What kind of HRM/Training Watch do you have?
Linli_Anne
Posts: 1,360 Member
Looking for recommendations, pros, cons etc. of the type of hrm/watches that are out there.
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I have a garmin 10. No HRM but a good basic watch that gives me my mileage and pace per mile. It also gives run/walk intervals (just played with this feature last week). I am sure it does other things that I just don't know.0
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I have Garmin FR210.
I love it.
And I hate it.
The charger/transfer thing is THE MOST ANNOYING STUPID THING EVER INVENTED!
If you get a Garmin, get one that transfer data via wifi or bluethoot. Or wathever way that doesn't involve getting 4 tiny metal pins exactly on 4 tiny little disks.
Other than that I love my HRM, I love Garmin Connect, I love my footpod.0 -
I have the Garmin FR60. I love it. It's non-gps but has the HRM strap and footpod. I calibrate the footpod on a track every several months and as long as I haven't moved it from shoe to shoe or drastically changed the angle of it it's really accurate. I have the watch set to flash between one screen with my current pace and total mileage and another screen with my HR and total time.
I can also set it to alert me if I'm not at a preset pace and other functions along those lines (which I've never used) and can design intervals based on either time or distance (which I've used a good deal).
I also use it for other workouts and if I ever get a bicycle I can get a deal where it hooks up to the bike and has speed and all that.
It transfers data through the ANT stick that plugs into a USB port.0 -
I use the Polar RC3 GPS, I like the Polar website where all the data is downloaded for analysis, a chest strap is used to pick up your heart rate. The watch has a choice of 7 screens for different sets of data as you run.0
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Garmin Forerunner 305. It works as expected. I wish it had a lighted screen for early morning runs in the dark. Haven't tried downloading and probably won't. Gives me mileage, pace and total time, which is all I use.0
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Lots of choices out there.
I am initially leaning towards the FR210 (although, should the 220s be available now?) for price range and functionality.
I'm ultimately interested in something that will give me pace, total distance, heart rate and time which seems like the 220 should satisfy.
For the poster who commented on getting the version with wifi/Bluetooth. I operate on android devices, and the garmin Bluetooth functionality is only compatible with devices using the iOS. But, if the charger/hook up is the worst part then I think I'll survive.0 -
I have Garmin FR210.
I love it.
And I hate it.
The charger/transfer thing is THE MOST ANNOYING STUPID THING EVER INVENTED!
If you get a Garmin, get one that transfer data via wifi or bluethoot. Or wathever way that doesn't involve getting 4 tiny metal pins exactly on 4 tiny little disks.
Other than that I love my HRM, I love Garmin Connect, I love my footpod.
Yeah, what she said
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Garmin Foreruner 610.
It transfers data wirelessly so none of the connecting to cradle problems.
I've been very happy with the watch overall. the touchscreen functions well (better than the bezel controls on the 405s). It's water resistant so you don't worry about running in the rain. It's a small enough form factor that it can be worn like a (slightly large) sports watch.
The screen is a bit small, I have trouble reading it without my glasses but that may be a defect in the user (old age) not the unit itself.....0 -
Garmin Forerunner 305. It works as expected. I wish it had a lighted screen for early morning runs in the dark. Haven't tried downloading and probably won't. Gives me mileage, pace and total time, which is all I use.
The Training center software that came with the 305s is very usable and useful, I miss my 305 - I liked the mufti sport settings......0 -
Garmin 410 currently. Have the 620 on pre-order but the estimated ship date keeps getting pushed back! grrrrr..0
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Another vote for the Garmin FR60. It's an older model, but does everything I need, and it's very simple.0
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I used the Garmin 910xt but it's a multi-function watch since I use it for cycling also.
I have used the Garmin Forerunner 305 previously and my only complaint was how long it took to find satellites. The 910 is a lot faster with that.0 -
Garmin Forerunner 305. It works as expected. I wish it had a lighted screen for early morning runs in the dark. Haven't tried downloading and probably won't. Gives me mileage, pace and total time, which is all I use.
305 is great, it does have a backlight, you just press the power switch. If and when this dies - been using it for 2 years solid I will be on ebay looking for another, robust and waterproof has multisport function and can add trainng plans.0 -
Garmin 610 without the HRM. I'm thinking about getting the strap though because you can never have too much data.
I don't use Garmin software because I believe it's sub-par. I upload directly to www.RunningAhead.com.0 -
No heart rate monitor, but I use a Soleus GPS watch. It was really affordable and does what I need...accurate gps, displays pace and distance..i will also display other things, but those are what I care about.
4 pin charging and upload setup (uploads into strava)..great battery life as well.0 -
I haven't looked at the Suunto or Polar HRM's in some time but my impression is that Garmin has the lion's share of the HRM market for runners (
because when I started running I went with the Garmin 305 and switched to a 610 a year ago. I like the extra features on the watch as well as the data that you can get from the 610 and 910 (and in the new 620).
