HRM options

[jamiebae]

Is there an ANT+ heart rate monitor which doesn't need a strap around your chest (wristband maybe?) which I can use with my Garmin Edge 500? I want to be able to monitor my heart rate, but don't like the idea of a chest strap so I'm keen to know of there are any alternatives.

[Herman Toothrot]

Have you tried a chest strap? Modern ones are fabric and you don't know you are wearing it once it's on. I bought my wife a mio wrist heart rate monitor because 'she didn't like the idea of a chest strap' without having tried one - it's crap quite honestly.

[jamiebae]

Nope, never tried one, just don't like the idea of them really so was looking at alternatives purely on perception that I wouldn't like them.

[AmiableChimp]

I use a Polar FT4 when I am exercising and I don't find the chest strap an inconvenience in any way mate.

I think you get a more reliable reading with a chest strap IMO.

[upsidedownmark]

There are optical / wrist based ones like mio link (for example). However battery life is generally ste, and really the modern fabric strap chest variety is utterly forgettable.

[nammynake]

I use a Mio Link with my Garmin 500. I don't link chest straps (even the soft ones) and the wrist-based Mio Link is just like wearing a watch. I've yet to drain the battery on a ride so it must last 8+ hours. Recharging is simple via USB.

It's proved very reliable, you just need to wear it slightly higher up your forearm than a watch to get a good signal (they recommend this).

[upsidedownmark]

Quoted is 7-10hrs (against about 6 months for a regular strap) - depends on your requirements I suppose, but it'd die before I finished a race! Also can't pick up HRV data if you're interested in that.

[ewenm]

My coach reckons someone should be (or is?) developing one that clips to your earlobe to get a decent pulse reading. Could also have pin-prick sensors to get live lactate readings!

[upsidedownmark]

http://life-beam.com/product/smart-hat/

(and they do a helmet too) Solution looking for a problem IMHO, but there we go

EFA: ear lobe is probably one of the most blood-less parts of your body, that'd be a right daft place to try to measure!