Heartrate monitoring options

[Daddy-O]

For those who use it, how well does a Garmin heartrate strap work with the PM4? I was thinking of going that route or just getting an entirely separate heartrate watch unit. My concern was the PM4 might not get consistent reception due to the varying distance while rowing.

[Citroen]

My Garmin FR70 start works perfectly with the PM4 (V313) on the model E in my gym.

I'm going to upgrade to V318 firmware (when I get a chance) to get the new ANT+ features in the new firmware.

[David Pomerantz]

I also use it at a gym with PM4. It works very well. I am very close to other rowers and other people using monitors and there ar no problems.

Dave

[brianh]

It works flawlessly. The range of the rowing stroke is insignificant compared to the range of the HRM strap's transmission. My fiancee and I tested the range with bike computers - I had to stay more than 100 feet ahead of her for her heart rate to stop registering. For rowing, the only problem I've ever seen is if I put the strap on without dampening the contact point first, in which case it takes a few minutes of warming up before it can start to get a reading (which is the case with every heart rate strap I've ever used).

[kayakr]

I went with an FR70 instead of spending extra for the PM4. On the plus side I can use it for multiple activities like mtn biking and travel. It's also easy to synch to garmin connect. I'm now using it more than my garmin 305 GPS which is bulkier. On the minus side it's not as convenient when rowing and also won't be integrated with the C2 logbook records (which I'm currently not using). best answer is to get both.