leadheadfred wrote:I just recently had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery (2.5 mos ago). Im 45 years old. Twice since that surgery, my pulse rate has shot up over 155 bpm. on one of those occaisions I had a mini-stroke leaving my right arm practically useless. If I had one of these after my surgery I might not have had such rough time. For that matter, if I had one of these before the heart attack things could have been drastically different there too.

Do yourselves a favor; get one of these for your parents, your grandparents, hell get one for yourselves! Most folks have no idea how important it really is to keep things like pulse rates, glucose levels, and blood pressure under control.

Good advise!

I'm about your age, was extremely athletic until mid 90's, at which time I pretty much just got lazy. Funny, but at least in part, I blame COMPUTERS!

At any rate, your sharing your experiences did it for me! I just wooted one. Hell, your story's even got me contemplating quitting smoking! Wish me luck...

THANKS, and GOOD LUCK TO YOU on your recovery!

Logo wrote:So this pretty much is for MEN? Any women try wearing it below their boobages (if there are any women here that visit this site...)? I need to get something like this for my wife.

Boobages? Geez, you sound like a real winner! I can only imagine what type of bedroom talk you may use. Hope your manbies aren't bigger than her boobages!

I think this forum is mostly people who have this already! I got one, and I'm not too happy with it. First of all, it won't work if you just wear it around the house. You have to be sweating for the strap to make a good contact. Secondly, it gets erratic readings. Sometimes, it's right on, then you look at it, and it reads 235 bpm, then 85, then back to 135. If I wanted to guess my hr, I wouldn't even need this. Third, it loses the signal a lot. The instructions read "range of about 62.5 centemetres (25 inches)." Oftentimes, I look at the watch and it has no reading.

It seems to work well with the Polar enabled machines at the gym (no 235 readings!), so I think it may be that the watch unit is the culprit, but I'm not taking the time for warranty service. If it worked perfectly, they wouldn't be selling it on Woot for 1/4 the regular retail!

I think I'm in for one - Xmas / Chanukah is coming before you know it, and I'm just about done with my shopping - wonder if this would be good for my dear 'ol Dad - he's electronically challenged though. Anyone who has this, do you think it's too much for a 71yr old to figure out the basics with this?? He's smart, but when it comes to electronics (and doing anything remotely handy around the house), he's clueless!

Got one last tie around and works great. I sweat like crazy and no problems. Syncs up nicely with equipment too.

barrylevine wrote:I think this forum is mostly people who have this already! I got one, and I'm not too happy with it. First of all, it won't work if you just wear it around the house. You have to be sweating for the strap to make a good contact. Secondly, it gets erratic readings. Sometimes, it's right on, then you look at it, and it reads 235 bpm, then 85, then back to 135. If I wanted to guess my hr, I wouldn't even need this. Third, it loses the signal a lot. The instructions read "range of about 62.5 centemetres (25 inches)." Oftentimes, I look at the watch and it has no reading.

It seems to work well with the Polar enabled machines at the gym (no 235 readings!), so I think it may be that the watch unit is the culprit, but I'm not taking the time for warranty service. If it worked perfectly, they wouldn't be selling it on Woot for 1/4 the regular retail!

Sounds to me that all you're doing wrong (i.e., ALL of the problems you are stating above) is NOT SWEATING for more than several minutes at a time. I'm not sure, but since this is made by Reebok, that it was/is designed (i.e., its nominal use) for being used at heart rates that are conducive to sweating, versus other [medical] heart rate monitors that are meant to be used to monitor a person's heart rate at closer to mid-ranges, including while fully resting, at which time most ppl would not be sweating, and if they desired to use this monitor in these conditions (again, NOT what it is meant to do), then you should use a gel specifically designed to make good electrical contact between the skin and medical electrodes/sensors.

In other words, I heard no REAL negatives in any of your complaints, at least any that are relevant to the uses this thing is supposed to be used for.

Maybe you should try keeping your heart rate at the proper levels at which the thing was meant to be used at? In other words, try sweating for more than a several minutes at a time, and I think you'll find it works just fine.

Let me know, tho, if I'm wrong. I doubt you'll have the problems you mention if you USE IT TO KEEP YOUR HEART RATE "IN THE ZONE," i.e., in the way/conditions it is designed to for. And, if that's not what YOU bought it to do, then try it with an electrolytic gel! If it STILL keeps losing proper readings (and I would wager HEAVILY against this being the case, i.e., give you GOOD ODDS on a $10-40 bet...like 2:1...contact me if you'd like to arrange something), then there's the possibility that your unit is defective...maybe an intermittent wire shorting.

