Training & Nutrition - need new HRM, suggestions?

My old $40 Nashbar bargain HRM is about to bite the dust, and I need your suggestions. On another post I saw a graph from the Polar 720i, that one looks good but this is what I need:

-HRM, altitude (vertical climbed to be specific), and computer interface.

Would also be nice to have:

-Compass, cycle speed.

I found the 720i here (http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/Pages/Polar-pages-new/Polar-Holiday-pages/polar-holiday-S720i.html) for $287, is that a good price?

Thanks...

Personally, I am not familiar with high-end cycloputers/heart rate monitors/weather stations/etc. such as the Polar 720i. But I would suggest that you would also look into the Ciclosport HAC4 (http://www.ciclosport.de/eng/html/katalog/hac4t.htm). It has everything you need (and more); if it really works, it must be some gadget...

I recently got a HAC4 and love it. It tells you how many feet you climbed/descended on your ride and also tells you the gradient, max gradient, along with everything else a computer/hrm should have. The bar graph thing that shows how far into your training zone you are is really useful when you are looking at other data on it, not the main beats per minutes function. I got mine on ebay, brand new for 180$. The interface to the computer cost another hundred, so now you are up to your price for the s720. If you have more questions about the HAC4 pm me.

I just got started with HRM training, i picked up a Polar S520 from the LBS and its great. Has just about all the same features as the 710i with a few exceptions. If you want the best bang for the buck w/ recording ability the 520 is probably the best way to go!

here is a chart from my ride the other day.

http://uploads.fakeleg.com/files/hr-curve.jpg

mymilk - I saw that chart on one of the other threads, that's cool. I hear the Polar software is very good. Does your model have the altitude function?

So far the only bad thing I know about Polar is that you can't change the batteries yourself, you have to send it back to the factory.

Tridevil - I sent you a PM, maybe if you have a link you could post it here?

Thanks all...

Milkexpired-Joseph-

Thanks for posting the info, that looks interesting..
Nice little one hour workout also.

FXjohn

Milkexpired-Joseph-

Thanks for posting the info, that looks interesting..
Nice little one hour workout also.

FXjohn


yeah, just looking at that chart my made knees ache!

:eek:

Try HAC4 (http://www.hac4.com) . Its got everything you want to know about the HAC4. I personally have not used the software so I dont know how it compares to Polars but I would think a graph is a graph if you really need it.

I know I've been down on Timex, but if you can afford to wait up to 6- 8 weeks, their bodylink system is superb- I am so impressed that I've been on a wait list since October to get the bodylink for myself and I ordered an extra 14 for people I'll be training. They have even newer technology than that coming out really soon also, and I just about peed my pants when I saw the write up in the fitness industry magazines. It's high tech at a much more decent price than Polar. I have one data recorder with a low end timex, and I was impressed with that already. So much so that I haven't even opened my Polar 720i watch I bought over 3 months ago.

Koffee

Is there a cycling related review of the Body Link system anywhere online? I was interested in learning more about it but the few reviews I have seen have been running related. Some mentioned that the HR function is not as good as Polar but didn't give specifics. As far as cycling goes I was wondering how average speed was calculated (is there auto stop/start?). And if you can use it as your interval timer like Polar where you can specify intervals based on time or distance and recovery based on HR or time. I assume cadence is not an option, so current models may not be for those who want or may need to expand to more advanced cycling functions.
But the system does look like a winner.

Sports Instruments
http://www.sportsinstruments.com/hrms.html

My old $40 Nashbar bargain HRM is about to bite the dust, and I need your suggestions. On another post I saw a graph from the Polar 720i, that one looks good but this is what I need:

-HRM, altitude (vertical climbed to be specific), and computer interface.

Would also be nice to have:

-Compass, cycle speed.

I found the 720i here (http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/Pages/Polar-pages-new/Polar-Holiday-pages/polar-holiday-S720i.html) for $287, is that a good price?

Thanks...

Same thing just happened to my Nashbar HRM, so last night I purchased a new Polar S720i with IR interface for $271 (including shipping), after my purchase they had a couple left. NOTE: for $287 you aren’t getting the IR interface with that, my purchase included this $40 component.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3662501331&category=15277&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWN%3AIT&rd=1

Cheers!

Thanks for the effort Gus but I went out for a ride and missed your message until the auction was over. Thats a great deal, by far the best I've seen. At performance they are $287 plus the cost of the IR interface.

