training aids COMPUTERS, WATCHES advice please
biccy
Posts: 9
in General Chat
hello everyone, im after peoples advice and experience please
im trying to decide on what setup of cycle computer and heart rate monitor or all in one to go for.
So far i am leaning heavily towards Garmin, but will a fr60 survice (no gps! and is it really that useable on bike?) or a forerunner 305 (but what to do with it during swim?) or just go the whole hog and splash on the forerunner 310xt? (but is it worth the price jump?)
is all in one the best way to go?
help appreciated
Tom
im trying to decide on what setup of cycle computer and heart rate monitor or all in one to go for.
So far i am leaning heavily towards Garmin, but will a fr60 survice (no gps! and is it really that useable on bike?) or a forerunner 305 (but what to do with it during swim?) or just go the whole hog and splash on the forerunner 310xt? (but is it worth the price jump?)
is all in one the best way to go?
help appreciated
Tom
0
Comments
The FR60 is very much a training watch tho....in competitions I set it to General mode and then just use the lap button to record splits. The HR belt dos nt work underwater and if you try to move between general to bike or run it ends the session so like I said I leave it in General.
I got mine from Amazon of all places with the bike sensor and footpod (which is actually quite accurate and also very useful) for £160..I think!
After all the above if I could have afforded the 310XT I would have bought one cos ALL the cool kids have them!
305 can be had for £130 with HRM strap - 310 is £220 and HRM is additional £40? so basically the 310 costs £130 more - you could buy two 305s
Significant practical difference I can see is battery on the 310 lasts 20hrs
http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/19 ... itor--hrm-
I thought to good to be true anyhoo i ordered and the next day it dropped on my desk.
I have used it almost every day since for runs and rides must admit i have not used it in water yet.
Here's what i think........
Best bit of kit i have bought to date...i was struggling running at 5-6 km's as my HR was rocketing i have found that i was pushing to hard for the distances i was trying to achieve. By using the Garmin to set a pacer (per KM ) and regulating my pace after a few runs i knocked out a 13KM run average HR 150 and had more in the tank. Maybe it's a placebo i don't know but it works for me. I'm looking forward to my next event on 22nd August now as i know this is definately helping me and my pacing is better starting to understand how my body performs now.
My bike is steady anyway just throught years of riding.
The computer software is simple to use and very satisfying to look at the results and see where things changed. also be able to spot where you slowed HR increases and know why.
I agree with the GPS comment to a degree but the accurate pacing from the GPS is one of the things i find most useful. Also the self amusement of spelling rude words out on the floor in park land in the middle of runs and then seeing it on the little red line on the map is not growing tiresome.
Hope this helps.
Ade
although as Zac said seems you need to look like you got your hair in a bun under your swim hat for that to work.
although I'm now looking at measuring my cadence so will be looking at a budget bike computer with this option as wireless... any suggestions?
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/06/new- ... water.html
Re: training aids COMPUTERS, WATCHES advice please
by blaze1235 » Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:35 am
I had this same dilemma but after some extensive research and a lot of hunting on google i found the 310xt with HRM for the very good price of........wait for it .......£229 +delivery
http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/19 ... itor--hrm-
am having a look into this ^ currently not in stock, but i might see if anywhere else will price match. at that price i think its prob best option.
i take it its standard hr strap, not premium?