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Buyers Guide to the Best Heart Rate MonitorAn excellent introductory guide comes from Running Times, titled Guide to Heart Rate Monitors, based on tests of 10. According to the report:
Selecting a monitor can be as overwhelming as buying a computer - the selection of options is staggering. All of them provide the key data you want - your continuous heart rate during exercise. Some advanced features provide valuable data, while others are toys for the technogeek. The bottom line is how much gadgetry you are comfortable with.
A comparative chart of the 10 models is here.
The Prevention.com website carries a brief report on heart rate monitors, with a poster (pdf file) of its favorites. These were as follows (listed in order of price):
Acumen Eon Basix ES – “Tops for Beginners: It’s the least expensive, and the display panel is easy to read. The monitor doesn’t have a lot of extra functions to confuse you.”
EKHO E-15 – “Most Comfortable: That’s the vote of the majority of testers; however, smaller-chested testers found the strap too loose even when tightened.”
Timex 58401 – “Best-Looking: ‘It looked so good, I wore it all day,’ said one tester. It also rated high in comfort and ease of use.”
Oregon Scientific Wireless – “Easiest to Use: There are no buttons to push, making this monitor super-simple to use.”
Cardiosport Go 10 – “Overall Favorite: Its directions were the clearest and most concise. Just one hassle: To replace the watch battery, it’s best to send the watch back to the manufacturer.”
Polar M61 – “Best Splurge: This monitor ranked highest for accuracy and fit. Like Cardiosport, the manufacturer recommends sending the watch back to replace the battery.”
FitSense FS-1 – “Gadget-Lovers’ Fave: This one has it all. ‘You can even buy an accessory to download the information to your computer,’ raved one techy tester.”
The Runner's World website carries a report,
Don't Skip a Beat: High-End Heart Rate Monitors at Low-End Prices, with
recommendations on seven monitors costing less than $150.
The HowToBeFit.com website has an extensive series of articles on heart rate training, including some – several of them from the Polar company – about heart rate monitors.
The ubiquitous “About” website provides the following articles:
Before You Buy a Heart Rate Monitor Top 5 Heart Rate Monitor Makers
Top 5 Heart Rate Monitors Top 10 Heart Rate Monitors under $100 Top 9 Heart Rate Monitors over $100 Top Heart Rate Monitors over $100
The “About” site also has the following heart rate monitor reviews:
Freestyle ECG3 Heart Rate Monitor LifeSource XC 300 Heart Rate Monitor Polar Protrainer NV Heart Rate Monitor Polar S-410 Heart Rate Monitor Polar S520 Heart Rate Monitor & Cycle Computer Reebok Active Trainer Heart Rate Monitor
Company Websites
* Please also see my Personal Health Monitor Blog. |