Again, tho, I'm base my assumptions on all the reviews I've just read (e.g., MANY, and from MANY different websites...from medical forums, to athletic forums, all the way to several shopping/consumer ones, like Amazon, etc.).

However, if you DID get a bad one (however unlikely, according to all the reviews I've read, from pro written electronics, medical, and exercise journal editorials and reviews, to casual joggers) call their tech cust-service....I'd bet it's toll-free...and from what I know of Reebok's other product lines, there would be a good chance they would help you EVEN IF yours is WAY OUT of warranty....just tell them, "...didn't know it was defective until you read the forums, bla bla bla..."

SIDE NOTE: I read a LOT of reviews on things, and it struck me fairly quickly that there was something VERY different about this thing's reviews than maybe any other product I've ever read about...there was NOT ONE item I read stating ANYTHING EVEN RELATED TO anyone having heard of or receiving a defective or DOA unit. In fact, QUITE THE CONTRARY: they pretty much ALL, at very least, mentioned how they viewed this as a product that DEFINITELY would stand up to EXTREMELY heavy duty cycles! In other words, it seems that Reebok put out one QUALITY thing here.

Again, tho...I'm pretty sure there is absolutely NOTHING WRONG with yours, other than you not exercising all the time you are asking it for readings.

I got two last time these came up. They work perfectly, and they are compatible w/ our gym's precor-compatible machines. (can't make promises for you). You can't beat this price for a good monitor.

Great buy - will work with most other HRMs (Polar included). And replacement straps run $30!

Unfortunately, it will NOT work with the Garmin Forerunner series of GPS/HRMs.

But if you are looking for a good HRM, this will do fine.

good woot - I use it frequently. Totally worth $20

Bought this a few months ago when it was up on here... works great!

This appears to be identical to a Nashbar HRM I bought a couple of years ago; Nashbar sells mostly bicycle accessories and has a lot of house branded products. If so, this is a very good monitor that works with all of the treadmills at the gym. The chest band is more comfortable than a much more expensive Polar it replaced. And the price is really good. If I needed one, I'd go for this Woot!

diletante wrote:SIDE NOTE: I read a LOT of reviews on things, and it struck me fairly quickly that there was something VERY different about this thing's reviews than maybe any other product I've ever read about...there was NOT ONE item I read stating ANYTHING EVEN RELATED to anyone receiving a defective or DOA unit. In fact, they pretty much ALL, at very least, mentioned how they viewed this as a product that DEFINITELY would stand up to EXTREMELY heavy duty cycles!

And guess what - I haven't seen anybody ask if it's compatible with their Mac!

I've been monitoring WOOT for a month. This is first product I need.
All I can say is that when I bought my treadmill from Sam's, the heart monitor strap was another $100 add-on, and only available from the manufacturer. If this thing can communicate with my treadmill, then I've saved $80. If not, then I'll have to wear the watch.

simonight wrote:Not water resistant? I thought the woot description says "Water Resistant to 30m"? I was hoping to use this while I swim.....

There's a difference between water RESISTANT and water PROOF... Resistant is like when you're running or (in my case yesterday) riding your bike in the rain, it will provide some decent protection. But it cannot be submerged in water. Water PROOF is what you want, the ability to be submerged under water for a longer period of time. Do not use this watch under water, as some have already posted that it will not work under water.

Got this las time it was on woot. Works great. This is a great deal. These things are $100 and up retail. Good woot.

Will this work on a medium size dog?
I am concerned with his behavior lately

JohnUSA37 wrote:I bought one last time. I use it for (mountain biking).
A few points on the device:
I mount the watch on the steering wheel of the bike, which is good (it comes with a bike clip). What I don't like is that setting the various functions on the watch are not intuitive at all. Everytime, I'm like how did this work again.
Also, the cheststrap needs to be positioned quite accurately or you think your heart stopped Not always easy when running or on a bike. I actually have some pecs so the strap tend to slide after a while. Also, you cannot turn the strap off other than removing the battery so it runs flat pretty quickly when unused.
But for 20 bucks I guess it's ok.

