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I can answer some of it now. The rest will be from more experience with it.
Are you wearing it all the time, or just for exercising? I will be wearing it to exercise only. But one could wear it non-stop as a regular watch or to have their heart rate monitored all the time (that is until the batterie needs recharging).
Does it beep or make noise? (Is it possible to turn this off?) If you set it on exercise, it can notify you by beeping once when you are not exercising in your target heart rate zone. A double-beep indicates your heart rate is 10 BPM or more outside the target zone. But for the beep to work, you need to set the timer at "on". At least this seems to be what I experienced so far. If the timer (chrono) is not on, you will see lights flashing indicating what level you are exercising into.
Are you using it together with an app? Which one? Does it work well, or is there a delay or gaps in the data transfer? Not yet, info to come but it will be with either an iphone or ipad.
Have you had any experience with water? (Swimming!?) - I'm not going to use it in water so won't be able to help.
How often do you have to recharge it? I don't know yet. More to come. But the user's manual says in exercise mode it should be good from 8-10 hours. Don't know how long charging takes either. Nothing says in manual (I think). So I'll check that. Yesterday for the 1st full charge on usb plug it took about 1.5h.
Is the only difference between the "alpha" and the "link" the display? Why did you choose the alpha? There are a few differences but I chose the Alpha because I wanted to see data on the display. Not just a colour coded blinker. Will also be useful when doing other activities that will not be "hooked" to a phone or tablet. So I can run without having to look at a phone. But it does suck the life of the batterie quicker than the Mio link.
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I don't have one, but from reading DCRainmaker's reviews (highly recommended) and my own experience of radio waves underwater, it's difficult to get any HR signal underwater, but an optical wrist sensor paired to a watch on the SAME wrist is your best best. The signal breaks up underwater in a very short distance. Others have had success with a chest strap and a watch worn in their bra. If you don't need HR in realtime but use it only for debriefing, then I'm pretty sure some sensors will store the data for later upload, but I can't tell you which.
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Thank you for the quick response!
And thank you also for the reference to DCRainmaker--those are excellent reviews!
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So far I LOVE it. Should have bought it last year instead of fighting with a body band.
Accuracy seems good. I was able to map it to my Kinetic Inride app right away.
I don't use the beeping as I read straight from the app.
Recharged it once so far and batterie is still showing full after about 3hrs of training.
One of my best sport purchases (beside my Amira bike) ever!
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Hi,
I just realized my reply didn't post.
I wanted to thank you for such a quick response to my questions, and for the reference to DCRainmaker. There are some excellent reviews on that site!
OT: I've had several replies just disappear after tapping the send button. I access the forum via tapatalk; is this a known issue?
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Hi,
I just realized my reply never posted...
(OT: this has happened several times using tapatalk, it says "sent," but the post never appears--is this a known issue?)
I wanted to thank you for responding so quickly and for addressing each of my questions.
And thank you for the reference to DCRainmaker as well--what a great resource!
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I'd be interested in any hands-on experience and/or feedback about the Mio FUSE. I've researched the entire Mio product line extensively, and I'm leaning towards the Fuse model simply because it offers a display but in the thinner wristband style (not a watch-style like the Alpha, which I really don't want). I already know that it will connect to my Garmin Edge 500, so that is a nice feature. Although I have the Garmin HR strap that came with my 500 bundle, I've never been a fan of it. It feels bulky and uncomfortable where it sits underneath my bra band. The optical wrist sensor appeals to me much more, but I've also read/heard that accuracy can be an issue if the wristband is not positioned very snug against the wrist for the sensors to get a good reading. Another thing I read was that the top of the wrist is really not an ideal location for the sensors to get a reading...the underside of the wrist would be a much better spot. Anyone have any insight to these claims? Thanks!
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Update on the Mio Alpha!
Liked it so much and hubby kept borrowing mine when going to his spinning classes that I just ordered their Alpha 2 upgrade. Will find out if I like it as much.
My only "cons" from the Alpha watch was that it did not have a back light (the Alpha 2 has one now) and if by mistake I pressed the button to stop a workout and restarted it, I'd lose all my data as it kept track of only the current one. The alpha 2 corrected it. The new stuff added to the new watch is just added value to me, for the same price I paid the previous version.
This is what they say for the new version:
EKG-accurate heart rate taken at wrist, with no chest strap required
Configurable heart rate zones with colored LED light to indicate current zone
Bluetooth Smart (4.0) connectivity to all your favorite iPhone and Android fitness apps
NEW! Accelerometer-based pace, speed, distance and calories
NEW! Customizable display with easy-to-activate backlight
NEW! Memory holds up to 25 hours of workout data
NEW! Automatic wireless syncing to Mio GO app
NEW! Countdown, chronograph, and repeat timers
Water resistant to 30m
