Which HRM: Polar, Sigma or Suunto

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djurkash
djurkash Posts: 3
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, girls and guys
I have begun excising recently a lot, with the aim of improving my fitness, (and to win one bet to finish specific distance of 7.7km for 35 mins :))

I would like to buy a pulsemeter now, that I will use while running on a treadmill in the gym, and for outdoor running later as well.
I am thinking of the following models, so would like to hear your thoughts over those:

1) Sigma 25.10 (80 USD) : http://www.sigmasport.com/en/produkte/pulscomputer/onyx/pc_2510/
2) Polar RS300X (165 USD) : http://www.polar.com/en/products/improve_fitness/running_multisport/RS300X
3) Polar FT 7 (108 USD) : http://www.polar.com/en/products/get_active/fitness_crosstraining/FT7
4) Suunto M2 (136 USD) : http://www.suunto.com/Products/sports-watches/Suunto-M2/Suunto-M2-Black/

I am well aware that the watches are coming from different categories in price and functions, but I would like to have best value for the money.
Options that I find good to have are pulse zone training (out of zone sound signal is a plus), fitness test (or similar way of tracking fitness aerobic progress), if possible android phone compability (endomondo app) and compability with life-fitness treadmills. If endomondo is an issue, that PC compatible SW is good enough.
I hope belt comfort is not an issue with either of these watches...

Sorry for a bit longer post...thanks in advance...

Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
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    I have the Polar FT4 and it's been great. It's 3 years old now and I've only changed the battery once in the watch. It has the same basic functions as the FT7 but doesn't link to the computer. The strap is very comfortable and is made of a soft material so it doesn't irritate. Polar has a good reputation with their products and for support.
  • chelstakencharge
    chelstakencharge Posts: 1,021 Member
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    I LOVE my Polar FT4
  • djurkash
    djurkash Posts: 3
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    thanks,but FT4 looks a bit outdated, and I am not planning to buy new soon.
    Second thing is that Polar's price is a bit overrated in my country, this is the reason I am closer to purchase Sigma of all 4 options.
    Anyone having experience with Sigma?
  • Flyer69
    Flyer69 Posts: 100 Member
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    Doing a bit of research as well, Polar is most liked among MFP users and also been seen as the most accurate.
    I am thinking of buying the FT7
  • SmangeDiggs
    SmangeDiggs Posts: 238 Member
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    I love my FT4 had a sunnuto M4 prior to that and it was crap, completely died within 6 months of owning it
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    None of the cheaper FT4 or FT7's have any decent training features.

    Your RS300X does for Polar. Plus nice option to add footpod for indoor running, bike group for cadence and distance, and GPS for mapping and tracking. VO2max self-test, ect.

    But I'd also look at some Garmin's, as they have great workout features you can push to the device, rather than create on it (though you can too). Training zones, custom setup, ect.

    That Polar model is close. And you can get it cheaper than that price too.
    http://www.amazon.com/Polar-RS300X-Heart-Monitor-Watch/dp/B001W93YDS

    Polar is digital only, their proprietary signal, so the machines at gym would have to say Polar on them somewhere. Garmin won't work.

    Be aware though, treadmill only displays the HR from your sending unit, doesn't do anything with it, no alarms, ect. May have a HR program to auto-adjust speed and incline based on HR though.

    Sorry, no comment on others.

    This guy has some great detailed reviews on some of the Suunto models though.

    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews/suunto

    No Sigma though, but I'm pretty sure they made my first off brand watch that was relabeled. And except for the unusual setup, it has nice basic training features like HR zones and audible optional alarms.
    Worked great, sending unit finally broke where strap connected, probably after 10 years.
    They've come a long way since then looking at that info.

    All HRM in last 10+ years have EKG level accuracy - difference is length of battery life, sending distance, receiver sensitivity in noisy electrical environments, ect.

    When some say accurate, they are using talking calories, though they have absolutely nothing to compare it to in order to really offer an opinion. They see it's different, therefore it must be accurate.
  • djurkash
    djurkash Posts: 3
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    Thanks a lot, really really helpful...
    Although I like this RS300X, due to the high price in my market (and additional costs when ordering from Amazon in my country), I think I will go for Sigma.

    Perhaps, I'll be able to share my Sigma experience here, as it is rarity...
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
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    I had a suunto M5 for several years, served me great and was damn near indestructible.
  • Room112
    Room112 Posts: 7 Member
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    Have you considered a Polar H7 with the (free) Polar Beat app? You need a smartphone of course but the app is free, although you can buy some extra features for $8.

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