The device is compatible with many workout apps. I'm glad I can track my heart rate on my existing fitness app rather than need to install a new app just for this device. Thanks for the review!
Great video! Interesting equipment. I've been wanting an arm band optical HRM, but haven't bitten the bullet, yet. With prices in the range of the POWR Labs offering, it's getting more and more tempting!
Pretty good now I like the wahoo tickr for a chest it has 2 Bluetooth and ant+. Also $49 Then for the armband I like the rhythm + 2.0 for about the same price but if that one has 60 hours on a charge that’s better that’s a good deal. Because wahoo arm is more. I also heard those arm ones now we’re just as good which is pretty good. He goes next to putting on my chest strap or throw in some up on my bicep. I’ll go with the bicep every day. Good video.
Just got a Fit Bit from my son for Christmas which, while I appreciate the gift, is just too complicated for this old dude. Plus it wants way to much personal information to just get my heart rate which is really all want. And I really don't like wearing a watch so all the other features are pretty pointless for me. After reading some reviews I decided on a band versus a watch to get the accuracy and convenience over a chest rig. Hopefully one of the two apps you mentioned will work and not require too much personal information to use. Excellent review sir and will save my son around $100.
Chest bands are a lot more accurate but they're not really something you can or would want to wear 24/7 for wellness data. I'm assuming you're just looking for something to use during a workout?
@@ChaseTheSummit Yes that is correct. Just want to see my HR while working out. No need to gather stats. I ended up going with an arm band model from Powrblabs. Going to pair it with the Polar Beat app which is pretty simple and requires basic information and does let you pick the type of workout which is nice. We'll see how it goes. Using it tomorrow on my stair master.
What's the user experience like? Can I see the current HR on my phone during the actual activity? I need an HR monitoring device that gives me real-time feedback during a workout
Thanks Dave! I've got the chest one to tackle sporadic HRO in Fenix 6x. So far so good. Finally Garmin agrees that my long trail runs are aerobic base and not threshold. Do you set your activity to Jacket in Power manager with external HR, or keep HRO on watches ON all the time? I've read that Fenix will automatically switch to external device readings, but don't trust it 100% cause I see HRO sensor ON while the chest strap is connected to the watches.
Yeah it's odd that the OHR stays on even with external sensors paired. If you want to be certain you can always disable it in the settings. Otherwise, this is normal for Garmin.
@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks! With the chest strap on, OHR seem to stay solid - not blinking as usual. So maybe it's not measuring, just stays in the active backup state. I just use Jacket mode for all my activities with cheststrap to be 100% sure.
The is a note on the manufacturer website saying:*NOTE > Strava no longer pairs with external devices (as of Oct 2019), Apple Health does not pair with third party heart rate monitors without an Apple Watch and Google Fit does not pair without a compatible ANT+ watch.
I bought the powrlabs chest strap. The strap overall picks up heart rate accurately if you keep your heart rate at a consistent bpm. I do not recommend powrlab for intermittent training the chest strap is very sluggish when trying to monitor rapidly changing heart rates.
Can you show us how to pair the armband with Polar Beat app on iPhone? I connect it to my iPhone Polar Beat app and it flashed blue, does that mean it is connected? I don't see green light except when I plug it to charge. Can you help?
Very interesting video and kind of interesting devices, at that price point... For the optical one... Always wondered if the higher precision of this kind of sensors against the wrist ones in the watches is only due to the wearing position... Ever thought of testing a watch, say the Fenix 6s ( my own watch :D ) wearing it on the arm or internal part of the forearm against an ECG chest strap? Wound require probably a "strange" watch strap, but could be interesting...........
It's a combination of positioning and the LED's being quite a bit brighter. You'd certainly get better accuracy wearing a watch on your bicep. But then you wouldn't be able to see the screen!
perhaps they use cheaper materials or do not spend time testing usage. A few months ago, I struggled with the purchase of a chest strap and looked at all of them at the time. I went with the previous model of the Polar H9, I think i paid $60.
The Polar H9 is a great strap. I've been using one for a couple of years with zero issues. The Powr Labs stuff is actually pretty nice though. I was surprised with how well built it feels. The arm band specifically feels solid even compared to the Polar OH1+ / Verity Sense. Thanks for watching Scott!
