Many people are confused about equine heart rate monitors. What kind
to buy? Where to purchase? Is thare any difference between a V-Max, an
Easyrate (Polar), an Easybeat(Polar), an EasyCombo(Polar) and other
equine heart rate monitors?
99% of all heart rate monitors used by the horse community are made by
Polar Electro Inc. Polar Electro Inc. is the largest heart rate
monitor manufacturer in the world. 90% of all Heart Rate Monitors sold
in the World, are manufactured by Polar Electro. Companies that sell
horse products, buy Polar units for humans and add a couple small parts
to adapt the units to horses. A V-Max is just a Polar unit that has
been renamed. When you purchase a V-Max all the componets will say
Polar. V-Max may say they manufacture the unit, but it is really a
Polar. Insist on Polar!
Warranty-Another very important consideration is the warranty of each
unit. All Polar componets carry a two year warranty. If you purchase a
unit that does not use Polar componets, check the manufactures warranty
very close. It is very important to ask the company you purchase the
unit from about the manufactures warranty. For example the company
that sells V-Max. They do not manufacture the unit, they just rename it
V-Max. The warranty is good from Polar Electro. Ask how long it is
good? Do you have to send the monitor back to Polar or the company you
purchased from.
Types- There are now three types of equine heart rate monitors that use
Polar componets. The first system uses a transmitter that has wires and
electrodes. The electrodes are placed under the saddle and girth area.
These systems are great and very accurate. The transmitter has a
replacable battery. They are not waterproof, and it is very easy to
loose the wires and electrodes. They often get caught on trees and
brush. Another draw back to this system is when the saddle is removed,
you no longer have a monitor The second system uses a thin neoprene
strap to fasten a waterproof transmitter to the horse. This system is
completly waterproof. Because it is waterproof, the transmitter battery
can't be changed. You must get a new transmitter every 2 years or 2500
hours of use. This cost approx $50 with a trade in of the old unit.
One great feature of this type of unit is that when the saddle is
removed the monitor stays on the horse. These units are also much less
expensive than the wire systems. They can also be used on humans when
your not using it on your horse. The third unit is called a combo unit.
This unit combines both systems into one and is not much more
expensive than the old type with the wires.
Where To Buy- There are now many places to purchase equine heart rate
monitors. First, make sure that the unit your buying uses Polar
componets and has a 2 year warranty. Second, make sure the company you
purchase from has long business hours and great support after the sale.
It is very frustrating to buy a product and get an answering machine
when you need help.
Price- V-Max is traditionally much higher in price than other units.
Mail order companies (Sportack & Austrailian Connection) have great
prices and support on all units. The EasyCare systems are usually less
expensive in all three modles (Wires) (Strap Unit) (Combo). The
EasyCare systems also have free service and battery replacement for the
life of the unit
I hope this information helps in your decision. Please call EasyCare
if you would like any more info about our Polar units. 1-800-447-8836
Garrett Ford
EasyCare Inc,