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Heart Rate Monitors

spangey13
spangey13 Posts: 294
in Social Groups
Hi friends,

I realise there are posts all over the show about these, but my question is this:

Heart Rate Monitors are (to me) quite expensive. I noticed that US websites they are about USD$65 on sale - and even when you convert that to NZD, given that at the moment the exchange rate is pretty favourable, it converts to about $77.

So, I tried heartratemonitors.com and Amazon.com (and then had to go to summer soccer so didn't have much more of a chance to look). Is there any magical place where you can get a heart rate monitor online that isn't a piece of junk? (Have also tried Trade Me, but keep missing out!)

Really grateful for any comments!

Replies

  • Effpcos
    Effpcos Posts: 350 Member
    We looked at going down that route but decided to just get mine from Rebel, seeing as it's a piece of electronics that I'm using everyday (often several times a day) I figured it'd just be easier to get it local then be able to return it/exchange if there were any problems and avoid the shipping dramas. I got a Polar FT4, it was $137 (?) on sale (one of those rush in now, 10-60% off everything in store blah blah blah), I love it, it's really good quality, I've had no problems with it, waterproof, etc.
    My husband often buys electronics off internet (he's an HV electrician with a I-must-improve-everything complex) and it's very 50/50, even off Amazon, as to whether or not the product is genuine, new, or as advertised. A lot of the time you can't bring stuff into the country anyway.
  • spangey13
    spangey13 Posts: 294
    Thanks so much - after a bit of time wasting looking online, I haven't had a lot of luck.

    You can use those "redistribution warehouse" things, but they cost just as much as buying it new in NZ. And like you say, any problems with it, you want to be able to return it without the hassle.

    I might see if I can laybuy one. Thanks again!
  • g_jelly
    g_jelly Posts: 36 Member
    Hi,
    I got mine from eBay for <$90. It's is genuine and haven't had any issues with it. These guys have a store in Australia too so you can quite easily send stuff back.
    http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/sportmonitors/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686
  • spangey13
    spangey13 Posts: 294
    Hey thanks heaps for that. Now my question is? Do I buy pink cos I'm a girl, or black cos I'm also a boring girl??
  • trudob
    trudob Posts: 16 Member
    try trade me! sometimes they pop up on there. And I got pink.... (secretly to match my gym gear)
  • SashThompson
    SashThompson Posts: 130 Member
    I got my Polar FT40 off ebay for about $120usd. i also got my partners FT80 off ebay for about $160usd. His started having issues after about a year so we found the official Polar importer in Parnell in Auckland and took it in. They said it didn't matter that we bought it from the US and ended up replacing the whole thing free of charge because they couldn't fix the problem.

    Also, Get a pink one =D
  • spangey13
    spangey13 Posts: 294
    Thanks for all the comments. Still couldn't quite bring myself to spend the money on it when I'm supposed to be paying for wedding stuff. Maybe I'll go into Rebel Sport on Boxing Day and make Significant Other buy it for me.
  • bonjour24
    bonjour24 Posts: 1,119 Member
    i picked up a polar ft40 from rebel about 18 months ago. got it on special for $130. i stopped using it after a while- i was too fat and it kept losing my HR. also where it sat (right under my bra) was uncomfortable. but i've started using it again and the strap was dodgy- this was a few weeks ago (bearing in mind that this would be after the 1yr warranty). i took it back to rebel (without a receipt), and they sent it to polar who sent me a new strap free.

    i like knowing i can take it back if it gets stuffed.
  • spangey13
    spangey13 Posts: 294
    I ended up getting one off Trade Me for $80 - I think it is an older model, but so far I am happy with it. I doubt it would any longer be under warranty, but I am very pleased that I have it and if it did die (I suppose more like "when it does die") I will fork out for a new one. I was just a bit skeptical spending a lot of money on something gadgety when I'm supposed to be saving for a wedding!

    I have found with it that MFP seriously overestimated calories burned running (around 25%), and was waaaaaay under on the "dog walking" calories (gave me less than half).

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