Heart Rate Monitor - Alternative to Polar - EzPulse2

TonyL68

I know there's a lot of HRM threads, but I'm breaking this topic out in case someone can benefit from it.

The only continuous and accurate HRM I've found that does NOT require a chest strap is the ePulse2. For me, a chest strap was a non-starter because I had thoracic-entry back surgery that required access to my spinal cord via my right chest wall. The result is a 14 inch scar and an area of my chest wall that's really sore all the time because the ribcage was cracked open and spread. I can't tolerate anything strapped to it.

The ePulse2 is worn on the forearm. The only con I've found so far is that it is not submersible, so no swimming. Here's how it works:

DATA ENTERED:

* Age
* Weight
* resting HR
* gender
* height

DATA TRACKED (3 color screen):

* Current HR
* Target HR (cardio or fat burn selectable)
* length of workout
* stopwatch (if desired)
* calories burned

I believe it also will give you the average HR for the workout, percentage in your target zone, and other info but I haven't bothered figuring that out yet.

I got mine at Amazon for $89, US. I would reccomend it to a friend.

EDIT: It's not EzPulse, its ePulse. No idea why I put Ez...

BaconMD

Do you have any problems with your heart rate dropping super low while doing running, specifically running in place? I noticed on their website that their same technology is what is used in the HRM included with EA Sports Active 2, and I often found it was finicky about where I positioned it on my arm, and it would drop out while running.

However, last night I did an EASA2 workout and compared my heart rate in the game with my heart rate on my Polar FT7, and I'm happy to report that my heart rate was always pretty close. If they weren't exactly the same, the FT7 was usually 1-3 bpm faster, which is really not too big a deal. I won't compare the calorie counters on each, because I'm pretty sure EASA2 uses its own formulas that aren't related to the ePulse2 technology.

TonyL68

So far, it's been pretty steady and consistant. I'll pay closer attention when I run tonight and see.

Another question that I was asked is whether the battery life is bad. With the screen on constantly, the manual for the updated ePulse2 says you should get 3.5 hours. With the screen dimming feature on, its supposed to be 13 hours. I have not confirmed this myself yet.

mamamc03

I bought a Sportline from ****'s Sporting goods for $40, it works just like the Polar and it submersible.

TonyL68

I bought a Sportline from ****'s Sporting goods for $40, it works just like the Polar and it submersible.

I looked at that one, and was very close to getting it, but I didn't want to do that "touch" thing to get a reading.