Prevention HR-180PV/MF-180PV Chest Belt-Free Heart Rate Monitor

Reviews of Prevention HR-180PV/MF-180PV Chest Belt-Free Heart Rate Monitor

1.) Excellent product
Reviewed by: Joseph S. Johns Jr.
Rating:

This is a great product. My treadmill came with the supposed ability to measure my heart rate by gripping certain spots. However, I found that it was not accurate at all. It would show a rate of 170+ and then in an instant, it would show it changed to 45. This product is very easy to put on, and gives a nice regular reading that corresponds with my blood pressure monitor.

2.) I think it's great!
Reviewed by: W. Baker
Rating:

I had this same watch under the name of Mark of Fitness for several years. I replaced it with this one several months ago when the little hole in the finger strap got enlarged and it was difficult to keep the pulse accurate. This one seems even better....maybe a later model? I've learned a few things over the years. (I use it on an exercise bicyle and for aeobics walking.) 1. Give it time to warm up....being certain the circle is a circle. 2. If the pulse isn't accurate, move the strap around the finger a bit as I think it is sensitive to things like freckles. Once you've found a good spot, remember it. 3. Don't hold anything in the hand with the watch on it. If you must, keep it away from the pressure point on the finger. It's best if you just keep your hand with the watch on it loose at your side except when taking a read. Don't make a fist of your hand. 4. When you're finished, unhook the wristband first and, then, slide the section on your finger slowly off leaving it in a strapped mode. Then, next time, just slide it back on. All of this might sound like it's too sensitive, but it really isn't......it just purrs along once you've figured out where to place it. I tried a couple of strap watches and this is much easier for me to use.

3.) Nice!
Reviewed by: JW Chicago, IL
Rating:

Accurate and user friendly. Strap around finger can be a little uncomfortable because of the tightness.

4.) Prevention HR-180PV Heart Rate Monitor
Reviewed by: Daniel McGuire Phoenix AZ USA
Rating:

I find the Prevention HR monitor to be very accurate. I have seen some eratic display if the unit is not in contact with the finger or not installed correctly, which I call operator error. I read the instructions and it was operationally instantly. The wrist holder seems to be the weakest link. Time will tell how long it lasts. I have size 11 hands and it fits my hand well. I would recommend this to my friends. I like the continous heart rate without a chest strap, that allows me to exercise without interruption at my optimim stress level.

5.) great
Reviewed by: nitenurse virginia
Rating:

what a great way to monitor your heartrate without the uncomfortable chest straps.Comfortable and convient to use

6.) Good with some quirks
Reviewed by: Angela Lee Madison, AL
Rating:

I was very excited about getting this off of Amazon's Lightning deals. Great price and I don't have to wear those uncomfortable straps. I am "blessed" and they can get quite uncomfortable when you are moving around a lot.

The Good:
1.) For aerobics, it is great! It is very consistent and only periodically quits monitoring. A quick push of the button, it starts right up.

2.) LOVE the calorie counter. Helps me push myself more.

3.) Aside from the velcro (and that is more of an operator error), it is comfortable. Definitely more comfortable than the chest strap types. It also seems as accurate (again, as long as you aren't gripping anything).

4.) Once you figure out how to use the watch, it is packed full of features.
- Calorie counter
- In zone timer
- In/out zone alarm
- an additional sensor on the front of the watch where you just put your finger on it.
- I know there is more, but these are the ones that I find EXTREMELY useful and expect all/most HRM to have.

... but there were a few irritating things about it:

1.) Keep the manual handy for a while. The menus are not very intuitive. Also, tinker around with it for a while before you try it out at the gym. I got EXTREMELY annoyed when I couldn't get the calories to clear out. Once I checked it out in the manual, it was extremely easy (with the monitor on, you hit the "backlight" button. Doesn't make sense to me.

2.) Since it is on your hand, it is very unreliable (at times) when you have to grip anything like weights or the bars on an elliptical or treadmill. I have had it sit at 70 BPM for several minutes when the equipment said it was around 150. I reset this monitor and it finally agreed with the equipment monitor (within 5 BPM or so).

3.) Be careful when you put it on to have all the velcro attached. I almost always have to adjust it once after I start working out because the velcro on the top starts rubbing my skin.

4.) Like some other reviewers have stated, sometimes the monitor just stops. I have noticed, however, that this mainly happens when I am gripping something. It does happen when I am doing simple aerobics but only once or twice in an hour time frame. I suggest turning on the alarm that notifies you when your heart rate drops below a certain level and periodically checking it to make sure it is working.

5.) It cannot be hooked up to the computer and it doesn't have an add-on to have data transfered to the computer. Most of them don't have this, but I have been spoiled by my Timex Chest HRM that has this.

6.) Really can't use this as a watch alone. You could, but it would look dorky. Something I didn't think about until I got it. I was a little disappointed, but not too much. Of course it does have a watch on it, but I would never use it just as a watch.

Conclusion:
Even though I have more negatives listed than positives, I definitely recommend this, but probably not at its list price. I don't regret for a second getting it, especially since I have been working out at home using my wii and My Fitness Coach (which I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend for anybody interested in a good aerobic "game". Not fun, but it kicks your hiney). It has helped me push myself when I think I can't go further, but also, it seems to give me permission to slow down when feel like I am going to hard (and my heart rate is 180+). If you HATE the chest straps, definitely consider this one. It seems very accurate for "non-gripping" exercises, and is comfortable.

