Español Polar surprised us a few weeks ago with the presentation of its new Polar OH1+ sensor. It is an independent optical sensor that uses the technology designed by themselves (and that we have previously seen in watches of the brand) that can be used in devices via Bluetooth or, as already happened with the Polar H10, store data from several workouts in its integrated memory.
The sensor you see here is a test unit provided by Polar. As always it will be returned, so there is no compensation from you. All my opinions are always free of any pressure as I do not depend on the manufacturers at any time.
You are the ones who allow this page to keep working with your purchases, so if you like the work I do and want to keep seeing this kind of items you can help by buying through the links I provide (whether it's the OH1+ or any other product you fancy on Amazon, any help is welcome).
I don't want to get too far ahead in the initial explanation of the OH1+, I'd better get straight to the point. I have been tinkering and training with the Polar OH1+ for a few weeks and this is the result.
Content
Unpacking
When brands provide me with a product, they usually send it in its original box, as if I had bought it in a store, so I can also show you what the packaging looks like, what it contains, etc.
It's standard procedure, but sometimes this doesn't happen. Is it important? Well, no, the only thing I won't be able to show you are pretty pictures of the box.
In this case I simply received an envelope with a name written on it. Will it be me? Hopefully it comes full of fresh bills...
Oh! disappointment (sorry for the pun...) There is no money inside, just a strap and a sensor.
I will start by opening the strap. It is an elastic band that can be adjusted in length. It integrates the sensor holder, which cannot be removed and is made of plastic. Depending on where you want to use the sensor you can adjust the length of the strap. It should be firm on the arm, but not hurt or cut off the blood supply. As long as there is no amputation there will be no problem.
This is how the sensor is placed in the holder itself, simply by inserting it into the plastic. It doesn't matter if the button or the LED is in one place or another, because the sensor is totally symmetrical. Of course, we want the sensor to be facing outwards, we don't want to measure the pulse of the belt.
By the way, as you can see from the inscription, waterproof to 30 meters.
What was the other thing you saw in the first image with USB connection? Well, the sensor inside the small synchronization and charging pod. Like the strap, you only have to place the sensor inside, but this time you have to take into account how you place it since the connection pins must match the corresponding location on the sensor.
Once placed inside, this is how you should put it in charge. No charger is included but you can use any mobile phone charger or if you prefer, connecting it to the computer port.
In addition to charging it while it's connected, you can also perform data synchronization, although the most convenient way to connect is via Bluetooth with your mobile phone. Let's see what the sensor offers in more detail.
Polar OH1+, what is it?
Find the best offer
The Polar OH1+ is simply a pulse sensor. As its name suggests, it is optical; Polar OH1+ stands for Optical Heartrate One. So the first stand-alone optical pulse sensor from Polar. No, they didn't break their heads to give it a name.
An independent optical pulse sensor... it doesn't seem like anything new. In fact it is very similar in concept to the Scosche RHYTHM+ and, a little further away (because of its location on the body) to the Mio LinkBut that's the first impression.
Unlike these two, the Polar sensor only transmits data via Bluetooth, which puts it slightly behind since both models are capable of using ANT+ and Bluetooth simultaneously.
Update 23 April
Polar has launched an upgrade to provide ANT+ connectivity to the OH1
To make up for that difference Polar has built an internal memory into the OH1+, allowing you to record activities independently without the need to transmit data to any other external device. And this is perhaps the most interesting feature.
In terms of size, the Polar OH1+ is noticeably smaller than the other two.
And to give you an idea of its real size, there is nothing better than comparing it with something you know perfectly well. Its diameter is slightly larger than a one euro coin.
And what about the thickness? Well, here I have already had to increase my budget, as it goes up to 4 euros.
If you want to know how it will feel on your arm, just find four euro coins and put them on your arm with a rubber band. Shabby, but effective.
The sensor must be placed on its strap, which has a plastic coupling that can be slipped on. The strap, besides being elastic, also allows regulation, so you can place it in many places, the most common being the forearm or the top of it. It could also be worn on the wrist, but the two previous locations are better for good results.
And obviously, you'll want to wear the LEDs and the photoelectric sensor on the inside.
Polar has made a very simple sensor, in fact we only have one button with which to turn the sensor on and off.
On the opposite side there is a control LED that will give us basic information about the operation. That LED is quite powerful, if you train near an airport at night you may have some problem...
Depending on the number of blinks and the colour of the blink, you will be able to know basic status data. It will light up green when it is detecting the heart rate or white if there is a problem. It will light up red when the battery is low or blue when we are synchronising via Bluetooth. And the number of blinks can also vary. All of this is described in the instruction manual.
