1. Timex Race Trainer Kit
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The Timex Ironman Race Trainer is an exercise heart rate monitor and full featured Ironman sports watch. Coupled with the TrainingPeaks web site to download and view your data and get training programs, this is a system that anyone can use for race training, or simply tracking diet and exercise. You can view your heart rate with the time of day and while using the chronograph and timer. I found it easy to move between functions with the Race Trainer. It has a large number display and a night light. While I found the lower model, Road Trainer, to be good, I loved the online functionality of the Race Trainer.
2. Timex Ironman Bodylink System
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This system combines a GPS speed and distance monitor with a great sports watch and a heart monitor strap. Track your speed, distance, and heart rate with great accuracy to view during and after your workout. An optional Timex data recorder can save it all for viewing on your computer.
3. Garmin Forerunner 305
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The Garmin Forerunner features a wrist GPS/watch unit as well as a heart rate monitor strap. You can get true outdoor speed and distance as well as heart rate.
4. Wahoo Fitness Soft Heart Rate and iPhone fisica Sensor Key
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Turn your iPhone into a heart rate monitor display with this combination. The soft elastic heart rate monitor chest strap can transmit to any ANT+ compatible display. Combine it with the Fisica Sensor Key (Compare Prices) for the iPhone and now you have eliminated one more device. You can view your heart rate, distance speed and other data via several apps. Some apps allow you to view charts and graphs online and keep a history of your workouts.
5. Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor
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The Polar FT7 sells for just over $100.It determines your OwnCal calorie burn. You can upload your data via the Polar FlowLink via either Mac or PC software. Then you can use their Polarpersonaltrainer.com web site to track your workouts and recovery. The FlowLink is sold separately for around $50. This unit is good for people who want to keep track of their heart rate workouts. But it still lacks sports watch features you get on Timex models, such as a stopwatch and lap timing.
6. Polar FT60 Heart Rate Monitor
The Polar FT60 goes beyond just heart rate to be a personal training computer and coach. With the FT60, you also get teh Polar Star training program. You set your goals and it gives you your weekly training schedule. You can run the Polar Fitness Test with this unit, and it determines your calorie burn and your personal heart rate target zones. You can upload data via the Polar Flow Link (sold separately) with either Mac or PC. Then use their web site to track your training in detail. This unit is also compatible with their S1 footpod to get real-time speed data, and/or their G1 GPS sensor for outdoor training. It's a lot of data. But it still doesn't include the sports watch functions that Timex units do (hint, hint - stopwatch!)
7. Oregon Scientific Gaiam Touch Heart Rate Monitor SE336
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