HRM question

don't forget about Suunto...after looking for days on end and comparing all three I went with the Suunto...it will be here tomorrow...out of all of them it was the only one that would monitor HR inthe pool by using the memory belt...the new t6c actually comes in a tri pack configuration also...

edited to add spaces...this keyboard is crap

I've got a Garmin 305, and I recommend it to all my cycling/athletic friends.  It has so many features that it's tough to beat... including heart rate zones.  The only downside is that the alarm (to tell you you've entered a different zone) is very quiet.

Also, some of the other GPS watches have a separate belt unit that is the GPS receiver.  The Garmin has the receiver built in.  Yeah... it's BIG on your wrist, but you don't have to worry about putting anything on (or, like I would, worry about forgetting to put the receiver on).

Someone may correct me if the Polar and Suuntu (sp?) now have integrated receivers.  I'm not sure.

-Joel

I have never seen a someone complain about the Garmin, except for maybe the occasional person that got a bad unit.  VERY rare.

I absolutely love mine, and it's my second favorite piece of equipment behind my bike.

Having tried all three, the only thing I can say is that the Polar HR monitor itself can be used at the gym on MOST TREADMILLS, and SPINNING MACHINE'S....

I don't know your background or if this matters, but it nice in the off season to go the gym and your strap work on all the machines....

I use the SUUNTO T6 for all my trail running, and hiking adventures.... So I am a big fan of that as well!

I got the Forerunner 405...much smaller. It costs a little more but I actually wear it as a watch to work and haven't been made fun of...yet. Its great because I run at lunch so having it as a watch is more convenient for me than the 305 since I don't have to pack a separate HRM for workouts. Plus IMO the 305 is Fugly :-)

 Garmin vs Suunto and Polar: Built in GPS with Garmin did it for me. I love it- no pods, accurate in normal conditions, etc. With Polar and Suunto you are stuck with pods, and I have running shoes in different locations (home and work) so would always be having to take the pods off.

Downside to Garmin: can't wear it in the pool, but HR in the water is not that interesting to me. I get plenty of data from runs and bikes.

I own a Garmin FR 305 and have been using it for the last 1.5 years . In the past , have used a Polar (not the RS200 but one of the older M150 or so). Polar works very well , if all you want to do is HR easily i.e. with minimal accessories. IMO , the FR 305 is a great buy and does distance very well and HR quite well (assuming u'r strap doesn't go out!) . I'd have to say that its probably one of the best fitness/tri purchases of mine.

Ultimately, u'll have to decide what features are really important to you but here are some downsides

- can't change the beeps sound or intensity (would be very helpful in noisy env.)

- can't monitor HR in water (not important to me)

- while it does retain charge for quite a bit , can't replace battery packs and have to charge it  (not a big deal but an irritant if you have a long run and ride close together)

- could be expensive coupled with a cadence sensor if u want it (but u get what u pay for)