Computer - HR Monitor and Cadence
 

I'm starting to look at xMas gifts for my wife. I'm thinking she might find value in a bike computer with an HR monitor and cadence. I don't want to spend the bucks for a Garmin 305 as she isn't interested in any of the GPS funcitonality.

Looks like there are a lot of options and I'm really don't know what is going to be the best bang for the buck for her. It'll have to be very simple to use and the ability to pull data down to the computer for logging would be great. Also, multiple bike units should be available, though she only needs cadence on one of them.

Suggestions? And why do you suggest the particular one you like?

Thanks!

BTW, I posted here instead of the Road forum as I think I'll get better responses than "use the search."

I decided to go with the Forerunner 305 you don't want. It tracks everything I want and shows what I want on the screen because of what I tell it what I want to display. The cadence sensor does a great job also. The HR monitor is just as accurate as my Polar was.

Just my opinion, but it was what I wanted because I wanted something I could also use running or other things.

Hi,

since I live in Germany and don´t know about prices in the US I have no idea what would be the best bang for the buck... But I recently bought the Polar CS 200 (plus cadence-set) and I´m pleased. I´ve trained with HR monitors for more than fifteen years and used several products - only to regretfully return to Polar every time I had tried some different brand: I think Polar makes the most reliable HR monitors and their chest-straps for the transmitter/sender are the most comfortable.

The display is rather large so I can easily read Speed / HR / Cad simultaneously. There are other options for what the display can show, but that´s what I use. There is a possibility to connect to a computer, but I don´t use it.

Not so nice is the sensor for the cadence, large and in my opinion ugly. And the speed-sensor and the magnet for the front wheel are not pretty either... So I hesitated, but since the Polar has won several tests in german bike-magazines and my experiences with this brand has always been good AND there was a special-price-offer... I bought it. And it works well.

Hope that helps!

Karl

I like my VDO wireless - Cadence, HR etc... It fits onthe bike an dhas a watch for when I go tothe gym. I also added the extra cadence accessory

Product Features (Just the HRM postion - see belwo for the cadence portion)

• Heart Rate Information: Current heart rate (permanently displayed), ECG-precise measurement
• Three selectable training zones
• Current time, selectable 12 or 24- hour display
• Weekday, Date (Day-Month-Year), Alarm-Function
• Hike-Mode / Walk-Mode; All heart rate functions
• UPC: 4037438060050

Product Description
Introducing the new VDO Z-Series Heart Rate Monitiors!The Z2 is a cycle computer with integrated heart rate monitoring, cadence, calorie consumption, fully digital wireless transmission for speed, heart rate and cadence. Current Speed; Current Trip Distance; Total Distance Bike 1 (resettable); Total Distance Bike 2 (resettable); Total Distance Bikes 1 + 2; Current trip timer (Range 0-24:00:00); Total Ride Timer Bike 1; Total Ride Timer Bike 2; Total Ride Timer Bikes 1 + 2; Average Speed; Real time comparison of actual and average speed, indication by arrows showing speed difference of +/- 1 km/h; Maximum Speed; Second, individually programmable distance counter; either forward or backward counting possible (NAVIGATOR) Bike Service-Interval-Display (Service-Interval presettable individually for bike 1 and bike 2), Cadence Data (optional, with cadence; Sender equipment installed), Current cadence, Average cadence, Maximum cadence. Two Presettable wheel circumferences (wheel sizes).

Cadence kIT:
This digital, wireless kit features everything you need to add cadence to your VDO Z-series cadence-ready bike computer.

• Includes transmitter, cadence magnet and battery
• Fits VDO Z1 and Z3 PC-Link, sold separately, and Z2, Z2 PC-Link and Z3 computers, available separately

I hate that "try searching comment" how about helping out a fellow cyclist!

I have a cat eye that only has cadence but I use a polar HR monitor with it. I like being able to use the HR monitor when I run or exercise other than biking. That being said I didn't know that there was a bike computer that has a separate watch so you can use the HR off the bike, that's pretty sweet.

I would definitely go wireless if possible, makes switching to another bike simple.

What is your price range? I recently purchased the Garmin Edge 305 from Amazon for just under $250 shipped. I don't know if any of the others mentioned are significantly less expensive than that?!? I love the Garmin. It's completely wireless and seems to work flawlessly. Also the GPS can be turned off for use indoors on a trainer. The only thing I don't like about it is that its basically a bike only device that I can't take to the gym to keep track of HR etc. . .

That is why I bought the Garmin Forerunner 305 and not the Edge.

Wait, so the edge 305 wont do HR off the bike? Why not?

It can do HR off the bike, but the size of it is what other people had complained about to me, that is why they recommended the Forerunner 305.

It will but you have to run around with a brick in your hand or have some sort of a case to carry the edge in. The forerunner is a watch style so you can use it for both very easily without the GPS functionality.

If you do not mind carrying the Edge around then it will work fine and tell you where you are running.

Ah. I can definitely see the point if youre only worried about HR and time, and cadence if your heart desires. But Im looking for reliable speed. The magnet based systems dont give me that warm feeling about reliability. GPS does. Maybe I just dont know enough yet.

Im currently looking somewhere between the edge 305 and the new Oregon series depending on if it has everything I need off the 705 or not. I do not care about cadence (should I?) but I do want HR for sure which is why Im not looking at the 605.

Is it really that big? specs say the 705 and 305 are similar size, and doesnt look that much bigger than a full size iPod. Has anyone seen an armband for it? I wear my iPod armband on my forearm so I can see the screen for time/distance of my Nike+.

I looked for an armband and couldn't find one, and the Garmin site didn't show one for the Edge. Another reason for me to use the Forerunner 305.

http://www.wirelessground.com/moroe1neacar.html
This armband is for a phone that is very close in size to the edge. They can be found on eBay very cheap.