New Garmin HR strap, Cardiotrainer or new HRM?

BerryH

I gave up using an HRM years ago because one more thing to remember just stopped me getting out of the door! I've since been relying on Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE).

I think I need to start using one again as I've started getting exercise-induced migraines and want to stay within my limits for Marathon training.

I have a Garmin 305, which is OK I guess but struggles to find the satellite signal, which is one reason I started using my phone with the Cardiotrainer app for speed/distance/route tracking instead. The HR chest strap stopped working despite changing the battery and re-synching. A replacement costs £35.99, but if I'm not sure that's what the problem is, that could be an expensive purchase, especially when the Garmin itself is far from state-of-the-art.

As I'm already using Cardiotrainer for my outdoor runs it seems a logical step to get the Polar Wearlink + strap that it's compatible with. But obviously this means I would need to keep my phone to hand to get a readout for my other workouts. And would having bluetooth on as well as Cardiotrainer drain my batteries fast on long runs?

The third option would be to get a whole new HRM such as the Polar FT4, which does the job and calculates calories but has no GPS. Hence complete solution for indoors but would need my phone too outdoors. And of course the strap isn't bluetooth so I couldn't use it with my phone!

My budget means I can't afford a complete GPS/HRM solution like the latest Garmin, unfortunately! So what's it to be clever MFP peeps? You decide!

1. Replacement HRM strap for Garmin (£30 but may not work)
2. Polar Wearlink + (£32 but ties me to my phone for a readout)
3. Polar FT 4 (£55, so honestly out of my budget, effective on its own but need phone for GPS)

Thanks!

GraceOrr

I have a Garmin forerunner 405 cx for training for races. I aslo have a Polar F4 and use that when im in the gym and just need calories burned and targe heart rate. I use both daily depending on my activity. I purchased both of my watches online, but Best Buy does sell a few models of Polar that I think would meet your needs.
I hope that helped.

jillybeanruns

Contact Garmin first. They will try and walk you through some technical support, otherwise they will send you a padded envelope (I believe postage paid) with instructions to send it to them. I believe they will look at it for a minimal fee (check with them) and then give you the 411 on what's wrong with it. From there, you can decide if it's worth it or not.

I have a 405CX that I broke the strap on. I can't part with it to get it fixed (it's taped right now) but will eventually...I also have a Polar FT60 but that's been acting wonky. I love the Garmin for my runs and the Polar for my strength and cross training. I'm down to using my Garmin for all workouts and I don't like it as much for the indoor workouts, as it's really built for endurance running.

jillybeanruns

Link for Garmin Repair Center where you can submit a ticket and find out more: https://my.garmin.com/rma/repair/repairLanding.htm

SueInAz

I don't necessarily have a suggestion for you but I can tell you that I'm using both a basic HRM (not a brand name, even!) and CardioTrainer on my phone. It can be something of a pain to start and stop both when I'm out for a run but when the run is over, I take the calories from my HRM and edit the calorie burn that CardioTrainer estimated (always low) so that it matches. That way, I have an accurate log in CardioTrainer and the HRM gets reset the next time I use it. It's cheap and it works for me!

lacroyx

2. Polar Wearlink + (£32 but ties me to my phone for a readout)

Thanks!

avoid it. battery life SUCKS. mine lasted uner 1 month. I replaced the batter and still acts very flaky. phone would freeze and/or hrm count would just lock at 255 bpm. Apparently only Panasonic brand batteries are any good in it. do NOT get it.

BerryH

I knew my MFP homies would come up with the goods, you've probably saved me a fortune there! :flowerforyou:

Garmin will be my first stop then if that proves impossible or expensive I'll go the basic HRM plus phone route.

Ilovedrinkingtea

I bough a new forerunner 405 on Ebay.co.uk there the week before Xmas for £50 - it included the chest strap and works like a charm for outdoor running and has gps! xx

SueInAz

I knew my MFP homies would come up with the goods, you've probably saved me a fortune there! :flowerforyou:

Garmin will be my first stop then if that proves impossible or expensive I'll go the basic HRM plus phone route.

I should have added that I looked into the Polar bluetooth model to do the same thing you were contemplating. I decided against it because at the time my phone had a very flaky GPS and the battery life wasn't so great. I'd think that running the bluetooth and the GPS at the same time would drain the battery pretty quickly. My new phone could probably handle it but I think when I'm ready for a new HRM I'm just going to buy another regular one. I really like CardioTrainer and being able to edit the calorie count is really enough for me.