General Discussion Triathlon Talk » new heart rate monitor - to strap or not to strap Rss Feed  
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2008-03-16 7:58 PM

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Subject: new heart rate monitor - to strap or not to strap
I had a cheaper sportline model with the one touch heart rate, which was fairly accurate...it worked fairly well until the battery died and I tried to replace it...:/

bottom line, I'm in the market for a new one, and I'm exploring my options...the guy at sport authority was absolutely useless today...I asked him some questions and he basically just read the backs of the packages... "duh" I had already done that....

anyway, I'm debating between the strap/strapless now....I wear a strap on my recumbent exercise bike at home and don't hate it...I am a bigger clydes guy though so I'm not sure I want the strap long term. one benefit of the strap though is that it is kind of awkward on the bike to take the HR, and requires a bit of a slow down

some features I'm looking for:

Chrono with interval timing
HR average
HR Zone monitoring
lap counter?


I've looked at the MIO brands online, which are closest to what I'm looking for here. I'd also like to not pay a fortune for it...my wife is already annoyed with the amount I'm spending on my bike this spring...:D



Edited by nato 2008-03-16 8:07 PM


2008-03-16 8:32 PM
in reply to: #1275058

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Subject: RE: new heart rate monitor - to strap or not to strap
I actually have 2 and each is nice. On the inexpensive and fairly decent to look at side try the Sigma's. Prices less than $75.
http://www.sigmasport.com/en/produkte/pulscomputer/

My other one is a Suunto t-3. More expensive but it does more things.

http://www.suunto.com/suunto/Worlds/main/index.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt...

I would have no trouble buying either again. The only thing about the Sigma pc-15 I have is that if you don't use the HR strap the watch goes into low power mode. This means that the stopwatch continues to run but doesn't display. So if you use it for a tri, it wont show time for the swim.
2008-03-16 10:16 PM
in reply to: #1275058

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Subject: RE: new heart rate monitor - to strap or not to strap
can you set intervals using the training manager function?
2008-03-17 12:25 PM
in reply to: #1275058

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Subject: RE: new heart rate monitor - to strap or not to strap
I have heard the strapless ones are less effective.  No experience just what I have heard.
2008-03-17 4:30 PM
in reply to: #1275058

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Subject: RE: new heart rate monitor - to strap or not to strap
I have a Sports Instruments Pro 9.  I thought I would hate wearing a strap, but I really don't mind it anymore.  It is currently on sale as a closeout from Performance Bike for $40.  I thought it was a bargain for $80 when I bought mine, so I would recommend it.  You get a lot for your money.  I have owned a one touch model in the past, and not only did I find it inaccurate, but also kind of a hassle to check it frequently.  The strap allows you the freedom to focus on the workout.  You can review the HR data in detail later...
2008-03-17 7:25 PM
in reply to: #1275238

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Subject: RE: new heart rate monitor - to strap or not to strap
nato - 2008-03-16 11:16 PM

can you set intervals using the training manager function?


Yes i believe so. i have it set up for a 5 min warm up then a tone each 30 min's to ensure I am eating/drinking.


2008-03-17 9:09 PM
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Subject: RE: new heart rate monitor - to strap or not to strap
I decided to go with the onyx pro:

http://www.sigmasport.com/en/produkte/pulscomputer/onyx/onyx_pro/?f...


thanks for the input everyone...now I need to be patient while I wait for my lbs to get that along with the bike shoes I ordered...:D
2008-03-20 10:33 AM
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Subject: RE: new heart rate monitor - to strap or not to strap
I got the hrm last night and used it on my run. outstanding...everything I was looking for.

Thanks again everyone for your input
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