Mark of Fitness MF-180 Exercise/Heart Rate Monitor
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Product Reviews of Mark of Fitness MF-180 Exercise/Heart Rate Monitor
Product Review: Comfortable to use
Summary: 4 Stars
I've only recently started using this product to monitor my heart rate and am still in the learning process of how to use the produce efficiently. It has so many things that it can keep track of. I find it to be rather comfortable to use. It monitors my heart rate in % which helps me to stay within my range. I would recommend this product to anyone who is looking to get away from those chest strap monitors.Product Review: Comfortable, and less complicated than chest strap with watch combination
Summary: 4 Stars
LOVE it. Comfortable, barely restricting, takes seconds to put on. I use it mostly for running, and it causes no problems. Also seems very accurate. Target zone alarm works well. Only real negative is that it's not particularly intuitive how to get between functions or how to change a setting. Explained well in manual, but not easy to remember on the fly. Overall thrilled with it.Product Review: Does what I want
Summary: 4 Stars
I found this product to be a little glitchy at first, but after a few weeks I'm satisfied with it. I only use the basic function - real-time heart rate. Once you learn the proper positioning and tension for the sensor, the monitor seems fairly accurate and stable. I still get a drop-out once in a while, but it resets within 10-15 seconds.
One thing that threw me at first: the unit I received is branded "Prevention" (like the magazine) instead of "Mark of Fitness", but otherwise it's the same model (MF-180).
I find that nothing increases the efficacy of my workouts like a target heart rate. And having a personal monitor is so much better than relying on one that's tied to a machine (when you can find one that works at all).
Product Review: Excellent for what it does.
Summary: 4 Stars
My review is based on 6 weeks of ownership. I asked for this for my birthday, and my wife got it for me. I am very pleased with it!
It is very accurate for sports activities which do *not* require the use of the hand you've got it wrapped on. In the past six weeks I have used it for the following activities: walking, running, solo racquetball practice, treadmill, stationary recumbent exercise bike, solo basketball practice. I haven't used it with boxing or swimming. ;) Only during the basketball practice does it have a problem with keeping accurate measurements (because shooting with both hands disturbs the sensor on your index finger.)
It's got a green LED and sensor in the same module, similar to a hospital-style fingertip monitor. I have checked it by getting my pulse to a certain level, stopping my exercise, and counting my pulse manually and comparing. I have also used the momentary pulse grips on treadmills, and it's always withing 2 beats of that display (and I think the MF-180 is the more accurate measurement.)
Best features: While you've got the pulse meter turned on, you've got constant access to your pulse rate throughout the exercising. No nasty chest strap. No holding two fingers on the face of it, either. It even displays your pulse rate in "stopwatch" mode, though at a slower refresh rate than just pulse display alone. Plus it's got "zone" settings - you can target what pulse range you want to exercise at.
So, why 4 and not 5 stars? Only three reasons:
* My model did not have the little gray grommet on the strap buckle (as shown in the photo.)
* The straps that attach the reading unit to the "glove" are OK, but a little too short. (When strapping it on it has come loose a couple of times, then straps down just fine again.)
* The design would have been *much* helped by the addition of a separate "reset" key. It's easy enough to learn how to use, but there is a learning curve, mainly because of this.
Overall, I've been *very* satisfied with this product. I'd heartily recommend it to anyone who hates chest straps and so forth but wants a constant pulse readout. I hope to use it for years to come.
Tips on using:
* Keep in mind the "select" button is also the "reset" button if you hold it long enough / too long.
* The sensor has to be on the meat of the finger. I find keeping it just off-center towards the thumb is best.
Product Review: Exercise Heart Rate Monitor
Summary: 4 Stars
Works wonderfully. With one exception. The finger wrap where the sensor lies is a little too large so it is a bit uncomfortable when wearing it. The system works beautifully when used during heavy exercise.