Cycling Computer of Hart Rate Monitor

Andy Cam

I am waiting on a new road bike to be delivered and need to get a computer for it. The question is do I go for a standard computer or a polar fitness system that I can use on and off the bike or a Garmin GPS. I run and swim as well as cycle so I would be interested in others that have the Polar system, what one do you use and how do you find it.

Thanks in advance

Andrew

Ryder

Got the forerunner 305 over a year ago. Very accurate for speed and distance. Can also get a cadence sensor. If you go running as well i think its the best all round option.

blorg

The forerunner would be a good bet, only downside from the Edge is the smaller screen, it is fully multi-sport. You can't use the HR while swimming obviously.

Andy Cam

thanks for the heads up on the forerunner 305. I had a look at it and the forerunner 405 which may be good for me as i was going to buy a new watch. Does anyone know where you could buy either the 305 or 405 in dublin or am i better off looking on the net?

Thanks again the forerunner looks much better than the Polar products.

blorg

I don't think the 405 would be great as a normal watch. The 305 has the advantage of a bigger screen for use on the bike but the disadvantage of it being a slightly larger yoke to be carrying around on a run.

Bunnyhopper

If you happen to be an Apple user - I've heard that the Garmins work better with Macs than the Polars.

Home:Ballyhoura

Andy Cam wrote: »

am i better off looking on the net?

Yes, always the net! So much cheaper than rip-off republic!

I usually try the following websites, all with free shipping and UK based (good exchange rate at the moment):
http://www.probikekit.com/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/

zzzzzzzz

Bunnyhopper wrote: »

If you happen to be an Apple user - I've heard that the Garmins work better with Macs than the Polars.

Yeah - the polar cs200 doesn't work with a mac at all. I'm pretty sure it's the same across the range. I have to use parallels to run windows and download data.

Gavin

Got my rfurb edge 305 from www.handtec.co.uk

no problems so far

Ryaner

Gavin wrote: »

Got my rfurb edge 305 from www.handtec.co.uk

no problems so far

I got my Garmin from these too. They are impossible to contact via email, their website, or google checkout but they did answer the phone.

fenris

+1 for Handtec

Got my Garmin 705 from them last week, ordered on a friday ands delivered on the following Wednesday

Highway_To_Hell

I have a Garmin 405 which I think is great, easy to setup and use, no extra addons required except the cadence sensor for my bike, but it wouldnt be a good option for an everyday watch as it is rechargable, maximum time in active GPS mode would be around 8 hrs, in standby I would presume it would need to be recharged every week. - The Software it comes with is also easy to use and uploading info is wireless.

An option that would work as an everyday watch as well as sports watch would be the TIMEX Ironman series. I use to have one and found the big let down was the seperate GPS and memory module that had to be carried as well. I had a model I bought in 2004 and the GPS was a bit flakey and would drop the signal which caused inaccurate distance/speed data, but I am sure the technology has improved.