No frills heart rate monitor watch?

firewaterword

OK quick question - can anyone recommend a cheap (under $50 or so) watch that gives fairly accurate heart rate measurement (and doesn't require a chest band)? Bonus points if it works without having to connect to some smartphone app. Thanks!

dispatch.o

Is this for working out?

japan

I think the stipulation for no chest band is going to be the limitation here. That means you need an optical sensor, which is a newer and more complex technology than traditional ECG bands.

My usual go-to for cheap but good gear is Decathlon, but the USA site doesn't seem to have the same range as the euro sites. Their own brand gear is usually pretty good, the UK site has the kalenji onrhythm 900 for £50 (no chest strap), or the onrhythm 110 (chest strap) for £15. I haven't used either of those, but I do use a kalenji ANT+ chest strap with my phone, which has been great.

knitdan

I think most any wristband-type monitor is going to require some use of an app for tracking purposes. I know mine needed to connect for an initial setup, but once you have it set up you don’t need to constantly connect, you just sync up the data when you want.

The price point might be a tough find. I see a lot in the $70-100 range, not so much below $50.

firewaterword

Yeah so I had a Polaris watch + strap but the strap was such a hassle that I barely used it.

I don't really mind spending more if necessary. I just want something I can glance at to check my heart rate, no bells or whistles.

And the app thing isn't a deal breaker. I've just had mixed success with all the other fitness band brands I've used in the past: jawbone, fitbit, xaomi - all of which broke within a year of purchase.

dispatch.o wrote: »

Is this for working out?

Yeah, high intensity interval training to be specific. Trying to do sets on the treadmill and the heart rate grips on those seldom work.

knitdan

Honestly I love my Fitbit but yeah I’ve never had a band last more than a year or two. The one I have is nice because it’s really just the “face” part that has all the important bits, if the strap breaks you can just replace it.

Darkewolfe

For what it's worth, a chest strap is going to be noticeably more accurate as well.

dispatch.o

Chest straps tend to be more durable, way more accurate and have the advantage of being able to interface with some higher end equipment directly depending on the standard.

I dunno what the "used" market is like for that stuff but maybe it's a possibility?


Otherwise, I'd go to Costco and get whatever the cheapest Fitbit they have available is and plan on replacing it in 2 years.

I say Costco because they put those things on sale all the time.

BlindZenDriver

dispatch.o wrote: »

Chest straps tend to be more durable, way more accurate and have the advantage of being able to interface with some higher end equipment directly depending on the standard.

I dunno what the "used" market is like for that stuff but maybe it's a possibility?

Spot on. I remember wearing my Polar watch/bike computer with its chest strap and find it interfaced with pretty much evey machine I used that had a display - and it did so without me having to do anything for it and it did not disturb my Polar receiving so my data was still logged.

Also from what I understand accuracy requires a chest strap, so much so that it is not much worth using any other types (there is a study somewhere on it).

As you I'd suggest looking for used gear, there must be lots out there which have only seen use 2-3 times or less.

firewaterword

Thanks folks. Maybe I'll rethink the polar strap and watch I have. Assuming I can find it.

furbat

I had a hr monitor on my TomTom but found the sensor became useless when I started to get sweaty. As in, the reading would go from an accurate 150 or so to reading 190+. Since I sweat buckets 10 mins into a run it made to hr monitor useless.

I don't buy watches with hr monitors now.

firewaterword

So I ended up getting a Bluetooth & ANT+ armband for about 50 dollars. We'll see how accurate it is - guy at the gym recommended it.

Thinking it will be less of a hassle than a chest strap but we'll see. As long as it syncs up to the treadmill easily I'll be happy. Anything else is a bonus; definitely interested to see how exercises like kettlebell swings affect the HR.