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Guest

Nov 30, 2007 4:31 PM

Which HRM do you recommend?

I have been running for the past two months and have been using a borrowed heart rate monitor. My mile time has improved from 12:40 to 8:40 and I have lost 34 pounds. Even though Im 40 and still overweight at 6-0, 250 lbs, I really enjoy running now. Does anyone have any recommendations for a heart rate monitor because there are so many. I am not really concerned about price but I don't want to be an idiot and pay for a bunch of features that I will never use. Features in a monitor I would like are the ability to keep track of pace on a track or on the road as well as the ability to calculate avg. HR.

Thanks
Click to view obadiahmethias's profile Amateur 8 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
1. Dec 2, 2007 9:10 AM in response to: Guest
The new Runner's World talks about some features of some HRMs out on the market today.

Might be worth looking at.

I had a Polar and use a Garmin 305 now. I love it.

Namaste,

Obi M
Click to view lgreenberg98's profile Pro 150 posts since
Nov 5, 2007
2. Dec 2, 2007 9:25 AM in response to: Guest
In a word - Polar.

If you're going to be running have a look at one of the ones which also tracks speed and distance.

-rs800sd
-rs400sd
-rs200sd
-625x

I've tried many of them and for pure features Polar wins. I currently own the rs800sd. You can choose either a GPS module or a footpod (or both) to track speed/distance and the HRM strap is the most comfortable out of all of them - it's all soft.

www.heartratemonitorsusa.com[/URL" target="_blank"> has a great selection for all brands and good pricing.

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LL Cool Racer[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view VictorN's profile Legend 406 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
3. Dec 2, 2007 1:51 PM in response to: Guest
If you are looking for a pure HRM, then get a Polar. If you also want to track distance and pace, then nothing beats the Garmin Forerunner 305. I have both a Polar S625X and a Forerunner 305. I never use the S625X.

Victor


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www.competitiverunner.com[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view Long Run Nick's profile Legend 265 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
4. Dec 2, 2007 2:50 PM in response to: Guest
I have used a bunch of different gagets ovet the years. My favorite is the Garmin 305--by far the best. Does it all. HR/GPS etc.

Oh, a word of caution. Please take your time. If you are serious about being a lifetime runner you need not be in such a hurry. You are still carrying a lot of weight. Slow down go further--not faster. Patience is a virtue and is the main foundation of lifetime runners. Flash in the pan types appear quickly and disappear even quicker. That has been my observations over the last 3+ decades of running. Nick
Click to view lgreenberg98's profile Pro 150 posts since
Nov 5, 2007
5. Dec 2, 2007 4:08 PM in response to: Guest
The Garmin is great - I own one too.

But the 625x is outdated. The rs800 and rs400 give the Garmin a run for it's money. The rs series is a watch that can be worn all the time. The Garmin is not.

For me the rs800 allows me to track HRM and speed/distance both inside and outside via GPS or footpod and can be worn all the time as my primary watch.


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LL Cool Racer[/URL" target="_blank">
Guest
6. Dec 4, 2007 1:42 AM in response to: Guest
Thanks for all the wonderful input. I am now armed with the ability to make an informed decision. I mainly want something that will help me keep my running organized, giving me input that will hopefully make sure that I don't go too fast too soon and keep running for a very long time.
Click to view AKTrail's profile Legend 360 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
7. Dec 4, 2007 2:10 AM in response to: Guest
I have a Polar S625sx which is what I use unless its batteries are getting replaced. I got a FR305 to use in the interim, and it seldom gets used, other than maybe for total distance occasionally. Since I do a lot of hill work, I like to get a reasonable estimate of the amt climb on a run. The 625 with its barometric altimeter does that. The FR305 is waaaaay off - like indicating 500 ft of climb on a flat route. The FR also tends to lose lap data unless I download after each run - at least mine does in SportsTracks.

More importantly for hr data, the Polar software provides a much better summary of the data. And I've never found a way of getting the FR data into there.

What I'll typically use on long runs where I want reliable data is my Polar hrm, then stick my Garmin handheld GSPmap 60CSx in my pack to log miles, stopped time, and a 2nd estimate of elevation change (barometric altimeter tied in with gps).

But a lot depends on what you want to do and how you train. It sounds like you might be more interested in a gps unit if you're primarily interested in pace and only calculating avg hr.
Guest
8. Dec 4, 2007 6:03 AM in response to: Guest
I just recently got myself a garmin forerunner 305 and it's amazing. I'd recommend it to anyone who is going to invest in any gadgets since it has everything you would ever need in a nice small package.
Click to view hurryinhoosier's profile Pro 61 posts since
Nov 14, 2007
9. Dec 4, 2007 9:48 AM in response to: Guest
Garmin 305

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Click to view daijoubu's profile Amateur 29 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
10. Dec 4, 2007 10:12 AM in response to: Guest
It's interesting that I see lots of Garmin and Polar users here. What about Suunto?

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Click to view easytarget061's profile Amateur 13 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
11. Dec 9, 2007 8:22 PM in response to: Guest
suunto is too expensive for what you get, software that comes with it is inferior to the polar, as is the garmin

if you actually want an HRM to train with, polar is the choice

if you're into this for gadgetry, get the garmin

if you want to look cool for people at work and act like you train and have the money to blow, get a suunto