Anyone have any input on a Heart rate monitor that gives out the basics like HR with a large digital readout that can be viewed from the handlebars with maybe an upper and lower limit alarm? Something under say under $90.
Thanks :o

catseye has one for 69 dollars, not sure how good it is though.

http://www.1upusa.com/cateyehb100.htm

i got a polar A5 for christmas, and it meets your criteria. not sure how much it costs...

I have an A3 HR monitor and it does exactly that... and can collect data from your target zones...

I have a Sigma Sport PC14 that I like. On sale now at Nashbar for $59.95. It's got the upper and lower limit alarms, plus does average HR, calorie count, and other things too. It does the job for me.

I have extremely good experience with Sports Instruments ECG 4... You can get a higher model (ECG 5) over at Nashbar.com:

Sports Instruments ECG 5 (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=5159&sku=9753&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=)

No name recognition though, as with Polar models, but as I said: cheap and reliable!!! Very comfortable chest strap also... Comparable Polar models would cost you at least 130 - 150 dollars...

I have the Sports Instruments ECG 5. I just got it about a month ago and it wrks great for me... there is a learning curve with all the functions but once you got it down it's easy to work. It comes with a nice handlebar mount too.
Doug

I recieved the Sports Instruments ECG5 for christmas and I read the whole Sally Edwards book in two days... I went out to use the monitor and I couldn't get a signal for the whole ride. I contacted Sports Instruments and they sent me a new transmitter strap. Great customer service !!! Unfortunately, it turns out that there is high powered lines that are causing the loss of signal. I don't know if I should just give up on the Heart rate monitor or not. Is there any type of technology out there that can get around the high powered line interference?

I have an A3 HR monitor and it does exactly that... and can collect data from your target zones...

agree.

I also have an A3

Ditto on the Sports Instruments ECG5. I bought mine in 2002 and paid $150. The Nashbar price is a give-away.

nashbar has them on sale for $50.00 right now.

Thanks for all the input. I finally decided on the Polar A5. It was only $17 more than the A3. Purchased from www.heartmonitorsusa.com, (based on positive feedback from other threads), for $89 with free shipping and includes some sort of bike mount. Has not arrived yet, but looking forward to using a HRM.
Will update on how easy it is to operate and well it works after a few weeks of use.