Best Heart Rate monitor?
- Thread starter Snapda9
- Start date
I absolutely love my POLAR heart rate monitor. I have had it for the past 4 years and it's awesome. I have a more high tech one, probably cost around $180 dollars (it has all the extra stuff on it, like counting calories, workout programs, etc.). If you are looking for just a basic HR monitor I would recommend one of the polar models. I believe their most basic one cost $50, but you can definitlely get a good one for under $100. I don't know what your needs are. Check out the different models on the polar website. Also, the ones that strap on your wrist are not as accurate. The best ones are those that have with the strap for around your chest. Good luck!
monitor can be as overwhelming as buying a computer
My friend selecting a monitor can be as overwhelming as buying a computer the selection of options is staggering. All of them provide the key data you want your continuous heart rate during exercise. Some advanced features provide valuable data, while others are toys for the technogeek. But If you want to go with a luxe monitor, Polar's S210 ($175) is a great one—it has a wide range of options for setting and recording maximum heart rate, shows calories burned, has full watch functions, and is water-resistant. A great monitor.
My friend selecting a monitor can be as overwhelming as buying a computer the selection of options is staggering. All of them provide the key data you want your continuous heart rate during exercise. Some advanced features provide valuable data, while others are toys for the technogeek. But If you want to go with a luxe monitor, Polar's S210 ($175) is a great one—it has a wide range of options for setting and recording maximum heart rate, shows calories burned, has full watch functions, and is water-resistant. A great monitor.
Don't get the kind that just straps to your wrist, you need a chest band. Accuracy isn't as big of a problem as not being able to see your heart rate any time you want, because most of the wrist models make you press and hold a button or two for a few seconds to get a reading. Plus this makes you lose out on seeing average heart rate, max heart rate, things like that. You won't have high/low alarms or anything.
Even the entry level polars do more than most people want. But, when you get into the nicer ones... I'd really look at the GPS enabled ones from Garmin. I have the Polar 625x and there's a few things that are disappointing.
First of all, most people will have to buy an additional $50 infrared adapter to make it work with their computer, while the Garmin has a simple built-in USB port.
Also sometimes the foot pod for running just isn't accurate, sometimes it's spot on, but other times it's as much as 10% off or so, like if I know that a run is exactly 4.3 miles, it'll say 4.8. That's not THAT big of a deal, but this screws up your pace as well. If you enter a 5k race and want to keep a certain pace, it will tell you that you're going faster than what you really are, sometimes 30-45 seconds per minute faster, which is a pretty big deal. Garmin on the other hand is GPS based and even if you ran 100 miles, the most it could possibly be off is a few feet, but the polar, crap, I wouldn't trust it to be within 5 miles of being accurate.
Also the polar's altitude sensor is based off of air pressure. So, for it to work accurately, you have to constantly reset it with the current altitude, which basically means that you have to consult a secondary GPS. Otherwise, during the course of a day, even if you are on flat ground, it can say that your elevation is changing. Plus with it being air pressure based, it's just not accurate enough to really take into consideration on hills or whatever. The Garmin, once again, is GPS based, so all that functionality is built in and automatic and is very accurate so you can see exactly the pitch and height of a particular hill.
On the bike, you have to have a secondary speed sensor for the polar which is another $45 or so. The Garmin is GPS based and doesn't need a sensor.
Last but not least, the Polar doesn't tell you how to get home if you get lost.
Even the entry level polars do more than most people want. But, when you get into the nicer ones... I'd really look at the GPS enabled ones from Garmin. I have the Polar 625x and there's a few things that are disappointing.
First of all, most people will have to buy an additional $50 infrared adapter to make it work with their computer, while the Garmin has a simple built-in USB port.
Also sometimes the foot pod for running just isn't accurate, sometimes it's spot on, but other times it's as much as 10% off or so, like if I know that a run is exactly 4.3 miles, it'll say 4.8. That's not THAT big of a deal, but this screws up your pace as well. If you enter a 5k race and want to keep a certain pace, it will tell you that you're going faster than what you really are, sometimes 30-45 seconds per minute faster, which is a pretty big deal. Garmin on the other hand is GPS based and even if you ran 100 miles, the most it could possibly be off is a few feet, but the polar, crap, I wouldn't trust it to be within 5 miles of being accurate.
Also the polar's altitude sensor is based off of air pressure. So, for it to work accurately, you have to constantly reset it with the current altitude, which basically means that you have to consult a secondary GPS. Otherwise, during the course of a day, even if you are on flat ground, it can say that your elevation is changing. Plus with it being air pressure based, it's just not accurate enough to really take into consideration on hills or whatever. The Garmin, once again, is GPS based, so all that functionality is built in and automatic and is very accurate so you can see exactly the pitch and height of a particular hill.
On the bike, you have to have a secondary speed sensor for the polar which is another $45 or so. The Garmin is GPS based and doesn't need a sensor.
Last but not least, the Polar doesn't tell you how to get home if you get lost.
Last edited:
Suunto T3 vs Polar RS200SD Vs. Garmin 305
I'm also looking into gettina a heart rate monitor. I'm a new runner whose running habit in the past was pretty inconsistent. However, now I have dedicated myself to a goal of running a marathon by next year. After some reserch on training regiments and programs, it seems that I would need to get a heart rate monitor to maximize my potential. If I need a HRM, then I might as well get one with the capability to track speed and distance.
