Which Heart Rate Monitor?

Question:
Looking for wireless computer with cadence that mounts well, has: ave & max speed, total distance and consistently gives accurate readings. Not for a big budget would be preferable. This is for real. I've already done some checking and reviews; let's see what you can offer. Good help is appreciated.

Hi Lee,

You are correct when you say help is appreciated as there are many HRM's out there and so many to choose from. So you want a wireless computer with cadence, speed, average and distance etc.

You also say you want accurate readings, so if you are a regular reader you will have realize that we like Polar HRM's. They are accurate and have lots of functions that are exceptionally useful for training and very interesting for after the ride.

The Polar CS100 is available for just above $100 and it has many similar features to the more expensive heart rate monitors, it has all the options that you need and want, here is a list of them:

Polar exercise features
Wireless ECG accurate heart rate
Exercise set (extended exercise profiles)
Polar OwnCal
Polar OwnCode
Target zones with visual alarm
Target zones with audio alarm
Maximum heart rate of total exercise
Average heart rate of total exercise
Maximum heart rate of each lap
Automatic lap recording
Number of laps 50
Exercise date

Cycling features
Trip
Distance
Odometer (1/2 and total)
Speed (current, average and Max)
Wheel size settings for two bicycles

Bike mount
Speed sensor (wireless)
Cadence sensor optional
Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)
Graphical comparison of heart rate and speed
Calorie consumption rate/lm
Autostart/stop
SpeedPointer
Automatic display scroll
Multifunctional handle bar/stem installation
Speed sensor installation for different fork shapes

Weight management features
Polar OwnCal

Computer Connectivity
Transfer logos from polar website to wrist unit (UpLink)

Edit wrist unit settings with polar UpLink tool and transfer them to your Polar product(UpLink)

Data transfer
UpLink

Recording features
Number of exercise files (with Summaries)
Exercise file info page with date and time
Exercise time (total)
Time in target zone
Target zone limits
Average heart rate of total exercise
Calorie expenditure (exercise/Total/Fat%) Exercise total
Short diary
Distance (total)
Basic features
Heart rate (displayed as bpm)
Heart rate (displayed as % of maximum heart rate

Automatic/manual target zone (%/bpm)
Visual and audible alarm in target
Water resistant to 10 meters
Backlight
Easy start (Setting wizard)
Over-sized display
User configurable displays
Dome button, with touch response and sound
Sound volume level setting
Double antenna (longer range, less disturbance)

Watch features
Time of day (12/24h) without alarm
Date and weekday indicator
Low battery indicator
User replaceable battery

Transmitter belt
Polar T31 coded transmitter
Polar WearLink 31 coded transmitter compatible
Polar T61 coded transmitter compatible

There are many other Heart Rate Monitor's, as you know, but for this price it will be hard to beat, we hope to do an more indepth review soon.

Good luck Lee and I hope this has helped.