As far as charging is concerned, there is the other adapter that is included in the package. We simply have to remove the sensor from the strap and place it in the charging adapter. This same adapter will be useful if we prefer to connect the sensor to the computer instead of synchronizing it with the phone.
Modes of use
Before starting to use the Polar OH1+ the first thing you should do is connect it to your phone or computer. Not to do the initial setup to indicate where you are going to take it -which, as much as the manual says, is simply for Polar statistical data-, but to check if there is any firmware update available.
Once you have everything set up, it's time to start using it. We have two modes of use:
- As a sensor associated with a device - Use it with a device such as a watch, phone, etc. Not just Polar, but any watch that has Bluetooth sensor connectivity. Remember that it is not ANT+ compatible.
- As a separate sensor - Without being associated with any other device, it can record the heart rate data of any workout. In this mode it also allows you to transmit heart rate data, for example to gym machines that have a Bluetooth connection.
The first mode is the most basic of all, replacing any other sensor you may have previously. It is the default mode that the sensor is in as soon as it is turned on, and we can tell that it is in that mode because the status LED blinks only once (either in white or green).
To link the sensor to any device it simply has to be switched on, no pairing mode needs to be set. Once switched on you only have to do a sensor search.
After matching you will have the heart rate data on your screen.
You might say why not try it with Polar models... Well, precisely because the beauty of a standard like Bluetooth is that it allows everything to communicate with each other, regardless of the brand. So the device you're recording your workout with will be the one that records and stores the data, whether it's a phone or a watch. Simply a sensor.
It is the second mode of use in which the Polar OH1+ is something new because you can use it independently without being connected to any other device. In this mode it will also be transmitting data via Bluetooth, so for example you can have it connected to a machine at the gym and see your heart rate while saving the activity to synchronize it at home.
To put the sensor in this mode, you simply have to turn it on first, and then press the button twice to start recording data. From then on, the status LED will start flashing twice instead of once, and will continue to use the same color code.
When you finish training, just quickly press the sensor button twice again. Please note that when using this mode it is not possible to temporarily pause the recording, when you press the button again it will start recording a new session.
The OH1+ has sufficient memory capacity to store up to 150-200 hours of training data. This data can be downloaded by connecting the sensor to a computer or via the Polar Flow app, available for Android and iOS.
Once the sensor is synchronized this is how you will see it on the Polar website.
In this case I have changed the activity type manually (through the mobile application, not on the web), since by default it will be saved as a generic indoor training.
Heart rate data comparison
Now that everything is clear about the Polar OH1+ sensor, it is time to talk about the most important thing: the quality of the data it provides. No matter how many functions the sensor may have, if the recording it performs is not correct, it would be useless.
Polar is the only manufacturer that has two different optical sensors; a more basic one that is the one we can find in Polar's more economical range (M2oo or A370, for example) but not for that reason with bad records, and another one which is the one we are concerned with and which we can see in the M430 or the M600.
My experience with this sensor has always been quite good, and in the case of the OH1+ I expect it to be even better for two main reasons: weight and location.
First of all, in terms of weight, as the sensor is very light (only 5 grams) it hardly suffers from movements or vibrations. Compared to watches of 70 or 80 grams the differences are remarkable.
Secondly, by poder placing the sensor on the forearm or upper arm, we are carrying the optical sensor in a much more reliable place to get a good pulse rate. Because we are avoiding the movements of the wrist when running, or the vibrations of the handlebars of the bike or when performing any activity; and because they are much more "fleshy" areas where it is much easier for the sensor to find the pulse.
So before I started testing the OH1+ the expectations were already quite high. I have done training with the Polar OH1+ in different sports, always comparing graphs with other pulse sensors, and here are the results.
I'll start with a simple basic workout that is very affordable for any pulse sensor, whether optical or chest: 12 minutes of warm-up, 12 minutes at a faster pace, and I'll finish with 12 minutes of cool-down, but all without major changes in intensity beyond the start and end of the core period.
During warm-up there is a strange situation with the Polar recording, and that is that while the other two sensors have slight rises and falls of one or two beats as normal, the graph of the OH1+ is practically a straight line. It does not mean that the record is bad, in fact as I indicate is located 1 or 2 keystrokes of the other two, but it highlights so much linearity.
