Heart Rate Monitors

Featured review by Idnod

5 batteries and 3 straps ago, from Asia to the North America and it's still serving me like it did when I first got it - not to mention the original transmitter - whew! I've used this in the tropics backpacking from beaches to 9K+ ft peaks, running, swimming, work, parties ... and the great thing is it helped me monitor, record and improve my fitness. I wish Polar will come up with a second/third generation of AXNs and also replacements for the wrist strap "plates" (those 2 black plastic plates under the strap each secured by 2 screws).

Read more: Polar AXN500 reviews (3)

Reviewed by Vladimir Gorbunov

A multi-functional health tracker combining wrist-based heart rate monitor (HRM) with ANT+ broadcasting capability and simple smart/sports watch abilities. Nice device for those who are tired of chest-based HRMs. Unfortunately the feature set is very limited in comparison to true smart/sports watches.

Background I’d been using the chest-based HRM with my old Garmin GPSMap 62s in 2011-2013. I liked the possibility to examine my pulse during the rides, especially the reaction of my body to various difficulties during the trip. For example, during the ford crossing in Iceland (I described the situation in this article), when my bike and gear were almost washed away, the heart rate jumped very noticeably. Also knowing the heart rate may prevent extreme exhaustion and possible damage to the heart.

Read more: Garmin vivosmart HR review (1)

Reviewed by Cr41gm4n

The Polar wrist band accessory for the Polar CS 400 and CS 600 heart rate monitor is great way to use you monitor when you are training on a stationary bike at the gym. The monitor clips into the wrist band the same way it clips onto the holder attached to your bike. You can take it with you to the gym or on a hike it makes your monitor more useful.

The Polar wrist band accessory makes your Polar CS400 or CS 600 more useful by allowing you to use it when doing any other activity other than bicycling. The strap is fully adjustable and has a large, easy to use buckle. It's a  little difficult to get the monitor to snap in, but once it's in you know it's not going to pop out easily. You may want to wear a wrist band under the strap to help absorb sweat. The accessory is reasonably priced, well built, and easy to use. I have had it for a couple of weeks and use it at the gym when working out on the stationary bike or treadmill.

Read more: Polar Equine Wrist Band review (1)

Featured review by Steverod

This is an extremely useful bit of gear. I bought the AXN 700 several years ago as I was doing lots of hiking at altitude, and I liked the fact that it would give me both a way to measure my exertion (through heart rate) as well as my progress (through the altimeter). As you would expect from a Polar heart rate monitor, the heart rate and training functions work solidly. The altimeter works reasonably well, about as well as my old Suunto Vector. The compass is iffy at best but these things often are.

Read more: Polar AXN700 reviews (2)

Reviewed by Mystro

Suunto X6M Black Collection review.For the purpose of this review I will be using the Suunto Core as a reference since most are familiar with it. Let me say, I love my "All Black Core" and I am not trying to belittle it. It is what it is. The Suunto X6M Black Collection has the superior build quality of the Observer with the features of the Core. It uses a dot matrix display that is THE clearest I have ever seen. The font is more rounded than the block type of the Core. It also has sub screens or "shortcuts" on the bottom of each display that can be used to display other information much like the Core.

Read more: Suunto X6M review (1)