Recommendation on Heart Rate Monitoring device

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networkn

Networkn
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#175679 8-Jul-2015 11:07

Hi There!

I am keen to upgrade my Up24 Jawbone to something that does ACCURATE heart rate monitoring during excercise (Squash). I really like Jawbone apps and how they track stuff, but I don't really care about Brand if the BAND is good and accurate.

Price isn't a primary consideration, but comfort is.

davidcole

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#1339176 8-Jul-2015 11:46

If you want accurate, I believe that chest straps are they way to do it. The disadvantage is it's not 24x7.

I have a garmin vivoactive with chest strap. It's actually an ANT+ strap rather than one ot the bluetooth ones. The latter is of course an option - and it will transmit to your phone especially if you have it in the squash court somewhere it should reach.

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k14

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#1339220 8-Jul-2015 12:47

Chest straps suck. Not only are they uncomfortable, depending on who you are and the climate you are exercising in they are next to useless. I have tried multiple different brands and because I live in a dry climate (Central Otago) and don't sweat much when I use it for cycling I get very erratic readings. It relies on a constant electrical connection with your skin to do the measuring and when that connection fails (I.e. the strap goes dry) you will get a flat line at something like 220bpm and then it will cut in/out sporadically. For running it is usually ok but on the warmer days it can be bad too.

The best options imo are the optical sensors. I have a Mio link which works better than a strap (but not perfect) and is more comfortable than as well. However, if I had my time again I would get a Scohsche Rythm+. It does BTLE and ANT+ so can interface to all fitness devices plus it is supposedly more comfortable than the Mio. I got my Mio before the Scosche was released and will probably eventually buy one, when I get round to it. Probably the only downside with the optical sensors is the battery life. A chest strap will last 2-3 months but you need to recharge the optical one quite regularly. I get about 6 hours out of my Mio.

Fo0L

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Master Geek

#1339223 8-Jul-2015 13:03

I picked up a Wahoo TICKR X recently.

Its a chest strap unit, and I've found it to be pretty accurate.

I find the chest strap comfy enough for running, cycling, general gym work-outs etc.
It does work best when the sensors are wetted first, so a couple of drops of water on them before heading off... simple.

The TICKR X also has a 'device free workout' option where it records your HR data for syncing later.

Its also pretty smart with some other things, such as recognising movement based on what activity you're doing - for instance, I used it on my spin-bike the other day, and it provided my cadence information.

It works well with the apps I've tried it with so far (Strava, Endomondo, Wahoo). I get the info to my Magellan Echo watch when running or Wahoo RFLKT+ if I'm out and about on the bike.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with it, compared to my last chest strap HRM which I struggled with (it was a cheapie!)

Worth looking at, plenty of reviews etc on YouTube.

Also check out DC Rainmakers site for heaps of fitness device reviews.