Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008

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Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008
OptionResults
Garmin Forerunner 305113 Votes - [65.7%]
Polar S625x8 Votes - [4.65%]
Polar RS200SD3 Votes - [1.74%]
Timex Ironman Bodylink HRM/S&D3 Votes - [1.74%]
Polar RS8009 Votes - [5.23%]
Garmin 7052 Votes - [1.16%]
garmin 40518 Votes - [10.47%]
SUUNTO T63 Votes - [1.74%]
Garmin 2053 Votes - [1.74%]
Garmin Forerunner 503 Votes - [1.74%]
Polar RS400SD2 Votes - [1.16%]
Polar S1503 Votes - [1.74%]
Garmin Forerunner 3011 Votes - [0.58%]
Timex Ironman Triathlon Heart Rate Monitor1 Votes - [0.58%]

2008-11-22 5:53 PM

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Champion
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Subject: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008
What do you like about this device above all others that you have tried?

2008-11-22 9:50 PM
in reply to: #1821414

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Expert
1076
1000252525
Las Vegas, NV
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008
Garmin 705 as it has all the features of the 305 plus supports power meter functionality.   Still use a 305 for the run.  
2008-11-23 12:24 PM
in reply to: #1821414

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Regular
277
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Holland, MI
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008
Suunto T1C is great for me because it has all the basic functions you need and you can wear it all the time.  I have a Garmin Forerunner 405 as well and I didn't even end up using it because a. you have to charge it; b. I wouldn't be able to use it for everyday use
2008-11-23 8:13 PM
in reply to: #1821414

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Extreme Veteran
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Carpinteria, Ca.
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008
Garmin 305, does way more than I use if for but is by far my most trusted training partner.

But then again I don't play well with others!
2008-11-24 12:12 PM
in reply to: #1822729

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Austin, Texas or Jupiter, Florida
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008

No debate here.  Garmin 305. 

A buddy has the 405.  But I don't even know if you can mount that on the quick release for the bike like the 305.  Besides, the 305 is lighter than my G-shock watch.

The Best purchase I've made in fitness-gear...ever!!!

2008-11-24 1:12 PM
in reply to: #1821414

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Elite
3683
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Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008

Garmin 305...

I just bought it and I thought, OMG! It's HUGE! But, once you put it on, it's light enough that you don't feel it and it's just neat...I like the gobs of data you can monitor and especially like the virtual trainer.



2008-11-24 1:14 PM
in reply to: #1823649

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Master
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Woodbridge , Virginia
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008
GomesBolt - 2008-11-24 1:12 PM

No debate here.  Garmin 305. 

The Best purchase I've made in fitness-gear...ever!!!



What he said
2008-11-27 6:39 AM
in reply to: #1821414

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Expert
721
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Chenequa WI
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008

The best HR/GPS watch on the market today for a triathlete is the Polar RS800cx.  I use it in training and racing with the GPS and the footpod.  Features include - waterproof, tracks loads of training data including various HR stats, cadence, pacing, distance, stride length, altitude, and is compatible with Google Earth. 

It's pricey and overkill if all you want is an HR monitor or do not intend to utilize the software program to track your training and create reports.  

As a past Garmin owner, I traded in my 405 as it can't be raced with easily.  Both the Garmin 305 and 405 are great running watches and are great for training, but be aware they are harder to use during an actual race since the 305/405 are not made for swimming.  They can only withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes (not an issue for a runner but an obvious drawback for a triathlete).

2008-11-30 1:15 PM
in reply to: #1828608

Champion
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No excuses!
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008
Gritty - 2008-11-27 7:39 AM

The best HR/GPS watch on the market today for a triathlete is the Polar RS800cx.  I use it in training and racing with the GPS and the footpod.  Features include - waterproof, tracks loads of training data including various HR stats, cadence, pacing, distance, stride length, altitude, and is compatible with Google Earth. 

It's pricey and overkill if all you want is an HR monitor or do not intend to utilize the software program to track your training and create reports.  

As a past Garmin owner, I traded in my 405 as it can't be raced with easily.  Both the Garmin 305 and 405 are great running watches and are great for training, but be aware they are harder to use during an actual race since the 305/405 are not made for swimming.  They can only withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes (not an issue for a runner but an obvious drawback for a triathlete).

Really, this is great info. I have the Polar 625x and it is getting pretty well worn and have been eyeing the 305. That would be a pain for tris to not be able to swim with it.

2008-12-01 11:27 AM
in reply to: #1830958

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Master
1903
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Portland, Oregon
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008
Shermbelle - 2008-11-30 11:15 AM
Gritty - 2008-11-27 7:39 AM

The best HR/GPS watch on the market today for a triathlete is the Polar RS800cx.  I use it in training and racing with the GPS and the footpod.  Features include - waterproof, tracks loads of training data including various HR stats, cadence, pacing, distance, stride length, altitude, and is compatible with Google Earth. 

It's pricey and overkill if all you want is an HR monitor or do not intend to utilize the software program to track your training and create reports.  

As a past Garmin owner, I traded in my 405 as it can't be raced with easily.  Both the Garmin 305 and 405 are great running watches and are great for training, but be aware they are harder to use during an actual race since the 305/405 are not made for swimming.  They can only withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes (not an issue for a runner but an obvious drawback for a triathlete).

Really, this is great info. I have the Polar 625x and it is getting pretty well worn and have been eyeing the 305. That would be a pain for tris to not be able to swim with it.

That IS good info. I have the Garmin 305, and while I consider myself a numbers freak, until I googled the Polar, I had no idea the lengths to which I could go!   I think I'll save my $$ for next year and hope it comes down a bit.

I really like the Garmin 305 that I bought "for my husband" last xmas that I wear most of the time. I don't know how I ran without it. Love love love the pace feature. That alone has made me work a LOT harder on most runs. I do wish it was a bit smaller though, and  looked a bit more normal and less "Star Trek from the 60's".

2008-12-15 3:05 PM
in reply to: #1821414

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Veteran
263
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What used to be the country, PA
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008
I like the Forerunner 50 w/ the HRM and Footpod because it gives me gobs of data at a price that I could sneak in without breaking the family budget (thus allowing more tri-toys in the long run). The footpod required some dialing in for me, either because it came out of cal or because I don't run like the supermodel I envision it being calibrated on.

2008-12-16 10:45 AM
in reply to: #1821414

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Triathlete Nation ~ Texas!
Subject: RE: Best Heart-Rate/GPS Monitor - 2008

Garmin 305...

The only improvement would be to waterproof it for swim training! 

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