Suunto HRMs??

[Becky]

Does anyone here have any first-hand experience with Suunto heart rate monitors? I'm considering a t3c with the GPS foot pod to replace an older Timex HRM. Is the watch really as big as it looks?

Many thanks in advance!

[Kathi]

I have the Suunto T4C. I have some problems with the comfort strap dropping my heart rate but it seems to be due to the size of the "one size fits all" strap. With Polar I was able to get an XS and it fit great. The readings are great when riding my bike but if I do any activity where I'm moving my upper body or my arm my heart rate consistently gets dropped. When I wear the strap under a bra with a wide band and tight fit the readings are much better. I quit using cream and only use water on my skin and the strap and it works perfectly.

I love the ease that information downloads to the computer and once I figured it out my bicycle pod works well, too. Changing batteries in the watch and strap are very easy. I'm hoping they come out with a smaller strap soon.

[Becky]

Kathi, do you have the women's version or the unisex? From what I understand, the only difference is a narrower band.... Do you need the PC pod thingy to download to the computer? How do you like the Coach feature? (Sorry for all the questions :o)

I'm glad to hear that it works well- I'm always a little suspicious of :pnew electronics and how well they actually work!

Thanks for your help!

[Kathi]

Becky,

I have the women's version and the strap is tightened as far as it will go. Keep in mind that My bra band size is 30". But, I still think the strap is made more for men. I compared it to my Polar straps and it is no larger, except that Polar offered smaller sizes.

Yes, you need the pod to download the information but it was easy to install.

The software is ok, pretty basic, you can download it and take a look. You can enter most information manually. There are other websites that support Suunto that are more advanced and the T6C has very advanced software but it doesn't come in a woman's model.

The "coach" feature is nice but I don't use it. It didn't mesh with my cycling training.

I love the size of the watch vs. the bulkiness of the Polar, it's thin and light and doesn't look bulky on my small wrist. I've seen some complaints about scratches on the crystal but I've had mine for a year now and there are very few scratches. I also love that you can lock the buttons which is great for traveling as the timer doesn't accidentally start while packed in luggage.

I bought mine from REI in case I had problems, they are very good to deal with when there are issues with a product. I also have a Suunto Lumi, which I also love. The band that came with it was poor design and broke within a year. I read a lot of complaints about it on the web. When it broke I called REI and within a few weeks they had a replacement band. I don't wear my T4C for everyday so I can't speak to the quality of the band, but I haven't seen complaints. Suunto seems very good about replacing defective products.

Checkout Suunto's users forum for more thoughts. http://www.suuntosports.com/discussions/default.asp

[Becky]

Thanks for all the great information, Kathi :)

[Kathi]

You're welcome.

[Becky]

Kathi, I was looking through Suunto's webpage for more info, and it looks like Suunto does make transmitter straps in different sizes: http://shop.suunto.com/PublishedService?file=page&pageID=9&itemcode=SS014102000! Yay!

It appears that their webstore is for European customers only, but at least the products are out there somewhere.

(I ordered my T4c yesterday- so excited!)

[Cataboo]

I have a t3c, I really have only used it a couple of times to get an idea of what range my heart rate is in with what effort... but I haven't had issues with the bands fitting. The watch face is kinda big - and since I mainly use it cycling, I just fasten it to my handlebars.

[Kathi]

Hi Becky,

I hope you're enjoying your heart rate monitor. I broke my strap the other day. The part where it snaps into the round battery section. I returned it to REI, the clerk called Suunto and it is being replaced free of charge with an XS strap! :D