For those Heart Rate Monitors

Life_is_Good
Life_is_Good Posts: 361 Member
in Motivation and Support
Looking into heart rate monitors that sync with phone and/or computer - I have an android.

1 - Does it really make a difference if it uploads to the phone/computer or is just as easy to manually enter results.
2 - What do you have, why do you like it... would you get the same or something different if you had the option...

Thanks for your input.
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Replies

  • EmilyOfTheSun
    EmilyOfTheSun Posts: 1,548 Member
    It's just as easy to enter manually.

    Polar FT7
  • SGT_Reg
    SGT_Reg Posts: 186 Member
    It's just as easy to enter manually.

    Polar FT7

    Yep
  • ladyonaquest
    ladyonaquest Posts: 605 Member
    I hear it's easier to enter it!! The syncing can get all messed up sometimes.
  • nettieluvstzu
    nettieluvstzu Posts: 8 Member
    I have a Polar FT4 and love it... never have any problems and it is easier to just enter it manually.
  • Bobtheangrytomato
    Bobtheangrytomato Posts: 251 Member
    Garmin probably has some that sync, but they're reallllllly expensive. I have a polar one that gives calories burned, I think it was around $90
  • whitleynoel
    whitleynoel Posts: 198 Member
    I have a Garmin FR70 and I love it. The mode button is hard to push for some reason but it transfers to the USB I have in my computer once my workout is done that they have an awesome user-friendly website that track everything. On top of the heart rate monitor I got the foot pod so it can track distance on the treadmill better then the treadmill on its own It also beeps when I run a mile and gives my mile per minute and instead on just a distance graph on the computer it give me a cadence and steps per minute chart as well. I always have my computer at home and I don't really want to take my phone with me to run/workout outside. It has an internal memory for if you take your watch to the gym or with you out of town where it can save your workouts until you get to you computer again (of course you could take the Garmin USB antennae with you). It also only took about 10 minutes to set up before I was ready to go. LOVE IT! Also, the chest strap is super comfortable, and the foot pod can clip on and shoe or fits in the Nike+ spot if you happen to like a pair of those.

    PS Heart rate monitors USA had the FR70 with the heart rate monitor and the foot pod for $130 with free shipping. Cheaper than buying it from Garmin.
  • staceyGO
    staceyGO Posts: 376
    I am on my third Polar and I hate it... but it would seem most people love them so maybe I just have horrible luck. But when it does work I also enter manually, I find it just as quick.
  • AMHouse85
    AMHouse85 Posts: 285 Member
    It's just as easy to enter manually.

    Polar FT7


    same here
  • eatcleanNtraindirty
    eatcleanNtraindirty Posts: 444 Member
    Motoactv. Heck of a lot more coolness than Polars.
  • the3erwins
    the3erwins Posts: 37 Member
    Polar Ft7

    I picked this one over the Ft 4 because you can upgrade it to interface with a computer . However, you have to buy an extra part to link them, and it seems to be just as easy without the link.
  • EmHorn4
    EmHorn4 Posts: 72 Member
    I have the Polar FT60 and I love it. I got it in summer of 2011 and I still think it is the best investment I ever made because I love stats. It doesn't auto upload anything, but I find that its pretty satisfying to manually enter the info...since for MFP purposes, its just the calories. And what a difference from what MFP thinks about the calories! The watch itself does show you week-to-week progress, and you can set up your own training program and it will help you view and achieve your weekly heart rate targets for the program you chose. I seemingly would want this all uploaded to my computer, but having it as its own little separate thing hasn't bothered me. The chest strap is also the most comfortable I have ever worn, I barely remember it is there while exercising. :smile:
  • whitleynoel
    whitleynoel Posts: 198 Member
    It's just as easy to enter manually.

    Polar FT7

    I love that mine syncs. It doesn't just sync distance, calories, and heart rate, but cadence and steps per minute (I know there are other features too but these are the ones that I use the most). I have never had a problem with it syncing and it is nice to have everything right there. Plus once a workout syncs the Garmin site has a place for workout notes so that you can keep track of anything different that you may have done.
  • SunKissed1989
    SunKissed1989 Posts: 1,314 Member
    I've got a Polar FT4
    So easy to use - enter your weight, height and age and you're set. Comes with a chest strap that can even be used when swimming (which burns a LOT of calories so was great to get an accurate reading underwater).
    Easy enough to enter calories manually - just press the button to state the end of your workout session and it gives you the length of time you were working out for and the number of calories burned. Can also pause the workout (without ending it altogether) if you need a break or if you're changing machines at the gym (which I do while working out).

    I love my Polar FT4 - dunno what I'd do without it...that sounds sad, but it's true :smile:
  • numsquat
    numsquat Posts: 133
    Depends on your usage/needs. If it's just for basic tracking (time, calories burned, etc) then getting something you set up on the watch would be your best bet for ease of use and cost. If you are looking for more features, something you set up/sync with a PC would be better.

