Concept2 Forum

I'm a university novice rower who is currently looking into purchasing a heartrate monitor (and a Model D...but that's another story).<br><br>First, how good of an investment is a HRM? I think I already know the answer to that, but I'd like to hear what you all have to say.<br><br>Second, I'm set on buying a unit from Polar. But which should I buy? I'm looking at the M61 and M32. How do I decide which one to go with?<br><br>Third, how useful/accurate are the OwnZone and OwnIndex functions?<br><br>Thanks.<br><br>-Ryan

<!--QuoteBegin-Blue44deuce+Nov 29 2004, 02:46 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> (Blue44deuce @ Nov 29 2004, 02:46 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Second, I'm set on buying a unit from Polar. But which should I buy? I'm looking at the M61 and M32. How do I decide which one to go with?<br> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br> Good question, I was also looking at the polar range, couldn't decide which one to go for. Not sure I need all the features as will be mainly using the HR interface and the PM3/RowPro HR display.<br><br>I like the look of the new chest band, padded, washable and you can replace the batteries easily. I think on the old one you had to send it off

You could do with a cheaper HR than Polar.<br>I have a cheap one (about € 25,00) and the C2 can see my chest band. So you could save some money.

When I bought mine, cardiosport was 1/2 the price of polar for the same features. Also the belt is more comfortable imo, and they both work with the C2 interface and gym machines.

I also just purchased an HRM. I went with the Polar M61. I have been very happy with it, and it is quite comfortable. If you want to go with one of the two Polars that you mentioned it is really just a matter of for how many extras you're willing to pay.

If you had a C2 rower already, I would just get the chest belt and the hookup, since you don't need the wrist watch and you get your basic info off the PM3. Since you don't have the rower yet, you would presumably need to hook the watch up the handle at a gym where you row? In that case, you don't need much for the display since it is not that easy to see the watch on the handle going back and forth; just the rate is all you need. I would like a history fx then though, something that shows your max HR and avg, or range, etc, after the workout.<br><br>But basically for during the workout, all you are going to want is the rate display.<br><br>I have the cheapest polar model, but I think Nashbar units will work with the hookup too, and they are much cheaper than polar.

I looked into the CardioSport models and found two REALLY good sales at www.performancebike.com<br><br>I'm tempted to get the more expensive one...but I need to compare them. I won't always be on an erg. I row and run, as well. So I think a more-than-basic hrm is what I should look for.<br><br>Anymore insight for me?

<!--QuoteBegin-michaelb+Nov 30 2004, 10:28 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> (michaelb @ Nov 30 2004, 10:28 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Since you don't have the rower yet, you would presumably need to hook the watch up the handle at a gym where you row? In that case, you don't need much for the display since it is not that easy to see the watch on the handle going back and forth; just the rate is all you need. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br> I just bought an M32 and wear it on my wrist , as I train at the local gym. This also means I can wear it for non-erging activities. I have no trouble seeing it and it tells me all I need to know with regard to Av HR for a session and time in a Zone.<br><br>The strap is comfortable, washable and the battery easily changable ... I am happy with my investment.<br><br>- George

Would you say that the ability to record time spent below, in, and above target zone is an important feature when choosing a hrm? That's the deciding factor between the Cardiosport GraphX and Xtreme, at this point. For $60 and $80, respectively, I doubt I can find a better deal.

I was unsure what I would make of my HRM but after a while I have decided that all it really needs to do is give me the average HR for an exercise period, and also let me know my HR as I row. I can set zones but they are easy to remember and I sure dont want it to beep at me if it gets to high, as I can see that for myself.<br><br>Rowing is a combination of spm and pace and your ability to cope with the many combinations of both. All I really want to see during say a 40min session at 20spm at 230watts (tomorrows piece) is my HR as I go a long (tho that will not cause me to change my objective) and my average HR at the end (so I can compare it to other test pieces) But I am also aware that having had 3 or 4 reasonably hard sessions in a row my HR might be higher than if I had come of a rest day, so --- the HR monitor is just a tool and provides one piece of info that needs to be weighd against others.<br><br>If you like gizmo's and all sort of plots and graphs then there are models that will give you the info at a cost, but really you dont need much in my opinion to aid you in your assesment of your efforts.<br><br>- George

I am not really training for anything, so my use of a HR monitor is going to be different than yours. You may want to keep careful data on how your fitness improves, and use your HR monitor to challenge yourself in your training. I mainly use my HR monitor to limit the intensity of my rowing, when I want to row easy, steady, long distance pieces. So I cap my HR at 150 (which is UT2 for me), and use that to guide my pace.<br><br>If I am rowing hard, I focus less on my HR and don't pay that much attention to what zone it is in. It is interesting to know your HR after a hard work though, since that gives you more data about how hard it really was (for example, I can't really drink water comfortably until my HR drops below 165).<br><br>I don't particularly like the display of the graphx. It looks cluttered to me, and the graph doesn't look that useful. I like the display of the extreme better, since showing the % clearly would be helpful, and you can still see your HR. I also like the polar A3, which for some reason doesn't show up on the main sale page. It shows your HR range, which would also be useful (I often forget my ranges, so have them printed and posted on the wall in front of me).<br><br><a href='http://www.performancebike.com/shop/pro ... ?SKU=13385' target='_blank'>http://www.performancebike.com/shop/pro ... U=13385</a>

Thanks for the info, guys. I agree...the GraphX display looks like junk. For $80, I don't think I can pass up the Xtreme. The A3 looks nice and has all the necessary basic features. But, for $9 more, I can get more features that may come in handy. I'd like to not have to buy another hrm in the future.<br><br>Thanks for all the help!

I went to the Sport’s Authority in Wilmington, Delaware to purchase a new heart monitor. I wanted the Polar M32 with the new WearLink transmitter. The WearLinkCoded transmitter made from a soft, fabric material. The electrodes, which pick up the heart signals, are integrated right into the strap for added flexibility and comfort. The Coded feature eliminates interference from other heart rate monitors. I bought the M32 and headed out to my car. I decided to open the box. Much to my surprise there was no transmitter, just the watch. I went right back and demanded a new unit. Being burnt once, I opened the second unit. Low and behold, the second unit had the old style transmitter made out of rubber, and no elastic band to hold the transmitter in place. It took a third try to get it right. I cannot believe that the Sport’s Authority is trying to pass off new merchandise with parts obliviously taken out of the box.<br><br>BTW, the new style transmitter works great. Works OK with my Concept 2 Rower pickup unit. Have not lost the signal while rowing due to poor contact with my chest. I also do not have to use buh-bump electrode cream on the transmitter. Just wet the electrodes under the tap, strap it on, and row. Takes a CR2025 battery. Even though it is a coded transmitter, it works fine with the rower receiver module.

I purchased a Cardiosport Xtreme and, after I get it, I'll tell you guys what I think.

<!--QuoteBegin-brianric+Dec 1 2004, 12:53 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> (brianric @ Dec 1 2004, 12:53 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I wanted the Polar M32 with the new WearLink transmitter. The WearLinkCoded transmitter made from a soft, fabric material. The electrodes, which pick up the heart signals, are integrated right into the strap for added flexibility and comfort. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br> Hi Brian, this is the model I bought a few weeks ago and have to say I am very happy with the comfort and reliability so far.<br><br>How do you integrate its use into your training?<br><br>regds George