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Heart Monitor Watch - Two Models from Garmin
* Garmin Forerunner 50 The Forerunner 50 in particular is especially popular, thanks to a good number of functions, a reasonable price and the Garmin repuation. According to an official product description: The affordable Forerunner 50 provides you with instant workout data including training time, pace, distance, lap pace, lap time, lap distance, average and best pace, calories, maximum and average heart rate. It also records both lap and detailed data. Available in 3 different versions, [it] comes bundled with different accessories to help you track your progress for whatever moves you. Forerunner 50 with wireless heart rate effectively tracks and records your heart rate while you work out, providing instant feedback about how hard your heart is working. The included digital heart rate monitor continuously tracks heart beats per minute which is wirelessly transmitted to the [monitor]. Even train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level. And well after your workout is done, Forerunner 50 is still working, wirelessly transmitting your training data to your PC. Forerunner 50 packaged with Garmin's wireless foot pod lets you track your running speed, distance and calories burned while on the treadmill or pavement. Just snap the foot pod into a clip on your shoe laces, and it’s ready to send data to Forerunner 50 as soon as you start moving. After your workout, [it] automatically transfers your data to your computer when within range. When paired with an optional speed/cadence sensor, Forerunner 50 tracks the speed and distance of your cycling workouts. The wireless speed/cadence sensor attaches securely to your bike and measures your pedaling cadence and wheel speed as you ride. You can even use it to train indoors because the sensor attaches to your rear wheel. The device has attracted many Amazon,com customer reviews. Here is one four-star review: It works pretty much as described. I used it on the treadmill today just to test out its accuracy, and it recorded a 3 mile run as being 3.2 miles. I'm thinking the treadmill must be the more accurate of the two, but I could be wrong. At any rate, you can calibrate the device so it's not a big deal. The heart rate monitor agreed with the monitor on the treadmill, and the end calorie calculation was within 2 calories of what the treadmill reported. The sync feature is pretty cool, but the software feels a little "old". It's good, but it looks and feels like it was written in 1995. Getting the 405 would probably make the software a little more useful because with the GPS you can view your route on a map and it tracks not only distance but elevation. Overall I'd say it's fun to use and that it's helping my workouts. And a five-star review: Very good product. The things I like best about this product are: The only cons I have are that the telemetry strap is not compatible with cardio machines in a gym that have heart rate monitors built into them (so you always have to bring the watch with you), and the software for viewing your comleted workouts is pretty bare bones. I am willing to bet that Garmin will roll out software upgrades in the future though. * Get the Latest Price on the Heart Monitor Watch from Garmin. See also my Guide to Buying the Best Heart Rate Monitor. And check out the heart rate monitor bestseller rankings at Amazon.com November 21st, 2009
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Garmin is famous for its GPS devices, which have a wide variety of applications. Some of them - for athletes and cyclists - incorporate heart rate monitors. The company also makes two models of its heart monitor watch, which do not include GPS. These are:
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