Need Heart rate monitor/cyclocomputer choice advice

[lo123]

A little background: I was recently diagnosed with a heart defect and told to limit my exertion when exercising and avoid lifting heavy weights to avoid large peaks in HR. I'm horrible about rating my perceived exertion because I always just pushed through it. It's not until I hit the point of puke or get dizzy that I really notice how hard I'm working. So, I've decided I need a new heart rate monitor (currently using a cheap-o Reebok I got off of Woot that spikes for no good reason and doesn't work very well). I'd really like something I can use on the bike AND at the gym. I'm torn on GPS or not, since most multi-function devices seem to be impractical for the gym (spin class mainly or lifting relatively light weights).

So, my wants:

• Something I can use on the bike and be able to see/hear/feel when my HR exceeds a certain limit
• Ability to download data for analysis later
• Lap or other ability to 'mark' a point during exercise to target events when I experience symptoms
• Preferably be able to include a cadence/speed sensor
• Readable screen - I'm concerned some of the models would be totally useless for distance/speed/cadence when mounted on handlebars/stem, and I don't want to have to look at my wrist all the time.

Right now I'm leaning toward Garmin because you can replace the batteries in their cadence sensors by yourself, whereas polar you can't. GPS would be nice, but I'm not sure it's worth the premium without navigation capability. I'd love to hear others' thoughts/experiences with combined HRM/cyclocomputers.

Models I've been researching so far:

• Garmin FR60
• Garmin Forerunner 305 - for the price, this seems like a good option, but it's HUGE!
• Garmin Forerunner 310xt
• Garmin 405cx

Thanks in advance!

[azfiddle]

I have the Garmin 305 and I put it on my bike handlebars. I've only had it since December (gift!) but really like it so far and it meets most of your criteria. I don't know how it would be for running or other activities.

[GLC1968]

I have the Edge 305 - since last summer. First ride I used it, it was pouring rain. The speed/cadence sensor hasn't worked since! I have since read that they don't do well with wet weather which pretty much makes then useless in the PNW. I still use it for the gps, but I haven't bothered trying to get the speed/cadence sensor to work again. I do like the large display but I don't see how it could be used for running or any other sport as it is relatively huge and it has no wrist strap.

I used a Polar (the older model 725i) and loved it until it needed a new battery. It worked great for 3 years - cadence, speed and HR were almost always spot on. The only issue I encountered was interference with my headlight, but once I shielded it, that was solved. I sent the wrist unit and strap to Polar to get new batteries and it hasn't worked since.

Now I'm kind of in the market again. For now, I bought an inexpensive Timex HRM to use for running and gym stuff and I still use the Edge 305 on the bike. I'd eventually like something that will work while swimming, so I'll probably end up with another Polar. I'm just not to the point where I need it yet, so I am holding off. When I'm ready, I'll use Polar's 'trade up' program and get a nice discount (assuming they still do it).

[Bike Chick]

I've had the Forerunner 405 for over a year now and have been very pleased. It will do everything that you listed. I use it on the bike by mounting it on my handlebars and also use it on the run. I have the cadence sensor for the bike and the foot pod to use when running in the gym and I am very satisfied with it. After my workout I download the information to my Training Center on my computer with the wireless USB Ant Agent. The only complaint that I have is that you have to manually set it for bike mode or running mode so it would use precious minutes of transition time in a triathlon. I've been told the new 405X does this automatically, but I don't know for sure.

I had a Polar before the Garmin and didn't think it was very user friendly IMO.

[HillSlugger]

I've had the FR305 for 2 years and it's been great. Just got a 310XT. The 310 is only a little smaller than the 305. I think the 310 has better alerts than the 305.

[lo123]

Thanks for all the input. For those with the 305/405 - do you find the GPS information useful after rides?

I definitely need a better alarm than I have now. Went for my first ride in 1.5 months (since diagnosis), and the alarms didn't work at all =/.

[OakLeaf]

If it's important to you to "target events when I experience symptoms", then grade of hill is something to consider. It's the nature of GPS to be quite inaccurate when it comes to elevation, and none of the Garmin wrist-mounted units offer barometric altimeters; still, the GPS data would let you note which hills were a problem for you, and compare them against other hills in your area, etc.

