Polar A360 Review & Question about other HR/Activity Trackers

SoCalSwimmerDude

This is the first "activity tracker" I've had, but not my first HR monitor.

Positives
1. I bought it because (1) Polar is the most accurate HR Monitor and (2) Because its the only activity tracker and wrist based HR Monitor that could ALSO connect with a chest based strap for the most accurate measuring.
2. It's slim and not a huge profile like some other watches.
3. The battery/charge is good and better than others. I can go a week with approx 2-4 workouts on a single charge.

Negatives
1. While its my first time with an activity tracker, I'm dissapointed by its tracking. If I wrap presents for 30 minutes, it gives me a hundred more steps. Is this normal?
2. It doesn't monitor my HR 24/7. I really wanted that aspect for daily activity (walking, cleaning, etc) and I figured that would give me the MOST accurate measurement of calorie burn.
3. It definitely over-estimates my daily calorie burn. To maintain weight, MFP allows for me to eat approx 2,500 calories. After a day with the Polar and moving my arm around alot, the Polar is telling me I've burned 3,000 - 3,2000 cals. You can imagine the problem or confusion when I'm trying to actually lose weight.

Final Verdict:
After having the polar for about 3 weeks, I've decided to return it on Amazon. If the steps are off, the cal burn is off, but the HR is correct, but only on when working out, then I don't see the huge value. In the end, I'm really just using it as a watch that acts as a reminder that I'm trying to be healthier. A review on Amazon said that its a great tracker if you want to know what time it is... and I kinda see where that person is coming from.

So my questions:
I would really like something that can measure my HR 24/7 and give me a legit cal burn. I have an office job, so I'm generally sedentary, but I don't sit down when I get home from work (a 2 year old - cooking, cleaning ALOT, and truly hustling around the house trying to get stuff done before she goes to bed). So I'd like to know if I can/should eat 100-200 cals more due to my activity level, not necessarily my workouts since those are measured individually.

1. Are you aware of any other activity trackers WITH a HR monitor that also connect with a chest strap?
2. What is the most accurate fitness tracker out there (not necessarily wrist based HR Monitor)?
3. Based on my desires above, do you have any recommendations? I'm willing to spend up to 200-300 on it.
4. If everyone's being honest with themselves, are all activity/step trackers giving you credit for activity/steps without you actually walking around? Should this just be an accepted aspect of activity trackers?

I hope this helps some of you and thanks in advance for answering any of my Q's!

SoCalSwimmerDude

bump? or TL;DR?

welshcoffeeaddict

I don't have the answer but am looking at the Tomtom Multisport Cardio GPS myself, so once I get it I will try and find you to let you know how it goes.
I have been a polar fan for years, had 3 of my previous HRM (same model 300RSx) and gradually upgraded the tech to include a GPS unit, this model also had an additional step counter if you wanted- I never used it. Each 300RS has lasted 12-18 months, then the strap (wrist) would break; and their a complete unit. And although they came with a 2yr warranty Polar do not honour all purchases (EBay, and international especially- am in Oz)

Am guessing the A360 measured steps like most other systems (like fitbit) measure steps by arm motion (hence the discrepancy with wrapping gifts). Am not sure any model monitors your heart rate 24/7, as it would kill the battery, though I am also curious as to what my day to day calories would be.

The Tomtoms HRM accuracy reviews regarding have been good, but it doesn't have an additional chest strap option. Am actually moving to the Tomtom for that reason, as I want to move away from the chest strap if possible (as its something else to go flat, forget or lose), it also has the option to purchase additional straps (for wrist so I can wear it) so am hoping its a longer term investment.

welshcoffeeaddict

I stand corrected there is an external heart rate sensor option with this, as it is recommended for use while cycling- so you keep both hands on handle bars (and watch on the bike mount).
Reading up you still have to measure an activity to measure your heart rate, so not sure it would be practical for just daily assessment as you would most likely need to run it in 'freestyle' which also sues GPS and using both would use the battery life up in about 8 hours.
For me (reading up) the most concerning part is that it bases your heart rate zones on your age, and therefore expected 'zones'. I have a relatively low resting rate (generally less than 60) and high work rate (180-220). Which has been professionally/medically assessed; "it's just how I run".

Azdak

You don't need or want 24 HR heart rate monitoring to "estimate daily calorie burn". Heart rate cannot be used that way. Heart rate can only be used to estimate calorie burn under a very narrow set of conditions--I.e. Steady-state aerobic exercise or some total-body activity that uses all muscles in continuous, rhythmic movements that raise intensity to at least 40% of VO2 max.

So the "defect" you are describing in the A360 is actually not a defect at all--it is a normal design feature.

Activity monitors use accelerometers (primarily) to determine movement, interpret that movement, and to estimate calories burned via general movement/activities of daily living. These are probably reasonably accurate for general movement, kind of sucky at measuring exercise calories.

The Polar people are the experts at heart rate monitoring. That doesn't mean they are equally expert at activity tracking. The reviews I have read on the A360 have been lukewarm.

My personal opinion is that there is no one "perfect" tracker that will do everything you want it to do. There is no device out there that is so accurate that you can make 100-200 calorie decisions based on the data. I think activity trackers do a good job of motivating people to move more, and of comparing the relative numbers (i.e. Your changes from day to day) will give you a sense of your overall level of activity (even if the numbers are not super accurate). That's mostly it. I do not think they are precise measuring devices.

MikeInAZ

There's a Facebook group dedicated to the Polar A360 - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1701559760077137/

tiggerlove

I agree with Azdak..Polar has been around for many years and I trust their products more. To tell the truth I've never used any other product but Polar. There is no perfect tracker so you have to decide whats best for you.

MeanderingMammal

TheFranLover wrote: »

1. Are you aware of any other activity trackers WITH a HR monitor that also connect with a chest strap?

Not basic devices, but to be honest the difference in accuracy between optical and electrical measurement is negligible, unless one is at a seriously high level of performance.

2. What is the most accurate fitness tracker out there (not necessarily wrist based HR Monitor)?

Depends what you're trying to measure, they all have different strengths and weaknesses.

As suggested above HR is meaningless for low intensity activity

3. Based on my desires above, do you have any recommendations? I'm willing to spend up to 200-300 on it.

No

4. If everyone's being honest with themselves, are all activity/step trackers giving you credit for activity/steps without you actually walking around? Should this just be an accepted aspect of activity trackers?

All instrumentation will have a false positive level if it's used inappropriately or without adequate attention to what it's telling you.

Wrist based trackers will over-read if there is excessive arm movement, or under-read if one is doing something with restricted arm movement; shopping trolley etc.

HRMs will over-estimate if one is using HR data based on low intensity activity, or doing something that causes HR fluctuation.