Pulse Rate Monitor

I would like to use a pulse rate monitor when riding. But which one.

I can calculate pulse rate ranges, maximum rate, etc., and want
something that primarily tells me what my current pulse is. If it has
a second line that tells me what range I'm in, fine, it is not a
problem, nor do I care if it records hours of riding. I'm mainly
interested in "what I'm doing right NOW" and when I stop "how quick
does my pulse return to normal"?

These monitors are not especially common here and mail order from
America is usually not the best method of procurement due to shipping,
import duties and so on. I did find a Garmin shop that has several
models - a Forerunner (three models) and a VIVOfit. I'm assuming, at
the moment, that either choice would include added cost for the chest
band.

Any suggestions?
--
Cheers,

John B.

In article ,
John B. Slocomb wrote:

....

These monitors are not especially common here and mail order from
^^^^
So where is "here"? Posting through Eternal September with an
invalid email address isn't much of a clue. Knowing "here" might
influence the advice given.

America is usually not the best method of procurement due to
shipping, import duties and so on. I did find a Garmin shop that
has several models - a Forerunner (three models) and a VIVOfit. I'm
assuming, at the moment, that either choice would include added
cost for the chest band.

Go through sites such as:

http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/index.html

for general advice.

As noted in the above site, places such as Amazon have HRMs at low
prices.

I'd have have thought an entry-level Polar HRM would fit the bill.
The more you pay, the more (unnecessary) functions you get. A chest
strap should be included in a specialist HRM.

HRMs aimed at runners are usually wrist watches. A bike handlebar
mount can be easily made from a piece of expanded foam pipe
insulation. Water proofing can be enhanced by covering the watch in
clingfilm. Yes, it's all a bit Heath Robinson[1]. And, no doubt,
frowned on by the carbon cockroaches who ride around as style police.
Doesn't stop "Heath Robinson" being effective though.

Disclaimer: Bought a DHB HRM from Wiggle for 20 pounds in 2006 when
they were on sale. It's still in the box, never used
it in anger.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Heath_Robinson
--
Dennis Davis

On Mon, 23 Mar 2015 07:43:54 +0000 (UTC), Dennis Davis
wrote:

In article ,
John B. Slocomb wrote:

...

These monitors are not especially common here and mail order from
^^^^
So where is "here"? Posting through Eternal September with an
invalid email address isn't much of a clue. Knowing "here" might
influence the advice given.

I thought I'd mentioned Bangkok enough times that people knew :-)

But "here" is Thailand.

America is usually not the best method of procurement due to
shipping, import duties and so on. I did find a Garmin shop that
has several models - a Forerunner (three models) and a VIVOfit. I'm
assuming, at the moment, that either choice would include added
cost for the chest band.

Go through sites such as:

http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/index.html

for general advice.

As noted in the above site, places such as Amazon have HRMs at low
prices.

I'd have have thought an entry-level Polar HRM would fit the bill.
The more you pay, the more (unnecessary) functions you get. A chest
strap should be included in a specialist HRM.

HRMs aimed at runners are usually wrist watches. A bike handlebar
mount can be easily made from a piece of expanded foam pipe
insulation. Water proofing can be enhanced by covering the watch in
clingfilm. Yes, it's all a bit Heath Robinson[1]. And, no doubt,
frowned on by the carbon cockroaches who ride around as style police.
Doesn't stop "Heath Robinson" being effective though.

Disclaimer: Bought a DHB HRM from Wiggle for 20 pounds in 2006 when
they were on sale. It's still in the box, never used
it in anger.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Heath_Robinson
--
Cheers,

John B.

On Monday, March 23, 2015 at 4:19:06 AM UTC+1, John B. Slocomb wrote:
I would like to use a pulse rate monitor when riding. But which one.

I can calculate pulse rate ranges, maximum rate, etc., and want
something that primarily tells me what my current pulse is. If it has
a second line that tells me what range I'm in, fine, it is not a
problem, nor do I care if it records hours of riding. I'm mainly
interested in "what I'm doing right NOW" and when I stop "how quick
does my pulse return to normal"?

These monitors are not especially common here and mail order from
America is usually not the best method of procurement due to shipping,
import duties and so on. I did find a Garmin shop that has several
models - a Forerunner (three models) and a VIVOfit. I'm assuming, at
the moment, that either choice would include added cost for the chest
band.

