New trends: optical HRM for the upper arm
After the September 2017 OH1 release by Polar, Wahoo Fitness has followed with the TICKR FIT release last January. In both cases it’s an optical HRM which will measure your pulse from your upper arm. This placement was chosen thanks to the increased reliability compared to an optical sensor on the wrist. Now the question is raised whether or not system such as the OH1 and the TICKR FIT will be able to push the traditional chest strap out of the market. We have received both sensors and will shortly provide a detailed review. For now, a quick scoop on the typical characteristics.
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Our site has recently brought the Polar H10 review (only available in Dutch), the 2017 chest strap. Most remarkable features: high data accuracy and internal session storage. This last feature Polar implemented in the OH1 as well, allowing it to operate without smartphone or other recording devices. Also a nice feature if the battery on your wrist unit dies halfway your session.
Optical measurement is no new topic with Polar, the smartwatch M600 and the recently released M430 can be considered their flagships in this matter. Light pulses measure blood flow on the wrist and deduct HR from thereon. Insiders suggest that measurements from the upper arm would increase data accuracy, even though this is also linked to skin tone and type. The M600 is in our midst since 2016, and we have given it the honor of a review (only available in Dutch). For the recreational sportive, wrist measurement is more than sufficient, added bonus is the lack of chest strap. The OH1 ups the antes with being waterproof and thus usable during swim sessions. Polar claims the memory is sufficient to store 200Hrs of training, implying no more use for wrist units during multiple swim sessions.
This brings us seamlessly to the biggest difference with the TICKR FIT. There is no internal memory, but there is the typical Wahoo ease of combining the sensor with third party units and apps, using both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart protocols to do so. Another difference between the OH1 and the TICKR FIT is that there are two straps provided with the sensor. Our best guess is that this is to allow a vast range of arm circumference. Wahoo claims a battery life expectancy of 30Hrs (compared to 12Hrs for the Polar).
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Both sensors are up for testing. Gert-Jan will take the Polar OH1 for a Vuelta Turistica trainingcamp in Calpe, Hans will use the Wahoo TICKR FIT during his preparation for the BAIKX-Duathlon in Nossegem. Both sensors will be reviewed for your pleasure!
Original article by Hans Cleemput on 3athlon.be on 01/02/2018
Translation by @T0v3