Advice on Heart Rate Monitors

[Silence444]

Good day everyone.

Since Discovery Vitality has decided to end support for Strava, I am in need of a HRM with GPS that won't break the bank. I would like to use it for running and mtb'ing. I am looking at the Garmin ForeRunners or something from Polar. But I am sure that there are users on hear that have good advice.

 

Any help will be greatly appreciate

Thanks Everyone

[Veebee]

so you going to spend R4k+ just to get a free weekly smoothie or coffee ?

 

Oh, welcome to the Hub.

 

Don't know much about the Forerunner, but maybe have a look at the Garmin Vivo Active. You will then still need to add the speed/cadence sensor so expect to pay upwards of R5k for this.

 

There are cheaper options if you look around of use the Search function on the forum.

[Cas_1]

Good day everyone.

Since Discovery Vitality has decided to end support for Strava, I am in need of a HRM with GPS that won't break the bank. I would like to use it for running and mtb'ing. I am looking at the Garmin ForeRunners or something from Polar. But I am sure that there are users on hear that have good advice.

 

Any help will be greatly appreciate

Thanks Everyone

Polar M400 should be more than sufficient. Retails around R3000 with HRM. Otherwise for cheaper will have to look at TomTom. Difficulty with Garmin is that their multisport watches isn't cheap so either going for forerunner for running or edge 20/25 (bike). If you don't mind 2nd hand look at a Suunto Ambit 3 on hub. Can sometimes get one for between R3000-4000. I have one and runs/ swim/ cycles with it and is very happy. Sincs to movescount and then transfers data to Strava.

[BDF]

Welcome to the Bikehub.

 

You wont go wrong with Garmin. Make sure you get one that supports multisport (most Forerunners and Fenix). there are always ones for sale on the Bikehub.

[WrightJnr]

The new VivoActive HR would be Garmins best multisport value option. Polar also supported by discovery and they have a few good options.

 

But I would not buy a HRM based on what Discovery currently support. They change their minds weekly.

[lerouc]

Polar M400 should be more than sufficient. Retails around R3000 with HRM. Otherwise for cheaper will have to look at TomTom. Difficulty with Garmin is that their multisport watches isn't cheap so either going for forerunner for running or edge 20/25 (bike). If you don't mind 2nd hand look at a Suunto Ambit 3 on hub. Can sometimes get one for between R3000-4000. I have one and runs/ swim/ cycles with it and is very happy. Sincs to movescount and then transfers data to Strava.

Just make sure tomtoms/suunto etc are still supported by discovery if you want to get it to use with them. As from what i heard they only support garmin and polar for now. Search on here there is a discovery thread with alot more info.

[Cas_1]

Just make sure tomtoms/suunto etc are still supported by discovery if you want to get it to use with them. As from what i heard they only support garmin and polar for now. Search on here there is a discovery thread with alot more info.

100% not sure, with Momentum Multiply an they have suunto/ polar and garmin. So good advice to check first.

[Silence444]

so you going to spend R4k+ just to get a free weekly smoothie or coffee ?

 

Oh, welcome to the Hub.

 

Don't know much about the Forerunner, but maybe have a look at the Garmin Vivo Active. You will then still need to add the speed/cadence sensor so expect to pay upwards of R5k for this.

 

There are cheaper options if you look around of use the Search function on the forum.

Since Bloem doesn't even have a kauai or a vida  i just give them away when i get them. Want it for training mostly. Will have a look at the Vivo Active

[Silence444]

Just make sure tomtoms/suunto etc are still supported by discovery if you want to get it to use with them. As from what i heard they only support garmin and polar for now. Search on here there is a discovery thread with alot more info.

As far as I understand the tomtoms / suunto need to sync via mapmyfitness and Vitalty is not accepting new mapmyfitness logins. Thats why i was looking at the other options. Thanks

[HOEKVLAG]

I have the Garmin Forerunner 15. It works brilliantly (although it's basic), has GPS and you can get it for under R3000. The uploads through GC is very easy and instantaneous. 

[Neill Du Toit]

Good day everyone.

Since Discovery Vitality has decided to end support for Strava, I am in need of a HRM with GPS that won't break the bank. I would like to use it for running and mtb'ing. I am looking at the Garmin ForeRunners or something from Polar. But I am sure that there are users on hear that have good advice.

 

Any help will be greatly appreciate

Thanks Everyone

Hi. I got the Polar M450 last week. Easy to operate and you get something back if you buy at sportsmenswarehouse or totalsports using your healthy gear discovery card. Normal price R3600.

[BDF]

I have the Garmin Forerunner 15. It works brilliantly (although it's basic), has GPS and you can get it for under R3000. The uploads through GC is very easy and instantaneous. 

I have one of these and it works ok but is not multisport. Also no Bluetooth so you have to dock it to sync with Garmin Connect. IMHO get something with Bluetooth that can sync with your phone.

[HOEKVLAG]

I have one of these and it works ok but is not multisport. Also no Bluetooth so you have to dock it to sync with Garmin Connect. IMHO get something with Bluetooth that can sync with your phone.

I missed the MTB'ing part in the original post. I use it for running (indoors as well as outside) as well as on the trainer, but agree that it's not ideal for cycling.

 

I don't mind the doc as I have it in the laptop permanently and charge the watch whilst syncing.

 

For what it's worth. I moved away from Polar products (F6, AXN500, CX800) as they refuse to release an updated IR driver for Windows 10 so I have no way of linking data to the PC. The Garmin looks for software updates every time it syncs...

[Neanderthal]

I use garmin for running and polar for cycling.  Have tried to get the garmin to work with Vitality but no luck.  Polar works like a breeze. 

[BDF]

I missed the MTB'ing part in the original post. I use it for running (indoors as well as outside) as well as on the trainer, but agree that it's not ideal for cycling.

 

I don't mind the doc as I have it in the laptop permanently and charge the watch whilst syncing.

 

For what it's worth. I moved away from Polar products (F6, AXN500, CX800) as they refuse to release an updated IR driver for Windows 10 so I have no way of linking data to the PC. The Garmin looks for software updates every time it syncs...

I also abandoned Polar. I used the RCX5 as well as the FT80 No firmware updates, Not a great sync system etc.

[Rocket-Boy]

As far as I understand the tomtoms / suunto need to sync via mapmyfitness and Vitalty is not accepting new mapmyfitness logins. Thats why i was looking at the other options. Thanks

Tomtom can export .fit and .tcx files so you can create a garmin connect account and manually upload workouts to it. Im currently doing that for my wife's tomtom.

 

*just checked and you can also export .fit or .tcx files from Suunto movescount, so while its not an elegant solution it is workable until discovery sort out their issues.