Any suggestions?
--
Cheers,

John B.

Get the simplest coded one.

Lou

Per John B. Slocomb:
Any suggestions?

Find out if you smartphone supports something called "ANT+".

If it does, consider getting just a chest band and one of the freebie
pulse monitoring apps.
--
Pete Cresswell

On 23/03/2015 8:49 AM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
Per John B. Slocomb:
Any suggestions?

Find out if you smartphone supports something called "ANT+".

If it does, consider getting just a chest band and one of the freebie
pulse monitoring apps.


I think most current smart phones running an app like MapMyRide or
RideWithGPS or whatever will support ANT+ and HRMs.

The problem for me is that the display on the phone isn't usually
visible in sunlight. They do make these adapters now with typical cycle
computer displays that connect to your phone via blue tooth.
I'm not sure though that after all that you aren't better off just
getting a lower end Garmin or similar.

On 23/03/2015 8:57 AM, Duane wrote:
On 23/03/2015 8:49 AM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
Per John B. Slocomb:
Any suggestions?

Find out if you smartphone supports something called "ANT+".

If it does, consider getting just a chest band and one of the freebie
pulse monitoring apps.


I think most current smart phones running an app like MapMyRide or
RideWithGPS or whatever will support ANT+ and HRMs.

The problem for me is that the display on the phone isn't usually
visible in sunlight. They do make these adapters now with typical cycle
computer displays that connect to your phone via blue tooth.
I'm not sure though that after all that you aren't better off just
getting a lower end Garmin or similar.


Something like this:
http://www.topeak.com/products/PanoB...eCase/tpb_c01b

along with a blue tooth equipped smart phone could be a solution.

On Mon, 23 Mar 2015 04:01:39 -0700 (PDT), Lou Holtman
wrote:

On Monday, March 23, 2015 at 4:19:06 AM UTC+1, John B. Slocomb wrote:
I would like to use a pulse rate monitor when riding. But which one.

I can calculate pulse rate ranges, maximum rate, etc., and want
something that primarily tells me what my current pulse is. If it has
a second line that tells me what range I'm in, fine, it is not a
problem, nor do I care if it records hours of riding. I'm mainly
interested in "what I'm doing right NOW" and when I stop "how quick
does my pulse return to normal"?

These monitors are not especially common here and mail order from
America is usually not the best method of procurement due to shipping,
import duties and so on. I did find a Garmin shop that has several
models - a Forerunner (three models) and a VIVOfit. I'm assuming, at
the moment, that either choice would include added cost for the chest
band.

Any suggestions?
--
Cheers,

John B.

Get the simplest coded one.

Lou

With the exception of replacing the word "simplest" with "cheapest"
that is what I had intended :-)\
--
Cheers,

John B.

On Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:49:07 -0400, "(PeteCresswell)"
wrote:

Per John B. Slocomb:
Any suggestions?

Find out if you smartphone supports something called "ANT+".

If it does, consider getting just a chest band and one of the freebie
pulse monitoring apps.

Yes, there is that although I had thought more about a small, stylish,
wrist mounted device ;-)
--
Cheers,

John B.

On Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:57:13 -0400, Duane
wrote:

On 23/03/2015 8:49 AM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
Per John B. Slocomb:
Any suggestions?

Find out if you smartphone supports something called "ANT+".

If it does, consider getting just a chest band and one of the freebie
pulse monitoring apps.


I think most current smart phones running an app like MapMyRide or
RideWithGPS or whatever will support ANT+ and HRMs.

The problem for me is that the display on the phone isn't usually
visible in sunlight. They do make these adapters now with typical cycle
computer displays that connect to your phone via blue tooth.
I'm not sure though that after all that you aren't better off just
getting a lower end Garmin or similar.

I don't much use a GPS, other than occasionally when I get lost :-)
and I find that in sunlight my hand phones are nearly impossible to
read. I had a wrist watch type of pulse monitor some years ago that
worked well. I use it mainly to keep myself slowed down - I tend to
get all big headed and get with it.... then ten miles further I
realize that I shouldn't have done that :-(
--
Cheers,

John B.