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).

I tried my heart moniter as soon as it arrived and it worked very well.I've had it nearly a month and use it several times a week and it works great.The monitor is overall pretty decent for it's price.I love the "out of range" alarm feature!I recommend this product to anyone who is a beginner in monitoring their heart rate during excersize.It is very easy to program and use.

Worked first time used and has just been fantastic. Still got to learn all the bells and whistles but main thing, heart rate, is what I was more interested in. I know when I get used to all the other options will be super. Highly recommended for those who do not want to wear that strap across your chest.

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.

I love this monitor. I wore a Polar chest strap for several years. Although I liked the information I got from the Polar, I absolutely HATED the sweaty, sticky, nasty, uncomfortable chest strap - as a female, it never fit me just right. Bought this monitor in late January and it has worked great since day 1. Heart rate and calorie counts seems very consistent with readings I got with my Polar. Yes, you do have to keep the index finger relatively straight, but I've had no trouble on the elliptical, the treadmill, or even the weight machines. I've also had no trouble getting the finger sensor positioned correctly (I do have relatively small hands). Mostly however, it is COMFORTABLE which means I'm more likely to use it regularly. The only feature I miss from my Polar was the ability to have an average heart rate at the end of a workout. This unit doesn't do that, but it has enough other advantages for me that I give it 5 stars.