Measuring heart rate

[Siku]

Can anyone recommend a decent HR monitor?

Ideally one that is

* Suitable for depth
* Easy to use
* relatively cheap
* Records indivdual beats not just rate
* Can export data in a convenient format

I've never used one and have no idea what to get, but reading some of the posts off the back of Sebs recent work I would love to employ this in training.

All comments very welcome, thanks.

 

[trux]

The only HR monitor usable for depth I am aware of is Scubapro Uwatec Meridian or its bigger brother Galileo, but that's more expensive and rather bulky computer.

They do not record individual beats as far as I could see, but the manufacturer is relatively open to suggestions from the freediving community, so it may come soon.

 

[Siku]

Thanks trux. What about for in the pool then?

 

[vasile]

Or the other option is to use a dedicated hr monitor beside your diving computer.
Personal I use a polar FT80 but just for pool work.Never took it to the sea despite the fact it is wr to 100m...

 

[Simos]

Just don't get one of those running ones that go on the wrist only, they're rubbish. Actually I think mine was a cheap polar one vasile but I could be wrong. It's waterproof but doesn't work underwater and also, you need to press a button just to get the reading - whereas you need something with decent memory.

Just subscribing really as I want to know too

 

[growingupninja]

The Galileo Sol looks like it has some REALLY nice features but that price tag is steep. I find myself wondering whatever happened to skin diving with just a mask and speedo. Simpler times.

 

[Siku]

I don't actually own a dive computer, and won't be able to afford one this year.

I was hoping their might be something basic on the market that would do the job for not much money.

Finis AquaPulse Verbal Heart Rate Swim Pool Monitor | eBay

This is not exactly cheap at £150... it tells you your heart rate every 10". Worth a go?

 

[Siku]

Or the other option is to use a dedicated hr monitor beside your diving computer.
Personal I use a polar FT80 but just for pool work.Never took it to the sea despite the fact it is wr to 100m...

Looks good: Polar FT80 Heart Rate Monitor Black/Black, One Size

When you say beside I presume it doesn't need a dive computer? The reviews I can find say "don't press the buttons underwater". Hmmm.

Have you used it Vasile?

 

[Simos]

Mine was something like this: Sportline Solo 900 Heart Rate Monitor by directrunning

I wouldn't waste any money or anything like this that requires a button to be pressed in order to give you a reading... even if it did work underwater, it's massively impractical.

Does the FT80 sample the heart rate as you dive and save it so that you can view the data later?

 

[vasile]

Looks good: Polar FT80 Heart Rate Monitor Black/Black, One Size

When you say beside I presume it doesn't need a dive computer? The reviews I can find say "don't press the buttons underwater". Hmmm.

Have you used it Vasile?

I use it in conjunction with an Immersion Prowler diving computer,the FT record all data regarding the work out and you can view it on www.polarpersonaltrainer.com where you can compare data from previous dives/workouts .I don't see why you want to press the buttons underwater,you have on display your HR as you set it up on surface.To have this only for diving it would be over engineered for the purpose.Overall fitness training tool is brilliant.

 

[Kars]

Reading the HR at depth seems to me rather counter productive.

Assume the number is high, you get disappointment; a thought that cost lot's of O2.
If the number if low, you may think god Nike is on your side, and you overestimate yourself.

HR does not indicate bloodvolume throughput, especially with highly trained people.

However it's graphs can teach you interesting things.

 

[Siku]

Agreed Kars, I don't need to read the HR at depth, only to measure it.

Vasile, what other data does the FT monitor? Not being able to press the buttons underwater is no big problem, it just made me question how water proof it really is.

The FT does seem a bit over engineered for the job but it's only marginally more expensive than the AquaPulse.