Advice wanted - heart rate monitoring, new device or supplement existing

Forums › Health and fitness › Advice wanted - heart rate monitoring, new device or supplement existing

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#191030 20-Jan-2016 14:35

Currently I have a Huawei Talkband B2 which is great for measuring steps and sleep, but I want to also measure heart rate. What would be the recommendation - a separate HR monitor, or change the B2 to something else?

I do like the Microsoft Band, any comments on how accurate that is for steps/HR? And for skin irritations?

I would prefer NOT to use a chest strap (even though that is supposedly the most accurate) as I want to measure HR over 24 hours.

I do like the idea of having the B2 vibrate rather than my phone for incoming calls, and would prefer that if I changed devices.

(Damn I hate the paragraph line spacing! Makes posts looks really weird like my ENTER key is borked!)

HcoNmeM

182 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1476063 21-Jan-2016 12:30

I bought the Samsung Gear S2 Classic, yeah it's a little pricey but I got it because it does HR, incoming calls, text messages (which you can reply on), music (can control spotify/Google Music no problem) the list goes on.

I get about 3 days charge from full battery with all day sync on, turned gesture mode and wifi off and goes really well. My phone's being repaired so it's a stand alone watch at the moment and have so far about 4 days off a full charge.

Water proof, hasn't had a scratch on it yet either (and I have 3 really active kids to chase).

There's 2 models, I chose the classic as you can change the straps to any one you want instead of the proprietary ones with the standard one. My new black stainless steel strap is on it's way :)

Not as many apps out there as there is for Android Wear (as the Gear S2 is Tizen OS) but there's lots in development so good ones are coming.

I have an app where I can launch my camera on my phone from my watch and see what the camera see's, so lots of fun had tricking the kids ;)

S Health is a little restrictive but does all my fitness stats, again more in development.

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#1476519 22-Jan-2016 08:29

Thanks, interesting reply. I have seen a Gear for sale, quite like the design, and there is now Tizen for it, but it only works with Samsung phones; is this the same with the Gear S2?

I don't want to have to change phones just because of a tracker.

I did see the Mio, which is supposedly the "best" non-chest HR device, but it doesn't do all the other stuff like notifications.

SheriffNZ

671 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1476567 22-Jan-2016 09:18

Check out dcrainmaker.com. He reviews sports tech from a supposedly unbiased stand.

I think his view on most of the activity trackers is they're good for trends, but not necessarily as accurate as a chest strap heart rate monitor. I think the only wrist based one that comes close is actually a watch, a Garmin Forerunner 235. It also gives phone notifications etc.

HcoNmeM

182 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1476577 22-Jan-2016 09:36

timbosan:

Thanks, interesting reply. I have seen a Gear for sale, quite like the design, and there is now Tizen for it, but it only works with Samsung phones; is this the same with the Gear S2?

I don't want to have to change phones just because of a tracker.

I did see the Mio, which is supposedly the "best" non-chest HR device, but it doesn't do all the other stuff like notifications.

It works with most Android phones, also works with iphones.

Feels like having a watch there not a tracker, I use it when I swim and it's pretty good for tracking that too.

I showed my doctor and he checked out the HR scanner, he says it looks pretty accurate to him so I guess that's a good review lol.

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#1476593 22-Jan-2016 09:53

HcoNmeM:

timbosan:

Thanks, interesting reply. I have seen a Gear for sale, quite like the design, and there is now Tizen for it, but it only works with Samsung phones; is this the same with the Gear S2?

I don't want to have to change phones just because of a tracker.

I did see the Mio, which is supposedly the "best" non-chest HR device, but it doesn't do all the other stuff like notifications.

It works with most Android phones, also works with iphones.

Feels like having a watch there not a tracker, I use it when I swim and it's pretty good for tracking that too.

I showed my doctor and he checked out the HR scanner, he says it looks pretty accurate to him so I guess that's a good review lol.

Looks good, just very expensive!

HcoNmeM

182 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1476636 22-Jan-2016 10:43

Yeah it's a little costly, I saved up for it..

But IMO.. it's worth the money..

You can always have 4 or 5 days to try it out before returning it, if it's not for you that is..