Best HRM for 100 buck and under

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  • idauria
    idauria Posts: 1,037 Member
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    I've been wondering the same thing about which HRM to buy. I have the desire to avoid a chest strap. Mostly because I think my boobs would get in the way. If I looked down, I'd never be able to see it to read it. If you put it under your t-shirt, how do you read it? Do you have to keep pulling your shirt off or something? I know nothing about these so maybe these are stupid questions but I just don't see how this would work for someone with a really big chest. It might get lost under there! lol

    The readings aren't on the chest strap itself. You also wear a watch on your wrist. That's where you'll see your readings. I was skeptical about the chest strap too so at first I bought an inexpensive HRM that was watch only and it was a piece of crap. I wised up and bought the Polar ft4 and never looked back. It's not uncomfortable at all. The strap is adjustable so you can make it as comfy as you like.
  • lsilly15
    lsilly15 Posts: 137 Member
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    I have the MIO with the chest strap (make sure it comes with that!) And i love it so far!
  • lsilly15
    lsilly15 Posts: 137 Member
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    I've been wondering the same thing about which HRM to buy. I have the desire to avoid a chest strap. Mostly because I think my boobs would get in the way. If I looked down, I'd never be able to see it to read it. If you put it under your t-shirt, how do you read it? Do you have to keep pulling your shirt off or something? I know nothing about these so maybe these are stupid questions but I just don't see how this would work for someone with a really big chest. It might get lost under there! lol

    The readings aren't on the chest strap itself. You also wear a watch on your wrist. That's where you'll see your readings. I was skeptical about the chest strap too so at first I bought an inexpensive HRM that was watch only and it was a piece of crap. I wised up and bought the Polar ft4 and never looked back. It's not uncomfortable at all. The strap is adjustable so you can make it as comfy as you like.


    I have a big chest and i thought the chest strap would get in the way -- not at all! just position it correctly
  • PeaceLoveVeggies
    PeaceLoveVeggies Posts: 682 Member
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    I just bought the Polar FT4 online, it's suppose to get here tomorrow. A lot of my friends say that they love theirs, so I got it too. I got it off of bodytronics.com for $61.88.
  • jrich1
    jrich1 Posts: 2,408 Member
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    If you dont get a chest strap then you will be sacrificing accuracy... go with a FT7
  • liroez29
    liroez29 Posts: 221
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    I am getting ready to buy on too, I am seeing an exercise specialist, I asked her advise and she said she likes the Polar heart rate monitors, said you can get them at Target or ****'s sporting goods. So that is what I am going to get I think. Hope you find one that you like!
  • pinkprincessmama
    pinkprincessmama Posts: 52 Member
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    I'm looking at the Polar FT60. Any reviews on that one? How does it compare to the FT4 and FT7?
  • aregensb
    aregensb Posts: 239 Member
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    I have a Omron HR-100C with a chest strap, I bought it for like $35. The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't calculate calories based on your heart rate. If I were to buy another one, I think I would probably get a Polar FT4 or FT7.
  • Butterfly3730
    Butterfly3730 Posts: 220
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    Polar FT4 (chest strap is included and very comfortable) and I love it! I would not do a HRM watch without the chest strap.
  • WhisperALullaby
    WhisperALullaby Posts: 67 Member
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    Bought a Polar FT7 for about $60 new on eBay. Amazon always has good prices on the Polar watches too if you're going to go with a chest strap then. New Balance has a cheap one too that isn't bad.
  • aregensb
    aregensb Posts: 239 Member
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    The chest straps really are very comfortable. I don't even notice it after I put it on.
  • zbmb30
    zbmb30 Posts: 178 Member
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    bump
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,293 Member
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    I'm looking at the Polar FT60. Any reviews on that one? How does it compare to the FT4 and FT7?

    I have heard great things about this one. It is more accurate as it allows you to input V02 Max, and it tells you how to do a fit test to determine your V02 Max. Studies have been done that show that about 70% of the inputs in the FT4 and FT7 (age, weight, gender, duration, HR) are accounted for, the remaining 30% are estimated and should be in the 85+% accuracy range. With V02 max the inputs would then account of 85ish% of total burn with only 15% being estimated, which puts you at the 90+% accuracy.

    Just make sure you do the V02 Max test and input it into the watch, you may also want to re-test this every couple of months as the more fit you become the higher your V02 Max should get.
  • willwhite78
    willwhite78 Posts: 21
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    I use a Zephyr HxM tethered to my Android Phone. I like to save and track my info, and I use SportyPal (Pro version) on my phone for outdoor riding, and "HeartRate Monitor" as the app when I'm using my bike indoors on the trainer.

    Depending on what you want, you can also get sensors that transmit using the "ANT+" protocol, and I believe Polar does their own as well. So make sure all the pieces of the system you look at are using the same protocol, for example a good number of newer phones can handle talking with the ANT+ devices, but most older ones need Bluetooth.
  • ebonyroche
    ebonyroche Posts: 675 Member
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    Polar FT7

    Edit - Sorry, did not read the second half saying you do not want a chest strap. The Polar has one for accurate measurements. Any particular reason you don't want a chest strap?
    I seems constricting, but if it the most accurate, I should try it. Do you wear it under your workout clothes?

    Yeah you wear it under your shirt and you place it right underneath where your sports bra ends
    Place it underneath where your sports bra ends? At the bottom not by your cleavage or where your heart is?

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