looking for a GPS watch and a heart rate sensor, any suggestions?
Robbnva
Posts: 590 Member
I've seen the ones together that are like $250, but I can't afford those. Is there a cheaper watch that will work with my polar h1 strap or maybe a cheaper one that comes with their own strap? I've got about $150 to spend. Thanks in advanced
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Here's one.
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-GPS-Enabled-Sport-Monitor/dp/B003JTLKIA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425568544&sr=8-2&keywords=garmin+gps+watch
No idea if its good or fits your needs beyond price.0 -
What activities do you do? What data are you truly trying to track?
At that price point you can find the older model Garmins (110 for running, 310xt if you're looking for multisport capability) ... some of the entry level systems like the Garmin Forerunner 15 .... the TomTom Runner is around $99 plus the cost of a separate bluetooth HR strap ...
One thing to look for in the cheaper GPS / HR sets is the construction of the HR strap itself. A lot of the older, cheaper models are the more rigid plastic straps, not the fabric ones. It can be a comfort issue.
Garmin uses ANT+ to talk between the HR strap and watch (any ANT+ strap works with their systems). Polar offers bluetooth straps (works with pretty much any bluetooth smart GPS watch). They are not interchangeable. Wahoo makes a HR strap that transmits to both for around $55 on Amazon. You can mix and match brands as long as the communication platform matches.
dcrainmaker.com has reviews of most systems and a comparison guide that lets you select by budget, moderate, and high end.
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dcrainmaker.com has really good reviews so you can decide for yourself. I think the Polar M400 might be your best option but definitely spend a bunch of time on that site. It's how I decided which watch to get (Garmin 220 but that cost 225)
Also consider getting older models, which are cheaper than the newer ones.0 -
Now spring is around the corner I'm going to get back into jogging, will probably jog 3x a week and walk on other days, maybe a class or 2 at the gym but mainly used for jogging.0
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Remember that even under ideal circumstances HRMs only provide an estimate on calories and are not designed or programmed for most classes, lifting, yoga, etc.
A less expensive option than a GPS watch is a HR strap paired to your phone and a free app.0 -
The running apps grossly miscalculate your actual running distance.0
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brianpperkins wrote: »Remember that even under ideal circumstances HRMs only provide an estimate on calories and are not designed or programmed for most classes, lifting, yoga, etc.
A less expensive option than a GPS watch is a HR strap paired to your phone and a free app.
The difference is huge.
I went for a run and I used my phone one day. It lost GPS when I went under an overpass & I lost about half of mile of tracking. After that, I did a test.
I started the app on my phone, approximately a minute and a half later, I started my Garmin watch (Forerunner 410). I was moving in the time lapse. The distance was the same.
The next day, I started and stopped them at approximately the same time. Over 0.25mi difference between the two.0 -
I saw a TomTom cardio that has a built in hr monitor, its kinda pricy though. Are the garmin watches good?0
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That depends more on your phone than the app. I was using Runkeeper for a couple years and loved it but when I switched to this Note 3 the GPS sucked donkey [censored] and was worthless as a tracking device. I have a Garmin Forerunner 220. A watch is tons better than the phone for sure. It's dedicated hardware and it doesn't matter if it rains on it and an incoming call/text doesn't mess it up.The running apps grossly miscalculate your actual running distance.
In my opinion the HRM isn't that necessary. The watch estimates calories sort of okay without it. Mine does give a slightly higher estimate without the HRM but I haven't used the chest strap with mine for months. I don't miss that part of it.0 -
I'm a polar fan because I swim, you can get a M400 inc HR strap for around 160 new on ebay.But I'm still waiting on mine, to do an eventually review in a couple of weeks. If you are willing to carry around your phone then you could just use that.0
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the fitbit Charge HR does steps and HR and if you don't mind bringing your phone with you, you can connect it to your phone and get GPS that way. the Charge HR is $1500
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That depends more on your phone than the app. I was using Runkeeper for a couple years and loved it but when I switched to this Note 3 the GPS sucked donkey [censored] and was worthless as a tracking device. I have a Garmin Forerunner 220. A watch is tons better than the phone for sure. It's dedicated hardware and it doesn't matter if it rains on it and an incoming call/text doesn't mess it up.The running apps grossly miscalculate your actual running distance.
In my opinion the HRM isn't that necessary. The watch estimates calories sort of okay without it. Mine does give a slightly higher estimate without the HRM but I haven't used the chest strap with mine for months. I don't miss that part of it.
Exactly. Blaming the app because of the limitations of a person's phone is putting the blame in the wrong place. For those that run known distances, a stopwatch works just fine.the fitbit Charge HR does steps and HR and if you don't mind bringing your phone with you, you can connect it to your phone and get GPS that way. the Charge HR is $150
The Fitbits with HR are good all day trackers that aren't doing great during exercise. The narrow band, lack of side shielding, and amount of bounce in the device allows light in which makes the HR collect inaccurate.
