Training & Nutrition - Which HR monitor? Sigma vs Polar

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sac02
02-09-07, 09:52 AM
I've been looking at getting a HR monitor for a while now (starting to "train" some instead of just "ride"). I just got an email from Nashbar that prompted me to look at their sale page, and they have two HRMs at decent discounts. I was wondering if anyone here has used either of them and could make a recommendation as to which one would be the better buy.

Sigma Sport Shape HRM $29.95 HERE (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=19657&storetype=estore&estoreid=807&pagename=Estore%3A%2072%20Hour%20Web%20Sale)

Polar S150 Heart Monitor $69.95 HERE (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=6653&storetype=estore&estoreid=807&pagename=Estore%3A%2072%20Hour%20Web%20Sale)

Polar seems to be the "name-brand" HRM, but it is twice as much as the Sigma. As a college student $$$ is tight so the price difference could be important unless the extra features of the Polar are useful and make it a significantly better unit.

What do you all think?

Thanks,

Mac

mateo44
02-10-07, 03:57 PM
What features are you looking for, specifically?

I now the Polar S150 does not compute calories burned. Not sure if the Sigma does.

The cheapest Polar with the calorie feature is the M32, I think. It's the one I have, and I really like it. I think it was $99 at Performance.
Mach42
02-10-07, 05:28 PM
None of the Sigma HRMs have a function to upload to a computer. One can still enter the information manually, however.

Other than that, Sigma makes a good HRM. The price is much more affordable than a Polar for roughly equivalent features if you don't need a link to a computer based training log.

I have a Sigma PC15, and I like it a lot. It's easy to read and the menus are easy to understand. It only cost me 60 dollars.