I won't take it too much into account since I made this first test with an old firmware version, but it's simply something that catches my attention. It's also possible to appreciate a small delay in the moment I start to increase the rhythm, which is also perceived in the Scosche's graphic but to a lesser extent.
During the rest of the interval the frequency is progressively increasing by maintaining a constant intensity, and when I finish (and stop on purpose to cause a rapid drop in pulse) everything perfect. Both the Scosche and OH1+ have a slight delay with respect to the Garmin sensor on the chest, but nothing major.
We are now going to go on with another more complicated training and, now yes, with the latest firmware version on the device. In this case it is not a training series with sudden changes in intensity, but it is one of constant ups and downs so despite trying to maintain a stable pace there are slight changes in heart rate.
The actors are the same, adding also in this case the optical sensor of the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR. In this case the graph we are interested in observing is the one in green, which is the one corresponding to the Polar OH1+.
As it is always the case with almost all sensors (optical or pectoral) it is always difficult to have a total match from the beginning, a warm-up time is necessary. In this case all start to mark the same after 40 seconds, although the Scosche decides to have a momentary loss until it marks the correct again. It also has two sudden drops, probably due to a punctual cut in the transmission.
In this first stretch the worst offender is the Spartan Sport Wrist HR, which has some occasional problems in the moments where I slightly accelerate the pace. Meanwhile the OH1+ graph is happy along with the other sensors.
From that moment on? Happiness continues among the four members of the comparison.
Another training of variable intensity, but at a lower pace. Pre-race activation by doing short intervals increasing the pace and then jogging again.
The start is as usual somewhat uneven, with the OH1+ and Garmin 935 needing a few more seconds to get in sync. The Fitbit Ionic is also erratic but quickly joins in with the others. As long as the pace remains steady and easy there is total sync.
If we take the HRM-Tri sensor's graph as correct -which, looking at its development, seems to be the most accurate- we see that the other three optical sensors suffer from the same defect: a slight delay in the recording.
When the chest sensor graph goes up or down, both Polar OH1+ and Garmin 935 respond at par and with the same intensity, albeit with two to three seconds delay, but always in sync. The Fitbit Ionic shows slightly lower performance.
In short, very favorable results in race training, let's explore other sports.
If you've been following optical pulse sensor tests before, you'll know that while running doesn't usually present many problems, it's when you're on a bike that complications arise. So let's see how the OH1+ performs when it comes to pedaling.
Here in theory there should be five sensors instead of four, but unfortunately one of the watches I was wearing to record data (a Forerunner 230) changed sensor without me noticing, so the HRM-Tri's record is duplicated instead of having additional data from the Scosche.
The training consists of two parts (and a last cooling down), with an initial period doing ascents to 16-18% with their corresponding descents, and then a session of 9x3min intervals on the flat. Varied training to be able to extract a lot of information from the sensors.
We are interested in the purple graph, corresponding to the Polar OH1+. Despite not having the Scosche, there is another optical sensor in the test: the one integrated in the Garmin Forerunner 935. And I double the bet for the chest sensors since in addition to the HRM-Tri I also wear the Smart Sensor of Suunto.
In the first part of the training you can see how both the Garmin optical sensor and the Suunto chest sensor are having a hard time. The poor recording of the first one was to be expected, the incorrect data from the Suunto chest sensor is much stranger, and is probably due to movements of the tape when two are worn together. It serves at least to confirm that we should not always trust the data from the chest sensors.
On the other hand, the Polar sensor is quite well synchronized with the Garmin sensor, which in my experience (not with the sensor, but with the effort applied) is the one that shows the most accurate data this time.
The interval section is rather more positive for the optical sensor of the Garmin although it continues to have slight delays. In the meantime, everything remains quiet at home on the Polar OH1+ which, except for a slight delay in the rise and fall of the heart rate, produces a graph without any strange artifice.
The same can be seen in the cooling itself, where except for a small delay in the Polar's graph, everything continues to be perfect.
The result does not surprise me at all, because as I have already indicated, the location of the sensor on the forearm is much more beneficial for correct readings. Here it is not at the expense of all the vibrations to which the watches are subjected. It is not that Polar's sensor is infinitely better than that of the other manufacturers, simply that it is located in the most satisfactory position as it is independent of the watch itself.
And I'll leave one of the best parts for last. Remember I said it's waterproof? And that it allows you to record in its memory without the need for an external device?
Yes, it can also be used for swimming, and it can record the heart rate of your training session perfectly as you can see in the comparison against the Garmin HRM-Swim sensor.