Battery is automatic. it turns off when it doesn't sense anymore heart beating. Then when you put it back on and are close to a heart rate monitor (the watch or a treadmill with an HRM sensor) then it will turn on again and the battery will be used again.

zach85 wrote:There's a difference between water RESISTANT and water PROOF... Resistant is like when you're running or (in my case yesterday) riding your bike in the rain, it will provide some decent protection. But it cannot be submerged in water. Water PROOF is what you want, the ability to be submerged under water for a longer period of time. Do not use this watch under water, as some have already posted that it will not work under water.

I agree...but, based on the VERY HIGH quality this thing is reported to be, I'd say with little doubt that you'd be safe jumping into a street shower to cool off during your runs (if there are some...like along the beaches...etc.)...but I definitely would not think it would stand up to even sitting in a hot tub for even a few minutes...i.e. like any quality "water resistant" watch...showers, washing your hands...no problem, but, to be safe, try not to FULLY SUBMERGE IT in water.

With watches, and I think with products like these (which includes a watch-like product), the terms, 'water resistant," and "water proof," etc., are regulated in this country. "Water resistant" means that it DEFINITELY has water tight seals, but that they are not rated to be "tight"/survive ANY pressure! HOWEVER, *all* of the "water resistant" watches I've owned in my life never failed while wearing them in the one-or-more showers I subjected them to daily. In fact, altho they all were at least Seiko or G-force quality OR BETTER, not a single one even failed from swimming 70+ laps a few times a week for years...nor have ANY failed from submerging them to the bench I was ever sitting on in a hot tub! ON THE OTHER HAND, of the several music players I've owned that were "water resistant," NONE OF THOSE have EVER survived even their very first visit to a hot tub while strapped around my waist, not even the BIG-DOLLAR "water-PROOF" Sony I had once...altho it did survive falling from a chair lift that was 100 feet above the icy, concrete-like slopes that day! It bounced end-over-end, each time it rose again about 50 ft into the air, all the way down the slope UNTIL IT WAS TOO FAR AWAY TO SEE ITS BRIGHT YELLOW CASE IN THE NOON SUN ANY MORE. When I found it, all four edges were smashed in, BUT IT STILL WORKED FINE...until later than night when I took it swimming and hot tubbing:-(

Of course, tho...don't hold me to any of the above...cuz, I'm jus'sayin :-)

I bought one of these during a wootoff and it works GREAT.
Its nice to use for biking since it comes with a handlebar mount to put the watch on (I don't like wearing watches). I have it mounted next to my Bike Computer.

The cool thing about this device is being able to see your constant heart rate. Why would you care? Because it needs to be at 80% rate to be a good workout, any less and you are wasting your time. This way you can see if you need to step things up a bit or you can relax some.

Also, when you are done, you can switch over to the calorie meter and see how much you burned off.

I took it on a orbs to the wall 20mile bike ride one day. There were quite a few overpasses I went up and down that just about killed me trying to get up the last few. When all was said and done, I had lost 1500 calories in an hour's time!!!

Oh, another thing I like using mine for is seeing how fast I need to bike through a certain route to lose XX amount of calories. I can then know if I go this way, I can lose 500calories, If I go that way, I can lose 600 calories. Then you don't need to wear it all the time if you don't want to.

I just purchased a 2nd one for my buddy who I just got into biking. We are both on a weight loss crusade and these watches REALLY help in that process.

I bought this last year and it works great. Much cheaper than in the stores and its not uncomfortable and the watch can give you a lot of stats (very geeky). You can set alarms for warm-up times, max heart rate, min heart rate, etc. Just be sure and wet the contacts before you strap them on and it reads great under about any conditions. I use it several times a week for a year and haven't had to change the watch batteries out of the sensor yet!

Only negative I have is that it doesn't have a light. That would be helpful.

Is the signal between the chest strap and watch coded so that other people's HRMs won't interfere? I hear this can be a problem at fitness places with a ton of cardio machines in one area.....

This was my first Woot!, eight months ago. It is an excellent device, and I've bought another since (as a backup). Although not perfect (none of them are), it is OUTSTANDING for the price.

I use mine regularly to monitor my heart rate while exercising (it's a bit big to wear as an everyday watch (IMO)), but it does what it's designed to do very well. I find it a geat help. The feedback is motivating, and it helps to keep me from hurting myself by over-exerting.

