Mio LINK Heart Rate Wristband

[OakLeaf]

this is certainly a less expensive replacement!

I have no idea what apps might be compatible or how much they might cost.

The other thing I forgot is that the Polar strap requires the latest Bluetooth (BTLE aka Bluetooth Smart), which only the latest phones have. As far as I know, all BT fitness gadgets need that, for power/battery reasons.

[Catrin]

I have no idea what apps might be compatible or how much they might cost.

The other thing I forgot is that the Polar strap requires the latest Bluetooth (BTLE aka Bluetooth Smart), which only the latest phones have. As far as I know, all BT fitness gadgets need that, for power/battery reasons.

The apps cost next to nothing, I already have two of them. I've the Samsung Galaxy Note II phone, I will check to see if it is current enough to have BTLE, it is a year old so it may not. Right now I am solving the problem by hooking my watch over the hem of my fitness capris. It works as long as I don't need to move around too much - and while KB lifting is a whole body activity, there isn't much walking around :-) The watch itself is physically beat up pretty badly however from when I just tried to wear my guards over it. Not good for my wrist OR watch. I stopped that when I started adding volume.

[OakLeaf]

I just happened to run across this Zephyr HR strap that's compatible with earlier versions of Bluetooth. You know what I know now.


ETA: here is a Beets strap that specifically lists the Note II in their compatibility chart.


I'm just looking for a replacement strap that doesn't cut me to pieces or disintegrate inside of six months. Wish the manufacturers still used the old design. Or that I wasn't so addicted to the new features that I won't just go back to my old strap.

[Catrin]

I just happened to run across this Zephyr HR strap that's compatible with earlier versions of Bluetooth. You know what I know now.


ETA: here is a Beets strap that specifically lists the Note II in their compatibility chart.


I'm just looking for a replacement strap that doesn't cut me to pieces or disintegrate inside of six months. Wish the manufacturers still used the old design. Or that I wasn't so addicted to the new features that I won't just go back to my old strap.

Very cool, thanks for the two links! There is something going on with my current Polar Watch and straps that I can't figure out. Hopefully I can nurse it along for a few more months while I make up my mind and save up for the replacement. The 33 foot rage of the Beet HRM is attractive - and the price isn't bad!

[Catrin]

Also found the "Wahoo TICKR" for Android and iPhone. This is all I know about it, outside that it allows both BT4 and ANT+ connectivity and Android 4.3 (and the iOS). I think it might actually work on my phone, I will check into it further. It does appear to have more positive reviews than the Beets.

[Aromig]

I had a wahoo Bluetooth strap (but not he TICKR -- I can't remember the name, I don't think it had the ANT+). I used it quite a bit with my iphone. I was disappointed in the "history" feature of the Wahoo App (during my workout, it told me how many minutes I was in each zone, but when I'd go back and look at prior workouts, it only told me average and max HR, and calories but no time within each zone). I bought it with a gift certificate in June of 2013, and had to replace the battery twice. The second time in March of 2014 it stopped working entirely. I made a warranty claim since it was less than a year old, but they wouldn't honor it since I hadn't kept my receipt and couldn't prove when I purchased it (although I knew darn well from my workout logs). I liked it when it worked. Hopefully the TICKR is more robust. When mine stopped working, they told me you have to fiddle with a tiny little metal piece when replacing the battery, it gets bent down and is frequently a source of problems. Duh, if its a source of problems come up with a better design.

[Helene2013]

I received tonight the Mio Alpha heart monitor watch. It does not require the heart strap. Yeah (that was always my issue of making it work perfectly)
http://www.mioglobal.com/Shop/Mio-AL...tID=1&DeptID=1

I tried it quickly tonight and so far the data coming out of the watch are the same as when taken manually by me.

Easy to read the numbers during the day, only 2 buttons to use. It is bluetooth so I can connect to my iphone, etc.

You won't be able to read it at night (no light) but with your phone or other bluetooth app you'd be fine.

So far I like it. Will be using it more on cycling and running. More to come when I get to work more with it.