You won't have live data or podr you'll consult it while you're training but the record is frankly good, nailing one by one all the sets of 100 meter intervals performed in the pool. And I can say that during the entire workout there was not a single weird movement or discomfort from the OH1+; whereas the Garmin sensor, despite being the specific model for pool swimming, did slip once when I pushed myself hard into the wall.
In short, an outstanding result for the Polar independent optical sensor, which would only be able to record the pulse variability in activity to aspire to be the replacement of the Polar H10, because in terms of recording heart rate I can certainly give a remarkable high.
Buy Polar OH1+
I hope that this complete analysis has helped you to decide if it is a valid device for you or not. All the work I do you can consult it without any cost, but if you want to support the web and with it the work I do, the best way to do it is to buy your new device through the links I provide below. And if you don't buy it today, remember to stop by when you are going to do it!
Through these links not only will you get a very competitive price and the best customer service, but I will also receive a small percentage without costing you any additional outlay, which is what allows me to continue offering you proofs like this on the page.
If you have any questions, remember that you have the comments section at the bottom, where I will try to answer all your questions.
Find the best offer
Opinion Polar OH1+
The same thing has happened to me with the Polar OH1+ as with other devices this year. Initially it gives me the impression of being something that the market does not need or that will not bring important new features, but after some time of use it grows in me a sense of appreciation that I did not have before.
When the sensor was first introduced it seemed somewhat unnecessary to me; especially with the lack of ANT+ connectivity which, whatever the manufacturer says, limits its saleability. From a business standpoint Polar is losing money by not making the OH1+ with dual Bluetooth/ANT+ technology.
But as I've used it, I've liked it more and more. The good recording it makes at all times is of course the most important thing, but what I've liked most is the ability to record workouts. It's very easy to put the sensor into recording mode and it's always been very reliable both at the start of the activity and at the end. Likewise, the timing of activities has always been perfect, without a single glitch. The only thing we can miss is the ability to put the sensor on pause while we're resting in a workout, but adding more features can jeopardize the simplicity and immaculate operation of the sensor.
Maybe it's not for the sports I practice, since I always require more information and in real time, but the exercise recording function and the ease of doing it (unlike the Polar H10, which requires you to start the recording from the phone) is simply fantastic, not to mention all the possibilities it opens for me to use it to perform analysis of other optical sensors.
Compared to the Scosche sensor it is just as accurate in measurement, but if you don't need ANT+ connectivity it's easy to opt for the OH1+. Not only for its ability to record activity in memory, but also for its smaller size and greater autonomy (12 hours for the OH1+ compared to 8-9 for the Scosche). But again, the main (and only) downside is the absence of ANT+ connection, which prevents poder to use it with Garmin devices prior to 2017 or Suunto prior to 2014.
Help the site
This page, like any other page you see on the Internet, needs to be compensated in order to continue to function. If you make your purchase through the links on the web you'll be helping out the blog a little bit and becoming part of the Running a Marathon family. It's a small family, but it's cool!
This is the only way in which the blog generates some money, since there is no compensation from the brands. The only income comes from the purchases that you, the users, make through the links provided.
If you liked the analysis, don't forget to share it on your social networks. Not only will you be helping me, but you will also be helping your friends find this page.
Thank you for reading, and especially for supporting the page!
Hi, first of all congratulations for your analysis, I haven't seen others with so many graphics and so much detail.
I run and go out with the mountain bike on the weekends and the only thing I want to do is to control my heartbeat, the rest I don't care, that's why I was between a chest band or a watch with an optical sensor.
I've had bad experience with watches (Samsung Gear) but seeing that manufacturers are betting on them and becoming more reliable I had doubts between:
Polar M430, Garmin 235 and Suunto Spartan trainer (all mid-range 200 and up euros)
But now the Polar OH1 appears... so I don't know what to buy.
I'd appreciate your advice
The Polar OH1 can do really well if you only want to consult heart rate data after training. If you want to consult it you will need another external device, but few more reliable sensors you will find for MTB.
Hi, Eduardo,
First of all, congratulations on your great work on every analysis.
Which of the three optical sensors, Mio, Scosche or this Polar OH1, would you choose to use in combination with a GPS and/or smartphone watch, taking into account the characteristics of each one?
Thank you,
David.
It mainly depends on the watch you have and what connectivity it uses.
But today, unless you need ANT+, the best option is the Polar OH1.
I am a bit new to this, but I have some doubts about how it works in activities such as crossfit, bodybuilding in the gym, etc. These types of activities have many pauses, for example in crossfit practicing the exercises, preparing the elements, duet work in which one works and the other rests. Since I can't pause the session, would it influence anything? I currently have a polar watch and I have always doubted about the issue of pauses.
