Dream HRM / CycloComp / RunComp - worth it?

I purchased my HRM more than a couple years ago.  A Polar S410.  At the time, it was I would say mid to upper range for Polar's offering.  I used to use the Sally Edwards "points" system to log my workouts on a spreadsheet I created.  I uploaded my workouts onto the Polar software.  I consider myself somewhat of a techno-geek and it suited me fine.  I bought a Polar RS200SD earlier this year and sold it after a week when I found out that it didn't have the features I like on my S410.  My S410 is no longer waterproof so that is why I am looking.

Ideally, I would like a waterproof HRM that I can wear for all 3 legs that allows me to take splits, average HR, max HR and will store the complete file of more than one workout.  I would like it to be the size of a wristwatch and cost around $200.  So far I haven't found it yet. I don't care if it reads hr or not during the swim.  I never consider it during training.

I have since quit using the points system and now I will log my workouts here on BT.  So all I really use is the time, ave. HR, Max and min HR. 

I would kinda like a GPS unit( I used one for my first marathon), but I train by time, not miles and I get on USTAF's website to map my run for the distance.

On my bike, I have a Polar CS200CAD.  It does the same stuff as my S410, but I get mileage, cadence and distance as well as the other standard cyclocomp stuff.

A lot of people here like the Garmin 310 and the new 310XT.  I am sure they are great, but I am not sure I would want to have that on my wrist for 140.6 miles and if I understand correctly the chest strap is not waterproof for the HR? Plus they are much more than what I would like to spend.

Good luck!  Let me know what you find.  I will follow this thread to get some ideas.

I'm kind of in a fortunate situation in that I have lost my bike computer (clip broke and it went flying when I hit a bump), my old HRM is a piece of junk, and I've never had a running computer.  I would like to pool these monies together and get something good.

I really like the features of the Polar 800 Multi w/GPS.  Pros, it can do everything I want.  Agreed, HR is pretty much useless while swimming.  Cons, it's friggin expensive and it looks like a spaceship.  The Garmin stuff looks nice but I have no interest in fussing over battery power.  The 305 looks interesting but 10hrs of charge time is not acceptable.  With respect to the price of the higher Garmin models, I can't help but wander back to Polar.

So, let's say I throw down ~$500 on the Polar I want.  Will it be a waste of money?  Will I get bored of the high end features?  Are they a pain to manage?  You said that you reverted to a simpler training system.  Can you tell me more about why you did so?

Go Hoosiers! (I grew up in Bloomington)

Edited by miwoodar 2009-08-18 11:08 AM

Thanks for the advice folks.  I went with a Polar s625x.  I got a good deal on e-bay.  All I need is the speed sensor for the bike and I'm set.  I would have liked to have gotten the 800cs multi with GPS but I decided it wasn't worth the extra cash at this time.

You will be happy with the 625.  My 410 uses the same watch housing and it is very durable.  I think even more than the newer series.  I looked at one just on Friday.  I may pick one up over the winter.