luck with wrist-based heart rate monitors?

I'm used to the chest strap version as being the standard...have wrist-sensor based units gotten better? Can anyone recommend a basic one (it's a present for a kind of entry-level athlete, doesn't need all kinds of crazy bells and whistles, just heart rate, and maybe some high and low target alarms).

Cheers,
David

I have a Polar HR watch and traditional strap and a Polar bike CU. I've had no troubles with either one other than changing out batteries.

I bought the watch on EBay for $25. It's their most inexpensive HR monitor but has worked well. I suggest checking for cheap new ones.

Optimistic wrote:I'm used to the chest strap version as being the standard...have wrist-sensor based units gotten better? Can anyone recommend a basic one (it's a present for a kind of entry-level athlete, doesn't need all kinds of crazy bells and whistles, just heart rate, and maybe some high and low target alarms). Cheers, David

No specific recommendation, but if you have some models in mind you may find excellent info on it (and comparisons to others) at dcrainmaker.com/

I have the fitbit Charge HR....it's pretty good as far as HR monitoring. Durability over the long-term is a major concern, but they are quick to warranty things for you no questions asked. Hopefully whatever they come up with next in this area of lower profile HR monitoring fitness trackers is a bit more durable.

Weston L wrote:I have the fitbit Charge HR....it's pretty good as far as HR monitoring. Durability over the long-term is a major concern, but they are quick to warranty things for you no questions asked. Hopefully whatever they come up with next in this area of lower profile HR monitoring fitness trackers is a bit more durable.

My understanding is that there a class action lawsuit against them related to the inaccuracy of their heart-rate values, so I'm not so sure about their reliability.

+1 on the inaccuracy lawsuit. I've read the same thing. I own and use a TomTom that tracks heart rate as well as mileage, calories, etc. The heart rate portion has never worked for me. I use it for GPS tracking and for a mileage meter. According to the DCRainMaker website, the technology just isn't there yet for optical, wrist-based monitors.

Bill Kirby wrote:I have a Polar HR watch and traditional strap and a Polar bike CU. I've had no troubles with either one other than changing out batteries. I bought the watch on EBay for $25. It's their most inexpensive HR monitor but has worked well. I suggest checking for cheap new ones.

Bill are you saying you have one that is wrist sensor and one chest, or chest only?

Optimistic wrote: Bill are you saying you have one that is wrist sensor and one chest, or chest only?

Chest only. I don't have any experience with wrist sensors... Other than listening everyone that has a FitBit!!

time.com/4344675/fitbit-law…

I looked at the study and they tested against ECG but not against regular chest strap monitors. They also did not compare by task (does it perform better with cycling which is low impact vs jump roping where the watch may shift more?) Fitbit underreports at higher exercise intensities. The study was commissioned and paid for by the plaintiff legal team, and it definitely has some flaws.

I have a Fitbit and I'm quite happy with it, but it depends on what your purpose is. If they will be using it for a highly structured training program where it may actually matter, might be best to look at other options. You mentioned high/low alarms. It seems that Fitbit did well compared with chest strap monitors according to a small 'study' by consumer reports - not sure how chest straps do against ECG. Somebody has probably studied that, but my thought is we don't need medical level accuracy for training even though it has become a data driven world.

Optimistic wrote:I'm used to the chest strap version as being the standard...have wrist-sensor based units gotten better? Can anyone recommend a basic one (it's a present for a kind of entry-level athlete, doesn't need all kinds of crazy bells and whistles, just heart rate, and maybe some high and low target alarms). Cheers, David

If you have a smartphone, pair it with Scosche Rhythm+. It's the most accurate wrist/arm based HRM out there. It performs as well as the chest straps.

I did a lot of research on the wrist monitors vs. old-fashioned chest straps before making my purchase. From everything I read, the technology just isn't there yet for accurate readings on the wrist sensors.

I ended up going with the Polar M400 and chest strap. I wasn't terribly psyched about having to put it on every time I went for a run, but it takes 2 seconds and really isn't a big deal. And they are probably the most effective way of monitoring your heart rate during exercise. Mine is consistently accurate, no problems.

Similar to wrist cuffs for BP..not very good. I believe it because of poor contact.

Thanks everybody... In the end I took some advice and ignored what probably was some good advice (about wrist models not being ready for prime time). The dcrainmaker site recommended by mojomonkey was also recommended to me by other friends and dcrainmaker's testing methodology is pretty unbelievable. The issue driving the whole purchase is that it's for a fairly tech illiterate older family member (aka Dad) who wants a HR monitor and I think would nearly immediately either lose a separate strap or think it was too much trouble.

So against my better judgement I went with the Garmin Vivoactive HR after reading this review
dcrainmaker.com/2016/05/gar…

Time will tell! I'll post up after I try the thing out in a few weeks. The unit is actually compatible with chest straps and the scosche arm strap, so if he really gets bent out of shape about laser precision with the HR, he could still add that on.

I got my wife the Basis Peak for a number of reasons. Wrist HR, no chest strap. Waterproof to reasonable depths, simple and clean app UI,

For her the important thing was to see a live feed while we backpack in thenmountains. It has a range of accuracy, and that is clearly described. It works frackin amazing. We can charge it with other USB power sources in the field. Def recommend.

Sorry for the tangent, but do any of these fitness monitors function as timers? I want something to go off at intervals that I can set like every hour or 1/2 hour, then be able to silence when I go to sleep.

mountainhick wrote:Sorry for the tangent, but do any of these fitness monitors function as timers? I want something to go off at intervals that I can set like every hour or 1/2 hour, then be able to silence when I go to sleep.

I have a timer app for my Droid smartphone that can be set to repeat at any interval. It was free. Not sure about what the hr watches can do.

I've been using the vivoactive HR for the past month and find it to be pretty reliable. It gets slightly wonky from time to time, but it's usually from the watch sliding too far down my wrist when I get really sweaty. Easy fix. Chest straps suck.

I was skeptical at first, but I really like it. It transitions well and tracks between all of the different activities I do. Good stuff, I think you'll like it.

Optimistic wrote: I have a timer app for my Droid smartphone that can be set to repeat at any interval. It was free. Not sure about what the hr watches can do.

Thanks for the input!

I am aware of these kinds of apps. I own a smart phone, but only occasionally carry it. 99% of the time I am without it. I like it that way, don't want to be dependent on an object that large.

I need a timer the size of a watch or key fob to keep in a pocket or on wrist, and fitness tech would be good though not essential.

Aaron Nash wrote:I've been using the vivoactive HR for the past month and find it to be pretty reliable. It gets slightly wonky from time to time, but it's usually from the watch sliding too far down my wrist when I get really sweaty. Easy fix. Chest straps suck. I was skeptical at first, but I really like it. It transitions well and tracks between all of the different activities I do. Good stuff, I think you'll like it.

Thanks Aaron, it was a gift to my dad who so far has been happy with it. And if he gets tired of it, I think I know a good home it can transition into...

mountainhick wrote: Thanks for the input! I am aware of these kinds of apps. I own a smart phone, but only occasionally carry it. 99% of the time I am without it. I like it that way, don't want to be dependent on an object that large. I need a timer the size of a watch or key fob to keep in a pocket or on wrist, and fitness tech would be good though not essential.

I admire your discipline, I'm certainly totally hooked on mine for all kinds of climbing, training, and other applications.

Optimistic wrote: I admire your discipline, I'm certainly totally hooked on mine for all kinds of climbing, training, and other applications.

No discipline necessary. I have always found such devices a PITA.