best value for money entry level HRM?

[M L]

So I would like to get my first HRM. My budget is around the R1500 mark, don't have any problems with buying second hand.

 

What I want:

I am just looking for a reliable HRM for mtb'ing. I don't like having trouble with electronics, it should work without any hick ups.

 

I am not up to date on HRM's, I have a knog for speed and distance and time so do I need those functions as well? I would prefer having a watch rather than another speedometer that measures my heart rate.

 

I have heard good things about garmin. Was looking at the garming fr70. Polar I would think falls into the unreliable category?