Heart Rate Monitor

OK, I think I've posted all this before, but I'll say it again! I'm a newbie. I bought a couple $12  HRMs in Feb. '07.  Of course, my sweat, water, etc. burned out the straps in just a month or so.  Then I went on heartratemonitors.com, and bought one of the Timex Ironman ones, and was really happy with it, for the money.

Then I got a super deal on a Garmin 305 about a year ago around Christmas, what with rebate and sale from Costco and all.  I thought I was too new to need all that fancy stuff, but I was wrong!  The ability to compare pace and heart rate has really helped improve my running.  If I think I'm pushing hard, but my heart rate says I have a teeny ways to go, I can pick up the pace a bit.  I have added the cadence sensor to my bike.  Those of you who are reading, if you don't have a cadence sensor on your bike, go out right now and buy one!  Riding with the right cadence has saved my knees!  I highly recommend the Garmin 305.  Yes, you are right.  You are better off to bite the bullet, pay the bucks, and get a good HRM with all the bells and whistles, rather than buying 2 or 3 cheapies. 

I picked up a S.I Pro 9 from Nasbar for $20.  I was not to happy at first, but now that a few people on here helped me with how to use it I am happy with it.  IT does not allow PC interface.  It will sense the Polar T31 straps, which are sealed units so they might work in the water.

I was banging my head reading reviews and people's opinons on different HRMs, but for $20 I figured I coudl not go wrong and it would tell me what I really wanted for added features on the next one.

Joe

How long have you had yours?  I am asking for one for Christmas this year since my older Polar is just about dead.  After all the research I have done, it seems like the RS is the best one for what I want.  Essentially a unit that I can wear for all three disciplines and still record pace and distance when run training.

What do you like about it?  Any dislikes?  Does it upload to pc well?  Thanks.

I've had a Garmin 305 for only about a week now.  I am in love with it already.  Quite nice features and data tracking.  I am going to get the Cadence Sensor soon.  I really wish they would design some sort of bike mount for it though.

In case you are interested, here is where I got mine from:  http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=808&item=6G0200

It was the cheapest one I could find at $190 from a place I knew I could trust.  I found a few cheaper, and refurbished, but they didn't look too reputable.

 You mean like this:

 https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8544

Holy smokes, I wouldn't buy one for +-$500 either.  I have to assume that you aren't in/from the US.  Garmin 305's can be easily be found for around and under $200.

I've got a Nike Triax that I got on clearance last year from the LBS. 

Computer interface is bluetooth (or similar) with a USB dongle.  The chest strap and wristwatch parts are submersible (unlike the Garmin 305). 

It's got a footpod to measure speed/distance.  It has an adapter for cycling, but I haven't put it on my (crowded) handlebars.  It isn't tied into the bike computer. 

Disadvantages:  The wristwatch is pretty bulky and it has a voracious appetite for batteries.  In less than a year, I've replaced the watch battery twice and the heart strap battery twice (Note:  I don't know how much life was left in the batteries when I bought it. )  Part of this is the wireless link.