Tag: heart rate monitor

BATTLE! – Apple Watch Sport versus Fitbit Surge versus Garmin Vivoactive

With the release of the Apple Watch the grey area between fitness activity trackers and smart watches has blurred more than ever before.  Just as when PDAs blended into smart phones over a decade ago, we’re already starting to see more of these “smart” features migrate into all wearables.  Right now the Apple Watch Sport, Garmin Vivoactive, and Fitbit Surge all attempt to capture the same potential audience, but with uniquely different features.  Which is right for you?

Continue reading BATTLE! – Apple Watch Sport versus Fitbit Surge versus Garmin Vivoactive

BATTLE! – Fitbit Charge versus Garmin Vivofit 2

Spring has sprung!  Here in the Midwest the weather is warming up as we head into Q2 2015.  Before you throw on your sneakers and go outside you’ll want to make certain you’re wearing the best Activity Tracker for the task.  In this battle my two current favorite devices go toe-to-toe as we compare the Fitbit Charge versus Garmin Vivofit 2.

Continue reading BATTLE! – Fitbit Charge versus Garmin Vivofit 2

BATTLE! – Fitbit Surge versus Fitbit Charge HR (Heart Rate) versus Jawbone UP3 versus Apple Watch versus The Competition

Fitness monitors have evolved and the top dogs in 2015 all tend to share one similarity: heart rate monitoring.  Two of the largest players recently unveiled new devices set to reaffirm their position as leaders in the segment.  Though some folks (myself included) had early access to some of these devices, I’ve waited to publish this comparison until they were all readily available to the general public.  (Minus some delays, see details within)  In this installment we will compare the Fitbit Surge vs Fitbit Charge HR vs Jawbone UP3.

Continue reading BATTLE! – Fitbit Surge versus Fitbit Charge HR (Heart Rate) versus Jawbone UP3 versus Apple Watch versus The Competition

COMPARISON: Basis Peak vs Microsoft Band vs Polar M400

Activity trackers are headed in a brand new direction, one that will benefit everyone involved.  For over a year now these devices have done a great job recording steps, a modest job monitoring other activities, and frankly a less than stellar job doing much else.  All of that is starting to change as these devices are borrowing some of the best fitness features from their closely related cousins.  These wrist-worn gadgets are starting to include a very important new feature: heart rate monitoring.  In this installment we’ll review and compare the Basis Peak versus Microsoft Band, and make some comparisons to the Polar M400, and the up-coming Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge units. Continue reading COMPARISON: Basis Peak vs Microsoft Band vs Polar M400

BATTLE: Scosche RHYTHM Plus vs Wahoo TICKR vs Polar H7 Heart Rate Monitors

When it comes to exercise the best way to track your caloric expenditure is with a heart rate monitor.  Although there are plenty of new activity trackers that feature built-in heart rate monitors, the chest strap is still the most popular accessory next to the sports-watch.  For years Polar has held a strong position selling their H7 chest strap, though recent years they’ve seen some healthy competition from Wahoo Fitness with their TICKR lineup.  And now companies like Scosche have their second generation optical arm sensor, the RHYTHM Plus.  Keep reading to learn how they compare.

Continue reading BATTLE: Scosche RHYTHM Plus vs Wahoo TICKR vs Polar H7 Heart Rate Monitors