I believe that the 310xt cannot give HR alerts unless you program a workout (which can be a very simple workout that says nothing but "maintain HR between X bpm and Y bpm). I'm not sure about this, since I use HR during the workout only when it's a multi-step workout I've programmed, but I seem to recall complaints about this on the Garmin forums.

Just FYI, the 705 can navigate you in your car as well as on the bici. It's not ideal - the screen is much smaller than motor vehicle units, and works in portrait mode rather than the landscape mode that most motor vehicle GPS use - but that's something to consider in terms of value for your money, since you mentioned the value of having GPS without navigation.

[lo123]

If it's important to you to "target events when I experience symptoms", then grade of hill is something to consider. It's the nature of GPS to be quite inaccurate when it comes to elevation, and none of the Garmin wrist-mounted units offer barometric altimeters; still, the GPS data would let you note which hills were a problem for you, and compare them against other hills in your area, etc.

I believe that the 310xt cannot give HR alerts unless you program a workout (which can be a very simple workout that says nothing but "maintain HR between X bpm and Y bpm). I'm not sure about this, since I use HR during the workout only when it's a multi-step workout I've programmed, but I seem to recall complaints about this on the Garmin forums.

Just FYI, the 705 can navigate you in your car as well as on the bici. It's not ideal - the screen is much smaller than motor vehicle units, and works in portrait mode rather than the landscape mode that most motor vehicle GPS use - but that's something to consider in terms of value for your money, since you mentioned the value of having GPS without navigation.

Thanks for the input, OakLeaf... The hills as a reference is something I've given more though to, especially since that's where I'm most likely to peak.

Hubby has a 705, which is really cool. Just not so great for the usual gym stuff. --shrug--
We plan to use the nav features when we take our bikes on out of town trips so we don't get too lost. Would be nice to be able to get back home if I get lost out in the country on a solo ride.

[azfiddle]

I like it that I can hook the 305 up to the computer and keep a record of all of my rides. I haven't used much of the GPS info, but my husband uses it to geotag his photos!

Not sure if that answers your question

[HillSlugger]

Thanks for all the input. For those with the 305/405 - do you find the GPS information useful after rides?

I definitely need a better alarm than I have now. Went for my first ride in 1.5 months (since diagnosis), and the alarms didn't work at all =/.

Besides getting speed and distance from the GPS I also upload my workout to a program that puts the data onto a map. I can see my speed, HR, cadence, etc overlaid on the map. I'm a data geek and I just love this

[HillSlugger]

I believe that the 310xt cannot give HR alerts unless you program a workout (which can be a very simple workout that says nothing but "maintain HR between X bpm and Y bpm). I'm not sure about this, since I use HR during the workout only when it's a multi-step workout I've programmed, but I seem to recall complaints about this on the Garmin forums.

The 310xt owner's manual says that in training mode it can notify you when your HR exceeds or drops below a specific number of beats per minute. I don't think you need to program a workout but I've never used this feature so I can't be sure.

btw, you can download all the owner's manuals from the Garmin website.

[tangentgirl]

I sent the wrist unit and strap to Polar to get new batteries and it hasn't worked since.

Great. I just sent my hrm off to Polar last week. Crossing my fingers.

[lo123]

Besides getting speed and distance from the GPS I also upload my workout to a program that puts the data onto a map. I can see my speed, HR, cadence, etc overlaid on the map. I'm a data geek and I just love this

I'm leaning toward the Forerunner 305 now because of this capability. Knowing which hills spike my HR could be good to know.


Thanks again everyone for your input.

[WindingRoad]

I have a cheapie Forerunner 50 just to tell me my heartrate and distance and I recently switched to a Mac. I can't seem to get the AntAgent software to work and I was wondering if any of you had ever encountered this problem too?

[OakLeaf]

I haven't had this problem, but my 310xt works fine with my Mac. Do you have ANT+ Agent set to load on login? (I don't, just because I prefer a clean login without a ton of startup items.) If not, do you manually launch the Agent when you want it to work? What problems are you having specifically?