Best HR Monitor With Strap

[LukeV-2]

Hey everyone,

 

I want to get a new HR Monitor for my dad, but I need one with a strap and that is GPS Enabled (not wrist based).

 

It seems like all the new ones have wrist based monitoring? He has had two heart attacks, and it seems like the research done points to the chest strap being more accurate. Obviously he needs to monitor his HR pretty accurately.

 

Has anyone purchased a new one recently with the strap? Price isn't really too important here.

 

Thanks so much!

[ChrisF]

Luke I cycle with a buddy that has had a hart attack before.

 

He used "wrist based" unit, and now uses a strap based unit.  BOTH does the job for him equally well.

 

Ironically it does not have to be "that accurate".

 

What he DOES need - the unit must have an audible alarm, and preferably he must be able to set the hart rate at which this activates, not just the zone.

 

A few beats per minute higher or lower is not the issue - not for him.  He needs the audible alarm to warn him when is pushing too hard on a ride.  Over the last year it has been most interesting to see how and when the monitor activates ....

 

- slight flu\sinus issues and his hart rate is through the roof !!

 

- off the bike for a few weeks and it takes 2 to 3 rides before his hart rate stabilise

 

- hot weather ...

 

- pushing just that tadd too hard .... (though that aint a slow pace !!)

 

 

something else to consider :

 

- WHY do your dad want it ? 

 

- to monitor exercise ?

 

- as a daily use ?  (then the strap is a real PAIN!)

 

- to monitor daily AND upload so the docter can see the stats later ... now you need to confirm where the doctor wants to see it, and which unit is compatible .... think Vitality where not all units are compatible ....

 

 

 

O... and battery life .... these darned things are yet another charger-hungry device .... though if he is near a charger every 2 to 3 days that should not be an issue.

[Cippo]

Good reviews from DC Rainmaker, GP Lama and DESFIT on Apple watch 4 with its wrist based hr being better than other makes. Not sure if its available here but the new Apple 4 actually tracks irregular heart rhythms as well for research use in US. Another option is the Wahoo Tickr or Tickr X that is compatible with most bluetooth devices like smartphones. 

[Jaws677]

Hey everyone,

 

I want to get a new HR Monitor for my dad, but I need one with a strap and that is GPS Enabled (not wrist based).

 

It seems like all the new ones have wrist based monitoring? He has had two heart attacks, and it seems like the research done points to the chest strap being more accurate. Obviously he needs to monitor his HR pretty accurately.

 

Has anyone purchased a new one recently with the strap? Price isn't really too important here.

 

Thanks so much!

You can buy a wrists based one and pair an additional chest strap one to the watch.

[ChrisF]

On second thought .... my friend that does the Ironman.

 

 

She prefers the strap based monitoring ... purely because the wrist based margin of error creeps in due to SWEAT .... now during an Ironman a "bit of sweat" may impact on these watches ....

 

 

But for an ex hart patient on a slow road to recovery I doubt there will be enough sweat to be a real factor.

 

 

 

PS - these comments are based on reading and what my friends use.  I AM open for correction  !

[Wimmas]

I have a Polar H10 chest strap which cost R1,300. Bought it at Sportmanswarehouse through Vitality to get 25% discount. I used a Fitbit Charge 2 HR wrist watch prior to that and I must say the chest strap works a lot better for me. It's more in sync and responsive than the watch. If your HR elevates quickly due to a sprint etc, the watch has a delay, but not the chest strap.

 

You don't need a watch with the Polar H10, you can connect it to your phone via bluetooth. Just download Polar Beat app and connect. It also allows you to connect, then leave your phone at home or in the car, but I suppose if you closely want to monitor your HR you will want to have your phone with you.

 

Also easily connects with the Wattbikes at Virgin Active.

 

Really pleased with it and will highly recommend it.

[Cippo]

Bought a Wahoo Tickr at takealot for R500 on Cyber Monday. Normal retail proce is about 800-900.

[Roguemeister]

I got the tickr x after I lost my original hr strap. Nothing bad to say about it yet, it's worked hundreds for me.

[Jaws677]

Ive been using my Fenix 5x wrists base HR for the last year coming from Polar and Garmin chest straps

 

I don't understand where the complaints are coming from for wrists base HR. Maybe it's my big wrists , thin skin, a good fit , little arm hair or pure luck but my HR readings from the wrists base HR has been absolutely spot on.

 

I was sceptical at fist but after a few run with the Chest strap on as well there was hardly any difference between the two.

 

And I sweat profusely. Looks like I took a shower after every run. No problem

[dave303e]

I agree with Jaws and for a heart attack survivor I think wrist HR is a better Idea.

 

Most of the wrist HR watches will work with a strap, so get something with wrist HR and buy a HR belt and boom, best of both worlds and here is my reason why:

 

You can track your heartrate throughout the day and while you sleep. I often notice my hr was up from usual while asleep and usually the next few days if I don't rest and eat well I end up sick. I can also see when I am pushing it too hard because the hr is higher while sleeping. You can also look through the last hour or two and see what your hear has been doing and you will be surprised how you can get it to spike doing things without thinking like moving a big trailer and boat in the yard or loading stuff and having a warning alarm that will work 24/7 is more important than the 5% accuracy you get with a belt over wrist. I still use the belt on the wahoo and when running/cycling outdoors, but for really long events the wrist hr is better as you don't have to worry about chaffing either.

[SwissVan]

Another possible option if you don’t like chest straps, polar has an “Arm strap” optical sensor called the OH1 which works with a variety of fitness apps iOS and android phones. It also ca store +/- 200 hrs of activity that can be synced at a later stage.

[LukeV-2]

Thanks  so much for all the responses, everyone. I will review them shortly and give some input where it's required.

[seven]

Personally, I’d go Garmin FR35. Wrist based, but has the option of chest strap.