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velobella
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Posted: Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 11:26 pm |
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I used to use the Ciclosport 8000GXRSuperduper
I forget the model, but it actually had so many features on it, that it was confusing. And I couldn't see my HR the same time as other important functions during intervals, like ummmm..time.
Besides that, the wires were sort of ugly.
So now I have a wireless Cateye which I love, bit I'm missing the hr functionality. And now that its interval season, I'm afraid I might be lying to myself about how hard I am going. I need the hr monitor to keep me honest...you know?
So, what to do? I can either get a HR only device thingie that straps to the wrist and continue to use the Cateye for cyclo functions. Or get a whole new device that does cyclo functions, but it wireless and lets me see HR display as well as time.
I'm not sure if I care about uploading at all.
Any favorite simple HR monitors?
Any favorite wireless cyclocomputer + hr monitors?
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Flandria
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 12:07 am |
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Polar CS200 Cad is working well for me. I really think it's another one of those personal things.
Now that I got the cadence to work, it is very simple to use.
I like the following:
- I can install myself. No need for biker boy unless he is really good looking cyclist.
- Big numbers on the monitor, I wear contacts so it helps to have big digits
- I upload my files to polar personal trainer site with polar weblink software. It's cool because it tells me how long I went over my range, total distance of ride, average hr etc etc. Very basic though, it just gives you the numbers from you polar. You have to have a microphone on your computer because it will upload the data via static sound, I call it morse code.
- I set the hr to either blink if I go below or over. I can set it to beep but it is very annoying when I stop at a traffic light.
- The little monitor tracks a lot of data.
- The price is a little bit more than what I want to spend really but I read a lot of good reviews about it. I did some research before getting one.
Also, Quick Step uses Polar - he he. Not to be biased, honestly I like it.
I don't like it because...(I am just a whiner)
- I wish...it would have a light feature for training in the dark or when I am on my trainer with disco lights, strobes and 80's aerobic music.
- The manual is unclear on the cadence part but now that I know the secret...it's still a secret.
Hope that helps!
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velobella
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 12:17 am |
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| Is it wireless?
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Flandria
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 12:22 am |
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| Yes, it is wireless.
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velobella
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 12:34 am |
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| cool!
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Cathy Boland
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 03:43 am |
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| I'm using the CS100 (I think) Polar wireless computer/monitor. Some of the displays are crazy - like I can't get elasped time, hr and speed on the same screen, but other than that, it works great. Only cost a little over $100 as I recall.
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maleonardphi
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 11:43 pm |
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| I used to have the CS200. It has a light on it, I just can't remember how to turn it on, but its there. However, it doesn't work too well. I thought moving up to the 720i would be so cool. I never use any of the features and should have just stuck with the CS200. Although, I like the idea of the watch, and using it when I run. Also, its nice to look at the graphs after a race, especially in cross. You can see your lazy laps.
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nrjetik1
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Posted: Thu Jan 25th, 2007 02:56 am |
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I had the polar 720 which could download all the bells and whistles, but after awhile didn't seem to need all that stuff. then it fell off my bike somehere in Hawaii so I had to replace it. I now use the Polar 200 which is simpler, mounts right on the stem, records HR, speed, distance and cadence. Easy Schmeezy.
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jnm678
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Posted: Thu Jan 25th, 2007 04:32 pm |
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I have the Garmin 305 w/ the cadence sensor, which has everything. It's wireless, and you can set two separate screens up to show up to 8 items each I think. It records HR, cadence, speed, distance, elevation, etc...just about anything you want.
You can download the info onto your computer & a website & track all sorts of things. There is even a workout function on it that you can race yourself if you have already mapped out a route or you can plug in intervals. Once you download the info onto the computer, you can see your route mapped out. If you join the website, you can look up others who have done the same route or other races, etc. My husband and I both have Garmins, and we download each other's race results to see where I need to improve.
I really like it because I don't have to worry about having a HR monitor plus a speedometer. I've lost two speedometer during MTB races, and I don't like having two separate screens to look at. The Garmin has everything I need, and I like the ability to store everything on the computer & the web.
