Iwant to pick up a heart rate monitor for biking and other gerneral fitness. Can you guys that have them recommend a decent one for under $100. I would like one that gives me my current HR, and also has zones I can set as well as an alarm to let me know when I am out of that zone. I don't need bike functions since I have a bike computer. Again, just looking for a decent monitor without all the bells and whistles.

Thanks

D

The polar S-120 can be picked up for that price range and has all the features you metioned, fully waterproof so it can be worn in bad weather or swimming for that matter. I don't wear it when running though, I have one without the chest strap, that uses a finger strap, that I find more convenient for that.

I'm partial to Sigmas. Most can be held well under $100 and I have found mine to be a bit more reliable around power lines than some of my friends' Polars (highly unscientific testing, however). I had a bad experience trying to warranty a couple Polar monitors for a customer that had gone bad in 2 months of use-they basically refused to do anything. That kind of turned me off, plus with the Sigmas you can replace the chest strap battery yourself-some of the Polars require you to send the strap in to them for battery replacement.

Anything Polar is overpriced. Get a Sigma Sport BC600 or higher. I have 2 BC1200 and they work great they cost about $40-50. Spend the rest on a good heart rate training book.

I'll jump on the Sigma wagon too. I have a PC-14 and really like it. The wrist part is kind of big, but so is the display so it's easy to read. It goes for about $70 USD.

Dean

Thanks guys. I'll look into them.

Polar's always been great to me and their stuff is lightweight and maintenance free. I'd go with the Polar; you generally get what you pay for.

I bought a polar a3. Well worth the coin...

I am moving this to fitness as you will get more info from that area

Polar's always been great to me and their stuff is lightweight and maintenance free. I'd go with the Polar; you generally get what you pay for.

I've used both and the Polar is no better than a Sigma. The Sigma has a replaceable battery too.

Go to http://heartmonitors.com. They have a selection of a lot of the most popular watches and do side-by-side comparisons of all watches they have. I've dealt with them personally and have nothing but good stuff to say about them.

Koffee

I bought the Nike Triax C5 HRM and so far Im very satisfied.
It also looks nicer as a watch in oppose to the polar which looks bulky (IMO).

I like the Timex line they have add on features and the prices are nice. Get into their 440 line as a beginner and then if you deside up grade to the next level with the Cadence GPS and other performance measuring equipement.
Velocity

I like the Timex line they have add on features and the prices are nice. Get into their 440 line as a beginner and then if you deside up grade to the next level with the Cadence GPS and other performance measuring equipement.
Velocity


Please don't waste your money on that Timex garbage. Their cadence/GPS works sporadically, they don't have any way of resolving the issue, the satellites don't always connect with your positioning, they don't work in every country like they claim it does, and hey... Timex just sucks in general. I've wasted over a thousand dollars on Timex equipment which I find out is now just garbage. I would get better use if I used them as toliet paper.

Koffee

Please don't waste your money on that Timex garbage. Their cadence/GPS works sporadically, they don't have any way of resolving the issue, the satellites don't always connect with your positioning, they don't work in every country like they claim it does, and hey... Timex just sucks in general. I've wasted over a thousand dollars on Timex equipment which I find out is now just garbage. I would get better use if I used them as toliet paper.

Koffee


Koffee,

Your killing me. I was doing some research and had narrowed it down to a Timex 5c401 monitor. It is only a monitor and doesn't have any of the speed or GPS features but I don't need or want them. How is just thier moniors. Does anyone else have any experience with Timex monitors?

Thanks

Darrell

I have the Reebok precision trainer (on sale from Nashbar).

It's decent but definitely not consistent (either that or I've had about 20 heart attacks oin the last 20 rides). Once it settles down though I do get a pretty accurate gauge of HR.

Wondering if I will expect that from otehr brands?

Always always read many reviews before buying anything, preferably from actual users itself not a magazine or any commercial publication review.

You'll quickly get a sense of the problems and weaknesses of each HRM.

I had the Sports instruments Circuit 7, which was really good until I lost it. I just got the Sports Instruments ECG5 for $44 from Nashbar today. I stayed with SI because I've had good luck, & also read good reviews on them.

Wanted the Timex BodyLink until I read koffee's review, & seemed to find more of the same elsewhere.

Koffee,

Your killing me. I was doing some research and had narrowed it down to a Timex 5c401 monitor. It is only a monitor and doesn't have any of the speed or GPS features but I don't need or want them. How is just thier moniors. Does anyone else have any experience with Timex monitors?

