Sounds like you've got 2 options. The first is a HRM with gps, like the Garmin. Those are going to be pretty expensive, but you might be able to find one used for less, if you were willing to go that route.

The other option is to go with a Suunto HRM that supports their pods. You can get a foot pod to track your running and a bike pod to track your rides, but at this point they don't have anything for swim distances. You'd have to price things out to see what pods/HRM you wanted as to what the hold deal would cost, but my guess is that it would be within your price range. At one point Suunto offered a triathlete pack that included all of this, but I think it came with a higher end HRM and maybe some other stuff too which made it really expensive (like $500, IIRC).


I have a Suunto M5 that I'm really happy with. I have the bike pod which works with the HRM to track speed and distance. I don't have a foot pod yet, though it's something I was thinking about until I broke down and started using the runkeeper app on my phone. Suunto does make a GPS pod, but from what I've read it loses signal rather easily and doesn't track elevation changes (which is a big negative, IMO, for a GPS device).

I've been wanting a Suunto memory belt (all the standard functions of a HRM, but it doesn't need the watch), but it's a little pricey considering I've already got a watch that works well. The memory belt would basically be for swimming and races where I don't wear the watch.

I actually got the garmin forerunner 450CX as a present but I know it was selling for like 200 bucks at costco. It's awesome--all the bells and whistles: time, distance, pace, the works. Totally shop around--there is bound to be something in your price range.

I have the Garmin 310 and love it. I like it over other Garmin units because of battery life (~20hrs). Some of the other models like the 410 only last ~7hrs. I do bigger events and need the extra time.

Unless you need super long battery life, and you can live with the size on your wrist, it's hard to see past the 305 for a great value option that is tried and tested.

I have two Garmins - the good ol' 305 and an FR60.

For the most part, they make great complements. I synced them up to each other, so they work together, vs/ individually. They both feed into the same data program, both are synced up to the same HR strap, and the same bike sensor. So, I can use either device for any workout, and still get one basic set of data. Bike, run, cadence, HR, you name it, I get it all. This is SO handy dandy.

Differences:
FR60 isn't gps. So I don't get all those cool workout maps. Not a big deal if I'm on the trainer or treadmill.
FR60 doesn't work on a recharge - it works more like a regular watch. So, I don't have to worry if I'm going REALLLLLYYYYYYYYY long. (Like that ever happens... Okay it happened once, but only once.)

I'm pretty darned happy with this setup. I do wish the 305 was more accurate with its altimeter - I like to know exactly how much I climbed, and the 305's altimeter is miserably inaccurate. Past that what's not to love.

Hey, isn't Garmin coming out with a new HRM that lets you collect swim data too? A friend was raving about this to me.

^^ Its the 910XT. Automatically picks up swim strokes, laps. It does everything the 310XT does but adds more waterproofing and the swim functions. Specifically designed with the multi-sport athlete in mind.
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/10/garmin-forerunner-910xt-in-depth-review.html

That's my Xmas 2012 pressie list sorted :bigsmile: