domestique

Okay, before anyone flames by saying try searching.... I just read over 40 old threads, and found little help, I also already checked road bike review, and found nothing.

Here is my problem; I want to get a heart rate monitor for around $100.

I have been looking at the Timex Body Link System: Heart Rate Monitor T59571
https://heartmonitor.com/timex/timex_...e_monitors.htm

or the Polar F6, https://heartmonitor.com/polar/polar_...e_monitors.htm

Both seem to have the features I am looking for, but I am worried about all the negative press I have been reading from Koffee Brown and others about Timex monitors not being that accurate. The Timex seems to have the most features, and also the capability to upgrade with the speed, and distance sensors later on.

I already have an Astrale 8, so please don't recommend the Polar s120 ,

Thanks a lot guys

StanSeven

I also commented negaively on the Timex. Even after Timex sent me a new replacement transmitter, it didn't work well. I had a difficult time getting the unit to function until I became sweaty, and then it often stopped after a while. I tried using water, saliva, and HR gel on the pads. I also tried adjusting the strap multiple times and it never worked right.

I gave up and brought an Oregon Scientific unit last week that was on sale at Performance. It functions flawlessly. My advice is stay away from Timex.

botto 

not going to really answer your question here.

i have to say that when it comes to HRM - and i've used them for a LONG time* - is the simpler the better. forget the HRM/bike computer/etc gadgets. As long as they show your HR you're fine. About the only other thing I'd like is the newer technology of a coding, so i don't pick up others HR.

Now that I've just written all that, I have to say that I recieved a Polar 810i in the mail a couple of days. A friend sent it to me (his company had a closet full for tests, and this was left over). I wouldn't mind uploading my HR onto my computer, but I'm a mac guy, so that's moot. For the record - i'd never pay for one.

*this is when HRM were at their golden age. HR, and only HR

caligurl

polar seems to be THE name for heartrate monitors! i've owned 3... an A5... that i replaced with the f11 (not because there was anything wrong with the a5.. but because i wanted the cool, new f11! i LOVE my f11!!!!!!!!!!!!) and the s720i for my bike....

GuitarWizard

I have a Polar F11, and it works well. I bought my gf a Polar M32 for Valentines Day, but she doesn't want it ("but the treadmill at the gym has a heart monitor thingy, why do I need that?").

If you want the M32, send me a message and I'll sell it for $100 shipped - new in box, never switched on.

terrymorse 

Not moot any more, Mac users can download Polar data with iSMARTTRAIN. I use it when I'm traveling with my PowerBook. It works fine.

TheKillerPenguin

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4115

Check out the Polar S150 on the link above- $79.99

botto 

i'm guessing i'll still have problems with my almost 4 year old non-bluetooth powerbook. i'll have to wait until spring when i hope to get a new one.

should have bought a new computer instead of a new bike last month

domestique

Thanks a lot for the replys, but can anyone give a review of the Polar f6?

msheron

You don't get wisdom from a HRM...............you only get your HR! LMAO.

msheron

I have a F6...............love it. Go to Polar's web site and review it's functions. It does everything I need a HRM to do. You will love it if you buy one.

squeegy200

I had a Timex that I used for about 8 months. Whenever I was close to any of my friends with Polar HRMs, it would freak out. Imagine my frustration when doing indoor training with a friend who was 5' away and because of the proximity could not read my Timex HRM. His Polar worked fine the entire time. This happened out on the road as well if I rode along side him.

After about 8 months, I could no longer get my chest strap to handshake the Timex monitor. I replaced the batteries on the chest strap, reset the watch, applied HRM gel to no avail. It no longer picks up a signal from the chest strap. All of the other functions remain operational but the HRM no longer works.

I ended up buying a polar and haven't looked back.

FIVE ONE SIX

i use the F6, and i like it alot. when i first got it, i thought the numbers on the display were a bit on the small side, but after i used it for the first time i decided that they were fine. actually, i like the fact that you can see your heart rate and other info at the same time. also, the backlight definitely comes in handy when you least expect it, like when you're at a spin class and lights are turned very low...

one bit of advice though, don't leave it in a gym bag, or anything similar where it can get bumped around. i left mine in my gym bag, and it must have bumped something and started an exercise, and when i looked at it several days later the battery was low. i know that i can take it to an authorized Polar service center and they'll change the battery, and i know that it was completely my fault and not the fault of the watch, but it was only several months old when this happened.

so basically, take care of it, and only handle it when you want to wear it...

domestique

You guys are awesome, thanks for all the posts, I think Im going to go with the F6. , can't until spring to come!!!

ctoddrun

First post over here on this forum, but happened to be searching this morning for some feedback on HRMs as I'm in the market for a new one. I have owned 4 F6's over the last 9 months. I loved them from a featuer/functionality perspective. The target zone thing is great, the fact that it remembers your upper and lower limits for the hard/moderate/easy zones so you don't have to enter limits every time is great (just choose the zone...) I especially loved the history function - it will allow you to find the duration, HR, and calorie stats for something like your last 12 workouts. I keep track of everything, but don't always do it every day, so that was really helpful.

