Looking for a heart rate monitor recommendation

[laurensmomma]

Hello, I don't post over here, but thought I would come see if y'all could recommend your heart rate monitor to me. I got a rec for the PolarFT7, but before I commit, wanted to make sure it was the best fit for me.

Here's what I'm looking for:
- I'd like something that I wear all the time (maybe not sleep in) so that I can truly measure how many calories I'm burning (or at least more accurate than I'm doing now).
- I'd like it to be somewhat inconspicous, but realize this might be asking to much.
- I would have a hard time spending more than $100.
- I would also love it to sync with my Samsung Galaxy S5.

Your input is greatly appreciated!

[heliocentric]

Are you planning to wear this for exercise only or all the time? I'm not sure the Polar is ideal to wear all day. You would have to wear the strap continuously and make sure it's moist enough to work. Mine has a chime that indicates when I'm over or under my target zone. Most of the day you are going to be under the target zone and it's going to beep every few seconds and drive you nuts. (You might be able to turn off the sound.)

Do you really need calories for the entire day? Would calculating your BMR better just as good? Or maybe getting a fitbit, loop, or other activity monitor instead?

I have an FT4 and it's great and meets most of your criteria (it doesn't synch, but you can manually enter the data into polar's website to track). I only wear it when exercising, though.

[laurensmomma]

I was looking for something I could wear all day at least a couple of times, just to get a baseline. I definitely wouldn't want something that beeps if I'm not hitting the tage rate. I will see what the BMR indicates for me, I guess I just always wonder how accurate those are, given that someone with more muscle mass is going to burn more calories than someone with more fat.