heart rate monitors

[Kritter]

I currently use a polar F6 and im sick of changing my heart rate range for the particular workout/zone training im doing. What heart rate monitors are available where I can program in my 5 zone limits (actually 7 since I have 5 a,b,c) and it tracks time in all zones and tells me what zone I am in real time?

I was told Garmin does this but I dont want a GPS as half of my training is on foot or at the gym and I dont want to carry a GPS with me.

HRM does not have to be bike compatible. I prefer polar because it works on my spin bike and at the gym.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[Blue Rat]

I use this one. It has a lot of nice features plus there are PODs that can be added on as you see fit. I've used Suunto products for many years and have yet to be disappointed with their products or customer service.

[protijy]

I love my Sunnto T1 lets you just set time in zones and up to 5 zones.

[new2mtb]

i have an f6 and there is a moderate, high or recovery setting you can select quickly. do you want it automated? the f11 has a training coach that does the schedule for you.. not sure if thats what you need..

[Kritter]

I need to program it specifically and manually for multiple zones. My F6 only has 1 set of limits I can input manually.

[Happy_Gilmore]

Garmin 405 is a good option, HRM, GPS, Cadence, in watch format.

[Kritter]

Originally Posted by Happy_Gilmore

Garmin 405 is a good option, HRM, GPS, Cadence, in watch format.

How many zones can you set for HR?

[hoovermd]

I'm a fan of the Garmin 705
Pricey, yes but the reception (both form the GPS and the HR chest strap) is amazing.

[lukewiens]

i am pretty sure most of the garmins have 5 zones you can set....however thats all i think you really need. if you can accurately train in zones 5a,b,c then more power to ya! the last thing i wanna be doing above threshold is trying to find three little numbers on a hrm.

my old nike hrm could set 5 zones as well...and to tell you the truth, that thing was bomb proof. every other hrm i have used has about a 18 month lifespan (changed batteries everything).

good luck in your search!

[Kritter]

Originally Posted by lukewiens

i am pretty sure most of the garmins have 5 zones you can set....however thats all i think you really need. if you can accurately train in zones 5a,b,c then more power to ya! the last thing i wanna be doing above threshold is trying to find three little numbers on a hrm.

my old nike hrm could set 5 zones as well...and to tell you the truth, that thing was bomb proof. every other hrm i have used has about a 18 month lifespan (changed batteries everything).

good luck in your search!

I have trouble with zone 5a bursts for over a couple minutes espeically as I train more it seems I cant get to that zone easily and have to go rediculously hard...just trying to find a watch that has enough zones to get the job done.. 1 or 3 doesnt do it.

[Kritter]

With my current polar I have a newer replacement fancy strap(small chest piece with two button snaps vs big plastic crappy one) I bought with replaceable battery after the non replaceable one died. It seems to sometimes throw out bogus heart rates and sometimes will kick out half my heart rate and the treadmill harldly ever matches my watch by 5-10 BPM. Anybody else have these issues? Too fat and causing interference?

How are these HRM's calculating heart rates? Thats the only thing I can think of different between the treadmill and my watch.

[ohyeah89]

Originally Posted by Kritter

With my current polar I have a newer replacement fancy strap(small chest piece with two button snaps vs big plastic crappy one) I bought with replaceable battery after the non replaceable one died. It seems to sometimes throw out bogus heart rates and sometimes will kick out half my heart rate and the treadmill harldly ever matches my watch by 5-10 BPM. Anybody else have these issues? Too fat and causing interference?

How are these HRM's calculating heart rates? Thats the only thing I can think of different between the treadmill and my watch.

I have the flexible strap with my F11 and I LOVE it. There's definately a trick to it though, you HAVE to run the two side electrode thingies (without the transmitter) under water. It seems to work best when I also submerge it under ~1 inch of water while running the water (cup my hand under the faucet). Also if I go a long time without washing it, it tends not to read or give bogus readings. The flexible strap is machine washable (without the transmitter) so you may want to consider that. Also, make sure its fitting just right, not way too tight, definately not too loose!

Just give yourself an extra 5 minutes before working out with it to play with it and get it configured. I've noticed that once it is working right, it will work for the duration of my workout (~2 hrs) really well unless I get REALLY REALLY sweaty.

Hope this helps!

P.S. Saliva is also a good conducter if you're not by a sink.

[katonk]

Originally Posted by ohyeah89

Saliva is also a good conducter if you're not by a sink.

Sig material....

+1 on wetting down the electrodes. I just keep a $.98 spray bottle in the garage and spray the 'trodes down with transmitter still attached.

[Kritter]

Originally Posted by ohyeah89

I've noticed that once it is working right, it will work for the duration of my workout (~2 hrs) really well unless I get REALLY REALLY sweaty.

Hope this helps!

P.S. Saliva is also a good conducter if you're not by a sink.

Ive been using it for a few years so its not something I am new to...I think you hit the nail on the head with really really sweaty...cuz I am really really sweaty when its malfunctioning.

[silkworm]

What do you guys think about the Suunto X3HR? It looks like a nice heart rate monitor with altitute for someone looking for a budget buy, around $150. What do you think?

[hoovermd]

Originally Posted by Kritter

Ive been using it for a few years so its not something I am new to...I think you hit the nail on the head with really really sweaty...cuz I am really really sweaty when its malfunctioning.

I use this stuff.
amazing the difference it makes in the quality of the output.
Salt free, and I'm not feeling the need to lick my cheststrap any longer.

[OffRoadie]

What about HRM's with downloadable data that you can analyze after the fact? (Mac compatible please!)

[lukewiens]

garmin's training center is pretty cool if you wanna look at a bunch of cool graphs after the fact....never could really use any of em for other then pure entertainment purposed tho! mac compatible...yes!
http://www8.garmin.com/products/trainingcenter/

[hoovermd]

Originally Posted by OffRoadie

What about HRM's with downloadable data that you can analyze after the fact? (Mac compatible please!)

Garmin 705 & Ascent (Mac Software)

[OffRoadie]

Are there any other choices besides the Garmin?

Originally Posted by lukewiens

garmin's training center is pretty cool if you wanna look at a bunch of cool graphs after the fact....never could really use any of em for other then pure entertainment purposed tho! mac compatible...yes!
http://www8.garmin.com/products/trainingcenter/

Not at all for just entertainment. You can calculate your workload from the data.