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Nashbar
Heart Rate Monitor
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Submitted by
Fabian Hernandez
a
from Ciudad Juarez, Chih. Mex
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | nashbar | | Strengths: | Work very well, nice features. | | Weaknesses: | The transmitter has not user replaceable battery.
Has not backlight | | Similar Products Used: | Polar, Sigma Sport, Sports Instruments | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSRxc '04 | | Bottom Line: | Very nice monitor. The strap could be a litlle more comfortable, but it is ok.
Setup requires some patience and careful reading.
A great value monitor. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Loren
a Cross Country Rider
from Eureka, CA
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hwy 1 from Oregon to Big Sur | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | catalog | | Strengths: | Inexpensive
Large Numbers | | Weaknesses: | The alarm never worked or it worked so only dogs could hear it. Less than 2 weeks old and watch goes completely blank. A battery should last more than 2 weeks. Had a little bit of rain on it, clouded in a spot, wouldn't dry out. I send it back and ordered a Polar s720i. | | Similar Products Used: | None, 1st time | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7500FX | | Bottom Line: | Avoid this heart rate monitor, it is poorly made. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Value - Performance, price, and durability | | Weaknesses: | A little bulky | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bottom Line: | I don't even remember which model Nashbar this is - doesn't say on the product either.
I've had this for about 7 years now. Have actively used it during all 7 and this product is still going strong!.
It's a no frills rock!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | hit my head and can't remember | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, easy to use basic functions, very reliable, long battery life. | | Weaknesses: | Kinda confusing setting the various zones. | | Similar Products Used: | Cardiosport basic monitor | | Bike Setup: | doesn't matter. | | Bottom Line: | I got a basic CardioSport monitor years ago at the insistence of a buddy. He was right -- even though my basic unit showed only one number -- the pulse rate -- it helped my training more than any other single thing I've ever tried.
The Nasbar unit works with the old CardioSport transmitter, and vice versa, and includes training target rate zones. I usually just set one top-limit rate and set the lower limit rate to zero. I only worry if I start to go off the charts while grunting up some hill...
Comes with stopwatch mode also, which I use all the time.
This inexpensive monitor has worked perfectly every time for more than two years now. What makes a Polar worth $150 more? Beats me.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from brewster, ny, usa
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Cheap, tons of features | | Weaknesses: | not the coolest looking one out there, programming it is not all that intuative | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Marin | | Bottom Line: | O.K. After reading all the reviews I was prepared for it not to work. It seemed like only the monitors for around $200 got consistantly good reviews. May I just got lucky, maybe things like tramsmitter placment are critical.I'm glad I took the chance though.
This is the C12 model, not sure if that's the same one in all the reviews below. It's just a rebranded Impulse 12 for less money. So far I've not experienced any of the problems noted below. It always gives a reading and only once when I went under some low powerlines was it erratic. It shot up to 214 for about 10 seconds. Same with the waterproofness. I have a habit of spraying myself with my waterbottle during hard training rides, but so far no transmitter problems.
I made a mount for the handlebar and rarely is the distance an issue. A couple of times when I have taken my hands off the bars and stretched back the reading was temorarily interuppted. It came with a free sample of BuBump cream. I find that I don't even need it if I make sure to wet down my chest good where the transmitter goes.
In comparison to the compitition it has more features than others in the under $150 price range. 1 beat increments, recovery time, max and average heart rate, etc., even a calorie counter.
What are my complaints? Why doesn't it have more than one zone? Switching workout types requires reprogramming the zone, what a pain. The xtra chip technology couldn't cost more than 10 cents. I guess thats how they force you to buy the more expensive models.
