Question for the fitness people

[JohnT]

I need a good exercise heart monitor but not Polar. Suggestions?

[Tom]

Timex has one that works with their watches. I've used that with success back when I was training.

[rab3rd]

Why not polar?

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

Why not polar?

The battery is not easily serviceable by the user. I know this through experience. Never again.

[rab3rd]

Ah, yes that is an issue. I have polars for my bikes (road and mountain) and really like them. Thats the only reason I asked.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

Ah, yes that is an issue. I have polars for my bikes (road and mountain) and really like them. Thats the only reason I asked.

Definitely a good monitor. I liked mine when it was working. Now it's in pieces in its box. I think a sub-$100 Timex would suit me fine.

[auddii]

At my favorite fitness blog, the guys use the Garmin forerunner 305. They are stats freaks and love that it keeps track of all sorts of info (I think it said up to 12 different measures). I've seen their info on average heartrate, heartrate (as a continuous graph), elevation, distance, and all sorts of other info. It does have a chest strap, so it's a little bulkier, and it's definitely not for everyone since it's priced at $200. Not sure what you're using it for, but it's probably really only for people covering distances (runners/bikers).

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by JohnT

The battery is not easily serviceable by the user. I know this through experience. Never again.

is this really true? i have a polar that i just changed the battery in (both watch and strap) and what took the longest was driving to batteries plus. not sure which model, but it was not a problem at all. i bought mine in 2006 or so....

my father likes the garmin. the have their issues as well. especially the 305. seems they aren't really water resistant. my father sweats a lot and shorted it out. he had to take apart and let dry. which, if you want to talk about "not easily serviceable," that was it. the newest model (has a grey and orange band) is suppose to be waterproof if i remember correctly.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

is this really true? i have a polar that i just changed the battery in (both watch and strap) and what took the longest was driving to batteries plus. not sure which model, but it was not a problem at all. i bought mine in 2006 or so....

I have a Polar F6 that I bought two or three years ago, and it's next to impossible to disassemble, replace the battery, and then reassemble while making sure it's sealed. I worked for almost an hour on it without success.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by JohnT

I have a Polar F6 that I bought two or three years ago, and it's next to impossible to disassemble, replace the battery, and then reassemble while making sure it's sealed. I worked for almost an hour on it without success.

well, here is mine. again, not sure what model. if change your mind about the polar thing, i haven't used in it the last 5 years and it has a new battery. i'm sure we could work something out....

[srwatters]

I used Polar for many years doing triathlon and found that maybe once every two years I had to send the unit in and have the battery changed. The cost for the watch battery service was a whopping $12 or something like that. And I trained pretty much every day. The year I did Ironman Florida, my peak week was 20+ hours of training and my Polar unit was with me for every one of those hours that year. I believe I've owned two chest straps over the life of that monitor.

Perhaps today's models are more power hungry and eat batteries, but I never felt that $6 per year was a cost out of range... Of course YMMV.

[carrbowl]

I have to agree. I have a Polar too, John and changing out the battery wasn't an issue. And mine is rated to swim up to like 50 feet. So I would just look at the watch. Now I will say this, mine has the band goes around your chest too, and that battery wears out much quicker than the watch, but still, the watch was easy to change. I think Garmins are suppose to be good and some of the newer ones will track if your paths outside for mileage.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

I have to agree. I have a Polar too, John and changing out the battery wasn't an issue. And mine is rated to swim up to like 50 feet. So I would just look at the watch. Now I will say this, mine has the band goes around your chest too, and that battery wears out much quicker than the watch, but still, the watch was easy to change. I think Garmins are suppose to be good and some of the newer ones will track if your paths outside for mileage.

My band is fine, and the cardio machines at the gym pick up the signal without issue. Are you saying that I should just look for a replacement wrist unit?

[revjvegas]

Garmin Forerunner 405cx.

The watch has a built in rechargeable battery and the chest strap is a single easy to replace battery.

A note: I had a timex and while the HR will be on target, the calories burned will be an over bloated number. It is a well known problem with the formula that they use....I even called them to confirm.

I also love that you can track all your workouts online and/or on the PC.

6 mile run in the park by revjvegas at Garmin Connect - Details

[revjvegas]

Originally Posted by JohnT

Definitely a good monitor. I liked mine when it was working. Now it's in pieces in its box. I think a sub-$100 Timex would suit me fine.

PS: if you really want to go with the Timex, I have one collecting dust that's still in good shape that I'll let you have for a steal.