Hey guys, is there a cheap watch option that would pair with the chest strap? Out of curiosity I’d like a monitor to play with, I’m trying to not spend much. The chest strap is on sale for $30 right now.
either get a cheap used older whatever garmin or get some other brands. most start at like 100$. important that they have ANT+- have you found one yet?
I get the point of the optical technology in the context of watches - you're wearing a watch anyways, so it's one less thing you have to put on. But why would someone want to use an optical arm strap sensor over a chest strap sensor (which is more accurate) or just the optical sensor built into their watch?
The optical sensors on arm bands are typically more accurate because they’re worn higher up closer to the heart and have brighter LED’s. I think people are drawn to them because they’re more comfortable. Some folks hate the sensation of a chest sensor.
I was about to know only one thing that I was interested in it is accuracy. But it happened to be boring to talk about. Unfortunately for me there's nothing more to watch.
I’ve tested this HR chest strap also and agree. It good to know that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get good HR data. 👌
Nice! Seems like a solid option. Thanks for watching Matt!
Matt tested it on a tree, Dave. Said the tree had the best rHR ever.
lol
The device is compatible with many workout apps. I'm glad I can track my heart rate on my existing fitness app rather than need to install a new app just for this device. Thanks for the review!
Glad to see budget stuff out there as well that still works well!
Yup!
I bought their strap only option to replace my wahoo tickr band. The fit is just better.
Oh interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Great video!
Interesting equipment. I've been wanting an arm band optical HRM, but haven't bitten the bullet, yet. With prices in the range of the POWR Labs offering, it's getting more and more tempting!
Thanks! For sure, definitely at the right price point!
Pretty good now I like the wahoo tickr for a chest it has 2 Bluetooth and ant+. Also $49
Then for the armband I like the rhythm + 2.0 for about the same price but if that one has 60 hours on a charge that’s better that’s a good deal.
Because wahoo arm is more.
I also heard those arm ones now we’re just as good which is pretty good. He goes next to putting on my chest strap or throw in some up on my bicep. I’ll go with the bicep every day. Good video.
These are great. Might buy that chest band. Thanks for bringing these up 👍🏻
Glad you found it helpful!
Just got a Fit Bit from my son for Christmas which, while I appreciate the gift, is just too complicated for this old dude. Plus it wants way to much personal information to just get my heart rate which is really all want. And I really don't like wearing a watch so all the other features are pretty pointless for me. After reading some reviews I decided on a band versus a watch to get the accuracy and convenience over a chest rig. Hopefully one of the two apps you mentioned will work and not require too much personal information to use. Excellent review sir and will save my son around $100.
Chest bands are a lot more accurate but they're not really something you can or would want to wear 24/7 for wellness data. I'm assuming you're just looking for something to use during a workout?
@@ChaseTheSummit Yes that is correct. Just want to see my HR while working out. No need to gather stats. I ended up going with an arm band model from Powrblabs. Going to pair it with the Polar Beat app which is pretty simple and requires basic information and does let you pick the type of workout which is nice. We'll see how it goes. Using it tomorrow on my stair master.
great review while i'm
riding and testing
What's the user experience like? Can I see the current HR on my phone during the actual activity? I need an HR monitoring device that gives me real-time feedback during a workout
Thanks Dave! I've got the chest one to tackle sporadic HRO in Fenix 6x. So far so good. Finally Garmin agrees that my long trail runs are aerobic base and not threshold. Do you set your activity to Jacket in Power manager with external HR, or keep HRO on watches ON all the time? I've read that Fenix will automatically switch to external device readings, but don't trust it 100% cause I see HRO sensor ON while the chest strap is connected to the watches.
Yeah it's odd that the OHR stays on even with external sensors paired. If you want to be certain you can always disable it in the settings. Otherwise, this is normal for Garmin.
@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks! With the chest strap on, OHR seem to stay solid - not blinking as usual. So maybe it's not measuring, just stays in the active backup state. I just use Jacket mode for all my activities with cheststrap to be 100% sure.
1:45
The is a note on the manufacturer website saying:*NOTE > Strava no longer pairs with external devices (as of Oct 2019), Apple Health does not pair with third party heart rate monitors without an Apple Watch and Google Fit does not pair without a compatible ANT+ watch.
That's strange because I have no issues pairing my sensors with Strava on my iPhone 12 Pro. Maybe because they made it exclusive to the paid members?
