Heart Rate Monitors with GPS

Heart rate monitors come with a variety of functions to suit the needs of its user. The GPS or Global Positioning System perhaps, is one of the most advanced features fitted inside this kind of device.

Any device that is GPS-enabled can track the real-time location of the user or any position on the face of the planet. It generates maps, roads, infrastructures, or even directions where you ought to go. When incorporated into a heart rate monitor, the prime purpose of GPS is to monitor the distance you have traveled from your starting point to your current location (mileage), as well as your velocity, and your coordinates.

For this reason, heart rate monitors with a GPS feature would be ideal for multi-sports such as running, cycling, sailing, windsurfing, or plain walking. A heart rate monitor with GPS would be best for triathlons. However, you should choose a model that works well on the water. Most HRMs are waterproof for a few meters, but the GPS signal does not track distance while swimming like it does on land. Fortunately, some models like the Garmin 310XT have improved their software for these kinds of technical issues.

Routes can be downloaded from Google maps or other digital maps available. To navigate through a map, a GPS receiver is necessary to obtain signals from GPS satellites in the earth’s atmosphere. They may come as a separate unit such as in the Timex T5J985 Trail Runner BodyLink, or may be integrated with the wristwatch receiver like the Garmin Forerunner 405. The capacity to get stronger signals depends on the type of GPS watches you are using.  One of the most popular types of GPS watches is the Garmin Forerunner 305 that is equipped with a highly-sensitive GPS receiver that works even on dense tree-covered trails and tall buildings. Like most heart rate monitors, it also collects an array of data such as an advanced calorie expenditure computation, average heart rate, elevation, and distance. A cadence and speed meter may be added that can be used during cycling.

The inclusion of a GPS in a heart rate monitor would be very useful, if you’re ready to spend some extra money for it.