Reliable and inexpensive heart monitor ?

JimmyK
JimmyK Posts: 712
edited June 2009 in Road buying advice
can anybody suggest a reliable and inexpensive heart monitor for use whilst i am out on the road please.

Jimmy

Comments

  • sicknote
    sicknote Posts: 901
    Not used it but I have seen that Tesco's do a watch one for about £15 at the mo.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    Garmin Forerunner. I picked one up for £30 new a few months back. You can download the HR data to your computer too.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • pbt150
    pbt150 Posts: 316
    I've used a Polar FS2 for the past couple of years. Nothing fancy, just average and max HR, and exercise duration. I think I picked mine up for about £30.

    You can get a cheaper FS1 from Polar, but it's not got a coded chest strap so if you ride in a group it can interfere with other people.
    FTT
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  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    I have heard that lloyds chemists do one for £7 !
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    Decathlon sell them from £15 and work fine.
  • JimmyK
    JimmyK Posts: 712
    Wappygixer wrote:
    Decathlon sell them from £15 and work fine.


    have you a weblink for them ?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    If you can get one for 30 quid that you can download to a pooter then that has got to be a winner!
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    Her's the link http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/cw2-new-model-black-26922357/
    Or hows about this heart rate monitor and cycle computer in one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=300314990243
  • wrighty43
    wrighty43 Posts: 44
    i second the decathlon one, used it for my marathon training, and in the half marathon... The only problem is that sometimes i didnt find it too accurate, and it is no where near accurate for the first few minutes, or until you have started sweating
  • GemmaAtkinson1
    GemmaAtkinson1 Posts: 161
    i got the £10 lloyds pharmacy one. its okish, but tbh if you want to analyze your data as you inevitably will the more you use heart zones, then i would pick up something like the garmin forerunner for £40 on amazon....
  • JimmyK
    JimmyK Posts: 712
    wrighty43 wrote:
    i second the decathlon one, used it for my marathon training, and in the half marathon... The only problem is that sometimes i didnt find it too accurate, and it is no where near accurate for the first few minutes, or until you have started sweating


    what is the relevance to sweating ? the argos sourced one im using ( target fitness ) suggests you wet the back of the monitor that sits above where your heart is, ive no idea why though.
  • sicknote
    sicknote Posts: 901
    You can also have a look in Lidl's if you have one near you as mine still has the cycle computers with heart monitor for about £20

    I am using one myself and happy with it.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Bought the cheapest Polar made about 5 years ago. Put a battery in the watch and needed a new chest strap. Still going.

    Dennis Noward
  • kozzo
    kozzo Posts: 182
    Sigma PC 9
  • jenni056
    jenni056 Posts: 1
    I will suggest you Polar FS2 heart rate monitor.The main features of the Polar FS2 heart rate monitor are:

    * Continuous Heart Rate Monitoring
    * Manual Setting of Heart Rate Training Zone with Audio and Visual Alarm
    * Duration of Exercise Session (using its Stop Watch)
    * Average Heart Rate of Exercise Session
    * Maximum Heart Rate of Exercise Session
    * Basic Time Keeping - Time, Day of the Week, Date
    * Backlight
    * Wireless heart rate monitor composed of an analogue chest strap transmitter and wrist watch receiver
    * Water resistant up to 50m
  • fungus_the_muffin_man
    fungus_the_muffin_man Posts: 1,608
    JimmyK wrote:
    wrighty43 wrote:
    i second the decathlon one, used it for my marathon training, and in the half marathon... The only problem is that sometimes i didnt find it too accurate, and it is no where near accurate for the first few minutes, or until you have started sweating


    what is the relevance to sweating ? the argos sourced one im using ( target fitness ) suggests you wet the back of the monitor that sits above where your heart is, ive no idea why though.

    I have the decatlon one and it works fine. Used it for my running training checked it against my heart rate manually at times and it was spot on. Plus the little watch which comes with it had a chrono which also shows your HR at the same time which is useful.

    I presume you wet it so that it magnifies the electrical current as your heart polerises and de-polerises so the sensor picks it up easier.
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
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  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    +1 on the Garmin. It's great -- much better than my wife's Decathlon one :wink:

    Being able to pop the info on the PC is great too. The time/hr graph is fascinating.
  • bazza59
    bazza59 Posts: 33
    like sicknote I got the Lidl for just under £20. it worked fine for a few weeks but after getting it completely soaked during a very heavy rain shower its now fecked.
    My Polar F6 was good but I've misled the coded strap and they seem to be about £30 for a replacement....
  • GemmaAtkinson1
    GemmaAtkinson1 Posts: 161
    i got a garmin forerunner 50 for £30 on amazon. with a dongle to dload to pc and chest strap. its great!

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