GPS Watch Monitor Review

What To Look For

Athletes training in cross country or long-distance sports are the ones who most need a GPS receiver in their heart rate monitor. They are used not just to track position but also distance and speed. But the specific demands of a trail runner are likely to be very different from those of a mountain biker or racing cyclist. So the thing you need to do is draw up a list of heart rate wristwatch-style monitors that are optimized for your sport first, then eliminate any that are not compatible with a GPS receiver pod. This will get you the right monitor with GPS.

Common Pitfalls

Cyclists need to take extra care in choosing how their wristwatch display works. Manipulating the buttons to bring up the GPS coordinates might prove awkward during a demanding part of the ride so try to keep that in mind when looking at different models. Try to keep in mind the arrangement you will use for mounting the GPS pod. Cyclists can mount the pod on their bike, but a runner will need to attach it to themselves somewhere, probably to a chest strap. If you are training in the woods with any frequency, you will need a better receiver that won't lose the signal.

Where To Buy

Shopping online is the way to go for GPS heart rate monitors. You won't really know how the ensemble fits together and how comfortable it is until you take it out for a spin in the field anyway. Even if you can try it on at the store, that will prove to be of dubious value. The Internet will grant you access to all the Garmin, Polar and Suunto models, and accessories that are available, allow you to cross-reference the options, and to hunt for steep discounts.

Cost

In 2009, the cheapest heart rate monitors with GPS receiver combinations that were available went for about $150. These had only basic features, so an athlete looking for specialized functions to assist in training will wind up spending more. For this kind of monitor, $300 to $400 was more normal, and some packages went for as much as $680.