Heart Rate Monitors

[WaterRat]

Looking to pick one up. Is Polar the best bet?

Ron

[Rockhound76]

Polar is very good. Go with one that has anti-crosstalk coding if you plan to workout near others with HRM's or ride a bike with a wireless computer.

Also look for waterproof models.

I have a cheap A5 (non coded). It works well enough for spin classes and swimming.

[Fox]

As with all purchases try to buy one that will meet your future needs as well as today's, I've got the base model Polar and it's very good but I should have got one that does lap times, now I've had to buy a lap time watch as well.

I've learnt my lesson and will be buying a nitrox computer even though for the time being I'm only qualified to dive standard air.

[creggur]

Have used a polar for 5 years now with no problems....Solid unit, but they start doing goofy things when the battery gets low, guess that's how you know when it's time to change it..

[bperrybap]

Originally Posted by Rockhound76

Polar is very good. Go with one that has anti-crosstalk coding if you plan to workout near others with HRM's or ride a bike with a wireless computer.

Also look for waterproof models.

I have a cheap A5 (non coded). It works well enough for spin classes and swimming.

I haven't looked at the newer Polars but the older
ones didn't have replaceable batteries in the chest
strap. This is the main thing I didn't like about the
Polars.
This is a deal killer for me. I had a polar years ago
and when the chest strap died, I bought a different
brand and made sure that the chest strap had a
replaceable battery.
(New batteries are cheap, new chest straps are not)

I also am not a fan of the digital coding or anti cross
talk models. not because I don't like the feature, but
because I use mine pretty much exclusively in the gym
and the equipment in the gyms like treadmills,
elliptical, bicycles, cardio equipment etc.. have heart
rate capabilities that will work with heart rate monitors
but not the coded/digital ones.
So if you want the convenience of integrating your
heart rate using a wireless chest strap into the cardio
machine, get a non coded version.
My wife and I go to the gym and use treadmills that
are so close together that they are touching and we
have no crosstalk issues.
The only time we see crosstalk is if we stand close
together. This might be an issue if you run/jog outside
with a partner, but in the gym it doesn't seem to
be an issue.

I like the cardiosport models. Inexpensive and the
chest straps have replaceable batteries.

--- bill

[gsdive]

I have used a heart rate monitor for years. As a matter of fact I have worn out two. My latest one is the polar S725X which links to my PDA and computer to transmit my workout data to my Vida one fitness software. Best investment to maximise your fitness program I have ever done.

[techgnostic]

Polar's are rock solid...having said that, my partner's died today (I bought if for her 6 years ago).

[comet24]

I use a Polar one. Not sure the model but never had a problem.

[CompuDude]

Or wait until the Galileo Sol is released in the US (UK only at the moment, supposed to come over later this year) and you'll have a Polar heart rate monitor your dive computer can read.

http://www.scubapro.co.uk/Default.asp?MIS=287

[uzzell20]

never used apolar but i know there are others on the market that work very well, just kep looking, im sure youll find one to meet your needs