dieseldogpi

I am looking to get a decent heart rate monitor for under $100. It seems like a lot of monitors have connectivity and reliability issues. Just looking for everyone's input and experiences.

Pug

Polar has some models in your price range.

tadawdy

I have a Polar rs300x I got for about $90. Does pretty much anything you want a HR monitor to do, which includes time in user-definable zones.

mmmdonuts

I've been happy with Polar and Timex.

nimailni

I just bought 'Timex Personal Trainer' 5G971 as it was best rated by Consumer Reports. It got 93 points.
They measured Accuracy (against a highly accurate electrocardiograph) and Ease of use.
I have been trying to find recommendation online too, but I could not find any particular to stand out.

The rest of monitors from the test:
Timex Zone Trainer (92 points)
Sportline N5 (90),
Sportline Duo 1010 (88),
Omron HR-100C (88),
Acumen Ergo + (87),
Ekho E-15 (87),
Polar FT7 (86),
Bowflex Fit (86),
Mio (81),
Polar FT1 (75)
Lifespan (73)

You can get it for $42 at Amazon (down from $69) with free shipping.

dieseldogpi

Just what I was looking for, thanks. Have you used the timex yet? Your initial thoughts?

nimailni

No, I ordered it this morning. I was sick with waiting. It had better be good, too late for something else.

moralleper

I have that timex and have been very happy with it. When I first got it I would test accuracy by counting my bpm and it was always right on. I know have the watch mounted to my handlebars which is a little easier to read on the bike that way.

bassplyr

I have been using the Zephyr. It has BT connectivity and has been pretty reliable so far. I use it with Sportypal Pro. I think it was $99.

mmmdonuts

I've had a Timex T5J031 for over a year and it's been good so far. The chest strap batter has been replaced once. It had more features and better display for the price. I drove it thru heavy downpours on the bike and have ridden in the rain without any problems.

todayilearned

If you can get a Polar FT4 for ~$60 then it's a great HRM. If you need one that connects to a PC then Polar FT7.

I've been using the FT4 for 6 months now and it's very solid. There are a few reviews that state issues with the transmitter connecting with the watch after a few weeks. I haven't had that issue yet. I'm wondering if those people attach the transmitter and then flood the entire strap with water. That might mess up the transmitter.

Cleaning the strap after every work out with water and washing it every 6 workouts.

https://www.amazon.com/Polar-FT4F-Hea.../dp/B0031ZK84E

hhnngg1

For not much more you can get a very good gps+ hrm that allows downloads, which imo is very useful for analyzing your workouts. Garmin 305 for 129ish.

duckracer

I was thinking of getting a heart rate monitor, but do not know how you would use it. I currently use my computer and go by cadence. How do you guys use your heart rate monitor?

hhnngg1

To use a HRM properly for training/pacing, you really need to do a field test (TT type test) to determine HR zones for training, and then have a organized, targeted training plan based upon the HR. A powermeter complements the data - you look at both (although you generally target the power in training and just watch HR to make sure it's not too way off which would be a sign of bad zone data or overtraining/undertraining.)

The more casual way to use it is to just ride and then use a program like SportTracks to determine how long you've spent in each HR zone to estimate the quality of your workout, but that's nowhere near as good as using it on an organized training program.

dieseldogpi

Yeah, I plan on using a hrm with my indoor spinerval training. My trainer (kinetic) came with a test dvd to determine hr zones. I bought a couple of other spinerval dvds I want to use the hr data with.