Sometimes these will go wacky if you are also wearing an MP3 player. I have one and on very long runs, the thing wacks out while I'm also using my MP3 player.

Otherwise, this is a great product and price!

I've had a few heart rate monitors and this has been the worst one of them all.

1. It's bulkier than the others. My Timex one is about 1/2 (!) the size. Both the strap and the watch are larger.

2. I get much worse results. I get impossible readings from it fairly often. Way out of range. I know it doesn't have to be right all the time, but, it's almost ridiculous.

I only use this watch when I can't find my other one.

ThePhantasm wrote:i Love this thing.. and last time it was up there was a problem with shipping, and i and allot of other people ended up with 2

Was it offered on a Tuesday?

Does it have a "backlight", indigo?

I got one of these last time they were offered and use it every time I ride my bike. That way I can tell how hard I'm training. It seems accurate to me. Much bettern that the $98 watch type that I got first. This one takes a continual reading and updates the display every second. There is a bracket to put the display on your handle bars if riding or you can wear it as a watch. I think i'll get another one for a backup.

dognose wrote:I've had a few heart rate monitors and this has been the worst one of them all.

1. It's bulkier than the others. My Timex one is about 1/2 (!) the size. Both the strap and the watch are larger.

2. I get much worse results. I get impossible readings from it fairly often. Way out of range. I know it doesn't have to be right all the time, but, it's almost ridiculous.

I only use this watch when I can't find my other one.

With all I've researched ON THIS SPECIFIC MODEL, it sounds to me that you indeed might have a defective unit.

omnibus wrote:Does it have a "backlight", indigo?

The back light stays on for 3 or 4 seconds after you push the button.

dognose wrote:I've had a few heart rate monitors and this has been the worst one of them all.

1. It's bulkier than the others. My Timex one is about 1/2 (!) the size. Both the strap and the watch are larger.

2. I get much worse results. I get impossible readings from it fairly often. Way out of range. I know it doesn't have to be right all the time, but, it's almost ridiculous.

I only use this watch when I can't find my other one.

THen you probably aren't using this one right. Mine works great and I wouldn't trade it.

rosignolk2skiier wrote:Is the signal between the chest strap and watch coded so that other people's HRMs won't interfere? I hear this can be a problem at fitness places with a ton of cardio machines in one area.....

It's supposed to only have a range of 3' or so. I bike and have never had a problem.

ke4sfq wrote:I bought this...

Only negative I have is that it doesn't have a light. That would be helpful.

I bought this at the last woot-off. I have no problems with this HBM. It works just as it claims. You do have to sweat though to keep a good contact, but I have that covered.

The middle button on the right hand side of the watch, is the trigger for the green back-light. It turns it on for about 5 seconds. So there is a light!

Bought one last woot. It works awesome.

zach85 wrote:Battery is automatic. it turns off when it doesn't sense anymore heart beating. .

THe great thing about this is that when you have a heart attack and pass on, your hiers wont have to change the battery!

Just bought my second one. This is a great motivator for working out, and the bicycle handlebar attachment is a nice touch. It stays on when lifting weights, too.

Just wanted to jump in and say that I bought two of these from Woot in the past and they work GREAT. Wife and I are on Weight Watchers and generally translate 100 calories = 1 activity point, and this gives us a marvelous way to know how much we really earned on that evening walk (or better yet, to push on for 10 more minutes or whatever to reach the next calorie milestone).

Also, they work perfectly with the Procor gym equipment at my local YMCA. I am probably in for a couple more of these to give as gifts. They're great!

dmhpilot wrote:I've been monitoring WOOT for a month. This is first product I need.
All I can say is that when I bought my treadmill from Sam's, the heart monitor strap was another $100 add-on, and only available from the manufacturer. If this thing can communicate with my treadmill, then I've saved $80. If not, then I'll have to wear the watch.

THere's a bracket to attach the watch to handle bars for bike riding. YOu could probably do that for the treadmill. Very convienient.

Will this tell me if I am dead ???

If i had one of these my heart rate would read low regaurding the excitment of this w00t.... :-\

barrylevine wrote: First of all, it won't work if you just wear it around the house. You have to be sweating for the strap to make a good contact. Secondly, it gets erratic readings. !

You gotta sweat alittle for it to work right. It doesn't take much. If you don't then you will get erratic readings.

Fill the grooves on the back with KY jelly (its water based). And that will make up for you lack of body moisture.