It does not influence anything, you will be able to see perfectly the separate exercises within the session with your rest periods and work periods.
Hi, I have the Garmin Vivosmart 3, would it be compatible with this device?, could the data be added to Garmin Conect?
No, because Vivosmart 3 does not allow the connection of external sensors.
Good afternoon, first of all thank you for your work, I practice pilates and spinning, for the first one it is good for me to record the exercise at the end of the workout, but my doubt is if for spinning I can visualize the frequency in % all the time in a Samsung smartphone during the exercise with the polar beat app.
Thank you for your attention.
I haven't tried the Polar Beat application, but I guess that data field will be available for use.
Hello Eduardo, thanks for your contributions, at least for those of us who are in the tow of so much technology.
My question is that I was given the V650 peeled and very happy, but to get more out of the gps, would it be compatible with OH1?
a greeting
csc
Yes, the V650 connects with Bluetooth sensors so it is compatible with the OH1
Good Eduardo, first of all thank you for your extensive and comprehensive analysis, I needed to read something so complete to clarify several doubts and end up deciding to buy the OH1.
I have a Polar V800 that I use with a H7 chest strap, my doubt is if this OH1 sensor can replace my old chest strap. I explain: I read that it can record data independently... but if I wear the OH1 and also the Polar V800, will the data appear in real time on my watch?
And another little doubt that I have not been completely clear about: If you use it independently without the watch, does it record the distance travelled?
Greetings
Yes, you have two modes of use and in the basic mode you will simply be sending heart rate data to the watch.
As for the distance not, used independently you will only have pulse data.
Fantastic review. I haven't seen so many details in the reviews anywhere and it's exactly what I was looking for as I was thinking of buying the oh1 for black Friday if it came out or Christmas. I have a v800 and the chest band has been giving me some impressive scratches for a few months now.
With your review, I'm even clearer. Thank you very much, and congratulations on the site. Great job.
To tell you the truth, I'm also waiting to see if he shows up at Black Friday...
Hi there, I've been looking at this device for my dad since the chest pulse meters don't recognize his pulse, the idea would be to connect it to a garmin edge 1000, the problem is I don't know if it can be connected.
You know if it could be used, and if not, what device would you recommend to connect it to the edge,.
Greetings and thanks
No, the Polar OH1 is not compatible. The one you can use is the Scosche Rhythm+
Good afternoon.
I have a question I would like to ask you, would it be possible to use this polar sensor in conjunction with a Garmin Phoenix five to record data from swimming sessions and have this heart rate data appear on Garmin .
Thank you very much for your work...
Hello, first of all thank you very much for your reviews and for lending a hand to those who write to you asking questions. I would buy this sensor to use it among other things in swimming with my Fenix 5, placing it in recording mode would it be possible that at the end of swimming training heart rate data passed to the Garmin and could then see the record on the page Garmin?
Thank you very much in advance for your response.
No, you could save it in memory and synchronize it with Polar, but not link it to the activity recorded by the Garmin
Hi Eduardo, a few days ago I got the sunnto spartan sport wirts wr and I am thinking about this new polar band, for when I go MTB biking and swimming in open water. My doubt is if swimming in open water, with the Polar band H10 I can visualize the pulses in my sunnto, or if by the transmission of the frequency under water does not go well with the sunnto, since the new band OH1 you can not visualize in water the frequency. Is it possible that polar will bring out a new band in the near future that you can see under water the pulses with the sunnto. Greetings
No, the memory function has to be exclusively through the Suunto pulse sensor. No other brand can offer this, because there is no standard in Bluetooth that makes all watches work the same way.
Hello, Eduadro!
Very good review, congratulations for the work. I just wanted to ask you a question to confirm my suspicion. As I do not have ANT+ I understand that it is not possible to communicate directly with the sensor with the watch (in my case the V800) during a swimming session, am I wrong? So far I swim with a chest strap and I'm doing perfectly except that obviously when making the turns I often move and it is somewhat uncomfortable.
When I read your article I thought that the Polar OH1 could be the solution but the problem could be that it does not emit the signal to the watch underwater. Can you confirm this?
Thank you very much and a greeting!
You mean 5GHz analog connectivity. No, the OH1 doesn't have this band.
Hi! Excellent review. I'm just considering this equipment. My wife has two Garmin watches, a 230 and a 630. Will this sensor register FC in either of these two watches? We're looking for an option to the classic chest sensor.
