Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - good heart rate monitors without strap

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worldtraveller
08-03-11, 08:59 PM
I used to use a Polar HRT monitor back when i raced in the 1990;s

Now i was considering getting one again to so i can push myself better.

I was wondering if there are any good heartrate monitors on the market that function without the chest strap?

As i found the strap to be annoying at times?

suggestions please?

socalrider
08-04-11, 02:09 AM
none that are accurate..
datlas
08-05-11, 04:24 PM
I don't know of any, but hypothetically it's possible using pulse oximetry technology.

We use these to measure heart rate and also blood oxygenation level in patients. You need a little light-emitting sensor on an earlobe or fingertip...if such technology exists I suspect it might require more battery power than the typical chest strap. It is VERY accurate in medical settings and I suspect would be as accurate as a chest sensor on a bike.

That said, I would just stick with a chest strap sensor.

Better yet why not use RPE (rate of perceived exertion) I think that has been shown to correlate pretty well with HR.