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Flandria
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Posted: Sat Jan 27th, 2007 11:37 pm |
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Wow, that Garmin sounds cool. What is the price range for a Garmin?
I have a GPS but the toy you mentioned is really sweet!
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jnm678
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Posted: Sun Jan 28th, 2007 05:55 pm |
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The Garmin 305 model w/ the heart rate monitor is $325. If you get the HR & cadence, it's $375. I believe the cadence sensor is an extra $60-70 if you get it later. Performancebike.com had a slight sale on them a few weeks ago ($10 off), and I know a few friends who have bought them off ebay through "buy it now" deals.
Another cool feature that my husband used yesterday during a cyclocross race is the autolap function. Because it works off a satellite, it will automatically start your lap 2, etc, when you come back to your starting point instead of you having to remember to push the lap button each time, which sounds pretty sweet to me b/c I don't remember to hit the lap button until I'm 1/2 mile into my 2nd lap.
Any of the local bike shops should have one that you can look at since they've been out for about a year now. And, I believe Mountain Bike Action had an article on the 305 version a few months back.
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Cathy Boland
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Posted: Mon Jan 29th, 2007 02:26 pm |
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| Have you had any trouble with the Garmin not being able to get signal? Last week I went hiking with a friend who had a wrist version of a Garmin - it was able to get signal only half the time we were out.
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jnm678
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Posted: Mon Jan 29th, 2007 04:27 pm |
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I haven't had a problem yet, and neither has my husband. I do know of one person that has, but I think she only lost signal once.
One thing I would recommend is going onto their website to see if they have any upgrades that are available for download. They continuously upgrade the Garmins to correct any problems that people are having (the website details what each upgrade is supposed to fix), so if she keeps losing signal, have her try that. If that doesn't help, their customer service is very good, and if it's under a year since she's purchased it, they will probably replace it.
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velobella
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Posted: Mon Jan 29th, 2007 04:53 pm |
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Cathy! Look at all your frazzle!!
I just ordered the Garmin. I only wanted heart rate, but I am such a sucker for a gadget.
I really like the wireless Cateye I have now, so I will probably move that to my other bike and keep it around for when I just want the nuts and bolts.
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velobella
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Posted: Mon Jan 29th, 2007 04:55 pm |
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| Oh and I found the Garmin, with cadence, online from some computer store for about $275 with shipping.
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Flandria
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Posted: Mon Jan 29th, 2007 05:06 pm |
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Cool, let us know how that works out for you vb.
It may be something I would consider in the near future.
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velobella
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Posted: Mon Jan 29th, 2007 05:57 pm |
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| I wish I had that gps thingie on yesterday's ride. I could highlight all the points of suffering and where I finally cracked and where i started thinking about cheeseburgers.
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Girl Ryan
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Posted: Tue Jan 30th, 2007 07:40 pm |
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How about a power tap thingy? I have never used one but folks around where I live are turning to them as a more accurate measure of how your workouts are going (and how you feel)...
Ryan
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velobella
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Posted: Tue Jan 30th, 2007 10:45 pm |
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Powertap = airfare to Europe
I'm not that serious.
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Cathy Boland
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Posted: Wed Jan 31st, 2007 05:26 am |
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mmmm, Nutella. I can eat that stuff by the jar. I can't keep it in the house cause I will eat that stuff by the jar.
Yep, I'm frizzled! Woo hoo!
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yentna
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Posted: Mon Apr 9th, 2007 06:58 pm |
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For a simple HR monitor, I absolutely LOVE my Suunto T1. The T3 (I think, could be a different model) has biking capacity, but the T1 was the only one in my price range. Shrug.
Anyway, it's awesome. Heaps of great features - HR zones and the time you spend in each one, daily / weekly / monthly tracking, dual time, stopwatch, laps, calorie burning and 7 or 8 different fitness levels so the calorie estimation is more accurate, big easy to read / watch face, butons that don't get accidently pressed by a sleeve or glove, comfortable band, and so on.
The only weakness is the face - it scratches easily. I just cut out circles from my old PDA display covers / protectors, and those have worked great. They fall off when swimming (non-stick, just static) so I take the cover off when swimming, but it sticks right back on afterward. Otherwise, easy to use and figure out. Just love it.
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