@@ChaseTheSummit might be the issue.
I bought the powrlabs chest strap. The strap overall picks up heart rate accurately if you keep your heart rate at a consistent bpm. I do not recommend powrlab for intermittent training the chest strap is very sluggish when trying to monitor rapidly changing heart rates.
Really? What do you have it paired to?
@@ChaseTheSummit polar h9 app.
great video. DO you know of any other armband HR monitors?
PWRLabs, Schoche Rythm, Polar Verity Sense, Polar OH1+ are all arm bands!
@@ChaseTheSummit excellent, thx!
Great vid, man!! Wich software did u use to compare those sensors? Cheers! :)
Thanks! I use DC Rainmakers analyzer tool along with Quantified.
Hey man, what kind of software are you using to compare the heart rate accuracy of the products you're testing ?
I use DC Rainmakers analyzer tool along with Quantified.
Can you show us how to pair the armband with Polar Beat app on iPhone? I connect it to my iPhone Polar Beat app and it flashed blue, does that mean it is connected? I don't see green light except when I plug it to charge. Can you help?
Why should I get a smart running watch if I could just pair a hear rate monitor with my phone? What are the benefits if having the watch?
not having the phone...;-)
Been looking at chest HR monitors and this looks like one I’ll try.
They're pretty good for the money!
Very interesting video and kind of interesting devices, at that price point...
For the optical one... Always wondered if the higher precision of this kind of sensors against the wrist ones in the watches is only due to the wearing position... Ever thought of testing a watch, say the Fenix 6s ( my own watch :D ) wearing it on the arm or internal part of the forearm against an ECG chest strap? Wound require probably a "strange" watch strap, but could be interesting...........
It's a combination of positioning and the LED's being quite a bit brighter. You'd certainly get better accuracy wearing a watch on your bicep. But then you wouldn't be able to see the screen!
@@ChaseTheSummit thanks for the answer, and i see your point, but i a remain curious 😂😂
Can you pair with Hammerhead's Karoo 2 device?
They’ll work with any Bluetooth capable device.
perhaps they use cheaper materials or do not spend time testing usage. A few months ago, I struggled with the purchase of a chest strap and looked at all of them at the time. I went with the previous model of the Polar H9, I think i paid $60.
The Polar H9 is a great strap. I've been using one for a couple of years with zero issues. The Powr Labs stuff is actually pretty nice though. I was surprised with how well built it feels. The arm band specifically feels solid even compared to the Polar OH1+ / Verity Sense. Thanks for watching Scott!
Hey guys, is there a cheap watch option that would pair with the chest strap? Out of curiosity I’d like a monitor to play with, I’m trying to not spend much. The chest strap is on sale for $30 right now.
either get a cheap used older whatever garmin or get some other brands. most start at like 100$. important that they have ANT+-
have you found one yet?
I get the point of the optical technology in the context of watches - you're wearing a watch anyways, so it's one less thing you have to put on. But why would someone want to use an optical arm strap sensor over a chest strap sensor (which is more accurate) or just the optical sensor built into their watch?
The optical sensors on arm bands are typically more accurate because they’re worn higher up closer to the heart and have brighter LED’s. I think people are drawn to them because they’re more comfortable. Some folks hate the sensation of a chest sensor.
@@ChaseTheSummit that makes sense. Thanks!
Can you pair with Garmin watches to import in Garmin Connect??
Yup
Does it attach to larger chest straps? I need 111-113 cm size straps.
It only comes with one in the box but they're pretty generic. You should be able to buy a larger one and swap the "brain". Hope that helps.
This device can live monitor with smartphone ? Example to monitor football player
With the right app yes.
what program is that you cand combine all tech sid by side?
I use Quantified and DC Rainmakers analyzer tool.
@@ChaseTheSummit thank you sooo much
You will review the new galaxy watch 4?
Yes! I'm working on it!
anyone know how to charge the armband without using the original charger?
Where is it made?
China I believe.
I was about to know only one thing that I was interested in it is accuracy. But it happened to be boring to talk about. Unfortunately for me there's nothing more to watch.
Talking about the product too much not showing how the product works
Gawd I hate reviews that throw stuff....Good review otherwise.
Lol, that’s a first!
Scosche knockoff.
Pretty similar!