WHat do I look out for when buying a heart rate monitor.

I want to improve my fitness to prepare for several longish distance rides over the summer. I'd
like to buy a heart rate monitor to use in conjunction with my recently purchased but as yet unused
turbo trainer.

What features should I look out for in a heart rate monitor? Any recommended models?

Thanks

Vernon

vernon.levy wrote:

> I want to improve my fitness to prepare for several longish distance rides over the summer. I'd
> like to buy a heart rate monitor to use in conjunction with my recently purchased but as yet
> unused turbo trainer.
>
> What features should I look out for in a heart rate monitor? Any recommended models?

User-replaceable batteries, which rules out some of the Polar models.

vernon.levy wrote:
> I want to improve my fitness to prepare for several longish distance rides over the summer. I'd
> like to buy a heart rate monitor to use in conjunction with my recently purchased but as yet
> unused turbo trainer.
>
> What features should I look out for in a heart rate monitor? Any recommended models?
>
> Thanks
>
> Vernon

I used to have a Polar but now have a cheap one from Lidl. I need only to know what my HR is at any
point in time, I don't use the limits. The total calories used and average HR are interesting but I
am not sure if I have set the parameters right so I have no idea how accurate it is.

BTW I prefer the cheapo to the Polar as it has user replacable batteries, loses contact with my
heart less often and the handlebar mount is simply a piece of padding which the watch strap
wraps around.

"Zog The Undeniable" <ggg@hhh.net> wrote in message news:bqvkp3$jrf$2@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...

> > What features should I look out for in a heart rate monitor? Any recommended models?
>
> User-replaceable batteries, which rules out some of the Polar models.
>
I'm not sure which polar you are referring to, but I replace the batteries on mine. It's a little
fiddly and takes a couple of minutes but it only needs to be done every 2 years or so.

"Frank X" <Frank_spam52@yahoo.ie> wrote in message
news:bqvsnb$26pb44$1@ID-103389.news.uni-berlin.de...
>
> "Zog The Undeniable" <ggg@hhh.net> wrote in message news:bqvkp3$jrf$2@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
> > > What features should I look out for in a heart rate monitor? Any recommended models?
> >
> > User-replaceable batteries, which rules out some of the Polar models.
> >
> I'm not sure which polar you are referring to, but I replace the batteries on mine. It's a little
> fiddly and takes a couple of minutes but it only needs to be done every 2 years or so.
>
>

The main things to look out for are (owner) replaceable batteries, digital transmission to avoid
interference (probably more of an issue for runners than cyclists?), pc compatibility (if you want
to download your data, upload your settings) and bike data collection.

Wiggle have got a Timex Ironman T82541 with 38% reduction at the moment (£49.99). (Timex have now
introduced their Ironman Bodylink system and the old range seems to be discounted widely). I've been
considering this because I've had a few Timex watches and the batteries are replaceable. However, it
doesn't do lap times so I couldn't review my running splits and heart rate. There is an old 50 lap
model at £85.49 or else the Bodylink equivalent at £94.99. Beyond this I'd be looking at a Polar
with a pc link to up- and download data and they're more like £140 so I don't think so, somehow.

Polar has some top of the range equipment that measure bike speed, cadence etc as well as
heart rate.
___
Michael MacClancy

"MSeries" <skankmartin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bqvlvk$27mh5j$1@ID-207671.news.uni-berlin.de...
> vernon.levy wrote:

> > What features should I look out for in a heart rate monitor? Any recommended models?

> I used to have a Polar but now have a cheap one from Lidl. I need only to know what my HR is at
> any point in time, I don't use the limits. The total calories used and average HR are interesting
> but I am not sure if I have
set
> the parameters right so I have no idea how accurate it is.

I used to set the limits, but the novelty wore off. I did like my 10x lap and 10x average on my ALDI
one, and still have a passing interest in it.

As I mainly use the HRM to give a number to the level of exersion, I only really use the basic
"current HR". And I do find this very useful for pacing myself (whether that be pacing to go at "all
day" pace , or "maximum sustainable" (a useful approximation of the LT))

>
>
>Wiggle have got a Timex Ironman T82541 with 38% reduction at the moment (£49.99).
>

I spotted the Timex on the Wiggle site and ordered one before reading your message... as much as I'd
like to upload data to a computer, I don't want to pay throught the nose for the privlege :-)

> Beyond this I'd be looking at a Polar with a pc link to up- and download data and they're more
> like £140 so I don't think so, somehow.
>
>I'm not a spec junkie thankfully so I'm quite happy retaining the use of the £90 difference between
>the difference between the Timex and the Polar.
>
Vernon in Leeds