610
was designed specifically for runners, and has much more robust downloading
features. I don't need the cyclometer functions (I use a powertap or a
specialized pro for those) on the more expensive polar's, so the S610 works
well for everything else.

I don't know which Polar models have it now, but they do have a new chest
strap where the sensor pads are cloth as opposed to plastic. If you have
sensitive skin (or run and train for ultra's), this may be worth
investigating. I know some people complain of chafing with the polar chest
straps. When this current strap I have wears out, I'll definitely be
looking to upgrade to the new strap.

Overstock.com had the cheapest prices on Polar S610, but they're stocking is
spotty, and as long as you're not in a hurry to get it.

Regards,
H.