Suunto HRM
SteveR_100Milers
Posts: 5,987
Am considering a T4C. Anyone got one of the new ones - T3C, T4C or the T6C? I like the polar stuff but need it as a wristwatch as well and the S725 is just too big.
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I have a T6 but have stopped using it. I'd find that that speed / distance was about 20% less than that showing on other computers whilst on group rides. Suunto said it was possibily an issue with the alignment of the bike pod or that some updates were not being received by the watch. I would hope that later models have a stronger signal between pod and watch so that figures are more accurate.0
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I am looking at the T3C but purely as a HRM. How do you find the HRM function thenumber8?
Are you looking at it as a full on bike computer SteveR_1000Milers?0 -
campagsarge wrote:I am looking at the T3C but purely as a HRM. How do you find the HRM function thenumber8?
Are you looking at it as a full on bike computer SteveR_1000Milers?
No, only as an HRM/training aid, since I have already got a cateye strada and a Garmin 205..... :roll:0 -
Just done a bit of research on t'interweb. It seems the previous iterations of the chest belt had quality problems. The latest 'Comfort Belt' has addressed this.
The T4C has an onboard 'coach' but I was not sure if the extra £20 was that for the additional software.0 -
campagsarge wrote:I am looking at the T3C but purely as a HRM. How do you find the HRM function thenumber8?
Are you looking at it as a full on bike computer SteveR_1000Milers?
HRM is top class and I've never had any reliability issues with the chest belt either. I've had this for about 3 years now. The watch itself is pretty intuitive too - I used to use a Polar and the T6 has been miles better.0 -
Sorry SteveR_100Milers, I seemed to have hijacked your post :oops:
I will probably be getting a T3C in the next week or so and will let you know how I get on with it.0 -
No worries, opinions welcome its what the forum is about. I've ordered a T4C anyway tough I a deeply sceptical of "Training Effect". I'm intrigued by the Training Coach, if for no other reason it might provide some structure as work/family makes it difficult to have a rigid plan every week.0
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The Coach does look a pretty good piece of software and I cannot decide weather I need it or not. I can understand the TE in practice but everyone is responds to exercise differently so like you I am a little sceptical.
Can I ask where you bought yours from?0 -
I've had a T4 for a year now and I still use it everytime I'm training. I have had no issues with the belt (You watch the bugger break now!) and found the watch to be reliable.
I use the software that came with the watch and find it gives plenty of data which has been recorded over last year. For me this is the best bit as it gives you a push to do more seeing your improvements over periods of time. I also bought the PC wireless pod thingy which you download the data by pushing a button on the watch, this is a little dodgy and sometimes takes several attempts to send the information.
The training coach again is good as it gives you an incentive to work harder to gain a higher level. The training effect isn't as good as you could push all out for 30 minutes and get a high result or ride for 4-5 hours at 70-80% and get alot lower result, I find this very inacurate!
What you get is a good HRM with a decent way of keeping your training logs that is reliable.0 -
campagsarge wrote:The Coach does look a pretty good piece of software and I cannot decide weather I need it or not. I can understand the TE in practice but everyone is responds to exercise differently so like you I am a little sceptical.
Can I ask where you bought yours from?
from here:
http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/
Next day delivery included in the price and it was. Some helpful advice over the phone too.0 -
wingnut1 wrote:I've had a T4 for a year now and I still use it everytime I'm training. I have had no issues with the belt (You watch the bugger break now!) and found the watch to be reliable.
I use the software that came with the watch and find it gives plenty of data which has been recorded over last year. For me this is the best bit as it gives you a push to do more seeing your improvements over periods of time. I also bought the PC wireless pod thingy which you download the data by pushing a button on the watch, this is a little dodgy and sometimes takes several attempts to send the information.
The training coach again is good as it gives you an incentive to work harder to gain a higher level. The training effect isn't as good as you could push all out for 30 minutes and get a high result or ride for 4-5 hours at 70-80% and get alot lower result, I find this very inacurate!
What you get is a good HRM with a decent way of keeping your training logs that is reliable.
Maybe 4 hours at moderate intensity does have less effect on your ultimate speed (power?) than 30 minutes at your LT. The Training forum has plenty of info about this - a seach for "2x20" will give you a good idea.0 -
Thanks SteveR_100Milers, I went for the T4C as well. Wont be able to give it a go for a couple of days though as I have a nasty cold and my resting heart-rate is a bit skewed as a result.
Still, my body probably needs a rest!
Right, now I need to learn about intervals etc, etc. Over to the training forum!0 -
Used it t night for first time. I didnt figure out how to use the Coach session d'oh, and the TE target was at 1.0 Either way, it didnt register any TE number at all, and worryingly my HR is much higher than the readings I got from the Polar F11 or the Timex Bodylink.....0
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SteveR_100Milers wrote:worryingly my HR is much higher than the readings I got from the Polar F11 or the Timex Bodylink.....
how does it compare against your own measurement at rest, i.e. number of beats in 20 secs multiplied by 3?0 -
thenumber8 wrote:SteveR_100Milers wrote:worryingly my HR is much higher than the readings I got from the Polar F11 or the Timex Bodylink.....
how does it compare against your own measurement at rest, i.e. number of beats in 20 secs multiplied by 3?
Havent tried that bit yet, thats for this evening's testing.
In summary, there are 3 "concerns"
1. TE doesn't seem to work - its not registering any numbers at all
2. HR seems noticeably higher for same PE
3. Kcals function is woefully underestimated (178 Kcals for 1.5 hours at tempo pace is even more comedy than the Garmin's over estimation at 1800 Kcals, noit that this is important per se, just that it might be indicative of a fault somehwere....)
Have to say am disappointed already, although it could of course be that I have set it up incorrectly so final judgement is reserved.0 -
Just got mine today as well. Great service by heartratemonitors.co.uk BTW.
Just done an ad hoc calibration test with my Polar HRM. The T4C is about 1 bpm higher than my Polar. So far, I have found the T4C really responsive. The belt seems really comfy as well.
I just need to get my head around the TE software as I am not entirely sure what it does yet! My main criterion for this HRM was that it had to be robust, which it seems to be. Does the TE tell you to calm down if you are going to far into red?0 -
Had to send mine back - seems the most likely problem is because of the arrythmia / slightly odd ECG that I have means it misses some of the ECG data. it...
Then again it could just be faulty but seems unlikely. 0 -
A shame that, as it appears to be a pretty good piece of kit. Saying that, I am not sure how much I trust the TE software or even if I fully understand it! 0