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I use a garmin forerunner 210. They can be expensive but I think it is totally worth it. I used mapmyrun once and it killed my phone battery quickly (granted I was also playing music and the battery was at 80%). That is not something I am willing to risk again. I also like how easy it is to just look down at my wrist.0
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I would second the Garmin devices (110 isn't the best but fits the price range)0
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brianpperkins wrote: »Remember that even under ideal circumstances HRMs only provide an estimate on calories and are not designed or programmed for most classes, lifting, yoga, etc.
A less expensive option than a GPS watch is a HR strap paired to your phone and a free app.
I was going to make this point, myself. While I love my GPS watch, it's not necessary if you have a smartphone and live in an area where you get a good data signal.0 -
I have had many different types. I would suggest a Garmin forerunner of some sort.
Go to dcrainmaker.com and look at the 10 or 15.
If you want to stick to your polar strap - look at the Polar models - the base ones don't have a GPS function but you can find a 400 or an RC3 for $150 on sale.0 -
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »
Garmin watches ans devices are excellent - I've had the 15, Fenix 2, 405, 405CX and a handheld 60CX and a bike 900.
Now, their website.... not always so good.
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Turn your phone on GPS navigation when you're going somewhere in your car and see how well it matches where you are vs. where it thinks you are. If it occasionally loses GPS signal or doesn't give you navigation prompts at the correct time I wouldn't use it to track running. I know this from experience.
// I hate my phone's GPS abilities.0 -
Turn your phone on GPS navigation when you're going somewhere in your car and see how well it matches where you are vs. where it thinks you are. If it occasionally loses GPS signal or doesn't give you navigation prompts at the correct time I wouldn't use it to track running. I know this from experience.
// I hate my phone's GPS abilities.
GPS phone accuracy is terrible. Certainly not good enough for running tracking. I get 10% - 30% error. That is huge!
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I have an old Garmin forerunner 305 with heart rate monitor. It works great. I see a used one on amazon for $55.0
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I've looked at all suggested, and others I've found. All have pros and cons, good and.bad reviews. I just need to bite the bullet and try one.0
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I'd go with a Garmin. I currently have the 410, and I also used to have the 405. Both are discontinued, and you can likely find them for cheap. The forerunner 10 and 15 are both under $150 (retail price). Personally, I'd skip the heart rate monitor and put the money towards getting a nicer watch. One of my watches came with a heart rate monitor, and I very rarely use it.
Be sure to look at DC Rainmaker's reviews before buying. His reviews are very in-depth and helpful. You'll be able to get a better sense of what features are important to you.
dcrainmaker.com/0 -
I bought the Garmin 910XT on a super special in Australia, it was around $300 including HRM. It is multi mode though (swimming, cycling as well) for tri training.
The HRM which came with it also syncs well with my Android phone.0 -
midnight419 wrote: »I'd go with a Garmin. I currently have the 410, and I also used to have the 405. Both are discontinued, and you can likely find them for cheap. The forerunner 10 and 15 are both under $150 (retail price). Personally, I'd skip the heart rate monitor and put the money towards getting a nicer watch. One of my watches came with a heart rate monitor, and I very rarely use it.
Be sure to look at DC Rainmaker's reviews before buying. His reviews are very in-depth and helpful. You'll be able to get a better sense of what features are important to you.
dcrainmaker.com/
Yeah I've been combing the site. But if I don't use a hrm, I won't know my calories burned...0 -
The m400 looks good, the TomTom runner is a good cheaper alternative. Both were 2014 picks by dcrainmaker0
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Yeah I've been combing the site. But if I don't use a hrm, I won't know my calories burned...
The watch calculates calories burned. For me, there's a very negligible different between the calorie estimates calculated with and without the HRM.
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midnight419 wrote: »I'd go with a Garmin. I currently have the 410, and I also used to have the 405. Both are discontinued, and you can likely find them for cheap. The forerunner 10 and 15 are both under $150 (retail price). Personally, I'd skip the heart rate monitor and put the money towards getting a nicer watch. One of my watches came with a heart rate monitor, and I very rarely use it.
Be sure to look at DC Rainmaker's reviews before buying. His reviews are very in-depth and helpful. You'll be able to get a better sense of what features are important to you.
dcrainmaker.com/
Yeah I've been combing the site. But if I don't use a hrm, I won't know my calories burned...
HRMs are not all that accurate for calorie estimation either.0 -
brianpperkins wrote: »midnight419 wrote: »I'd go with a Garmin. I currently have the 410, and I also used to have the 405. Both are discontinued, and you can likely find them for cheap. The forerunner 10 and 15 are both under $150 (retail price). Personally, I'd skip the heart rate monitor and put the money towards getting a nicer watch. One of my watches came with a heart rate monitor, and I very rarely use it.
Be sure to look at DC Rainmaker's reviews before buying. His reviews are very in-depth and helpful. You'll be able to get a better sense of what features are important to you.
dcrainmaker.com/
Yeah I've been combing the site. But if I don't use a hrm, I won't know my calories burned...
HRMs are not all that accurate for calorie estimation either.
Good point. Plus I.guess I.can wear my current heart rate watch/monitor when I run, 2 watches lol
OK back to do more research. I still sort of like the m4000
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