HRM - How accurate are they?

Nothing can accurately predict calories burned.. at the end of the day it will all be an estimation.

I'm confused.. what Polar are you using? A T31 is the strap.. not an actual Polar model.

In general though, when set up correctly(age, weight, height, gender and Vo2max) and used in the correct conditions(steady state cardio and not weight training) they can be up to 80% accurate. If you figure out what your true max heart rate is, and enter that value manually, then the accuracy goes up a bit(to like 90% I want to say).

I have an old F4 which uses the strap that you mentioned (battery is not user replaceable) and my boyfriend has the newer FT4 model (transmitter is removable and battery user replaceable). I've used both (I changed his settings to reflect my measurements) and they both were super close to each other. I think it's a better estimation than entering numbers into a calculator, such as MFP because it uses your heart rate to measure your exertion, but it is just that. An estimation.

Nothing can accurately predict calories burned.. at the end of the day it will all be an estimation.

You're stating that it is a truth that estimates cannot be accurate?
Oy.

Could you provide a source for your 80% figure? I realize I could Google it but if you've got a few links, that would save me some time.

This thread reminds me of a conversation I had with an old farmer once. I asked how much milk comes from a cow. He told me they were all different so he couldn't give me a specific number. So I asked him what the average was. He scratched his head a moment and said, " Gee mister, the average varies"

Nothing can accurately predict calories burned.. at the end of the day it will all be an estimation.

You're stating that it is a truth that estimates cannot be accurate?
Oy.

Could you provide a source for your 80% figure? I realize I could Google it but if you've got a few links, that would save me some time.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/429688-new-hrm-how-to-make-the-calorie-estimate-more-accurate?hl=How+to+make+an+HRM+more+accurate&page=1#posts-5939315

Here is a link... Tells you all that you need to know and other links that support my 80% claim.

Also, what I meant was nothing can tell you oh you burned XYZ for sure.. like OP was implying.

I owe you an apology. I'm getting weary of some of the comments here on MFP as in the "if you do X, Y will happen!". The cider vinegar thread yesterday left me with my head in my hands. My comment to you was a result of that and what I wrote was uncalled for and unfounded.

Thanks for the link to the HRM thread It looks like an interesting thread — I'll read it over tonight!