Opinions wanted - heart rate monitor

[Ciao]

Hi Gang, this is my first posting to the forums... hope I'm in the right category... and thanks in advance!

I'm reasearching for my first heart rate monitor and unfortunately, I can't just walk into a few stores and check them out. Of all that I've seen, this one seems to be easy to use, has the functions I think I will want/need, and the price has dropped from $99 down to $35: Sports Instruments Fit 3 HRM http://www.sportsinstruments.com/ecg3.html

What do you all think? Is it missing something that I will want a month or two later? Do you swear by another model?

Thanks!

[Tiffanie]

I can't speak for the one you mention. I do love my HRM. Pretty basic but has everything I'm interested in tracking.

I have the Polar M32 (http://polarusa.com/Products/consumer/M32.asp). I paid $99 and IMO it's been worth every penny.

Good luck with your search! :D

[kjay]

Ciao, seems I read in the information you provided that one has to push a button in order to get the heart rate readout. My Polar is not working right now so I thought I'd get a cheapy-type HRM, but then found out I have to push a button in order to get a readout. I may be spoiled, but I don't want to have to push a button. I want a constant readout . . so will definitely get my Polar fixed.

[Ciao]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and the recommendations! Definitely a constant readout is important. I didn't even pick up on that quiet little statement and the potential implications... And I took a look at your Polar, Tiffanie. Very nice - and it gave me some ideas/questions too!

Well, I downloaded SI's online manual (duh! didn't see it before) and they've got 4 "main windows" that you can switch between with a push of a button. I'm guessing that you can choose any one of them and it will keep... seems to do all that the Polar does as well... at a third of the price - so, I'm going to give it a try. If anyone is interested, I'll post back my experience with it.