Training & Nutrition - HRM Recommendations

I glanced through the form but I have not see this question asked previously, I apologize if it has, and this is a repeat topic...

I'm currently using a Polar F6 HRM, it works great but I'm looking for another unit with different capabilities. I would like to find a HRM which has 3 zones and reports the average HR and time for each zone. I do not need a unit that does everything, i.e. cadence, speed, elevation... just reporting the heart rate in the desired zones.

Any suggestions/comments would be greatly predicated.

Tom

I have owned a Polar S810 since they first came out (many years). Yes the $320 price tag was steep + the infrared sending unit cost about $40, but considering that I have used it almost daily, it pays for itself in results. And the results are derived because the data acquired by this thing can be uploaded to the Polar proprietary software and analysed in a multitude of ways. For me, what good is accumulating data if you aren't going to use it? I love it. If I lost it I would probably buy a less full featured Polar unit, but one that still had the computer connectivity. Having this HRM on is like having a personal trainer encouraging you to sleep, eat, exercise and live with your health goals in mind.

Looks like Polar discontinued that model and the S725i replaced it.

I could do without the other bike related sensors... I can get that info of my bike computer. I'm sorta stuck on simple (but good) single function devices, I have found that most of the multi-function gadgets are OK but the do everything sort-of ok... and single function devices excel at their chosen task.

Thank you for your input and gave me some valuable information.

Tom

Tom, after rereading your post I realize that I didn't answer your question. It is obvious that you see the point of a HRM. Please forgive the highjack. Though it worked out to 2 bumps of your thread.

I'm currently using a Polar F6 HRM, it works great but I'm looking for another unit with different capabilities. I would like to find a HRM which has 3 zones and reports the average HR and time for each zone. I do not need a unit that does everything, i.e. cadence, speed, elevation... just reporting the heart rate in the desired zones.Just download the data to your computer. The software can analyze it and give those averages for you. Or even Excel can do it.

You mean I can move the data from my F6 to my computer. I did not know that was possible with the F6 model. I thought you needed the IR port of something on the more expensive watches to accomplish this task.

Tom

You can transfer data by hand to a program like cyclestats or even excel. It takes literally seconds. I was doing it for a while and then slacked off. As far a cheap solution, assuming you use excel, this is the cheapest as you already have everything you need.

WOW, that neat - - - Thanks everyone to showing me the uplink. It pulls the data off the F6 w/o any problems and posts it to the web site.

Now for the second part of the problem, I would like a summary of time-in-zone and average-heart-rate in zone, for 3 zones.

Looking at the specs, it says the F6 has 3 zones, but I have manually set up my training level heart rates, and it only gives me: HR Max, HR avg, time-in-zone1 and (high limit & low limit, this I manually set on the HRM) for a single zone.

To summarize, I would like:
- HR Average (for entire workout)
- HR Max (for entire workout)
- HR Average for Zone1
- Time-in-Zone1
- HR Average for Zone2
- Time-in-Zone2
- HR Average for Zone2
- Time-in-Zone2

It's too late today, but tomorrow I'll call the help/sales desk at Polar and see what they have to say. (I'll update this thread at that time.)

Again, thank for the uplink info, it really works great.

Tom

Per the folks at Polar, the S410 (obsolete) or the RS200 have the capability of recording time in three zones, but not necessarily the average time in the zones.

I think I'll try the RS200 and see what it does.

Tom

My Garmin 305 does this in it's Training Center software. Excellent machine.

Hi jaxqtr,

I looked seriously at the 305, and it look very good, my concern with "one box that does it all", if that box breaks you are dead in the water and the battery life is marginal. Plus the more stuff the cram into a small unit the harder it is to use.

I got the RS200. While it is not perfect and I'm still learning the ropes, it looks like it will do the job with the "Sports Zones".

Thanks for everyone's input, they all helped.

If any changes, I'll update this thread.

Tom

Yea, I had the CS200cad before and really liked it, but wanted more ability to just link the unit to my PC and boom, I have all my info. Also, I can use my 305 if I go for a hike and still get some data out of it, bu the RS200 looks like a nice deal as well.

The zones in the RS200 are different than I expected, but I think I will be able to get the data I want from the unit for the three zones of interest to me. (As you indicated with the Garmin 305, you don't have to be restricted to only using it on a bike.)

With any of these tools, Polar, Garmin... the ability to upload the data to a computer is great. It sure makes logging and reviewing the data over a period of weeks, months years, much easier.

Tom