Canadians! Where did you get your HRM w/ chest strap?

I went looking today at a local "sporting goods store" and they didn't have ANYTHING... not to mention were completely unhelpful to this short chubby girl, but were pleasant with the tall, athletic guys in the store.  Ugh. 

I want a HRM w/ chest strap because my MIO just doesn't cut it, it's inacurate, selectively works, and is frustrating to use while running/using the eliptical etc...

Any recommendations of where to get it from?  And if you don't mind my asking, how much did you pay?

Thanks!

First off, for honesty sake, I am not Canadian.  I bought a very good monitor at a sports store.  It was $50 US.  If you can't find what you want in the store, I'd suggest that you Google shop or Amazon (or whatever your favorite is) and look at all your options there.  It's a lot easier.  Read the customer reviews, they're helpful.  Technology is so cheap, I don't really think you can go wrong...

Best of luck.

I bought my Polar F11 from FaCT Canada.

They are in BC, I'm in ON. It was cheaper than buying from a US-based store then (Nov 2007)

I got my Polar F4 from Mountain Equipment Co-op and it cost ~$100.

I got my Polar F6 from The Running Room Store , cost approx 120.00 - Luv It!!!!

I am sure they have the internet available in Canada.

Original Post by cellophane_star:

I got my Polar F4 from Mountain Equipment Co-op and it cost ~$100.

 Me too.  (Or it might have been an F6?  But definitely MEC.)

I just got a Timex Road Trainer at Sportchek. They had other types such as Polar, Garmin, and MIO. I looked on line and Future Shop also sells them online and in store, the Running Room again online and in store, I think any where that sells electronics or sports items would carry something.

I paid 129 for mine. The girl working was very helpful and reccomended the one I got.

I think some of the polar ones were about $99 at Sportchek.

Original Post by trayceebee:

I just got a Timex Road Trainer at Sportchek. They had other types such as Polar, Garmin, and MIO. I looked on line and Future Shop also sells them online and in store, the Running Room again online and in store, I think any where that sells electronics or sports items would carry something.

I paid 129 for mine. The girl working was very helpful and reccomended the one I got.

I think some of the polar ones were about $99 at Sportchek.

I was looking at Timex when I bought my Polar. The guy at MEC said Timex HRMs were the most frequently returned brand and didn't recommend them at all.

I have a Timex, and while I think it works fine for monitoring my heart rate, I think it over-estimates my calorie burn.  Not a big deal, I just take it into account when I record things.  However, if/when I replace it I will get a Polar.  I've heard so many good things about them, and I don't believe I have heard of any bad experiences with them. 

There are several POLAR retailers in Canada.  I got 2 of mine in stores in Ontario and 1 from ebay.

~H~

Original Post by mikelentini:

I am sure they have the internet available in Canada.

 Thanks smartie pants ;) 

Ive checked out a few websites, just wasn't sure where would be the most reputable or have the best service.  It looks like I can get one from futureshop... I just have to order it in, and it's the same price as many of the other suggestions I looked at.  I do like that FaCT website that was suggested too, the free shipping is a big incentive!

Thanks for the suggestions guys :)

I seen the Fact website when I was looking at buying my Polar F11 and kinda didn't trust the site, (no reviews or stuff. me being over cautious buying online lol) Good to know someone has used it before!

I bought mine (arrived this past friday!!) from http://www.runningfree.com/  They have great customer service! I put in my order on the holiday monday and emailed them a question and I had a response a few hours later, which is amazing to me because it was a holiday. http://www.runningfree.com/detail.aspx?ID=125 72 is also on sale at 169.99 which is cheapest I've been able to find for online and in store like Running Room (which didnt even have the one in blue) Shipping only $10 or free over $200. This is the latest F11 with the flower design not the stripes as per the pic on the site.

I'm going to test it out today :D I'm super excited.

Original Post by cellophane_star:

Original Post by trayceebee:

I just got a Timex Road Trainer at Sportchek. They had other types such as Polar, Garmin, and MIO. I looked on line and Future Shop also sells them online and in store, the Running Room again online and in store, I think any where that sells electronics or sports items would carry something.

I paid 129 for mine. The girl working was very helpful and reccomended the one I got.

I think some of the polar ones were about $99 at Sportchek.

I was looking at Timex when I bought my Polar. The guy at MEC said Timex HRMs were the most frequently returned brand and didn't recommend them at all.

I picked up that Timex HRM on Thursday and I returned it today. I was having difficulties with it and I did alot of research online, reading consumer reviews, manufactures websites, and different forums... anyway I found nothing positive about the Timex Road Trainer HRM. I even read that it was very poor for a calorie estimate. Everything that my so called helpful sales person said, I found conflicting info online. She even discouraged me from buying a Polar.

I had no problem returning it and did end up with a Polar F6. The manual seems so much easier to understand. I feel that it will be more accurate for the simple fact that it asks for lots of information such as gender, age, height and weight... the Timex only asked for weight.  Looking forward to using it tomorrow at the gym.

It cost the same as the Timex.

Ended up getting the Polar F4 from futureshop... price was pretty well the same wherever I looked, and I found a $25 gift card in my desk drawer, which pretty much clinched it ;) 

Thanks for the recommendations guys.  I'd looked in the stores, but never thought to look at the stores online... FS had them, but had to ORDER them, they don't keep them in stock.

I bought my Polar HRM from ebay!