What are some watches/ activity trackers that have both Optical Heart Rate and built in GPS. I know the Microsoft Band does and versions of the TomTom Spark do, are there any other options?
What are some watches/ activity trackers that have both Optical Heart Rate and built in GPS. I know the Microsoft Band does and versions of the TomTom Spark do, are there any other options?
check out DCRainmaker
The info I have seen on Optical HRM is not great.
Well there are a lot of them out these days.
Garmin has releases two running watches with built-in optical HR sensor recently -- Forerunner 225 and 235. Both of these watches have built-in GPS and accelerometer, so speed and distance reading are very precise.
I own the 225 myself and I would say that although the optical HR works OK, the cons with this new technology is that you need to tie up the watch pretty hard on the wrist for the reading to be accurate. Also there is some lag with the HR data on recovery side of the intervals (4-5 sec. lag). During summer it's no problem, but running long runs during winter freeze with tightly strapped watch is quite unpleasant since the blood flow is slowed and the hand freezes.
For this reasons I wear HR strap with the 225 during winter and run with enabled optical sensor during rest of the year.
If you decide to go for the Garmin, I would recommend the new Forerunner 235.
DC rainmaker has great reviews. I was going to get the 235 but the 620 which is 10x the watch is less.