The bad, however - I have had problems when cycling or running in cold - <30F - and dry weather with the HRM detecting my HR. I assumed that gel would correct this, but it was a rare enough problem that I hadn't gotten around to doing anything about it. Having read someone's else's feedback on the Timex, that may not have been enough. The REAL PROBLEM I've had with the F6 is that they have all died on me - everything just freezes up. Literally. The first time it happened, I had just started, and the HRM was beeping to tell me I was below target when it froze, and it beeped for 3 days until the batter died (I was on vacation...) Made for an interesting conversaton with airport security This has always happened during a workout, and always 80 - 90 days after the first use. I can't imagine that this is such a common problem that it hasn't been addressed by Polar, but can't for the life of me figure out how I could be so lucky to get 4 bad ones. The store that my wife bought the first one at has been great about replacing, so I've continued to use them, but have recently decided to try to go a different direction. That said, I'm having trouble finding the features at my budget, so might be right back there for number 5...

roadbuzz

I have the same problem, and the gel did not fix it. I suspect it stems from a combination of less perspiration, due to the cold, combined with cold weakening the battery. Keeping the band very tight helps, but isn't a solution.

You might try returning the unit directly to Polar. Could be your supplier got a big batch of bad ones. A few years ago I returned my 3 month old S210 to Polar for battery replacement because it had failed after 3 months. The replaced the receiver under warranty, the receipt indicated the reason as "high power consumption." I just had the battery replaced in the subsequent unit, 3 years later.

My only comment on the higher end Polars is that they are rediculously complicated to use, with documentation that doesn't do a very good job of how to use and access the features/functions. I mainly just use the basic functions... heart rate range settings (can't hear the hi/lo alarm beeping when riding at speed). Max heart rate function is useless. Virtually every ride where I might have hit a new max, I've also gone under power lines or whatever to cause it to wig out and log a rediculous (for me) max.

PistachioAddict

not to be personal but if a guy has a lot of chest rug sometimes the monitor won't pick up the signal and in labs test they shave em or use electro-conductive gel, funny but true

HPS

Allow me to cast my vote for the Sigma Sport PC 14.

No downloading of data but has lap, avg, max, % of max as well as the other standard features. Ive had it for about four month and during that time it has been flawless.

I wasn't totally sold on at first but the reviews were just too good to ignore. Then, my normal/every watch (a Timex Ironman) broke, so needed a watch with a lap timer for running. For $39.95, this is an OK watch, not necessarily stylish, rather bulky for everyday as it seems to sit a little higher on my wrist than most "normal" watch but as a HRM, and for $39.95, how can you go wrong?

ctoddrun

That's funny - I don't think of myself as having a lot of rug (still have a 15 years-ago image in my head) but I probably have above average. Maybe I'll shave it... gonna have to check with DW on that first

flipped4bikes

I have the Timex 59751. Recently got it fixed under warranty because the Indiglo crapped out. I love it! FM transmitter, so it doesn't clash with Polars, and isn't susceptible to misreads from power lines. I don't know if it can be interfered with another Timex. It's also got a nice little review feature. Batteries seems to run longer than in the Polars. It always transmits, and has all the features of the Ironman watches for a great price. I bought mine on eBay for about $60 shipped.

crank'n

Iv just purchased the Oregon scientific outbreaker 'plus', and hardwear to down load info. So far so good.

donrhummy

I have a $50 Polar and have had zero problems with it. I also checked consumer reports and Polar was far and away the best rated for accuracy.

TomMc1

I have a S725X and my wife has an F11. We haven't had any issues at all. I've ridden in 40degF weather but nothing colder than that and haven't needed to do anything other than wet the electrodes with some water before putting it on. She wears hers while swimming and hasn't had any issues at all.

The T31 wearlink strap is very comfy. I don't know if the F6 comes with this strap. If it doesn't you may want to look into getting one for it.

DocRay

If the Timex is of decent quality, it would be a first for this company.
My Polar CS200CAD is very accurate and just works.

Vinokurtov

I've got the bare bones bottm end Polar for racing, and a slightly better Polar for training. Pretty much flawless, all though it did read 58 when I was chasing Pizzaman up a hill the other day.