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Jennifer R.
Jennifer R. Sendmail

Looking for an accurate calorie counting/HRM watch

posted 9 months ago | Report

Looking for a reliable watch that will give accurate calories burned.

Right now my husband is using the old old old Polar F7 (they don't even make this model anymore) and I've been told the accuracy of the calories burned is unreliable.

Currently, I'm using the Garmin 310xt and I plan on getting the New Leaf metabolic testing done next week to make sure it's giving me an accurate display of cals burned.

Looking at the Garmin 405 for him but have read reviews that the touch screen bezel is all out of whack. The good news is that it is compatible with the New Leaf testing as well.

Any tips for which one to get? Thanks!

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  • Tyler S.
    Tyler S. Sendmail

    Check out this guy's site for a ton of info: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/11/how-calorie-measurement-works-on-garmin.html

    I think your Garmin 310 + metabolic/VO2 max testing is about as accurate as it gets for this fickle science. Garmin 910 has a slightly better algorithm, I think, but probably minor difference for a big investment.
    I think the best you get is maybe +/- 10% errors with any method.

    I had Garmin 405 (one of the early units) previously, and touch bezel was a little wacky in the rain or if heavily dripping sweat (like 4+ hour run sweaty), but got better with a software update. Later model 405's and the 410 fixed it slightly more. Not their best feature choice.
    I suspect there's a new Garmin on the horizon, and the 405/410 are probably on their way out.

    Good luck.

    posted 9 months ago | edited 9 months ago

  • Dan M.
    Dan M. Sendmail

    Both the 610 and 910xt can produce "R-R" files that can be used by http://www.firstbeat.fi/consumers/firstbeat-athlete It would be interesting to see how this consumer level software compares to New Leaf's testing.

    It seems that the software used to interpret the data recorded by your HRM is probably more important than the HRM used to record the data. Unfortunately my suggestion requires both new hardware and software. I guess what is needed is dependent on your goals.

    posted 9 months ago

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