Cheap HRM Suggestions around $30?

momof3babes

Hi Guys- I want to try out an HRM but can't really spend much more than $30 or so. Any suggestions?

NatalieWinning

Mine was more than that. But my husband got it for my gift on e-bay (new) for half price of retail. Maybe you can check there!

kaymd

I want one too. I am curious what responses you get.

merrillfoster

Are the watch ones accurate, or do you need a chest band to get accurate results?

merebear

I ordered mine from Kohl's online. It is made by New Balance and it is gray with some pinkish purple around the face. I really like it but I am pretty sure that the calories burned reads about double what it should be so I usually stick with what MFP says. You put your fingers on the metal face to get your heart rate. I think the only way to have something that consistently measures your heart rate is one with a chest strap but that was more equipment and money that I wasn't interested in.
GOod Luck

kendradl

I would really watch when purchasing a cheap HRM, especially if you want it for counting calories. Most of the 'cheap' ones I found do not count the calories.

Don't know if you have airmiles? But it is worth checking out that is where I got mine from and didn't cost me anything, ebay I think is also a good suggestion, maybe craig's list or Kijiji depending on where you live.

Hope this helps you out, I am not an expert at all just posting from experience when looking for mine.

merrill - from what I understand you have to have the chest strap for the HRM to work properly, that is how it gets your heart rate. But don't quote me I could be wrong.

NatalieWinning

Sometimes you can spend too much money "cheap" and shoulda/woulda got a more expensive model. You might want to up your limit to "under $100".

WarmDontBurn

If you want something accurate you might have to spend a bit more. I just bought a Polar FT4 off ebay for $49.99 brand new in box. Maybe if you were to go to an older model you could get something more in your price range.

Here are a few older model Polar's:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polar-F6-Heart-Rate-Monitor-New-Box-/190495340055?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5a683617

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polar-F6-Heart-Rate-Monitor-Watch-and-T31-Chest-strap-/170593754982?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b82e1f66

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polar-f6-heart-monitor-and-watch-T31-coded-strap-/300518746722?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f8502a62

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polar-Fitness-Monitor-model-F4-/280619870613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41563f6995

The ones with chest straps are much more accurate.