Anyone here use a heart rate monitor of the watch style that does not require the strap around the chest? I know there are some HRM's where the receiving unit is on a readout screen as part of the cardio equipment.

Was looking for a good watch type unit that requires no other equipment of any kind. No straps,no receiving units etc.

Have seen some here and there but how good are they?

Can you recommend a quality brand of this unit?

i dont know of any without the chest strap.

I've seen one that you have to put your fingertips on to get the reading, but none that just work from the wrist itself.

MIO Strapless Heartrate Monitors (http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/mio.html)

Reebok Strapless HRM (http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/ree/heart.html)

HiTrax No-Strap HRM (http://www.sporttek.co.uk/Latitude_Strapless_Heart_Rate_Monitor.html)

My buddy had one of the MIOs but it's gathering dust on his shelf pretty much since the first week he had it. The finger-touch sensor was a pain in the ass and he went back to his Polar with chest strap.

Can't vouch for the other two. Just Googled to remember the MIO brand and found the others.

M@

HM, I tried some random strapless one I bought at Wal-Mart. One word - P.O.S. (is that one word? :lol:)

The fingertip thing is insanely difficult to use easily, much less while in the middle of running around, cycling, or lifting crap.

I returned it the next day and ordered the Omron from Costco.ca (which I love and will never stop recommending it as a good entry level HRM...until I find something better) - only like $48 with free shipping now, too.

I don't know of any no-strap watches that work really well.

There's also a type that has a strap around your fingertips.

Why can't heart rate monitors measure the heart beat from your wrists?