7.) Trabaja correctamente 95 % del tiempo / Works effectively 95 % of the time
Reviewed by: Miguel Castillo Reymi Caracas, Venezuela
Rating:

Ya he estado utilizando este artículo por 5 meses, y es muy cómodo el hecho de no tener que utilizar una banda para el pecho.

De noche la visibilidad de la pantalla es poca incluso apretando el botón de la luz. Me ha pasado pocas veces que tengo que ajustar la correa del sensor en plena carrera y por eso le puse 4 estrellas.

I have been using this heart rate monitor for 5 months, it's very comfortable the fact of not using a chest belt

When running at nights the visibility of the screen it's poor even when i press the light button. Sometimes while running i had to adjust the sensor that is why i rated it with 4 stars

8.) Great for Interval Training
Reviewed by: Bweb NOVA
Rating:

I have a Mark of Fitness that finally died after three years and am looking to replace it. I found that monitor almost essential for interval training a la Dr. Sears. You can get your pulse into the target range, sustain it for the required time, then go back to walking as your pulse slows down. When you first start, it is hard to get your pulse to come down fast enough, but over time you can. I took my BP from 145-150/90-100 down to 110-120/60-70.

9.) Inaccurate at times
Reviewed by: R. Williams FL
Rating:

It fits well, but my problem is the inaccuracy. You can eventually get it to sit and work properly, track your HR, but at times it will also randomly shut off and stop tracking. This can be a frustration.

10.) Inconsistently accurate, with occasional spurious readings and some wear discomfort.
Reviewed by: Reader
Rating:

This unit was purchased with the hope that it would give continuous and reliable readings. It often does, but inaccuracies are not uncommon; e.g., during use it occasionally reports erroneously higher readings, compared to baton and direct pulse measurements.

Others with different hand and blood vessel geometry may obtain different results, but with the anatomical dimensions of my hand I found the unit too inaccurate to consistently rely on.

Wearing the unit is not without comfort issues for me. The velcro fastening material is placed along the full width of the finger mount. This results in the unit sometimes becoming uncomfortable to wear. Also, the width of the finger mount meant I could not easily flex my index finger while wearing the unit. The size of this mount can be seen in the product photo.

Although settings are not intuitive, the instruction manual is clearly written, and the unit provides a number of useful additional functions, i.e., clock, alarm, stopwatch, under and over heart rate alarms, and calories burned.

However, my primary aim was to get a consistently accurate heart rate monitor. For that purpose, this unit has proved less than fully satisfactory.

11.) Not for everyone
Reviewed by: Dr. R. Manadero USA
Rating:

I purchased this product as an alternative to my chest belt monitor and I'm sure it works well for others, but for me, the fit was rather uncomfortable. The first problem I had was with the actual monitor flopping around too much when I moved, the velcro would slip off occasionally. Another problem I had was with the the sensor that went over my index finger. I followed the instructions and made sure it was tight enough by looking a an imprint on the velcro that is supposed to turn from an oval to a circle when tight enough. The actual sensor was metal and it felt very uncomfortable. I wore it for a while hoping I would get used to it, but it just didn't feel right. To top things off, the monitor would randomly turn off. Maybe my hands are too big, I don't know. It just isn't for me. I also thought the quality of the device is poor for the selling price.

12.) First of all, you have to ask yourself...
Reviewed by: James U. Hammond St. Louis, MO
Rating:

What do you really need this for? If you are doing any real exercise, it gets in the way. The band also gets sweaty and dirty. I think the actual unit is made up of plastic. I don't recommend submersing it under water, by accident (or on purpose). Learning what button to push for a desired function is cumbersome. Placing that all aside, it does look kinda cool. A lot of folks inquire about its purpose (most ask if I am all right because the thing on my wrist/finger must mean something is wrong).

The cuff that wraps around your finger can be a little uncomfortable if worn for long periods of time. The flashing light diode (inside the finger cuff) used to monitor pulse tended to irritate my skin after extended wear (and I have pretty thick skin).

From my perspective, this is more of a novelty item versus functionality and durability. For those who seriously want to monitor their pulse, get a decent chest belt version instead.

13.) Only worked once
Reviewed by: C. Chang
Rating:

This watch could have been made in better quality. The design could have been better thought also. The worst of all, it worked only once then something died in there that it stopped functioning. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

14.) Not worth it
Reviewed by: mmmstring Philadelphia, PA USA
Rating:

The concept was great -- a heart rate monitor without a chest strap. Kids could wear it on their hands and go shirtless without any issues. The only problem was that all 10 I purchased did not even last one year of use before breaking down! Other reviews alerted me to this issue and I ignored them. Please don't be as stupid as I was. Do not buy this product unless you have money to throw away and only need it to work for about 3 months.

Features of Prevention HR-180PV/MF-180PV Chest Belt-Free Heart Rate Monitor

Unique monitor requires NO CHEST BELT, it actually monitors from the finger. Convenient glove style is easy to wear and offers all of the functions of traditional exercise monitors (continuous heart rate information, stopwatch, clock, % of maximum, out-of-zone alarms. The monitor is backlit for nighttime use. Requires lithium CR2032 battery (included). 1 year warranty.

1.) Easy-to-wear, chest belt-free design;
2.) Continuous heart rate information;
3.) Stopwatch, clock, % of maximum, out-of-zone alarms;
4.) Backlight for nighttime use;
5.) 1 year warranty;

Package Height x Length x Width: 8.8 in. x 8.8 in. x 6 in.
Package Weight: 0.25 lbs.