|   What to look for when purchasing my FIRST Heart Rate Monitor | John C. Johnson
Dec 27, 2002 7:30 AM | | I am looking to purchase my first HRM, and am wondering what functions I should look for when shopping around. If someone could tell me why I do not just go to Nashbar.com and buy the Sigma Sport PC3 for $24.99?
If it helps, I will give you some more info. I have been working out on a trainer using a CycleOps trainer with the Cycle Robix video. I plan on continuing this throughout the winter, but would like to use it with a HRM, because the video works well with it. I am new to trainer workouts, (2 months) so I do not have a vast knowledge of different types of workouts.
If you could just give me some ideas of what I "need" in a HRM, and what else is just "fluff" I would apppreciate it.
Thanks.
John C. |
| re: What to look for when purchasing my FIRST Heart Rate Monitor | mtnbkaz
Dec 27, 2002 8:12 AM | | I don't know what features these $25 monitors have but the basic features that you want are 1) the ability to set hi/lo limits to get 3 zones and know the time spent in each zone (in the target range, above the range, and below the range), and 2) he monitor should tell you the average HR for the workout. Anything else is just extra functionality that you may or may not care about.
My first monitor was a Supergo special for $30. It had a bulky heart transmitter strap that would want to slide down my chest unless I tightened the strap more than was comfortable (compared to my wife's light, thin Polar transmitter). It set the HR zones OK but didn't report average HR. This was a pain because I couldn't accurately do LT time trial tests (which was one of the reasons I wanted the HRM to begin with). I also found out that the monitor topped out at 199 bpm. My max is around 196 so this didn't matter but some people have a max of 200+ so this monitor wouldn't work.
So if the cheap monitor has all the features you want, then there is no reason to spend more money. I like the Polar A5 for an entry-level monitor. It's relatively cheap, is small and easy to use, and has a lot of features for the price. I use the expensive Polar S710 and I like to have all the data that it tells me but I certainly don't need all of the extra functionality. |
| re: What to look for when purchasing my FIRST Heart Rate Monitor | kendog
Dec 27, 2002 8:17 AM | | I just bought my first HR monitor and was pretty much where you are at. The question really is how you want to use it. Do you want to use it as a guide to make sure your in the right zone or do you want to be able to download a trend from the entire workout into your computer? You can get either.
The second thing is how many zones you can program. For example I got this one:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.html?SKU=3788
You can program up to three zones and it will log the time in and above zone but only for one zone at a time.
It also took me awhile to figure out what all the buttons did.
If I had it to do again I'd probably go the same route, but it would be nice if these things could be a little easier to use and if it would log time in a three zones simultaineous as opposed to just one at a time.
IMHO I wouldn't get one of the super cheap ones because you pretty much get what you paid for. Polar has a pretty good reputation and makes products that cover a wide variety of prices and options. |
| re: What to look for when purchasing my FIRST Heart Rate Monitor | KMan
Dec 27, 2002 12:11 PM | | I just purchased 2 HR monitors....one for myself, a Polar S410 and a Cardiosport GraphX for my brother. The cardiosport is an excellent easy to use monitor with all the basic features you would ever need. I prefer the Cardiosport for the ease of battery replacement. I opted for the Polar for myself due to its advanced features (I'm selling my older Cardiosport) and the 410 did get excellent reviews....despite most polar monitors getting overall poor reviews.
http://www.bodytronics.com/specials.html
Part GraphX - CardioSport GraphX heart rate monitor
Graph X is the first Heart Rate Monitor with a colour graphical display. The three colour display works on a similar principle to a tachometer in a car, and shows how hard the heart is working during exercise compared to the active target zone. Cardiozone let's you set a target zone while actually exercising. Once a desired workout level has been reached, a key press activates and sets cardiozone, which works like a cruise control on a car, keeping you within the selected workout level.
Heart rate shown as a % of maximum heart rate
High and low heart zone
LCD light
Maximum average and minimum heart rate of session displayed
Visual out of zone alarm & optional audible alarm
Zone limits set in 1 beat steps
20 lap memory stopwatch times to 100 hours
includes Contour Lite chest transmitter
One year warranty on watch, lifetime warranty on chest strap
Price: $109.95 Sale Price: $89.95 |
| Dont purchase one that was made by the Nazis. | .
Dec 30, 2002 11:32 PM | | I dont support those dirty Nazis one bit. No sir! |
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