Heart Rate Monitor - Garmin Forerunner or other?

[MelanieC]

Hey everyone - I thought I'd ask you all this question.

I think my Garmin Forerunner is broke. I absolutely love it cuz it tells me calories and miles.

But - I want a heart rate monitor to give me a more accurate calorie count, plus I want to use it to tell me my calories for doing video's, treadmill etc.

So - are the Garmin forerunners with the heart rate monitor as good as a Polar?

 

[JimB.]

I don't know much about the Polar (actually, nothing.............), but I have a Garmin 301 forerunner & have confidence in the HR function. If it starts to act up, it's usually a sign of the batteries in the transmitter dying.........

 

[xterratri]

Probably almost as good as the Polar but...the Polar Wearlink soft belt is many times more comfortable to wear. The Garmin 301 belt is really uncomfortable IMO and there was some improvement when they went to the 305 but nothing compared to the Polar Wearlink in comfort. Since I wear a HRM belt over 300 hrs a year, comfort matters and the Polar works well too. I prefer the GPS tech of the Garmin to the footpod tech of Polar but Polar has a GPS unit compatible with the RS800 now but the unit runs almost $500. Like the size of the Polar watch better than the size of the Garmin though. Really interested in the new Forerunner 405 that is coming out as it might just be a good molding of the best of both.

The Timex is another rigid belt that routinely wears holes in my skin and I had more problems with electrical interference plus miserable battery life with the Timex. I also had the Timex belts just plain break so I would avoid them. Nike is another dabbler not professional in Heart Rate technology.

Hope this helps.

 

[MelanieC]

Thanks everyone. Boy tough decisions.

 

[postesf]

I have the Garmin 305 w/ the HR monitor. It's actually not that bad comfort wise and I really like it. It's always worked well for me.

Stacie

 

[tigger2esq]

I put one of these on my birthday list. I think I just need to send my DH a link to this board to make sure he gets the right one.. LOL

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I have a Polar and like it b/c it syncs to the cardio machines at the gym.

I have a Garmin 205 and would not trade that for anything. It is the BEST toy I have for putting in steps outdoors.

Have fun choosing.