My questions are just as the title suggests.

I am looking for a heart monitor and a new bathroom scale. I want bang for my buck. But a few bells and whistles are welcomed.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a ton!

Tanita for the scales and Polar for the heart rate monitors

I have a Polar heart rate monitor and it's great. There's quite a significant price range between the different models though. Depends what you're looking for. I wanted one that also showed my calorie count and it ended up being about $100 but I know ones that just show heart rate are less than half that. I have the F4 model.

Without ever having used a Polar I am going to have to say I would that is what I will buy if I replace mine. I have the Omron 100C right now. It's comfy and all that but I wish I had the calorie counter on it.

Thanks a polar sound great.

I have done the research and I am planning on getting a F11 Polar.

Good Luck!

If cost is an issue, Woot.com has a Reebok heart monitor on its site today. I don't know anything about it, but I'm tempted to try it out--it's only $20.

Does anybody know how accurate the calorie counter ones are? If they are preset values like the exercise machines; dubious accuracy.

I have the Mio with calorie counter. I like it so far. It was $37 at walmart

Supposedly much more accurate than the machines. You're required to program your information including sex, weight, height and age and the heart rate is measured from a strap underneath your chest (at least, the polar ones are). I've never used the machines but I've continually heard people say the monitors are fairly accurate and give a much better gauge of how much you've burned. The only reason for inaccuracy would be the fact that it doesn't take into account body composition and someone with all of the same stats but a lower body fat percentage and a higher percentage of lean muscle mass would burn more calories doing the same activity as someone with less lean muscle mass.

I have the Mio watch heart rate monitor calorie counter. It is extremely easy to use- no chest straps. It appears to be very accurate with respect to heart rate-when I test my resting heart rate it is right on. From a calorie perspective you adjust your weight as it drops. My only problem is remembering to turn off the exercise/calorie counter after I am done my exercise. No biggie I am using it more to ensure I am getting my HR into the appropriate zone vs calorie burn at this point. Also it is waterproof - necessary for me I never remember to take off my watch doing dishes or cleaning.