Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor Recommendations

withypoll
withypoll Posts: 47 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi All! I'm upgrading my old Polar FT4 chest strap and watch. I'm leaning towards the Wahoo TICKR X or Polar H10. I plan to use it with my phone which is an Android during runs and for cardio machines at the gym. For those that have either, what are your likes/dislikes and what apps do you utilize?

Replies

  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    I used a Polar H7 with my Android Phone. It worked flawlessly.

    My problem was making everything work together consistently. While the H7 was perfect, keeping my music playing with my BT headphones, seeing the output on my Android or Pebble watch, and making it all work together was such a PITA that I purchased a Garmin watch and have never looked back.

    YMMV. :)
  • mark_mfp
    mark_mfp Posts: 12 Member
    i just got an H10. works great with my iphone. can listen to music and polarflow interrupts every mile with stats. Love it. Now I 've just got to figure out why my 1250 calories from Polarflow shows as about 700 in MFP
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    withypoll wrote: »
    Hi All! I'm upgrading my old Polar FT4 chest strap and watch. I'm leaning towards the Wahoo TICKR X or Polar H10. I plan to use it with my phone which is an Android during runs and for cardio machines at the gym. For those that have either, what are your likes/dislikes and what apps do you utilize?

    Personally, particularly for a runner, I'd veer towards something with GPS functionality rather than HRM. An entry level would give you a Forerunner 35, or a VivoActive.

    As highlighted, as soon as you start trying to get Bluetooth to work reliably as part of a system you're vulnerable to the vagaries of technology.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    I second MM's recommendation of getting a good GPS watch. However, for metrics, I'm partial to the Wahoo line, as they'll sync with both Garmin's ANT+ and BLE.

    The GPS on your phone isn't going to be sampling as often as a dedicated running watch, and won't give you as good results if you're not primarily doing flat straight line distances
  • withypoll
    withypoll Posts: 47 Member
    I'm a beginner runner so I'm not much concerned with my stats... yet. I will be in the future so there are some good points to consider here. Thanks everyone for your input, it's much appreciated!
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    OH, and if you're a novice, the Tickr X is probably overkill as you can get a basic Tickr and a NOS(New Old Stock) Vivoactive for about the same price if you shop around.
  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,064 Member
    I have the Polar H10 and have been very happy with it. Calories burned (as long as I'm picking a proper exercise category) has seemed pretty on point so far. The strap is great - never had it slip doing burpees, jumps, etc!
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    stanmann571 wrote: »
    I second MM's recommendation of getting a good GPS watch. However, for metrics, I'm partial to the Wahoo line, as they'll sync with both Garmin's ANT+ and BLE.

    The GPS on your phone isn't going to be sampling as often as a dedicated running watch, and won't give you as good results if you're not primarily doing flat straight line distances

    My Garmin Fenix 5x works with both ANT and BLE. I believe this is the direction Garmin is going so newer watches should work with both. Read the fine print before you purchase. :)
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    dewd2 wrote: »
    stanmann571 wrote: »
    I second MM's recommendation of getting a good GPS watch. However, for metrics, I'm partial to the Wahoo line, as they'll sync with both Garmin's ANT+ and BLE.

    The GPS on your phone isn't going to be sampling as often as a dedicated running watch, and won't give you as good results if you're not primarily doing flat straight line distances

    My Garmin Fenix 5x works with both ANT and BLE. I believe this is the direction Garmin is going so newer watches should work with both. Read the fine print before you purchase. :)

    That's interesting and good to know. My Vivoactive syncs with my phone via BLE, but can only attach ANT devices, HRM, Foot Pod, etc.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited March 2018
    stanmann571 wrote: »
    dewd2 wrote: »
    stanmann571 wrote: »
    I second MM's recommendation of getting a good GPS watch. However, for metrics, I'm partial to the Wahoo line, as they'll sync with both Garmin's ANT+ and BLE.

    The GPS on your phone isn't going to be sampling as often as a dedicated running watch, and won't give you as good results if you're not primarily doing flat straight line distances

    My Garmin Fenix 5x works with both ANT and BLE. I believe this is the direction Garmin is going so newer watches should work with both. Read the fine print before you purchase. :)

    That's interesting and good to know. My Vivoactive syncs with my phone via BLE, but can only attach ANT devices, HRM, Foot Pod, etc.

    That becomes about the range.

    My 735XT only consumes ANT+, but the top end devices do both.

    Fwiw my turbo connects on BTLE but I've found ANT+ to be far superior in terms of stability.

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