Bike Forums - Wisdom needed on heart rate monitors

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)

- Training & Nutrition (https://www.bikeforums.net/training-nutrition/)

- - Wisdom needed on heart rate monitors (https://www.bikeforums.net/training-nutrition/174635-wisdom-needed-heart-rate-monitors.html)

Wisdom needed on heart rate monitors

I posted this in the road cycling thread, but figured I would post it here to because it deals a lot more with training.

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
http://heartmonitor.com/timex/timex...te_monitors.htm

or the Polar F6, http://heartmonitor.com/polar/polar...te_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

Quote:

Originally Posted by domestique

your links don't work

i have used POLAR for many years. if i were you, i would just get the cheaper models. you don't need all the gimmicky features. unless... i suppose you might want to graph HR's. i often suggest at least a HR zone feature...that's about it.

what do these people know about Timex not being accurate. they should all be very accurate.

the only way i could see Timex not being as accurate is if it is calculating HR over a shorter time span.

so can someone comment on why they think timex is no good???

From what I heard it was more along the lines of the Timex not working with the other features... such as the GPS etc. sorry about the links....

another attempt:
Polar F6

HTML Code:

http://heartmonitors.com/polar/polar_f6_heart_rate_monitors.htm

Timex
Timex Body Link System: Heart Rate Monitor T59571

HTML Code:

http://heartmonitors.com/timex/timex_bodylink_heart_monitor_heart_rate_monitors.htm

yes of course. POLAR has an "in" with many places. they were one of the originals. that is another reason i recommend this brand...so that the chest strap transmitter can be picked up by most exercise equipment, and also like you said the GPS, etc...

they both look great. if you don't need to use yours with other things, the timex will be fine. they are all accurate with regard to HR, this is the most important. i don't know what you need yours for, but i like the simple cheap ones. i know where i want to be all i need is a HR displayed. couple other options are nice:
-zone alarms
-maybe recovery HRs

thats all i really care about anyway, probably forgot something.

have you ever used a HR monitor?

thanks for your recommendation