Reputable Heartrate monitors?!

So I am wondering since there are so many fabulous people on this site with such wonderful advice ;-) Can anyone recommend a good heartrate monitor? I hate relying on the the monitors on the cardio machines at my gym because they are so far from accurate and I am really trying to make sure my heart rate is where it should be so that I can meet my weightloss goals. I know there are chest strap monitors but I think a watch heartrate monitor would be more convenient for myself. Any help would be great!!

Thanks!

Polar makes good heart rate monitors.  I have a HRM from Oregon Scientific that worked well for a year but now I am having reliability problems with it.  Most people prefer the chest straps for the continuous read out. 

I have a polar heart rate moniter also, and it's pretty good. Cost around $70. I don't trust the cardio machines either, sometimes I will be working out steadily and it says 165, and then suddenly it rapidly drops to 85 or something like that.

I got a Timex one for about $50.00 5 months ago, and it's already DEAD.... so don't get a Timex.  The gym has Polars for spinning class, and they seem to hold up for heavy use.  I'm not sure of the model though.

I have a Polar and LOVE it! It counts the calories and you can set it to work out in different zones. Best investment next to my gym subscription.

Cata~

Thanks for the advice I appreciate it!! I just am at the point where I give up trying to get my heartrate on those machines because its always off or half the time they won't pick-up or read your heart rate..and I know I am working pretty hard cause I can barely talk and sweat like crazy!

Thanks again!

ok. I just need a heart monitor just for my heart rate and numbers of cals burnt. Should I go for F11 or F6?

Advice pls???

I recommend not going with Sports Instruments.  The computers don't last very long and the band breaks after a year (two of their products have done this - bottom of the line and the next one up).

With Timex I understand the cheaper ones (<$100) don't last more than a year, but the higher end ones are good.

Polar I have heard good things about cheap and expensive.  Go with the one that meets your needs now - you can always upgrade later.

If you want just the very basics - go with the Polar F4. It's the cheapest model. The F6 has more bells and whistles and the F11 has even more...

I have the F6 and totally love it!

I have a Polar F11 I use it daily and have for over 18 months on this one.  I had a basic polar that just gave heart rate and it was fine I still use the strap that came with that model with my F11 because the strap on the F11 did get worn out and I don't want to spend the $$ on just the strap when the cheap strap works just fine.  Its not encoded but I don't go to a gym to workout so I don't worry about "cross talk" of the straps.  Also the college weight room did just get a recument bike and its picking up my HRM chest strap on the cheap model.

Go to the Polar website and compare models.  The F11 does cost a bit more than the F6.

I have Polar F6. Only need it to monitor calories during workout. So F4 probably will suffice. But, hey, it is a gift, so who am I complaining? :)

btw, love my F6. The chest strap is a bit too big (M) for me, but nothing a thread and needle can't fix.

p.s. i need the continuous read out because I am doing coreographs workout (Turbo Jam, SI6). So the fancy stylish one that don't have chest strap not going to work for me.