build base or speed work? (Page 2)

I would love a Garmin 305, my wife and I both (at least currently) have jobs, and I still can't afford one (2 kids). I have a HRM that I got for about $50 shipped, it's a Sports Instruments Pro7. Which they just replaced for free due to a defect. A garmin with gps and all the bells and whistles would be nice, but you can get one for a lot less $$ that will give you all the info that you need.

agreed. . . I have a 305 and have had a 625x (and 200sd and timex, etc) and it is great, but truth is a $50 HRM will make a HUGE difference in training IHMO.

Of the more experienced here, is there a favorite HRM in the $50 range that gives more bang for the buck (one brand vs another)?

I have the Timex Ironman HRM that was recommended to me by several folks on this board- I got it on amazon.com for $60 something.  Love it.

To the best of my knowledge, most of the lower end models/brands are not really much different. I once used a low end polar that the watch part did nothing except show HR reading. No time, no stopwatch, no nothin. It worked very well.