[jeffmuldoon]

Does anybody know any reasonably priced watches with HRM straps that have ANT+ capability? I think I eventually want to get a garmin edge 500 or something like that but dont need the cadence and speed sensors that the 350$ package offers. I also think the watch would be helpful for spin classes and stuff like that for that I do during the winter when there is tons of snow on the trails. Much more than 100$ for the watch/sensor seems to be wasting money as even though I dont need the edge500 bundle it would end up being cheaper to go that route if spending lots of money. Thanks in advance.

 

[TwoWheelMan]

Garmin FR60. Mine was ~$115 on ebay including the heart rate strap and ANT2 stick. It has full recording of HR data with 20+ hrs of storage, sport specific HR zones, and a battery that lasts years not hours. The interface is simple to use and the display is configurable. Plus, you can add the Garmin speed/cadence sensor later if you wish, resulting in a full bike computer (no gps, of course). Or add a foot pod if you run. This is the best bang for the buck in Garmin's line-up, IMO.

 

[jeffmuldoon]

Hmm looks interesting. Anyone else have any other suggestions for me to look into?

 

[yellowducman]

For not too much more cash you could go with last years Forerunner 405 and get the GPS aspect also.

 

[jkmacman]

For not too much more cash you could go with last years Forerunner 405 and get the GPS aspect also.

ditto, i have the foreunner 405 for some time and just got a new wrist band. i got my used a year or 2 ago for $200 and you can get it new for that amount. i swim so i'd prefer the 310xt, but not ready to fork over over another 300 for the 2 months per year i swim outside.

i thought about using it for spin class, but i hardly ever go to spin class and i doubt the foot pod would log cadence, i have two speed sensors (cadence) and 2 hrm as it uses same devices as the edge 305 which i also have (busted).

anyway it's a great little unit and i got rid of my droid, i must mention that i still have my delorne pn-40 for serious off-road mtbing. hope to get another year or two out of my foreunner 405:thumbsup:

here's a mtb ride i took the 405 the other night round the new meadowlands football stadium
http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/69373104

 

[TwoWheelMan]

For not too much more cash you could go with last years Forerunner 405 and get the GPS aspect also.

True enough, and I'll add that if you need/want a nonmapping GPS have a look at the Forerunner 305 too. The 305 is cheaper than the 405 and, while less graceful in appearance, many folks find it to have a much less finicky interface. I've had both and sold the 405 owing to the touch bezel driving me totally nuts. But of course YMMV.

My system is the FR60 for everything (bike,squash, gym, trainer, etc), with a bike mount for the bike. I found after a few years with the 305 and 405 that a GPS, while cool, is only truly useful to me when it has full mapping and route following capability (which the 305 and 405 forerunners really don't do), so I ditched the 305/405, use the FR60, and add a Dakota to the FR60 for the few times when I need GPS/mapping.

Just a few thoughts. There are different ways to skin this cat.

 

[jeffmuldoon]

Well what I really want is something that will record heart rate as well as where I've even. I do have an older but functional bike computer already so i don't need that functionality really. I've been using my iPhone 4 with various gps apps but to do HR I'd need a monitor plus an ant+ adapter so I'm looking at probably 120-150$ right there and that led me to think if I'm spending that much money I may as well get something more suitable and spend a few more dollars. Plus iPhone gps is no good if there's no cell service. I also dont necessarily need to see the gps/HR while riding. Just thOught it would be nice.

 

[jkmacman]

i also use a cheap polar f4 often when i hit the trainor, spin, swim etc. no ant, but i can log the ave hr, max hr, duration etc. i often use old gpx files, modify date, and key in ave hr & max. every work out can't be your best, but i like to see a work out (or two) every day):thumbsup:

 

[.40AET]

The Garmin Forerunner 110 is the least expensive model with GPS. If you don't need the GPS then the FR60 has been a good watch/HR monitor for me for the last year. When I need the GPS I just use the Edge 305 from my bike. The ipone apps for the ant devices look pretty cool.

Good luck