Heart Rate Monitor Questions and Recommendations - Triathlon Week

12-08-2004, 09:37 PM

I have heard that the polar monitors are really good but I hate the way
they look. I think they are so ugly and the ones with any real
functionality are HUGE.

So I have researched and found the oregon scientific HR308:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

and the Nike Imara:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I was pretty much talked out of the Imara by my local REI sales person
because he said they have been getting a lot of returns.

So I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these?
Also I am thinking about getting a polar m32 strap (because it is nice
and thin) and I am wondering if it will work with either of these?
Any feedback welcome. Thank you.

12-08-2004, 09:46 PM

Ronnizia said:

> I have heard that the polar monitors are really good but I hate the way
> they look. I think they are so ugly and the ones with any real
> functionality are HUGE.
>
> So I have researched and found the oregon scientific HR308:
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> and the Nike Imara:
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> 54.html
>
> I was pretty much talked out of the Imara by my local REI sales person
> because he said they have been getting a lot of returns.
>
> So I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these?
> Also I am thinking about getting a polar m32 strap (because it is nice
> and thin) and I am wondering if it will work with either of these?
> Any feedback welcome. Thank you.
>

The battery in my Oregon Scientific (basic model, don't remember the number)
sender went flat quickly (just a couple of months), then the display started
to play up (I suspect moisture inside). Then I had to replace the battery in
the receiver (watch), and now the one in the sender is getting weak again.
It hasn't been a good experience.

Steve = : ^ )

12-09-2004, 06:22 PM

"Steve B." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au.. .
> Ronnizia said:
>
> > I have heard that the polar monitors are really good but I hate the way
> > they look. I think they are so ugly and the ones with any real
> > functionality are HUGE.
> >
> > So I have researched and found the oregon scientific HR308:
> >
> > [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> >
> > and the Nike Imara:
> >
> >
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> > 54.html
> >
> > I was pretty much talked out of the Imara by my local REI sales person
> > because he said they have been getting a lot of returns.
> >
> > So I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these?
> > Also I am thinking about getting a polar m32 strap (because it is nice
> > and thin) and I am wondering if it will work with either of these?
> > Any feedback welcome. Thank you.
> >
>
> The battery in my Oregon Scientific (basic model, don't remember the
number)
> sender went flat quickly (just a couple of months), then the display
started
> to play up (I suspect moisture inside). Then I had to replace the battery
in
> the receiver (watch), and now the one in the sender is getting weak again.
> It hasn't been a good experience.
>
> Steve = : ^ )

I don't have a Nike HRM, but I have a Lance 4 watch. I have to say the
quality has been less than spectacular. I got it last Christmas, and within
a month the yellow Lance sig on the back stuck to my wrist. 6 months after
that the strap broke---and I had to pay to get it replaced. Then I contacted
Nike because of the signature problem and various nicks and dings in the
titanium case. To their credit, Nike sent me back what appears to be a brand
new watch. Still, this kind of quality and durability in a $279 watch leaves
much to be desired. To answer the OP's question---Polar. I have an old M52
which has been flawless for 10 years now, and Polar's customer service is
exemplary. The battery died so I sent it back. I paid the standard battery
replacement fee(12 dollars or so) and received the watch back with a new
transmitter AND a free T-shirt. They're awesome.

12-09-2004, 08:44 PM

Stay away from the Nike at all costs. Having got one for my birthday in
April, I returned 4 in the span of 90 days before finally going with a
Polar.

"Ronnizia" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1102567053.279055.312330@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
>I have heard that the polar monitors are really good but I hate the way
> they look. I think they are so ugly and the ones with any real
> functionality are HUGE.
>
> So I have researched and found the oregon scientific HR308:
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> and the Nike Imara:
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> I was pretty much talked out of the Imara by my local REI sales person
> because he said they have been getting a lot of returns.
>
> So I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these?
> Also I am thinking about getting a polar m32 strap (because it is nice
> and thin) and I am wondering if it will work with either of these?
> Any feedback welcome. Thank you.
>

12-16-2004, 09:36 PM

Polar seems to be the standard. I'm on my third (M52, s610 and now the
s625x) and have been pleased with all of them (though the s610 leaked a
bit but kept working).

PJ
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Ronnizia wrote:
> I have heard that the polar monitors are really good but I hate the
way
> they look. I think they are so ugly and the ones with any real
> functionality are HUGE.
>
> So I have researched and found the oregon scientific HR308:
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> and the Nike Imara:
>
>
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> I was pretty much talked out of the Imara by my local REI sales
person
> because he said they have been getting a lot of returns.
>
> So I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these?
> Also I am thinking about getting a polar m32 strap (because it is
nice
> and thin) and I am wondering if it will work with either of these?
> Any feedback welcome. Thank you.