I might break down and buy a HR monitor/GPS unit

[LBTC]

DH and I both have the Garmin 301. It has some cool features - set up for running, biking or other, but you have to change the settings for each sport. You can set different max HR for each sport, also, not that I know how to do that!

We have sometime seen spikey HR's being reported - we doubt that DH hit 240 in his last mild road ride, so we think there is some disturbance from an outside source....I am hoping that all HRM's do this from time to time.

I like that I can have custom screens - so I can view time, HR and elevation or whatever combination of stats that I want.

Here's one of my rides:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2423139

No cadence meter on this one, though.

Have fun deciding!

H&B
~T~

[KSH]

I have the Garmin 305. It took me a year to figure out how to use it with some proficiency,

Hhhhhuuummm... not a good sign... a year? Wow.

Sounds hard.

Maybe I'll go really simple and just go for a basic HR monitor/watch combo only.

[VeloVT]

I have the Timex Bodylink system. I really like it actually. Very easy to use --took me about 15 minutes to get it set up and figure out how to use it. The only issue I can see for tri's is that it takes a few minutes to lock onto the GPS signal at the beginning of your run -- but I guess you could just turn it on when you're setting up your transition stuff before the race and leave it there, on, and put it on either in T1 or T2 (you don't really need the GPS on your bike b/c of the computer, and since the unit is separate from the watch, it might be easier just to use it for the run).

I've found that the real-time pacing is pretty accurate.

The newest version does measure altitude/ascent & descent rates, so while you don't get the fancy readout on the watch itself that you seem to get with a Garmin, if you get the data recorder, that is recorded and can be uploaded and graphed, etc.

I have tiny wrists and while the Garmin seems really cool, I don't think I could wear it.

[spazzdog]

Wahine, did you find it (the 305) worth the price tag?

I went looking at them a cople of weeks ago... thought I'd put my Polar HRM aside and go for something that gave HRM data and altitude info. But the watch is HUGE! as is the price.

I use a MAVIC wintech cyclometer w/cadence so only need the HRM function (and lust after the altitude function).

spazz

[yellow]

I'm with Wahine. I love the 305. Lovelovelove it.

I got it ridiculously cheap (well, for what it is) on Amazon.com (I posted somewhere about this recently...can't remember where...). I figured out how to use it very quickly, but then I'd already been using a GPS for mtn biking for a while. There is a rebate right now, through the end of May. So my after rebate price was $205. Way less than "retail price".

I don't get any weird readings and so far the gps signal has been very good. I can transfer the data to a number of different programs. It maps, it charts, has all kinds of functions (I love the % grade function)...it was worth every penny. Did I say that I lovelovelove it??

Now, if you're going to run for more than 10 hours , you might have a battery charge issue. But of course there are solutions for that now, too. I think some of the gals using the Edge have the on-the-go chargers. I suppose you could strap it to your arm next to your iPod and espresso maker.

By the way, I have a tiny wrist and I don't even notice it. So while it looks big, it does not feel awkward at all.

[Wahine]

Wahine, did you find it (the 305) worth the price tag?

spazz

Yup, since I didn't have to pay for it. To be honest, I wouldn't have bought it simply because it would have scared me to think about trying to learn to use it. But now that I know how...

I don't know what they retail for, but I would pay about $300 for it, knowing what it can do. I also agree with Yellow about the watch. Looks huge but is actually pretty comfy.

[KSH]

Decisions... decisions.

I think I am going to start out SIMPLE. Go for something small (I have a very small wrist, measures 5.5 inches around)... and easy to use... OH... and CHEAP! HA!

Once I get the hang of that... then I move on to bigger and better... with a GPS in it.

I can barely use my wireless bike computer as it is...

Knowing my HR might be good for right now.

[kelownagirl]

I found one for a fairly good price here.

http://www.etronics.com/addtocart.as...&sgar0044700=1

$239 US.

Still a lot of money though. Wahine - is yours the Garmin Forerunner 305 or the Garmin Edge 305?