The 620 should be shipping next Friday according to a tech support rep I spoke with earlier this week. There are a host of new features in the 620 as well as a much improved form factor.
The 220 looks like an excellent HRM, as well, but doesn't have some of the gee whiz features of the 620.
If you're shopping for a new HRM, you might save some $$ if hold off for a while for a couple of reasons:
1 - Christmas is coming and retailers will be slashing prices dramatically over the next few months.
2 - the new models from Garmin will put price pressure on the HRM market. The 620 is a torpedo in the water for the high end and will have a similar impact on the mid-range
3 - Garmin will be doing a rebate for folks who want to trade in their 610 for a 620. I was quoted $100 by Garmin tech support a couple of months ago but that may change//may have changed.0 -
Another Garmin 305 user here. I am plotting a bank robbery so I can get the 620 when it comes out.0
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Garmin 910XT. Like the training plan ability and multi-sport.0
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I am plotting a bank robbery so I can get the 620 when it comes out.
The 620 looks really cool. I wonder what battery life is going to be like on it since it is pretty slim compared to the 305 and 910.0 -
I have the Garmin 910xt. I don't use most of its capabilities but I love the barometric altimeter which gives you real-time information about hills you are climbing. Very handy for figuring "how far it is to the top" on a hilly run. Also love the 19-hour battery, which makes it useful on hikes and ultras, or just means you don't need to recharge as often. I don't use the HRM.
One intriguing new model coming up is an Adidas that doesn't require a HRM strap. That's probably the only way I'd use an HRM, but unfortunately the rest of the unit isn't up to par.
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/10/initial-thoughts-adidas.html
DC Rainmaker has exhaustive reviews of pretty much every GPS unit out there, so it's a great place to check out before you make a purchase.0 -
I've been using a Garmin FR110 for a little over a year now. I wanted something basic and it's been fine, for the most part.
I'm definitely going to drop $450 on the 620, though. I don't like the idea of wearing a chest strap, but I think I'll be willing to wear it once in a while just to see all of that data. I love stats!0 -
I used the Garmin forerunner 305 for 2 years before it stopped working. I was very happy with it. I went cheaper & bought a 110 a year or so ago. I'm not as happy with it due to the charging mechanism. It truly is annoying when you think you have the pins on the pad & you find out on your next run that they weren't. I also don't use the heart rate monitor anymore because of too much rubbage & I don't find the information useful.0
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Garmin 310xt here. I like the wireless downloading, the ability to load workouts and also the mulit-sport capability. I have a strap that allows the unit to popped off my wrist and onto my bike. My main focus is running these days, though I can see a triathlon in the future. I use garmin connect and strava to park my workouts and sport tracks to dig a little deeper into the feedback from the hrm, footpod and the unit itself. The 310xt also collects data from the bike sensor (speed and cadence).
+1 on DCrainmaker's site. Lot's of good info there.
Good luck and have fun!0 -
Garmin 210 with HRM here - Love it!
Shows me current pace, HR, time elapsed and distance which is all I need but I'll be using the intervals more in the near future and I also really like the lap timer. Can also train to HR zones but not something i've looked at.
The four pin charger clamp thing is a bit fiddly but I find if I just clamp it on and give it a wiggle til it clicks then I can see it starting to charge on the watch.
Garmin Connect software is good enough for what I want and the only thing I'd change would be the option to leave the light on when running in the dark (I know it would drain the battery faster but I'd only be out for a hour tops so I'd hope it would last for that).0 -
I have Garmin FR210.
I love it.
And I hate it.
The charger/transfer thing is THE MOST ANNOYING STUPID THING EVER INVENTED!
If you get a Garmin, get one that transfer data via wifi or bluethoot. Or wathever way that doesn't involve getting 4 tiny metal pins exactly on 4 tiny little disks.
Other than that I love my HRM, I love Garmin Connect, I love my footpod.
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that transfer cord is soooo annoying! I do like the watch though. The battery lasts awhile, too.0 -
I just got a Polar H6 that pairs with my iphone. If you have an iphone for music while you run this thing is perfect. Its inexpensive, has great tracking, works with other running apps, I love it.0
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Garmin 410 currently. Have the 620 on pre-order but the estimated ship date keeps getting pushed back! grrrrr..
This is what I aspire to... have the 410; would love to have the 620, I just don't think it's in the cards right now. My biggest issue with the 410 is the speed (or lack thereof) with which the satellites find my watch. Just this morning after letting my watch search for ~8-10 minutes, I finally gave up and just went for my run without the satellite connection (and therefore without most of the data that I actually use). Sigh. When it works, it works well. It just fails to find the satellites far too often to avoid frustration.0
