Tested: heart rate monitors

Polar F92ti (?199.99)


What they say: "We took the best aspects of the Polar M61 and wrapped it in a titanium case. With the ultimate combination of comfort, design and sports functions, the Polar F92ti is designed to lead you through your workout then be your watch for the rest of the day."

What we thought: Are you a City slicker on ?70k a year who desires: a) a fantastically chunky watch, and b) to go running at lunchtimes? Well, this is your lucky day. Otherwise you'd be better looking elsewhere. There are many nice features here - including an option to find out your fitness level in less than five minutes - but they're all available on the Polar M61, which is available for under ?100 in places. SI

Second opinion Tristan Haskins, director of Heartratemonitor.co.uk (they've been selling all kinds of hrms since 1999, we trust them), says: "Functionally it is the same as M61/62, and it also uses the Polar Fitness Index to predict a fitness level. Accuracy is not fantastic at around 80%, but it is very consistent to help measure personal fitness gains. But the Polar F92ti has one problem - its size."

Verdict: 5/10 - Many of Polar's other watches, like the S610I, offer better features at a cheaper price.

Cardiosport Focus 20 (?49.99)

What they say: "At Cardiosport we work hard to develop new heart rate monitors specifically designed to meet the demands of customers, whatever their fitness ambitions. The new Focus 20 has simple and easy to use functions to ensure each workout is as effective as possible."

What we thought: The Focus 20 is the Gary McAllister of HRMs: it isn't flash, it isn't expensive, but it does a job. For ?50 you get an accurate heart rate monitor plus a few little extras, including a single and repeat countdown timer, which is good for interval training. Style wise it's no great shakes, and the watch strap occasionally pinched the wrist too. SI

Second opinion: "The Focus 20 has everything for the average to keen gym goer," says Hawkins. "It's simple to use, suits men and women, and there's even a child version."

Verdict: 6/10 - Decent but unspectacular.

Cardiosport GO-30 (?58.99)

What they say: "The Cardiosport GO 30 Heart Rate Monitor Watch is a top of the range, slimline heart rate monitor designed for women."

What we thought: The GO-30 is about as inoffensive as they come: it's small, neat and tidy, although it does look vaguely reminiscent of those watches you spent hours trying to clutch at in your local amusement arcade as a kid. It's got some great features - including assessment of your heart rate recovery between certain points, and a calorie counter (this is aimed at women, after all), and in use, it's all fairly simple, with the standard Cardiosport chest-strap (warning: incredibly uncomfortable on a rowing machine). But even in the space of a 45 minute gym session, the unit appeared to turn itself off four times, which isn't the greatest selling point. GT

Second opinion: "The GO 30 has the same functions as the Focus 20 but has the addition of time in zone timers, calories and a countdown timer for intervals," says Haskins. "The extra ?10 between the 20 series and the 30 series is well worth it."

Overall rating: 7/10

Nike Triax C5 (?69.99)

What they say: "The Nike Triax C5 is our general purpose, all round HRM/ sports watch. It features all the normal watch functions, plus an ECG accurate heart rate monitor with heart zone alarms."

What we thought: Nike's HRMs haven't always been well-received among the running community, but this one is certainly worth a gander. It looks good, has all the basic features you need to get started and - unlike Polar's models - you don't have to send the battery away once it runs out. Recommended.SI

Second opinion: "Nike offer something that most other makes do not, sensible Heart Rate functionality and a good looking day watch, not too big or chunky for day use," says Tristan. "The Nike C5 is unisex and features essential heart rate funtionality. It does not have any sophisticated functions like stopwatch with laps or splits, that would be the C8, neither does it have calories burnt, that would be the C6. If you want just one watch, for day use and gym use, then the Nike Triax C5 is ideal. It is analogue FM, so it will interface with most common gym equipment and, as with all Nikes, it has self-change battery hatch."

Overall rating: 8/10 - Other watches in the Nike range - notably the C6 and C8 - have more features, but if you want a decent and fairly cheap HRM this is a good place to start.