Thanks

Darrell

I'm sorry. Timex sucks. And they won't resolve their issues, so until they do, I can't recommend it.

I guess their continuous reads are ok. But anything more complicated, and it's a mess. :(

Koffee

I was doing some research and had narrowed it down to a Timex 5c401 monitor. Does anyone else have any experience with Timex monitors?

Thanks

Darrell

My brother's had that model for a few months now; he got it from

http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/Pages/TZ-2004-Pages/HRM/HRM-model/timex/HRM/timex-hrm-5C401.html


I played with it a few days ago. Just right to wear as an everyday watch, has several nice features, & seemed to read well without having to put on gel (spit) or anything.

He didn't offer to let me try it on a ride (what a bro), so I can't tell you much else; he does really like it though.

I had the Sports instruments Circuit 7, which was really good until I lost it. I just got the Sports Instruments ECG5 for $44 from Nashbar today. I stayed with SI because I've had good luck, & also read good reviews on them.

Wanted the Timex BodyLink until I read koffee's review, & seemed to find more of the same elsewhere.

Funny, I had problems with my SI Fit3 and found the customer service from their US distributor to be horrible. I returned the unit for a refund. I've heard that Bell has bought SI. I hope they've changed their distributor. It looked like a good unit.

I have an off-brand that has worked well for $40 ; the finger strap sounds nice, but once on I forget the chest strap is even there. Check out nashbar.com for something like mine.

Funny, I had problems with my SI Fit3 and found the customer service from their US distributor to be horrible. I returned the unit for a refund. I've heard that Bell has bought SI. I hope they've changed their distributor. It looked like a good unit.


That would be just my luck. At least before they changed hands, people had said customer service was really good. Don't know about that part though, didn't have any problems.

Unless you just want a Polar with several functions, there's no reason to have to spend more than $50-60 right now, cause there are several nice looking models in that price range that do probably more than most people will use.

Cheapest HRM with computer download?

I just went with the Timex bodylink. Its just the HR monitor. I got it for $96. I'll let you know how it works out.

Geez Koffee do you dis like timex LOL I have a 1440 sports model and I really like it. It only cost 35 dollars I don't need to send it in to change the battery on the reciever or the transmitter-Its easy to see with large numbers and doubles as a watch with a indglo night lite just incase the dark scares me :) Seriously I have Polars and also a Nike but this one is really my favorite cause all I need is it to tell me the heart is ticking many times in one minute other wise I go by RPE and speed. But really didn't know that the other stuff is all that messed up guess I won't be adding on anytime soon.
Velocity

For the money I brought a SI Fit 3 a year ago and it's been wonderful. Keeps track of my time is 3 zones. When I was comparing functuions and prices this HM was the best value.

I've been thinking of replacing my Vetta hrm/computer... I just looked at the top of the line Sigma Sports and I like them!

The good ones from Nashbar, separate hrm and wireless computer, are just $40 each. I think I know what to get! Thanks for the sigma recommendation!

I got this Timex Body link which is just the heart rate monitor without GPS. It was $94 and works great so far. You program the zones you want to burn fat ect and it beeps to let you know when your out of the zone so you can speed up or slow down to maximize your workout.

http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/Pages/TZ-2004-Pages/HRM/HRM-model/timex/Bodylink/timex-bodylink-59571.html

It took 2 days to get shipped regular shipping. I was amazed at how Fast it Came.

Well, I finally got a monitor. I settled on teh Timex 5c401 and am really glad I did so far. It seems to work really well for me and does more than I need it to do.

Thanks for all the input on this, it helped make a decision.

D

Well,

I know this is an older thread. However, I must concur that the Timex 5c401is actually decent. I do occasionally have problems with the transmission (i.e. - it reads 240 bpm), which the first time scares the hell out of you. However, my friend's POLAR does the same thing when his hands are in certain positions on the handlebars. So it is a common occurence.

The only other problem with the monitor is that it does not give %. However, there are a few solutions. (a) Typically you want to ride within a certain % range, so all you need to do is figure out what your target % translates into bpm and use the manual range function to set the lowe and upper limit. (b) You should know your target heart rate anyways in bpm.

Overall, I think the Timex gives you your monies worth.

I burned up my Performance points and picked up a Polar CS100( http://www.polarusa.com/Products/cs/cs100.asp?cat=consumer ), I'll report back after spending a few days with it...

I like my Polar F11. I especially like the fact that it stores 12 workouts so I don't need to log the info before my next workout out. Customer service is good too. :)