Is there a cycling related review of the Body Link system anywhere online? I was interested in learning more about it but the few reviews I have seen have been running related. Some mentioned that the HR function is not as good as Polar but didn't give specifics. As far as cycling goes I was wondering how average speed was calculated (is there auto stop/start?). And if you can use it as your interval timer like Polar where you can specify intervals based on time or distance and recovery based on HR or time. I assume cadence is not an option, so current models may not be for those who want or may need to expand to more advanced cycling functions.
But the system does look like a winner.

I don't know of any reviews- I was at a fitness convention for cycling, and they dog and ponied the Timex Bodylink out there, and my jaw just dropped.

I don't know about interval timers and all- I haven't used the Timex monitor enough, but it's the bodylink stuff that I was impressed with. With the bodylink, you could be anywhere in the world, and you'll get your speed and time beamed down to you in real time from the satellites, so no more bike computers either. With the Data Link Recorder, the info on your watch is uploaded onto your recorder, then you just plug it into your USB port, and presto- you get everything you did on your computer in a graph. It also shows up as a bar graph for daily workout, weekly workout, monthly workout, and I think yearly workouts. It's very easy to organize and work with. You literally just click on the day you worked out and everything comes up and is pretty self explanatory.

It's good stuff. I'll post more when my order finally comes through.

Koffee

Koffee Mod - so I assume the Timex unit will use GPS? Interesting idea but my experience with GPS receivers tells me it's nearly impossible to build a reliable unit small enough to be useful as a cyclo-computer/HRM. Even the expensive GPS receivers have error, and they are MUCH bigger than anything I want to wear on my wrist. I'm interested in hearing more. But... if they can do that, then my dream HRM should be no prob...

I want a Compass/Watch/GPS/HRM/Cell Phone/MP3 player all in the size of a wristwatch. It will have all the normal handy functions PLUS it will be able to automatically pick an applicable tune depending on how hard you are working or where you are in your interval, etc. For instance it will throw some Black Sabbath or AC/DC at you when you are tearing it up, when you're in a recovery interval it will feed you some Faith Hill or Linda Ronstadt. Also it will have a neural interface so when your get your first big hit of endorphins it will give you some new age tunes or seashore sounds or something to maximize the effect...

And it will cost $149.95

:)

Well, we can dream....

;)

Anyway, the GPS seems to work well- that's why it's been sold out completely in every website, store, and dealer in the USA. People who have them love it and say it's the best thing since sliced bread. Those that don't have it are willing to wait for as long as it takes for Timex to have the new ones made and shipped.

I heard in the news that Timex has even updated their Bodylink with the Helix. I don't recall everything because I was watching it when I was half asleep, but from what my sub-conscious heard, it got me wide awake pretty darn quick, and what I heard was impressive enough for me to plunk down the money for that one.

You can always go to www.timex.com and read about their product.

Koffee

Koffee Mod - so I assume the Timex unit will use GPS? Interesting idea but my experience with GPS receivers tells me it's nearly impossible to build a reliable unit small enough to be useful as a cyclo-computer/HRM.

Isn't this the one with a unit worn on a belt. I imagine that's the GPS unit and the watch is simply a remote display.

It's actually a small unit with an armband that you slip on your arm. It's not like a map GPS- it doesn't display where you are. It's primary purpose is to receive your info and calculate your speed, then beam it back to you so you can see what your speed is. I believe there's a 2 second delay from the time you request the info to the time it's beamed back to you, but that's pretty good.

Koffee

Milkexpired-Joseph-

Thanks for posting the info, that looks interesting..
Nice little one hour workout also.

FXjohn


yeah, just looking at that chart my made knees ache!

:eek:

:p oddly enough i have one bad knee and that ride was nothing short of just a regular ride on the rollers. I am actually affraid that i over train on the rollers, but it was a ride that could have continued for at least another hour or longer.

here is a newer chart:

http://uploads.fakeleg.com/files/hr-curve_2-29-04.jpg

Recently purchased a Polar S720i. Great device. Easy to set up and use. Downloaded data from a 2.5 hour ride on the first shot. Use a Dell laptop and built-in IR window (once turned on) worked flawlessly with the HRM monitor unit. Before you purchase a USB-IR interface, make sure your computer doesn't already have an IR window. Download time for the aforementioned ride was 4 seconds.

Little known fact. If you have any used/older model Polar HRM, Polar will take it in trade-up for a newer model. Returned a 10 year old Polar Accurex and got a 720i for $215.00. Admittedly, the complexity is somewhat overwhelming at first, but taken in small chunks, quite digestable.

Computer generated graphs and information are outstanding. Also has a built in Fit Test function to determine MAX/Min HR range (if not already known).

IMHO, quite a deal.