Thinking of buying Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor...

I recently switched to a Wahoo TICKR chest strap and am very pleased with it so far - used for indoor and outdoor cycling. Mostly paired to a cycle computer or exercise bike but also pairs to my phone (there's a Wahoo app available for download). Price was also good.

Over the years I've not been impressed with the longevity and connectivity of Polar straps. My previous Garmin was better than the Polar straps but subject to odd weird and wonderful numbers that couldn't be true.

DCRainmaker is a good site for tech reviews and comparisons.

I have a Wahoo Tickr as well. It has lasted for years, although I've replaced the strap once for about $10. I also have the Wahoo cycling cadence and speed sensors. I put the cadence sensor on my shoe, so it works when I go to a spin class as well.

I've heard bad things about the more advanced Wahoo straps, such as the Tickr X or Tickr Fit. (But I don't have them.)

More recently, I've gotten a Garmin watch (Vivoactive 3m), which has continual optical HR and have really liked it. You are also able to get the watch to monitor the chest strap, which is neat, but not really necessary in most cases. Over-all, I think the watch really shines for running.

eric2light wrote: »

So, @Duck_Puddle @sijomial etc, If I just buy something like this below, I case use my phone and for biking and running, I'll be ok?

https://smile.amazon.com/Wahoo-TICKR-Heart-Monitor-Bluetooth/dp/B00INQVYZ8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Wahoo+TICKR&qid=1578005112&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=8-1

Yes.

And you don’t have to use the Wahoo app. I pair the HRM with my phone and then use Runkeeper. You can use the Wahoo app, but I like the detailed & customized audio prompts when I’m running, so I use Runkeeper.

Strava has stated that it wants to be a social hub, not a tracker. The tracking features are very limited. You are really meant to track with other apps and sinc to Strava. Strava is definitely the most popular "exercise social networking" app.

If you buy a Tickr (or Garmin) HR strap, you can track almost any exercise with the very simple Wahoo Fitness App. (But not swimming.) I used to do this all the time and I really liked it. You can automatically upload to Strava, if you like. You could also track your running with Runkeeper, Runtastic, Nike runner, Training Peaks, or any number of other running apps, uploading to Strava, if desired. For cycling, its nice (but not essential) to buy the speed and cadence sensors from Wahoo or Garmin as well, particularly if you want to put your bike on a stationary trainer. A good tracking app for cycling is RideWithGPS, which also serves to guide you on a new ride.

If you buy a Garmin watch, you can track everything, including swimming. You also get all the lifestyle monitoring stuff (steps, sleep, etc.). For example, it adds calories to your MFP diary if you have a particularly active day. I have had very good luck with my Vivoactive 3m, which is now sold for under $200 because it is the old model. Note that the watch will monitor the Wahoo or Garmin cadence/speed sensors and will also monitor the HR strap, but it also has built-in optical HR, so that's pretty unnecessary in most cases.

The hardest thing about Garmin is picking the watch because they have so many! My approach was to start cheap.

Capeech?

Best of luck!

I use the polar h10 with a polar watch. I love it! Extremely accurate.

If you get the TickrX rather than the tickr it will handle swimming for you (it has a memory feature so you can swim or anything you want without the phone then upload the workout after).

Wahoo speed and cadence sensors work with the Wahoo app on the phone now and will also work with a Garmin watch when you choose to get one.

You don’t need to invest in a watch right away. If you have the money, go ahead. But i would wait until you find out exactly what you enjoy doing, what features you want and which you can do without. That will make a big difference in the money you spend and your satisfaction with the device.

eric2light wrote: »

@Duck_Puddle I love the idea that the device has a memory so I don't have to keep the within range while swimming, for example!

Are these the things you are talking about?

https://smile.amazon.com/Wahoo-TICKR-Monitor-Memory-Bluetooth/dp/B00O5Y4FXA/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=TickrX&qid=1578118134&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=8-2

https://smile.amazon.com/Wahoo-Cycling-Cadence-Sensor-Bluetooth/dp/B01E0YRQIA/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Wahoo+speed+and+cadence+sensors&qid=1578118202&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=8-1

And, what watch would I get if I wanted to get one?

@Duck_Puddle, @Jthanmyfitnesspal , @sijomial , etc. you folks are SO kind!

Those are the things I talked about.

And as for a watch, there are probably 299485959505 watches on the market that will fit your needs (whatever they end up being). I would strongly suggest working with free phone apps and figuring out what you use, what you like, and what is missing. Use that info to decide which watch (if any) to get.

Even the cheaper good watches (that will be suitable for a biker/runner with speed/cadence sensors and things) run a couple/few hundred dollars. I wouldn’t spend that kind of money if I didn’t know what I wanted.

I have a Polar H10 and love it. Highly recommend it.

I love my watch. I have an expensive, heavily featured Garmin. It does a joy of things I appreciate. I would recommend either using your phone for a while, or shopping used. I would also consider a bike computer vs a watch, if you plan to spend a lot of time riding the bigger screen and easier access are worth it. It isn't a question of which one is best, it's a question of which features will you value.

Also, I've been using CooSpo chest straps for a while. As far as I can tell they're identical to any other in operation, but very reasonably priced.