Mio LINK Heart Rate Wristband

[Helene2013]

Anyone tried that Heart rate monitor?
http://www.mioglobal.com/Mio-LINK-He...d=1&lang=EN-US

Comments?

[rebeccaC]

I like the idea of optical sensors and it can be an easier continuous HRM to use than a chest strap. It will probably replace the chest strap in the future for accurately tracking zones. The interactive virtual training is interesting too. I would wait for Mio software upgrades so any problems will have been addressed with the new one. Having both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart in the new one is nice too. PLUS a woman entrepreneur started the company!!!!

I have a friend who bought the first one from the kickstarter campaign and she likes it, says it's easy to use but she also had occasional problems with using a chest strap. She has mentioned you need to find the best area to wear it. This new one seems even better in both size, functionally and is half the price of the original Alpha. Mio is licensing their optical sensor technology so there are a few other choices too and there will be even more in the near future. All that said if a chest strap HRM works well with no problems for someone then I’d stay with it until you need to replace it and then think about what you need from a HRM.

[OakLeaf]

One thing to be aware of is that optical sensors can't sense the R-R interval. So if all you're going for is BPM then it might be okay, but if you're going to use it with some of the more sophisticated algorithms for training load, recovery status, VO2 Max, etc., you still need a chest strap.

[Catrin]

I would like to see them getting away from the need for a wrist strap - it becomes problematical if you are in a sport that requires the use of forearm guards. Personally I would prefer a chest strap that could then connect with an electronic devise. There is a company that makes something like this, but they are so small they only have a very narrow range of sizes meant for A-B cup women.

Sorry for a partial hi-jack Helene, I would be curious to find out what you think of this if you get it. Wondering how adjustable it is and if it could possibly fit the ankle....hmmmm

[OakLeaf]

if it could possibly fit the ankle....hmmmm

Are there any arteries that close to the surface in the ankles?

Personally I would prefer a chest strap that could then connect with an electronic devise. There is a company that makes something like this, but they are so small

Are you sure the Polar strap wouldn't fit you? It's just a strap, not a bra. They only sell the module with the larger strap at this point, but if that's too big for you, there's an accessory small strap ($22 in black only)

[Catrin]

Are there any arteries that close to the surface in the ankles?



Are you sure the Polar strap wouldn't fit you? It's just a strap, not a bra. They only sell the module with the larger strap at this point, but if that's too big for you, there's an accessory small strap ($22 in black only)

I didn't know about this, thank you! My HRM watch is also on it's last legs, and this is certainly a less expensive replacement. Though not THAT much less, it is less, thank you again!

[Helene2013]

Catrin,
I have no plan buying this just yet. I was just curious if someone had this as I thought it was another neat gadget.

I wear my strap with the Kinetic for basement training.

On the road I rarely put it on. I know when I push enough. Trust me. hahahah But when I will go for my 135km ride in 2 weeks, I will want to wear my polar (the other one I have) as I will be pushing a lot with groups I'll meet along the way. So it will be necessary to monitor more closely than when riding with only hubby.

[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.

[FahrRad]

Thanks for this post. I should probably just wait for the review you promised, but the following things are of interest to me; maybe you can include them:

Are you wearing it all the time, or just for exercising?

Does it beep or make noise? (Is it possible to turn this off?)

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?

Have you had any experience with water? (Swimming!?)

How often do you have to recharge it?

Is the only difference between the "alpha" and the "link" the display? Why did you choose the alpha?

Thank you for sharing your experience...the possibility for accurate monitoring without a chest strap is really exciting!