General Discussion Triathlon Talk » The ultimate HRM Rss Feed  
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2006-12-18 12:28 PM

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Subject: The ultimate HRM

I have no HRM, no cycle computer, no electronics at all.  Where do I start to do research?  All I know so far is Garmin, Polar, CatEye.  What else should I look into.  I want something that works well together, not a bunch of disconnected pieces.

 



2006-12-18 12:34 PM
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Subject: RE: The ultimate HRM
I've never used a Polar, but I love my garmin forerunner 301, and I hear the forerunner 305 is better.  The 301 and 305 have gps and the HRM.  I think the biggest difference between the two models is that the 305 has improved gps and HRM reception. 
2006-12-18 12:37 PM
in reply to: #626973

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Subject: RE: The ultimate HRM
just start looking online at retailers such as Performancebike.com and look at specs in addition to the cost. It basically boils down to how much you want to spend. I didn't want to drop a bunch of loot, so I have a bike computer and a seperate polar heart rate monitor. That way I can run with the heart rate monitor and just attach the watch to the bike for my rides. (Polar makes an accessory that lets you attach the watch to your bike)

If you have the money to spend, you can get a bike computer that will read your heart rate as well. Then you just have to buy a wrist band receiver for your runs. Polar makes a unit for which the watch band attaches to a bike mount and also acts as your computer. The problem here is that you can't use it during races unless you want to kill time in transition.

some things to look for regarding bike computers: speed, avg speed, max speed, odometer, trip meter, ride time. (cadence meter requires a seperate attachment by your pedals so it cost a little more. I just count my pedal strokes)
2006-12-18 2:00 PM
in reply to: #626973

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Subject: RE: The ultimate HRM

I'll second the 305. I use it exclusively for my running and biking. I have the cadence sensor on my bike so I get everything I need in one unit. Plus, I can upload the session afterward to my PC and analyze it. A bike mount for the 305 is suppose to be unveiled in January so you'll be able to move the unit from wrist to bike and back easily. There is also talk of Garmin getting into power measurement via a partnership with SRM and/or Powertap. Pretty cool stuff!

If you shop around you can find the 305 for under $300. Well worth it IMO.

2006-12-18 2:31 PM
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Subject: RE: The ultimate HRM
Love my Garmin 305. Had it for 3 weeks and love it for running. Have not used it for biking yet. I previously used a HRM Timex Ironman.
2006-12-18 3:39 PM
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Subject: RE: The ultimate HRM
I'm a newbie to HRM myself, but I ended up picking the Polar CS300. I didn't have a cadence sensor and knew I needed to work on that. I also wanted something I could mount on the bike so I didn't have to keep looking at my wrist. I decided I didn't need GPS.


2006-12-18 4:09 PM
in reply to: #626973

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Subject: RE: The ultimate HRM

I have a Garmin 301 that I use for running and biking, but I use a Cateye for the cycle computer. 

I figure there is no real need to move up to the 305 yet, it might be nice to be able to track the cadence over the race, but I am less worried about that right now.

I guess I look at it, why drop the 100+ bucks for the 305 cadence stuff when I can do it for less than 30 with the Cateye system?  Now for my Tri bike I did get the Cateye Double wireless, and I was able to pick that up for 129 or so, but I think I could get a second sender unit and use it for all my bikes (well 2 of my bikes, the 3rd is a tandem and I know it will not work on it.)

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