Heart Rate Monitors - How To Choose

[OakLeaf]

I think it's more about the bra than about the strap. I'm small but floppy, plus I run, so we probably aren't wearing the same bras. But all the bras I wear have some space between the breasts and above the band where my HRM modules fit just fine, both the old style Garmin hard strap and their new HRM-Run (which the newer style straps seem to chafe intolerably for anyone with a prominent xiphoid, but that might be a problem unique to runners, and IAE a little tape over the sharp edge fixes that).


Just to add something else into the mix: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/01/a...-activity.html - but it's Bluetooth only.

[Aromig]

You can buy the Garmin heart rate strap separately (you don't have to get the bundle with the Edge) and they pair just fine. Eventually the HR straps wear out/stop connecting as well (when that happens I get crazy HR readings -- like starting at 280, decreasing as I work harder) so I bout a separate Garmin heart rate strap at REI (I think about $75) and it paired easily with my Edge 800. I've also used the Wahoo bluetooh HR monitor successfully with both my Edge and my Garmin watch (FR 610).

I wash my Garmin strap weekly (just throw the strap, without the monitor part) in the wash and let it air dry when done and I've found that to extend the life before it goes wonky. I didn't like the chest straps at first, but now I don't even notice they're there. I'm pretty well endowed, and they fit right below the bottom band of my sports bras. Occasionally if things shift (mainly with running, never biking) the strap will shift on top of the bottom band of the bra and then it stops reading but that only ever happens with yoga type tops with the built in shelf bras and I don't use those to run or bike that often since they're not very supportive.

[Dubz]

Cheers, ladies.

I ordered the unbundled Black / Silver Garmin Edge 500 and the Garmin Micro Mini USB ANT+ Stick. Got both for good prices. Loads of deals around at the moment.

This is the kind of bra I wear. I'd prefer to just stay with what's comfortable if I can versus hunting down a special bra that takes HRMs. I think I'll just have to try it for myself and see.

http://store.nike.com/gb/en_gb/pd/pr.../pgid-10105336

Have you tried the premium Garmin soft strap? That seems to be the one that most people use. It has mixed reviews though.

@Oakleaf: The product that was in the link you sent looked very interesting. I think the next few years will see some really cool products being launched in this space.

[ny biker]

Cheers, ladies.

I ordered the unbundled Black / Silver Garmin Edge 500 and the Garmin Micro Mini USB ANT+ Stick. Got both for good prices. Loads of deals around at the moment.

This is the kind of bra I wear. I'd prefer to just stay with what's comfortable if I can versus hunting down a special bra that takes HRMs. I think I'll just have to try it for myself and see.

http://store.nike.com/gb/en_gb/pd/pr.../pgid-10105336

Have you tried the premium Garmin soft strap? That seems to be the one that most people use. It has mixed reviews though.

@Oakleaf: The product that was in the link you sent looked very interesting. I think the next few years will see some really cool products being launched in this space.

Do you already have the Bontrager Duotrap? Does the Garmin ANT+ stick do something that that the Duotrap does not do?

[Dubz]

@ny biker

I have the Bontrager Duotrap S ANT+ / Bluetooth speed and cadence sensor fitted onto my bike already. But I need the Garmin ANT+ stick to pair the HRM chest strap with TrainerRoad, which I'm using for my Cyclops Fluid 2 trainer workouts.

All the gadgets... It can get confusing!

[Dubz]

Have now decided to cancel my Garmin order and get a HRM Chest Strap instead to use with my iPhone 5S and bike apps. I can always get a bike computer later. I'm considering getting the Wahoo Tickr HRM because it's Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible (if I did decide to get a Garmin Edge 500 later).

Just wondering if it's possible to pair my Bontrager Duotrap S ANT+ / Bluetooth speed and cadence sensor and the Wahoo Tickr HRM simultaneously to my iPhone 5S via Bluetooth 4? Or do I need to also buy an ANT+ Adaptor to pair one while I pair the other via Bluetooth?

There are so many apps out there. I just want one that records my route and where I can see my speed / cadence and heart rate. What do other people use?

[ny biker]

Have now decided to cancel my Garmin order and get a HRM Chest Strap instead to use with my iPhone 5S and bike apps. I can always get a bike computer later. I'm considering getting the Wahoo Tickr HRM because it's Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible (if I did decide to get a Garmin Edge 500 later).

Just wondering if it's possible to pair my Bontrager Duotrap S ANT+ / Bluetooth speed and cadence sensor and the Wahoo Tickr HRM simultaneously to my iPhone 5S via Bluetooth 4? Or do I need to also buy an ANT+ Adaptor to pair one while I pair the other via Bluetooth?

There are so many apps out there. I just want one that records my route and where I can see my speed / cadence and heart rate. What do other people use?

I do not use any phone apps, because I don't want to deplete the battery. During bike rides, my priority is saving the phone if it is needed for important things -- calling 911, calling friends to locate them if they've gotten separated from the group, emailing my bike club's listserv for advice when I'm alone and stranded with a broken spoke, etc.

[OakLeaf]

Does the Garmin ANT+ stick do something that that the Duotrap does not do?

The ANT+ stick is a connectivity dongle for the receiving device, that's all. AFAIK there are no general purpose computers/tablets/phones that come with ANT+ connectivity. That's the main reason that, now that BTLE (Bluetooth Smart) allows for smaller sensing/sending devices, that a lot of the manufacturers are moving over to Bluetooth, where before, ANT+ had been the standard communication protocol for fitness devices for a long time.