What HRM are you using?
 

Looking to get a new HRM. ANT+ or BT Smart, it shouldn't matter, as it'll be used with the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt and my Samsung S7 Edge / S8 - both devices support both protocols.

Anyways, not sure if I should stick with chest monitor or move to optical technology like the Mio line or Scosche. Lots of options out there. Thoughts? I'm just more concerned with getting a general idea / readout for zones.

I'm using HRM-Run because some of the extra metrics are nice (like stride length when skiing) and HRM-Swim.

Had a Mio, it worked pretty well, except that you had to charge it every handful of hours. But moving your wrist can throw it off. It's useless for weight lifting.

Mio Link and velo work for me. More comfortable than my chest strap.

4iiii. It translates my Quarq's ANT+ signal to BT so I can use Zwift on my iPad.

I've been using a Scosche since Christmas. It works really well, comes with two washable arm bands, easy to take on and off, you don't have to dampen electrodes to make sure they make contact, you don't have to take your jersey off to make an adjustment if it slips. All it all I give it three thumbs up.

I have been with Garmin for the past 10 years, Edge 305, 500 now 520.

In case you are looking for a BT / optical HR monitor strap - look into the battery life of those things.
For example the scosche optical strap (on their site) shows a battery life of only 8 hours - which might be sufficient for club rides but will not do the job for Century rides or more.

Had this same monitor for almost a year, always pairs up and works great all the time. I like the rechargeable battery and the washable bands. I wear mine on my forearm but that's my preference. Worth every penny in my opinion. I use mine with a Garmin 520 but it's very versatile.

Tickr from Wahoo.

Not totally thrilled with it, it tends to be finicky where the phone is placed while riding. Can disconnect/connect very easily.

Another +1 for the Scosche. Have to ask you though.. you mention wearing yours on your forearm by preference, but I'm not aware of anywhere else on the body folks are supposed to wear these?

OT for Scosche users. I've always put the sensor on the inside of my forearm (where I can see some veins/arteries). Then I noticed the instructions say you can also wear this on the 'top' of your forearm, and the Scosche Rhythm homepage video also has lots of folks wearing the sensor in various different places. Does it really matter where the sensor is?
eg. taken from the video

I've heard of people using several straps and going around chest. I have seen it worn around calves and biceps and even with a home made strap around the thigh. My preference is based on the fore arm, that was my impression of where it should be worn but others have done it different.

By habit I put it on my left arm on the inside of the forearm.

Semantics but these should be referred to as heart rate sensors, not monitors.

Peeve. I know it is a loosing battle.


-Tim-

The only HR monitoring I do is when my kidneys say, "we're about to jump out your back!". Then I know I'm going too hard. :D

Wahoo Tickr. Connects easily and stays connected to my ELEMNT. Never drops, easy to put on and comfortable enough that I forget it's there.


I might try a wrist HR, just for ease of use.


Tickr is great.

I've forgotten I was wearing a chest strap for a few hours, even driven home wearing it. They're not that uncomfortable.

Scosche

Thanks everyone. It looks like I should probably go with the Scosche. I'll grab it from MEC (Canadian equivalent of REI) which means "unlimited" return policy if I don't like it...but I'm sure I will based on feedback here and online.

I've always worn mine like this:

https://media.dcrainmaker.com/images...2267_thumb.jpg

I've been using a Garmin HRM with chest strap for running and cycling. Works well and I forget its there once I get going.
https://static.garmincdn.com/en/prod...07/g/rf-lg.jpg

I'm also a 4iiii user (wearer?); I used to use it to send Powertap data to iPhone, but it works just fine as a straight up HRM, and has been on two BOLT rides so far without any issue.

Mio Fuse. Pairs well with my phone and my bike computer. Also has activity tracker, calorie counter, step counter, and sleep monitor.