Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Heart Monitors

What is everyone using here. I just started searching on them only to get lost. There is so many out there and they go from 35 dollars all the way up to 700 dollars. I don't want to get the cheapest out there but maybe something in the 100 to 200 dollar range. I would like to use it while riding during the summer but even more important for working out in the gym during the winter. I already have a program on my phone for mapping, distance, calories, elevations etc but it does not do my heart rate.

I've got the Garmin heart rate monitor, because I have one of their GPS units. It set me back about $40, but it needs an ANT+ receiver to talk to ... which I don't think your phone is. Honestly, heart rate monitors ( HRMs for short ) have a very simple job, and I wouldn't expect them to vary much. What's important to me is that I can see my current heart rate easily by glancing at the handle bars, and also that I can go home and examine the data - it can be nice to have a graph showing heart rate vs speed or elevation, to see how sprints or hills kick my butt today vs a month ago.

I have a garmin FR60 system It's higher than $200 with wireless download,bike and running sensors. I had to buy it as none of the less expensive Polars would fit my wrist (8.3"). I would recomend that you get one with a chest strap and the ability to add download,running and bike sensors. If I started over I'd get a garmin 800.

I'm also looking for an HRM. Can anybody suggest one that only displays Heart Rate?
I'd prefer just a constant display of HR with no buttons to push.

Thanks!

I've had one of these for several months...no problems, so far http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T5J031-Digital-Fitness-Monitor/dp/B000P8VWRC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1292007168&sr=8-2

I'm also looking for an HRM. Can anybody suggest one that only displays Heart Rate?
I'd prefer just a constant display of HR with no buttons to push.

Thanks!

Check Amazon, I think they have one for cheap.

Poke around the web for a refurbed Garmin. I got a refurbed Garmin 705 - entire package w/ HRM and cadence sensors - for $250 back in June off Newegg.com.

I have a Garmin 310 XT because I run and bike and it transfers easily from my stem to my wrist. I like the way it downloads data to my pc after my run/ride and use it as a valuable tool to gauge my training progress. On the bike I really like that I can have HR, cadence, speed and distance all displayed at one time. If I was just biking I would probably get the Garmin 500

What is everyone using here. I just started searching on them only to get lost. There is so many out there and they go from 35 dollars all the way up to 700 dollars. I don't want to get the cheapest out there but maybe something in the 100 to 200 dollar range. I would like to use it while riding during the summer but even more important for working out in the gym during the winter. I already have a program on my phone for mapping, distance, calories, elevations etc but it does not do my heart rate.

If you have an iphone, you might want to look into the ANT+ adapter that will let it talk to ANT+ heart rate straps, bike speed sensors, bike cadence sensor, bike power meters, foot pod running cadence sensors, smart scales...

Otherwise you need to decide whether you'll be using it just for pacing (it really helps to avoid blowing up when you feel fresh and to dig deeper when perceived exertion is high) or to download ride data for training?

I started with a Polar CS200CAD. Polar's Wearlink soft strap is the most comfortable (it has conductive fabric electrodes). The CS200 wireless bike computer (a wrist strap is available) comes with one for about $100 (at nashbar) or $150 (with cadence).

I just upgraded to a Garmin Edge 500 bike computer because although the polar worked great for pacing, I couldn't download data for specific ride segments unless I marked them with the lap function. It's _great_. Fully configurable - you can have up to 8 metrics per screen. There's a back-light which can be left on if you like night rides. About $150 if you wait for a sale plus a $30-$50 strap.

What is everyone using here. I just started searching on them only to get lost. There is so many out there and they go from 35 dollars all the way up to 700 dollars. I don't want to get the cheapest out there but maybe something in the 100 to 200 dollar range. I would like to use it while riding during the summer but even more important for working out in the gym during the winter. I already have a program on my phone for mapping, distance, calories, elevations etc but it does not do my heart rate.
As others have mentioned there are many out there to choose from.
This is a well known brand and you can do some research on their site / forums as to which type will best suit your needs.
http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/
I have used a Polar for a while now and it has been very serviceable and reliable.

I use a Suunto watch with HR and GPS pod. this works well for me since i have many bikes and only need this for my hr and bike computer.

Question for Garmin users: What do you do for multiple bikes? Multiple Pairing or go thru Pairing process each time? I have an FR60 system if it makes a difference.

I would buy another cadence sensor and have multiple pairings

About 5-6 years ago I bought an Acumen (http://www.acumeninc.com/) dedicated wristwatch-based one that I've been very happy with. It filled my requirements at the time for the following reasons:
- It did not have a bike computer attached to it allowing me to use it for activities other than biking.
- At the time, it was one of the few brands that featured user-replaceable batteries. I'm not sure if this is still a problem with heart-rate monitors.
- It was cheap (I think I bought it off of Amazon)

Over the past 5-6 years I've come to the conclusion that:
- It works great, and still does to this day.
- The chest belt transmits its signal via some sort of standard (Possibly the case with all heart-rate monitors?). As a result, I've found that it works on every treadmill, elliptical machine, etc. that has has heart-rate monitoring capabilities built-in. Very nice for when I travel and use a hotel exercise room, or go to the gym - I can just take the belt and leave the watch part home.

I use a Suunto watch with HR and GPS pod. this works well for me since i have many bikes and only need this for my hr and bike computer.

+1 on the Suunto's.. They work great and have easily replaceable batteries.. I have had the last 2 of my high end Polar break on me.. 1 came up one day with an error and spoke to Polar and they could fix for 150.00.. No Thanks.. The last one would blank out when it got too much sweat on it.. I know Polar makes good products but my last two - 200.00+ HR's have failed.

The suunto's just keep working..