The Weak Link

I've only been riding on my trainer indoors and there the HRM is invaluable. I've finally got it dialed in for zones and so forth. That way for aerobic conditioning I'll go right up to but stop short of zone 5. I've also noted that when I spend much time in zone 5 I feel like blowing, so it's helping me to calibrate my internal regulator as well.

BTW: I just got around to installing my cadence monitor (I use a Garmin 305). I have discovered the folowing principle:

Perceived cadence = actual cadence + 20 +/- 10.

Allegheny Jet

Yes, nearly every ride.

stapfam

Don't use it that often in the winter as I only go out to keep in trim. The HRM has another use for me though. I know when I am working hard enough- but to get back into trim I have to work hard. The HRM will tell me when I have slackened off and not working in my "Zone" for getting fit.I have a tendancy to to working just below par- but one look at the monitor and it proves to me that I could be doing better.

Road Fan

Yes.

desertdork

Though it's not as fashionable as some other makes, I've been pleased with my Timex. Reasonably comfortable, easy set-up, completely reliable. The battery in the chest strap is easy to access/change. I understand this can be an issue with some monitors.

The model # is either 5H911 or T 5H911 F5. MSRP is $85-90. I bought mine on ebay for under $60 shipped.

But if you want a HRM that interfaces with your PC, this won't do.

alcanoe

Yes, both my wife and I use it every ride. I keep a log of all my rides/HRs/distance/average speed/ etc and have for years.

Al

Trakhak

I use my HRM any time I'm doing a ride that's going to last over half an hour or so, to stay at between 155 and 160 beats per minute. That's easy early in the season, harder as the season progresses. Four or five hours at that heart rate and you'll have done some work.

The great thing about this is it keeps you from slacking off, as stapfam indicated in post 28 above, but it also keeps you from going too hard on climbs. Judging from my peak condition last year (at 57 I was nearly fast as I was when I was racing at 21), avoiding overdoing it on climbs is crucial for getting the most out of my training rides. Wish I'd known that years ago; or, more accurately, wish I'd emulated the European pros who were putting in all those long, steady rides in the early season.

If you've going to do complex charting of rides that include intervals and the like, you should get one of the data-downloadable HRMs mentioned in the earlier posts. Me, I'd be just as happy with the Giant HRM on closeout at icyclesusa for ten bucks (https://tinyurl.com/7ps69t). The batteries (CR2025; usually around $4.00 each, I think) have expired on those, evidently, so you'll have to spring for a couple of those, too.

I just noticed that icyclesusa has the batteries available for $1.90 each.

alcanoe

Another thought on the question of using one. If you don't see the need, then your fitness objectives don't require one and it will be useless to you. There are many scientifically based reasons for using a HRM for both fitness and/or performance. There's also the motivational factor.

There are many media resources that go into depth on these reason's including the book Younger Next year which has a current thread on this site. Another, Spark, describes a 20,000 member county school system in the Chicago area which has revamped their phys ed program away from team sports to individual activities and training. Each student uses a HRM in gym class.

It appears that Florida's governor Crist is considering such a change for the Florida schools systems; at least he was before the down-economy.

Al

tntyz

I use the Edge 305 for recording walks all the time and do not have any problem with the distance recorded. Make sure you have the auto-pause feature set to "off" and the data recording to every second.

Beverly

I believe there is a setting for the mph at which the Edge quits recording. Check it and see if you can set it to zero.

alcanoe

My Forerunner does everything at a even a slow walk. However, the distance is not accurate as it only measures horizontal distance which is the case for all GPS. So if your going up and down hills, it'll be a little short. On the bike, I use my cyclometer for distance for that reason. You may also get an error (on the bike) at the low sampling rate if you have a lot of tight turns.

GPS elevation estimates are very inaccurate. Something like +/- 200 ft (?). So any true distance calculation would be erroneous anyhow.

If I remember correctly from reading both manuals (you can download them free), the Edge and the Forerunner have the identical functionality.

You have a map? My Forerunner only does a track. I use an Etrex for a topo map.

As mentioned, there is a low speed stetting. I use 2 mph so it quits recording when I take a snack break.

Al

DnvrFox

I use my Garmin 305 for walking and hikes with no problem. Maps and records speeds as low a 1 mph (actually, it stays on while you are stopped).