So my first question is what's the best HRM? I've narrowed my choices to:
Suunto T3
Polar RS200SD
Garmin 305
I've heard that Polar makes the best HRM, but Garmin is the more accurate pace/distance indicator since it's GPS. So what is everyone's opinion on these HRM? Does anybody have any experience with all three? Also, I am open to any other HRM suggestions. What is everyone's favorite and why? I would appreciate any advise, comment, and help from the fine people from this forum. Thanks
I'm also looking into gettina a heart rate monitor. I'm a new runner whose running habit in the past was pretty inconsistent. However, now I have dedicated myself to a goal of running a marathon by next year. After some reserch on training regiments and programs, it seems that I would need to get a heart rate monitor to maximize my potential. If I need a HRM, then I might as well get one with the capability to track speed and distance.
So my first question is what's the best HRM? I've narrowed my choices to:
Suunto T3
Polar RS200SD
Garmin 305
I've heard that Polar makes the best HRM, but Garmin is the more accurate pace/distance indicator since it's GPS. So what is everyone's opinion on these HRM? Does anybody have any experience with all three? Also, I am open to any other HRM suggestions. What is everyone's favorite and why? I would appreciate any advise, comment, and help from the fine people from this forum. Thanks
I own the Polar model (the one with all the extra stuff, forgot what model) and I love it. It cost me about $180 4 years ago. I have also tried the Garmin 300 GPS series with heart rate monitor function and I liked that as well. The Garmin product is nice because it has the GPS function so you know exactly what your pace is and can monitor your distance as you run. I found the satellite to be pretty accurate on the Garmin and I would recomment that product. If you are a hard core runner then I would recommend the Garmin Product. If you are just getting into running and just want to be able to monitor your heart rate and calories burned, then I would recomment the Polar. Hope that helps. Goodluck!
I have trouble with anything that obtains a reading by metal sensors on my skin. I don't know if I have some kind of weird body chemistry or it's something with my skin, but something strange happens.
Hand held HR sensors on cardio equipment kind of go haywire when I use them. One second they might say 145, next second 70, next second, 200. If I use the old "two fingers on the neck" method I get consistent results which don't match any of the numbers on the monitor unless it's by pure chance.
I have six pack abs, but my Tanita scale says I'm 25-30% bodyfat.
I guess it's likely I'd have the same problem with a chest strap, but I've kind of gotten used to just taking my HR manually
Hand held HR sensors on cardio equipment kind of go haywire when I use them. One second they might say 145, next second 70, next second, 200. If I use the old "two fingers on the neck" method I get consistent results which don't match any of the numbers on the monitor unless it's by pure chance.
I have six pack abs, but my Tanita scale says I'm 25-30% bodyfat.
I guess it's likely I'd have the same problem with a chest strap, but I've kind of gotten used to just taking my HR manually
I was under the same predicament. Considering all the research that I did and testimonials, I'd would not invest to much money on a heart rate monitor. TRUE, the best ones are Polar, but they are very expensive. If you are a beginner my best advice would be NOT to invest much money on one. After all the research I did I came to the conclusion that as long as it does its work, which is reaidng your heart rate you need nothing else. I do not think you need to count calories, there are tables that do that and with practice you will learn the calories you burn by each activity you do. I got the one that straps in your chest and you read the heart beats on a watch. BELIEVE ME! it does ITS work. It helps me a great deal and I have noticed that by monitoring my heart rate I have been able to lose a lot of fat by staying withing my "zone."
I hope this helps. If with time you think that you "need" a more sophisticated one you can still get it. By the way, try Ebay, I got mine for 20 dolars.
I hope this helps. If with time you think that you "need" a more sophisticated one you can still get it. By the way, try Ebay, I got mine for 20 dolars.
I have a Polar F1 that I got as a gift (I think it was about $50). It has one (1) button. It will tell me the time, my heart rate, and how long I have been working out while I am working out (by touching the wrist watch to the chest strap). The F2 has a backlight.
It will also let me know if I am in one (1) predesignated zone (the #'s flash if you are too high or too low) so I set mine to let me know when I am in Zone three. If I need to get to Zone 4, I just work harder until it's starts flashing that I am "too high".
Then after I work out it will tell me how long I worked out, my average HR and my Max HR.
I have had it for two years with no problem.
Everyone I know who "hated the strap" does not/cannot use their wrist monitor because it does not give them what they need (ie a quick and constant reference of your HR while training). Honestly, for free you can count your heart beat for 6 seconds using your watch then multiply it by 10.
If you do not know if the strap will work for you, try it out in the store.
It will also let me know if I am in one (1) predesignated zone (the #'s flash if you are too high or too low) so I set mine to let me know when I am in Zone three. If I need to get to Zone 4, I just work harder until it's starts flashing that I am "too high".
Then after I work out it will tell me how long I worked out, my average HR and my Max HR.
I have had it for two years with no problem.
Everyone I know who "hated the strap" does not/cannot use their wrist monitor because it does not give them what they need (ie a quick and constant reference of your HR while training). Honestly, for free you can count your heart beat for 6 seconds using your watch then multiply it by 10.
If you do not know if the strap will work for you, try it out in the store.