    I have a Polar FT7 and it works fine for what it does. I upgraded to a Timex because my needs were for running and a little biking, more than just tracking a few basic items. The runners group I'm with seem to favor the Garmins and Timex. I still do my stat tracking on a spreadsheet (syncing online is a nice backup) but the ability to set up the different features of the Timex on the computer is much nicer than trying to do it on the watch itself.
  • kbodnaruk
    kbodnaruk Posts: 67
    I just purchased the Polar FT4 - I am new to running - in the process of doing a C25K and I also wanted something that could calculate my calorie burn with my DVD workouts. I have heard a lot of positives on the Polar so that is why I got that. I purchased from heart rate monitors USA this morning - $66 plus free shipping. Looking forward to receiving it! :)
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    I use an old Nike Triax C5 I bought 6-7 years ago. The sending unit broke and I replaced it with a Timex unit. Works like it suppose to. It's a basic running watch & HRM. I can calculate calories burned by going to a calorie calculator: http://www.calories-calculator.net/Calories_Burned_By_Heart_Rate.html
  • theolasvegas
    theolasvegas Posts: 2 Member
    Does anyone have the Sportline Duo 1010 heart rate monitor? I have the manual for this unit but it's so gosh darn confusing! I've checked out a few online reviews and one will say that it DOES calculate calories burned and another review will say that it doesn't.

    If anyone has this hrm and knows how to get it to the calories burned mode please let me know.

    Thanks and have a wonderful day! :)
  • DMUND
    DMUND Posts: 299 Member
    I have a Polar FT4 and love it... never have any problems and it is easier to just enter it manually.

    Same here!
  • LessMe2B
    LessMe2B Posts: 316
    I have a Polar FT4 and love it... never have any problems and it is easier to just enter it manually.

    This
  • Lmezz11
    Lmezz11 Posts: 619 Member
    Just as easy to enter it manually. I have a Polar FT4 and believe it is the best investment I have made. I LOVE IT! I've never had a problem with mine and it is user friendly.
  • nunep
    nunep Posts: 21
    Polar FT4 rocks! Easy to use :smile:
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    The cheaper Polars that sync just sync the workout results, Time of workout, length, avgHR, maxHR, calories, and time in your HR zones is computed.

    Hardly worth the $40 for the syncing unit.

    Now, if you get at least the RS300X, you can pair GPS or cadence or foot pod with it, and those stats will come across too. But no HR data for during the event, just final stats. And its about $10 more than others that will sync but miss the opportunity for add-ons.

    But, that is about the cheapest model for getting more accurate calorie burn info, all the cheaper ones are missing the required VO2max stat, which means if overweight but fit, you'll be getting underestimated calorie burn info.

    I have the Garmin 310XT, because it uploads all the data from the workout, and it has the best calorie burn formula, and just love examining the numbers for training.
  • BrawlerBella
    BrawlerBella Posts: 400 Member
    Hi there! I use a Zephyr HxM Bluetooth HRM with my Razr Droid Maxx along with Endomondo Pro app. Before I had an HTC EVO 4G. Never had a problem using my HRM with either phone.
  • kymham
    kymham Posts: 5 Member
    I have the Zypher. It works with android and I love it !
    I used polar previously and they were nice, I just love the techy ness of the Zypher!
  • CrackedMojo
    CrackedMojo Posts: 15 Member
    I have a Wahoo Blu HRM. Using the Wahoo or digifit app and manually enter calories into MFP. No big deal.
  • RosalindSutch
    RosalindSutch Posts: 5
    Def a Polar -- they have all kinds of ways to sync the data, but I mannually enter it into MFP because it takes zero extra effort. The data is stored though and you can analyze it outside of MFP if you so desire.
  • xxnellie146xx
    xxnellie146xx Posts: 996 Member
    Just as easy to enter it manually. I have a Polar FT4 and believe it is the best investment I have made. I LOVE IT! I've never had a problem with mine and it is user friendly.

    ^^this.
  • bugaha1
    bugaha1 Posts: 602 Member
    I have the RunKeeper app and I like it. I listen to music and every 5 minutes I hear a female voice telling me my distance and pace. I'm thinking about getting the HRM strap that works with my app.
  • SquidandWhale
    SquidandWhale Posts: 259
    I have a Polar FT40f that I have been using for the past year without a single glitch. I manually enter my work outs into a Excel document, and it's really not a hassle.
  • Linli_Anne
    Linli_Anne Posts: 1,360 Member
    I have a Pyle Sports HRM. I just enter my calories burned manually, no extra work really.

    My HRM is a bit of a cheaper model compared to a lot out there, but it fit my budget, has a chest strap, stop watch, high and low target hear rates, and I can enter my age/weight/V02max to get a decent idea of where my calories are at.

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