Discussion
An alternative, if you have an iPhone/Android/Symbian phone is to download/install the Sports Tracker software, and buy the Polar Bluetooth HRM.
That'll do the lot, on-device monitoring of location, speed, altitude, heart rate, and then happily allow you to upload to their service, or facebook/etc.
That'll do the lot, on-device monitoring of location, speed, altitude, heart rate, and then happily allow you to upload to their service, or facebook/etc.
clonmult said:
An alternative, if you have an iPhone/Android/Symbian phone is to download/install the Sports Tracker software, and buy the Polar Bluetooth HRM.
That'll do the lot, on-device monitoring of location, speed, altitude, heart rate, and then happily allow you to upload to their service, or facebook/etc.
Assuming you take a phone with you on a run, of course. Given how sweaty, wet and muddy I tend to get on many runs (esp today it looks like!) I don't think I want to carry a relatively expensive mini-computer with me That'll do the lot, on-device monitoring of location, speed, altitude, heart rate, and then happily allow you to upload to their service, or facebook/etc.
Cycling, I'd probably have it with me.
I have an Android phone and have used some of the apps on there to map but its not always that accurate. I think it hunts for GPS sometimes when running plust its a bit bulky. I could do with something like a watch, which could monitor my HR whilst plotting by GPS where I'm going/speed/time etc. Probably something which Tri-athletes use would be effective as I could use it for running and cycling. Swimming would be a bonus!
ewenm said:
Assuming you take a phone with you on a run, of course. Given how sweaty, wet and muddy I tend to get on many runs (esp today it looks like!) I don't think I want to carry a relatively expensive mini-computer with me
Cycling, I'd probably have it with me.
Aye, fair assumption that you keep the phone with you - I tend to have it in one of those arm straps when running, so its my GPS, camera and music for out running.Cycling, I'd probably have it with me.
If its a very muddy event, then I'd never want to keep my phone with me!
I used the sports tracker in anger for the first time last weekend, and in a vaguely waterproof housing it did a sterling job. But just over 4 hours GPS use (and some stops for pictures) ran the phone down to about 30% charge.
ewenm said:
Assuming you take a phone with you on a run, of course. Given how sweaty, wet and muddy I tend to get on many runs (esp today it looks like!) I don't think I want to carry a relatively expensive mini-computer with me
Cycling, I'd probably have it with me.
I use a 310XT from Garmin and love it. Large screen, good battery life and does everything you need - I use it for everything from timing a sufferfest spinning session, to intervals and threshold runs on the treadmill to distance stuff on the bike and running outside. That's before you then look at swimming timing and recording a whole race on a triathlon.Cycling, I'd probably have it with me.
It'll clip on to the handlebars of the bike, all screens are fully customisable with up to 4 views per exercise type, it'll support both the HRM and footpod as well as having in built GPS and ANT+ allowing for a power meter to be added for cycling or even a pair of weighing scales!!
For my intervals I've created a custom workout on it so it'll time my warm ups, intervals and rest periods, intervals split on distance and rests on time - very versatile
Garmin have regularly updated with new features and improved it over time. I'm dreading a new model coming out at some point as at present they're great and keeping the updates coming.
The 410 and 610 Forerunners are good but some people really don't get on with the touch screen especially finding it useless when wet or trying to use through gloves (which let's face it is no minor quibble running or cycling in this country!!) I'd suggest they're pretty useless for cycling too with the small display but may be wrong.
dubbs said:
The 410 and 610 Forerunners are good but some people really don't get on with the touch screen especially finding it useless when wet or trying to use through gloves (which let's face it is no minor quibble running or cycling in this country!!) I'd suggest they're pretty useless for cycling too with the small display but may be wrong.
I use a 610 for cycling, running and gym workouts. I dont have any issues with the screen myself when running / in the gym. When out for a ride I will usually leave it on a custom screen (HR, Cadence + Speed) and get on with the business of attacking and enjoying my ride.Garmin Connect is fairly awesome and the data is easy to export to runkeeper
fromage said:
I have a Garmin 500 and absolutely cant fault it!!
I got mine from Cycle Surgery for £189 with speed/cadence sensor and hrm as they will price match handtec!
Will Cycle surgery price match other sites? I'm after a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine too but the cheapest Ive seen is £269I got mine from Cycle Surgery for £189 with speed/cadence sensor and hrm as they will price match handtec!
dubbs said:
I use a 310XT from Garmin and love it.
x2 although mine got stolen earlier this Summer 
Very useful, on the whole it worked well and it was nice to see where you'd been on Google Earth so you could measure your exact HR at various points, speed (plus cadence/power if you have that) and see the terrain you were on. Was brilliant to compare identical workouts and see your gains.
Only downside seemed to be the software, sometimes it would crash and not save my workout properly. I used to find myself updating all the time to make sure the bugs were fixed. Ironically, things were working perfectly when it got pinched.
fromage said:
I have a Garmin 500 and absolutely cant fault it!!
I got mine from Cycle Surgery for £189 with speed/cadence sensor and hrm as they will price match handtec!
Great find, thanks - £189 is excellent valueI got mine from Cycle Surgery for £189 with speed/cadence sensor and hrm as they will price match handtec!
http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/2337/garmin-e...
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