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Heart Rate Monitor

CristiLWCristiLW
in General Training Discussions

Looking to purchase my first heart rate monitor .... can't believe I don't have one already!!  Does anyone have any suggestions?

thanks,

Cristi

Comments

  • Josiah GarrisonJosiah Garrison
    Garmin 920xt or Fenix3. More $$ but worth the investment long term. You may not need all features today but you will eventually. IOW it can grow with you.
  • ezellrhezellrh
    If you are asking about a stand alone HR monitor, after years of chest scarring and frustration with HR straps of many different brands, I finally found the MIO Link which I now love. It's a wrist band that calculates HR based on an optical sensor. The Link doesn't display actual numbers (although it does display colors reflecting zones that you can set). It does transmit ANT+ to any devices that you may use (I have mine linked to a Garmin 910xt and Garmin 500 Edge). MIO also makes the Alpha, which displays actual numbers if you need that functionality.
  • Ralph MooreRalph Moore
    If you run with an iphone, you can get an Ant+ or bluetooth HR strap that will work with your phone to save and transmit your HR data. It is certainly not as fancy as some of the other options but it works for tracking HR and is much cheaper and I used digifit on the iphone for a year while I saved up for my garmin.

    If you have the bucks and are really into it, I agree the Garmin 920 or Fenix3 are great devices.

    Basically, go to DCrainmaker.com and read his reviews before you buy any tri tech device.

    Hope that helps
  • CristiLWCristiLW
    Thank you for the info. I have ordered a Garmin 920xt with a MIO link. Should have it in my hands tomorrow! Can't wait!
  • Stephanie HartmannStephanie Hartmann

    I use the garmin 910xt watch and the HRM that came with it. Works great. Prior to that I had the 310xt with the strap that came with it, worked fine. Now I have a back-up!

    My husband has a hell of a time with chest straps. I'll have to have him check out this MIO you speak of. And yes, DC Rainmaker is the absolute best when it comes to gadget reviews.

  • Stephanie HartmannStephanie Hartmann

    The MIO arrives tonight. Can't wait to use it!

  • CristiLWCristiLW
    Let me know how you like your MIO, Stephanie. Received mine and was able to work out with it yesterday. Worked great! Just need to learn all the ins and outs. Great purchase! Thanks for the suggestion Roy!
  • Stephanie HartmannStephanie Hartmann
    Love it! Works immediately, accurately... No chafing! Seriously, it's kinda weird having two gadgets on my wrist, but I'll take it.
  • John HenaultJohn Henault
    It's great to read that everyone likes the MIO. I've professed my love for the device in a few other threads. The whole no chafing thing is the best, hands down! Also, I have tested it against other HR straps and found that it matches others very closely. As for two devices on one wrist, you get used to it and don't even notice it after a while.
  • ezellrhezellrh
    I feel like if i wear one more braclet while i run (Garmin 910xt, Mio Link, & RoadID), i'll be able to get into a Tiffany concert for free ??
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Posted By <a href='http://members.endurancenation.us/ActivityFeed/tabid/61/userid/2381/Default.aspx' class='af-profile-link'>Roy Ezell</a> on 18 Feb 2015 11:20 PM
    I feel like if i wear one more braclet while i run (Garmin 910xt, Mio Link, & RoadID), i'll be able to get into a Tiffany concert for free ??
    Building your guns & delts as you run, eh?
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    will the MIOs last for an ironman?

    Link.   has ant+ and Bluetooth.     but specs say will not last for ironman.

    Alpha.     has Bluetooth only.    need ant+ for Garmin so this is a problem.      but WILL last for ironman per specs.

    So I am waiting for wrist HR monitor that is cheap, has ant+, and lasts for an Ironman.

  • Stephanie HartmannStephanie Hartmann
    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/01/mio-link-first-look.html
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    I like the HRM Run that comes with the Garmin 920. It does HR, but it also does cadence and all the run dynamics.

    Wrist HR would cool tho since it can sometimes be annoying wearing the chest strap.
  • CristiLWCristiLW
    Used the MIO now for over a week. I do feel it is a lot on my arm with the MIO and the Garmin but I think I will get used to it. Can't imagine having to deal with the chest strap. YUCK! I'll take a bunch of stuff on my arm every day over the strap. I like how it syncs up to my Garmin and my phone. Still working on options and features but happy with it so far.
  • Stephanie HartmannStephanie Hartmann

    I've had mine for a few weeks now and I love it. My old garmin 310xt is attached to my handlebars for my trainer workouts and the mio on my wrist is perfect. it is a lot on my wrist for running with the 910xt, but it's SO much nicer and more accurate/consistant and easier to use than the nasty chest strap, I'll never go back!

  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    I like my Mio Fuse.

    But again, none of the Mios are rated to last an Ironman.

    However, Mio customer service said only the Fuse may last an Ironman if not touched and the display stays off.

  • Stephanie HartmannStephanie Hartmann

    It doesn't really matter when racing, except maybe during the run. SO, wait until the run and then turn it on. HR data, for me, is for training.

  • Brad MarcusBrad Marcus
    Also just bought a Mio Link last week. I have to say its been great so far...no chafing, no dropped signals, spikes, etc. I've been wearing it on the same wrist as my Garmin 910 and its hit the 'MODE' button on the side of my Garmin a couple of times, but really not a big deal and as I've posted in a different thread, it's liberating not to wear a chest strap!

    The only downside is the battery time and that should only apply to a few very long training days and IM....but I'll take the trade-off.
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