Looking for 1st Heart Rate Monitor and More

I've been using a Suunto T3 for about 2.5 years.  I think it's basically the same as the T3C except for some minor cosmetic differences.  I like the functionality of the watch/HRM, and the fact that I can wear it as a regular wristwatch, even with work clothes, and it doesn't scream "fitness geek."  Some people say the plastic face looks prone to scratching, but I wear mine on the inside of my wrist and have not had a problem.

The heart rate display is pretty big, time shows up medium sized, and some of the other data (split time, calories burned, "training effect", etc. are in pretty tiny font if your eyes are starting to go like mine are.  The watch logs something like 15 workouts for later review and transfer to PC, which is nice--you don't need to worry about transferring the data after every workout.

Different from Polar (and most literature), Suunto only has 3 heart rate zones.  I think it calculates max heart rate on its own from your personal data (I haven't figured out how to set max heart rate manually), but you can configure the percentage limits for zones 1, 2 & 3 (plus it will record time below zone 1 and above zone 3).  It also records average heart rate (total and for each split) and peak heart rate for each workout.

I've had very bad luck with the chest belts.  I originally had the older plastic kind, had one split at the attachment point and two more just up & died (don't know why, but I suspect water/sweat incursion fried the electronics).  All were quickly replaced under warranty, the last time with the newer Comfort Belt style which has a plastic disk at the front and the elastic sensor belt with electrical contacts snaps into it on both sides.

Recently, the catch on the end of the elastic strap broke.  Even though the watch is now out of warranty, when I explained that the belt was less than 8 months old they sent me a replacement for free with no hassle.

So, bad luck with the belts, but very good experiences with Suunto customer service.

One other con, does not pick up heart rate when swimming--the signal from the chest strap will not travel through water.  I believe Suunto offers a Memory Belt that will store the data and transfer it to the watch when it gets a connection, but I think that costs extra.

I haven't used any of the pods so can't really comment on those.

Edited by tjh 2009-06-18 6:42 PM

My Reebok Precision Trainer XT HRM was less than $30 and kicks total a$$.  Hasn't even hiccuped.