The verdict? For value it gets 5 cigars. Overall I give it a 3.5 which I guess I have to round up to 4 | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Racer
from South MA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Every trail with a climb | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$42.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Gave my resting heart rate...otherwise it showed eratic heart rate readouts or none at all. | | Weaknesses: | Eratic Heart rate readout, transmitter is not water tight. I was getting no readout while on my indoor trainer and after the workout I took the screws out of the back of the transmitter (where the battery is) and it was full of sweat. I tried to seal it up but it never worked right. It did not last 2 weeks. I was rather upset because it was my first purchase of a HRM and wanted to use one. I ended up purchasing a Polar A3...what a difference. | | Similar Products Used: | Polar A3 | | Bike Setup: | Several...1 Road and 4 mountain bikes. Trek, GT, Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | This HRM is not worth the time. Unless Nashbar changes the design of the chest strap. Forget It. The receiver is too large also. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville, SC
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon, San Diego, CA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Nashbar | | Strengths: | I like the rubber wristband and its general appearance. It comes with a handlebar mount, which is good. | | Weaknesses: | The transmitter was extremely uncomfortable and I was never able to get a consistent reading. In my attempts to solve the problem, I tried adjusting the strap tension from loose to very tight. Nothing worked. The strap often slid down - a problem I didn't have with my previous HRM. Transmission was poor, even when the electrodes where firmly positioned and wet. I don't think I ever got a consistent display in the several weeks that I used it. Sometimes it would work briefly, then it would cut out, then it would indicate a really high heart rate.
Also, accessing its features was cumbersome. | | Similar Products Used: | Nike Triax HRM 100 | | Bike Setup: | Used on road bike - 99 Lemond Zurich, full Ultegra, Rolf Vector Pro. | | Bottom Line: | This is a review of the Sport 4 model, which has more features (and costs more) than the model reviewed by others in this section.
This HRM has transmitter problems. Don't buy it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Brunson
a Racer
from Atlanta, GA USA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Good price. Replaceable batteries, easy to maintain | | Weaknesses: | Does NOT work. Inaccurate heart rate readings. Poor transmission. | | Similar Products Used: | Polar Beat | | Bike Setup: | Lemond Zurich | | Bottom Line: | Regrettable investment. It does not work and is useless for training. Readings are inaccurate | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Shaw
a
from Pittsburgh, PA USA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Nashbar | | Strengths: | Low Price, Lots of functions | | Weaknesses: | Poor quality - Transmitter leaks and fills with sweat | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Road bike - triathlon training | | Bottom Line: | This HRM seems attractive, but does not deliver. On my very first run the battery in the transmitter quit working after 12 minutes because of sweat. I never even got a chance to see how it responded during swimming, but I bet you can guess.
Buy a REAL HRM. I'm returning it to exchange for a Polar because of the sealed transmitter they use.
Value - 1 Chili - If it doesn't work, how much value can it have?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Orlando
a Cross Country Rider
from Florida,P.R.
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | price, battery replacement, handlebar mount, digital(instruction manual says) | | Weaknesses: | Size, signal radious(only 60cm), signal indicator | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | is a HRM not a Bike component. | | Bottom Line: | the model is a PHR-12, is a cheap good alternative for the low budget rider. Gives constant reading, use w/ HRM Gel. First ride had problem w/ the reading I believe because the distance between the transmiter and the unit. But it was solve by tilting the watchin the transmiter direction. Have been using it for bike and running for about 2.5 week with out any problem in the reading or craftmanship.
About the weakness, is quite big, economical construction and the signal reciver indicator is to small, macking it dificult (not imposible) to see it when riding the bike
Overall, is a simple functional Hrm that is quite reasonable for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Inyokern, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | I have owned two different Nashbar monitors. I have used their basic $50 monitor for about 3 years. It has worked very well until just recently when it started to give incorrect readings. | | Weaknesses: | The band broke and had to be glued back on. I replaced the old monitor with a Nashbar PR-12. It was an absolute piece of junk. It wouln't transmit far enough to allow mounting on the bar - even after replacing both batteries. After replacing the battery in the receiver, I never could get the band back on. I sent it back after a few rides. I am concerned that Nashbar has let their quality slip. | | Similar Products Used: | None, although I have just ordered a Performance HR400. | | Bottom Line: | The basic $50 monitor NA-HRM was a great deal and gets a 5.
