HRM - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly?

I bought a very reasonable Mio at Acadamy sporting goods. Love it.

Just an opinion, but the Heart Rate on that screen doesn't appear to be very large. You may find this to be challenging to read when on the move. If you are doing any zone type training (e.g. trying to remain at a certain heart rate despite changes in terrain etc) you'll be checking the HR very regularly and you'll want it to be instantly readable.

On my FT4 its takes up half the screen when the mode is on % heart rate (my preference) and I find that to be great.

Otherwise it looks like a nice device and at £12, well you cannot go wrong really.

Just an opinion, but the Heart Rate on that screen doesn't appear to be very large. You may find this to be challenging to read when on the move. If you are doing any zone type training (e.g. trying to remain at a certain heart rate despite changes in terrain etc) you'll be checking the HR very regularly and you'll want it to be instantly readable.

On my FT4 its takes up half the screen when the mode is on % heart rate (my preference) and I find that to be great.

Otherwise it looks like a nice device and at £12, well you cannot go wrong really.

I've not really had any problems with the size of the display, and there is 2 functions that cover the target heart beat, the first is a manually set one that you can programme in, it then bleeps when you fall outside of the range or go over it (different bleeps I believe)
The other one is even easier, when you get to the level you want to sustain, all you do is press and hold the light button for 2 seconds, this activates the automatic range set function and again it will let you know if your heart rate changes from the current level.

I have a Polar FT7 and I love it. I like the displays I like that I can see lapsed time & actual time. And I like that I can pull up old workouts on it. But you need to understand some limitations.

I use it for running & biking to track, time, calories, and HR. I do not use it for weight training because it gets in the way and it is not as accurate during those activities.

I have used it a couple times when swimming. However, when I push off the side the HR Element always moves and messes up the reading so I don't mess with it. It might work better in a fully body swimsuit. Read the instructions regarding water use.

Another thing to think about when using an HRM is the calories you would have burned anyway had you spent that exercise time sitting on the couch. For instance. My daily calorie goal is 2350. If I run for an hour and my HRM says I burned 1100 calories. I deduct 100 from that total, because theoreticaly I would have burned just under 100 calories had I been reading or watching TV during that hour. Clear as mud right?

I haven't been going by MFP's calories burned, but I have been going by what the machine at the gym is telling me. I was just wondering if anyone knows how accurate those are compared to MFP or a HRM. Thanks!

Hmmm ,that seems to be the favored HRM. Do you happen to remember what the average descrepancy was from MFP and the HRM?

For me MFP overestimated my calories by as much as 400-500cals per hour of vigorous exercise. I have FT60 and I love it

I find MFP over estimates most of their activities. I have a PolarFT4 & LOVE IT!
Soft strap. Accurate. Very nice to have. It keeps me moving to burn lots of calories.

^^ Couldn't agree more!!! ^^^

I find MFP over estimates most of their activities. I have a PolarFT4 & LOVE IT!
Soft strap. Accurate. Very nice to have. It keeps me moving to burn lots of calories.

AGREE - however do you use yours in the pool? I want to track swimming calories but it doesnt seem to work?

The only one that tracks underwater is the Polar RCX5 - a little on the pricey side but it looks to be an awesome bit of kit

I just got the Polar FT60 last week, so far, I'm loving it. MFP has under-estimated and over-estimated my calorie burns on various exercises. I've even been burning more than what my elliptical machine says I have.