Heart Rate

[bigrich4]

Can anyone recommend a good heart rate monitor watch? I've been running a few weeks now and I'd like to be able to keep tabs on my heart rate when I'm out. As I'm a watch nut I've been looking at the silly-priced ones like the Garmin 610 but I'd probably never use most of the features on it as I'm not a hardcore runner. I don't mind spending up to about £200 but I'd like one that will last more than 5 minutes and possibly be good enough to use as an everyday watch.

[Burrow01]

Polar or Suunto would be the ones for me

Polar are pretty functional in terms of looks/design, but have the advantage that their chest sensors work with most Gym machines

Suunto are the most glamourous in terms of design and better looking if you want to wear them as a watch (assuming you are OK with the technical look)

Both will upload data to the internet if you get a mid to upper range model

[clonmult]

I've been using a Polar FT1 for a while, and it does all that you practically need. I've been somewhat surprised to find that its quite ridiculously comfortable, and its now become my primary watch!

Average heart rate for the last run, maximum/minimum ranges that give audible alerts. The maximum is the most important for me - took me a while to figure out my maximum comfortable heart rate for a run, dial that in, and as soon as it starts to beep, I know I've got to slow down.

The more interesting devices from Suunto and Garmin are awesome, but only really of any benefit if you're very seriously into your distance running/cycling.