The NA-PR-12 isn't fit for anyone's use. It gets a 1. Based on my overall satisfaction and good service life from the NA-HRM, I'll give a combined 4 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Y
a Weekend Warrior
from Holland, MI
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | No strenghts as this product does not work as advertised. | | Weaknesses: | Extremely poor quality. Lack of transmitter range. Very difficult to get any reading from the transmitter. | | Similar Products Used: | Polar Target | | Bottom Line: | The Nashbar NA-PR12 HRM is a complete piece of junk. Most of the problems seem to be with the transmitter unit. The contact electrodes are very small and close to the center of the transmitter, hence it's amost complete inability to get any reliable reading for me. They suggest using EKG gel, but I think that's just a band-aid for poor design. The transmitter is powered by an oddball 12v alkaline battery that isn't listed in any radio shack/MCM electronics catalog. The contact for the positive terminal for the battery is just a thin piece of aluminum that will obviously not last. If by some miracle the transmitter does work, the range is so short (60cm) hat you won't get a reading while your hands are on the handlebars. The refresh rate of the pulse display is too low and it is very difficult to troubleshoot if it is receiving a signal or not. The wristband unit is bulky, made entirely of plastic and is easily scratched. There is no audible out of pulse range alert. This unit is essentially worthless as it is highly unreliable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug
a Weekend Warrior
from california
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | backroads of the sierra nevada foothills | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | inexpensive,this is about one-half the cost of most other monitors, accurate I give blood regularly and I take it with me and have the nurse check it is usally right on, never more than 5 bpm off according to the nurse. She chcks the pulse for an entire minute so I get accurate check. | | Weaknesses: | None. I just leave mine on the bike except as noted above, therefore I have not had any wristband problems some others have noted. | | Similar Products Used: | none this is my first heartrate monitor | | Bike Setup: | old bike cannondale r200 various parts. new bike Mongoose RX10.9 titanium, ultegra triple, litespeed seatpost, avocet seat, profile brc carbon fork, fsa uf headset, profile pro road stem 3ttt prima 220 bars, cinelli cork tape spox wheels with continental gran prix 3000 foldable tires | | Bottom Line: | This is an accurate inexpensive heart rate monitor, the display is large, the battery has lasted over three years both on the monitor and the transmitter. I have no complaints. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellevue, NE, USA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | A great inexpensive HRM. It's held up for 2 years. Had to replace the transmitter batteries 3 times because of so many hours of use. Works great despite interference from TVs or powerlines. | | Weaknesses: | Not the smallest unit. Changing the heart rate zones or time settings requires a pen...and is not as simple as others. Need to wet the transmitter belt more than a Polar belt to get it to work. | | Similar Products Used: | Polar Pacer, M21. | | Bottom Line: | Recommended buy. For the price, it beats Polar features and performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Racer
from Victoria, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Nice simple unit. Long lasting bateries. Gave me all the info I needed. Easy to read display. Good no BS Moniter. DEFinately worth the money. I am about to buy another one.............. | | Weaknesses: | Strap broke within the first week. Not uncommon it seems!! Also, one of the side buttons popped out and I can't use the start/stop button anymore. | | Similar Products Used: | Polar. Tune powertap | | Bike Setup: | About ten different ones and running | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely worth the money. Wrist strap was a minor annoyance quickly remedied. Got lots of tough use out of it. Almost 3 years of hard use and I finaly had to retire it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Wilmington,DE
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Weaknesses: |
Band broke when replacing battery. Nashbar says this is a common problem and offered me a new one, or credit. | | Bottom Line: | Don't recommend it because of this common defect - band breaks when replacing battery. I don't beleive they've fixed the problem, although they claim that not everyone has this problem. Give NASHBAR an A for product service if they live up to their promise to take it back. I should also add that my heart rate seemed to jump around quite a bit when I ran, and I was concerned that it wan't accurate. I then tested it while riding an excersise bike with a heart rate monitor built in and they both gave the same hear rate reading. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Lau
a Racer
from North Vancouver BC
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Walk In The Clouds | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Great value for money
Has the functions I need (but not all)
Reliable
Tough watch BODY
Replaceable batteries | | Weaknesses: |
- Weak wristband
- Would like to set two target zones and time in both zones | | Similar Products Used: |
Polar Accurex NV
Polar Beat | | Bike Setup: |
