Maybe I’m out of the loop, but what are they? Heart rate monitors? Glucose monitors? Whoop straps? I thought they were just a trendy thing trail runners were into, but I saw lots at the trials too.
It’s a new corros model. Supposed to be more comfortable and streamlined.
There is no way the sensing of an optical HR monitor, even if it is located on the upper arm, will be as accurate as electrical electrodes across the chest.
Thank you! Why the upper arm? Is that more accurate than wrist based or chest strap?
They're less accurate than chest straps generally (mostly because there's a slight lag) but 100 times better than wrist based. It's mostly a comfort thing, especially for women (bras), some guys also get chaffing/irritated by chest straps. Another downside vs chest strap is that they need charging frequently (eg weekly).
There is no way the sensing of an optical HR monitor, even if it is located on the upper arm, will be as accurate as electrical electrodes across the chest.
Back when I was trying to use HR monitors (~10 year ago), I had best luck maintaining accurate monitoring with an optical armband, except that optical band was buggy in other ways. I tried something like a half dozen chest bands of different brands. The soft strap types would be accurate for about two weeks before failing. The chest band that worked/lasted more than 2 weeks was the rubber '90s style Polar. Though the elastic on that one wore out quickly and would then fall off the chest. I did all the tricks, like fully dumping the chest straps in water before running, picking a HR strap that dcrainmaker said was the most reliable, etc. They all basically sucked, though I saw the most potential in the armstrap version. . . it just needed the electronics to be debugged.
It’s a new corros model. Supposed to be more comfortable and streamlined.
There is no way the sensing of an optical HR monitor, even if it is located on the upper arm, will be as accurate as electrical electrodes across the chest.
Yes, you are correct. However, the newest armband vs chest strap has a 5% difference in accuracy. The current level of armband accuracy is more than enough to use for training. I have had no issues with my Polar Verity Sense.
Thank you! Why the upper arm? Is that more accurate than wrist based or chest strap?
They're less accurate than chest straps generally (mostly because there's a slight lag) but 100 times better than wrist based. It's mostly a comfort thing, especially for women (bras), some guys also get chaffing/irritated by chest straps. Another downside vs chest strap is that they need charging frequently (eg weekly).
Any experience of how well they pair up with a Garmin watch? I replace my Garmin strap’s battery ~once per year. But I have to cinch it down pretty good to keep it from slipping down, so I can appreciate the benefit of a less-obtrusive solution.
The optical wrist monitors don’t work well, subject to cadence lock due to light leakage. I can foresee the possibility of a lightweight arm band being less prone to light leakage, than the wrist monitor.
Just a band to make you sweat more. Likely turning into a wet, sluggish towel that leaches onto your arm on a hot day. Seems like a logical thing to attach to you arm on a sweltering day (if you're getting paid to do so)