New Balance N4 Onyx

I use a heart rate monitor to pace myself throughout the day by attempting to keep my heart rate below a recommended bpm. I purchased this in place of the  Timex Personal Trainer Heart Rate Monitor  after its price skyrocketed. While the New Balance N4 Onyx has taken some getting used to (sort of like learning to program a new VCR after you're finally familiar with how to program the old one), it appears to provide more features for half the price.Like the Timex Personal Trainer HRM, the NB N4 Onyx allows you to set an alarm to tell you when your HR has exceeded or dropped below your target bpm zone. However the sound of the alarm is much lower than the Timex, as well as the  Omron HR-100CN Heart Rate Monitor  that I've also owned in the past. This can be a double edge sword; it's less annoying, but it's easy to ignore or not hear altogether -- especially if there is any background noise (i.e. the gym) where it will be drowned out altogether. Like the Timex (but unlike the Omron), the NB N4 Onyx also allows you to review your peak and average HR, the number of calories burned (though I can't imagine that number is particularly accurate), and the amount of time spent in your target HR zone. But over and above the Timex, the NB N4 Onyx has the ability to save data over multiple days or "runs" (and I may have even finally figured out *how* to save that data!). I find this especially helpful as with the Timex I would often mix up the button to review my data with the button to turn on the HR monitor, thus erasing the data I was wanting to review. That is -- mercifully -- harder to do on the NB N4 Onyx. I'm also more fond of the band on the NB N4 Onyx as it kind of reminds me of patent leather (even if it's actually just shiny black plastic), which gives the NB N4 Onyx a slightly less athletic look. A downside in addition to the low volume of the alarm is that I find the numbers/text on the watch face slightly more difficult to read. It does include a button to turn on the back light in dark situations.I've only used the NB N4 Onyx for about 3 weeks and, thus, have not had to change the battery in the watch yet (changing the battery on the chest strap is the same as the Timex and Omron: simply open the battery compartment on its back with a coin, remove the old 2032 battery and insert new one). I'm hoping it will prove easier than the Timex (I can't remember if I ever bothered to change the battery in the Omron watch). When that time comes, I will try to update this review.In summary, the New Balance N4 Onyx has an alarm to help you stay in your target zone like HR monitors such as the Timex Personal Trainer and Omron HR-100, measures peak and average heart rate, time spent in your target zone, and calories burned like the Timex Personal Trainer, but in addition (and unlike the Timex or Omron) also allows you to store up to 9 workouts -- all while being 20-50% cheaper. So far, I'm pleased this purchase.

The watch itself is nice and compact. I usually wear a dress watch and was surprised when someone complimented me when I was wearing this watch one day. Much better than the old chunky ones that were clearly only made for men.The time display is nice and clear but some of the other displays are very small. In the heart rate mode you can change the view to see the timer or the time above the heart rate but it's pretty hard to make out when you're running along and to get to the time mode you have to scroll through all the modes and back to the heart rate which is a bit painful.The instructions aren't very helpful beyond the basic set up. I found I had to google a few things to find out how to do them - including resetting the stopwatch.All in all it's inexpensive and does the job.

When this product works I love it. I find myself exercising more just to see the calorie burn tick up. It helped me learn the sweet spot for my heart rate to get through an hour long work. I have purchased 3 different New Balance N4 Onyx for 2 years. The first two lasted about 2 years each. The watch works well. The straps give out. The third never functioned but Amazon gave me a refunded.

I bought this primarily for my gym workouts, but I am using it was my everyday watch now, too. The price is right, it looks nice, and I didn't want any of the GPS types of monitors, as I only use the HRM part at the gym I will admit that I haven't tried any of the other functions (alarms, calories burned, etc), but the heart rate monitor works like a champ. The stitching on the chest strap broke on one side, but it was an easy fix. There have been no issues with it since then. I still have the original battery in it, too. One thing I have noticed is this: If you are having a particularly hard workout (read super sweaty), you will need to wipe the sensors to get the correct readings. I found that while my heart was beating at a high percentage, the monitor was reading the complete opposite. Once I wiped the sensors with my shirt, it went back to normal. Overall a great gadget and when it dies, I will definitely buy another!

I like the watch but the display is so dark its hard to see the time. I find myself having to use the light to check the details on the watch face. I have purchased the same watch in white a few times and I think next time I would go back to the lighter screen. I don't find myself using this watch as much.

#1 The illumination is so poor that you need daylight to see the numbers or use the 3 sec light#2 The usage of futuristic numbers and letters might seem cool but they are so small that you"ll need a magnifying glass or direct sun.#3 Programing was simple enough once you deciphered the futuristic hieroglyphs.#4 The band is small and if you have a 8 inch or larger wrist, you may have trouble wearing it.Once setup, the first use went well enough. The next day I went to use it and noticed it would lose the signal. After looking in the manual I determined the battery might be going as they warn you that the product might have sat on the shelf for a while. The manual also states that you'll need a watch maker to replace the battery or void the warranty. I know my way around electronics well enough to know about static and not using magnetic tools, so I opened it up and put a new battery in. Upon putting it back together the start/stop button no longer worked. So now I have a difficult to read - pulse monitor with a dim clock.

I wear this watch all the time now, even when I don't have the monitor belt on. The monitor sometimes takes a little while to sync up and find my heart rate, being already sweaty or wetting the sensors definitely helps.

its fine, perhaps the light is not enough and the numbers are a litlle small, but it is fine, enough

Instructions were difficult to navigate. On screen menus difficult to read. But that doesnt matter as I bought it for a heart rate monitor and that part worked great...for the first three times I used it. It died at the end of my third use. Seeking refund or options. too bad because the HR monitor worked well and was easy to read when riding my bike.eta: seller gave instant refund upon notification that product was defective (under 24 hours after email sent).

working well but the HR Monitor disconnect during the running .

Hard to read and instructions were not very helpful. Heart rate monitor does a good job and no issues with the strap even at start of workout.

Be careful. This is for women. No it will not fit you, unless you've got real small wrists. The heart rate strap will fit anyone, looks comfortable enough. The sensor is precise, matches the HR of my other devices.The watch is a bit quirky to use, and the display is real dark. The indiglo light doesnt stay on long enough. I'd be hard pressed to use such a device while doing any kind of physical activity.

Works great!