Norco Team Issue 853 stock. Used for XC racing and training | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic value for money. My critique about lack of functions is admittedly misplaced because I would've bought another HRM if I REALLY wanted the additional functions.I tried the very high-end Polar and it had functions I knew I would never use. I tried the low-end Polar and it did not have a function - the target range and stopwatch, that I would've liked to have - which I found in the NashbarThe chintzy wristband has to go.4 stars because it is value for money. - 1 star for the wristband | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Racer
from Suffield CT
Date Reviewed: June 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
inexpensive, easy to read display, easy to program target zone | | Weaknesses: |
no audible out-of-zone alarm, poor quality wristband (it broke off after one year's use), occasionally loses signal near power lines | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bottom Line: | I would have given this 5 stars as a great deal for the money until the wristband broke off - unlike a typical watch, the monitor and wristband are one unit, so I am going to have to rig up something with velcro to hold it on to my bars, and carry it if I start running again. Maybe this problem has been fixed on newer models? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RiffRaff
a Weekend Warrior
from Anchorage, AK
Date Reviewed: May 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Can't beat the price. As mentioned before it is also compatible with polar monitor and transmitter. | | Weaknesses: |
My watchband broke with the pin mount breaking right off. So now I am relegated to velcro or a pocket. | | Similar Products Used: |
Polar Edge | | Bottom Line: | Fix the pin mounts and put an audible alarm on it but keep the price the same | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack McKnight
a weekend warrior
from Seattle, Wa, USA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
An excellent value. My only gripe is the somewhat sparse manual. Once I
figured out that the sensors on the transmitter are in the groved area (and
that is the area that needs to be wetted -- water works fine), it gives
very consistent readings. Nice large display, great backlight. Even works
for running, as well as biking. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Peabody
a cross-country rider
from Wauconda, IL
Date Reviewed: January 31, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Just an update to the last review: The only problem I've found is that if you ride within a half-mile of a cell-tower or other strong radio signal source, even big-ass high tension power lines, the monitor seems to lose the signal from the chest transmitter. Minor inconvienience. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Pochylski
a weekend warrior
from Cupertino, CA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
The Nashbar is the first HRM I've ever owned (I used a borrowed Polar a couple of times) and it seems to work just fine. As others have stated, there are not a lot of unnecessary functions and the controls are simple to learn and remember. Can't beat the price, either! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kerT
a racer
from Texas
Date Reviewed: January 5, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent value. The numbers are quite large allowing you to see them without straining your eyes. Directions were very easy to follow and easy to remember. The night light is an interesting feature but I would rather have a beep to indicate upper/lower limits. I have a very hairy chest and the monitor never fails to work. Overall a good deal at 56 dollars. Delivery from Nashbar was less than 2 weeks and that was during the Zmas season. Cant give it five chllies cuz there is not beep to indicate upper/lower limits. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Haindel
a weekend warrior
from Louisiana
Date Reviewed: September 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased one of these monitors and had to return it. It was erratic and inaccurate. If you stayed perfectly still, it would sometimes work, but not accurately The unit is also quite large. On the plus side, it did have replacable batteries in the pickup belt. We were very disappointed. Nashbar replaced without a problem. We bought a polar and are very happy with it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Peabody
a cross-country rider
from Wauconda, IL
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
For 56 bucks, this thing is half the price of ANY other monitor I've found. And it does the same damn things! I couldn't imagine why someone would spend $150 or more on a Polar HRM, when there's the Nash. It's friggin' wonderful! (well, as wonderful as HRM's go). Five creamated goats. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a weekend warrior
from St. Augustine, FL
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Unbeatable for the money! The Nashbar unit provides the functions I REALLY need without extra fluff. Mine has held up in the heat, humidity, and rain of Florida with zero problems. I've even used mine mounted to my MX motorcycle where it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. This might be the best $56 purchase I've ever made. I would recommend this HRM to anyone in the market for one! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a cross-country rider
from San Angelo TX
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Pretty good piece of gear if you're on a budget. I had mine for about a month and no problems with functioning in the wet or the heat. Works with the Polar monitors and receivers too so the're are opions when it comes to acessories.It ranked pretty high against other HRM's in Men's Health Magazine too. Anyhoo, I'm happy with mine. It tells me how long I was at above, below and within my zone and includes time of day and stopwatch. The display is big and easy to read. | | Overall Rating: |
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