Heart Rate Monitor?
 

I'm looking for some recommendations on a heart rate monitor. I am starting a running program based on Stu Mittleman's book: Slow Burn. I'll be running for time/heart-rate, rather than distance.

My current criteria:

- Clock or Chronometer
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Durability

I've looked at HRMs online and the various features many have are a bit overwhelming. That said, if there's a feature you've found particularly useful, or just can't live without, please let me know.

Any and all recommendations are welcome. I look forward to hearing from everyone.

Regards,
Aric

Aric,

Go with a Polar, they are the gold standard. They make about twenty different models that will fit your needs, so just shop around and try to get a good deal. They are very accurate, durable, and the newer chest straps are pretty comfortable.

jatx,

Only complaint is that I have trouble opening the chest strap again without feeling like I'm going to break it. Actually, as it is, I simply pull out a length of the band so that I can step out of it.

Martin

I'd be very surprised if you broke it. And if you do, there is a two year warranty on the wrist unit and chest transmitter. Still, I have never broken one in 16 years of usage.

I've had a Polar for 7 years and would recommend this brand as well. No problems with the wrist unit or chest strap.

I use the standard SF Team issued Suunto Advizor. It has served me well two years and counting...

Same here.

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone. I looked at the polar web site all night last night. So far I like the S120 and RS100 models...

I'll be looking at the Suunto site tonight.

I plan on deciding and purchasing by this weekend so keep those recommendations coming! :lifter

--Aric

Longtab,

I was looking at the Advizor on the Suunto website and noticed it's water resistant to only 30m...

Have you had any problems with it in rain or wet conditions?

Whatever I get, I figure I'll probably be wearing the receiver as a watch and I'd hate to worry about immersion problems...

Regards,
Aric

You planning on diving it to 100ft anytime soon?

While checking his heart rate!

TR

How'd you guess? :D

Actually, "water resistance" is a bit deceptive.

Check this out:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catal...%3A119237&pg=2

Regards,
Aric

No problems yet. I haven't checked my heart-rate at 100 feet yet either. But remember I only got mine for the price... free, plus I got a pair of M-Frames too!

Cool.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I'll let y'all know how things turn out.

Regards,
Aric

I have a sunnto advizor. I've never had a problem with it. And I swim with it on all the time. I've also taken it in the field, both here in Canada, and to Kandahar this summer for my little vacation in the sun.

Definitely takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. The only maintnance I've had to do is clean out the gunk that collects on the back of the watch. And the battery lasted me 2years, almost to the day.