No, the Polar OH1 only transmits via Bluetooth. You can use the Scosche: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/scosche-rhythm/
Good afternoon, one thing to keep in mind is how careful you have to be in its use. In my case the change of clothes, as well as sport, makes it very easy to lose it. Add that the attachment of the device to the strap is not quite rigid and it detaches from the strap.
Hello.
The article is very good. But I clearly didn't understand the connectivity thing... I can't link it to my Garmin Vivoactive or the Edge 520... I thought these two devices also used bluetooth to link others... Return touches, right?
No, the Edge 520 does not support Bluetooth sensors.
Hello! Eduardo!
I have an M430 polar fleece, I would like to buy the oh1 for those sports where the clock is more complicated (bike, crossfit, etc). My doubt is, if I use the band with the clock linked, can I still manage everything from the clock or yes or yes with the cell phone, e.g. to be able to pause, start the session, see data in real time, etc. but let the band sensor do the measurements. Thanks!
Yes, you can start the activity from the clock and make the recording when you mark it with the start and end of the activity.
Hello, according to what I read, it would be possible to visualize the data of the polar Oh1, in other devices.
On a Garmin 520 you can?
And in a Suunto traverse?
Only with devices that support Bluetooth sensors. Edge 520 only ANT+ (Edge 520 plus yes).
Suunto no problem
I like to train with heart rate zones, I would like you to let me know when I get out of them. I use it directly with my mobile phone. Thank you very much
That depends on the mobile application you use and what it offers. The sensor simply reads the heart rate.
good afternoon congratulations for the analysis, I want to know if I can use the band with my cell phone and at the same time use it with my bluetooth headphones.
Yes, it's possible.
Well, I have used it in several sessions trying... The data seems good, but now that I have a Garmin 935 and I use it for continuous training, even if I take it freshly charged, at the time it is already alternating red and green light, and at 3 hours, without battery... It is supposed to give for 12 hours...
My activities usually last an hour and a bit... But sometimes I go out cycling and it can be more, like today... and after 3 hours... No battery... The chest strap being dual, and with a CR button battery, it takes months and months of workouts... 🙁
Is that normal? Using it as a sensor, with no memory...
Because we bought it by Amazon and returning it would be complicated, I guess...
No, it's not normal, the battery life should be much longer.
Contact Polar technical support and have them send you a new one, or contact Amazon and they will arrange for a return and exchange as well.
My doubt:
My M430 is useless in CrossFit, because it goes by pulses and in the wrist when the tendons are in tension does not record the pulses, gives random numbers almost.
In the OH this will not continue to happen as the arms are in constant tension ... I just do not know whether to risk with the OH1 or secure with a chest strap, the H10.
Greetings and thank you!
CrossFit is quite complicated for any sensor, even the chest one because it will also move quite a bit.
I think that the best option may be the OH1 because of its lightness and because being a more fleshy area the reading is easier.
Let me get this straight, with the v800 polar, I get to see the HR in real time?
Thank you
That's right.
I have an m400 and I am hesitating between oH1 or H10, which would be more accurate and would see real time clock ticks?
The H10 is more accurate in series and changes in intensity. With either you can see the pulses in the clock.
Eduardo, I don't know what I'd do without you... I always trust your judgment and you've never failed me.
I have a series of questions:
- Background: I have a Vivoactive 3 and I am not at all happy with the recording and control of pulses in the different activities I do (I only trust when I am running on a treadmill or outside): spinning, cardio, etc ...
- Solutions I think I have: buy a new better device (Fenix 5 plus, etc ...) but it is a lot of "dough" or buy an optical sensor for the arm (option that I see better at the moment). For this, I have seen that there are three possibilities:
1.- Wahoo: it doesn't look bad, but the critics say that the strap is not very good.
2.- Scosche: the price is too high and I can't find a place to buy it.
3.- Polar OH1: it looks very good, too bad about the ANT+.
Questions: Whenever I pair my Vivoactive 3 with these sensors, I will see the online pulses on my device, what priority/what pulses count for the subsequent control, are the results of the external belt pulses recorded in Garmin Connect, do the answers to these questions apply to the belts?
Greetings and thank you very much.
Option to buy a more expensive device, discard it. The sensor is the same and you will have the same record.
The Polar OH1 can be used without any problem, the Vivoactive 3 is compatible with Bluetooth sensors so even if the Polar does not have ANT+, do not discard it. Once paired you can see the real time pulses and record it in the activity file, and you will see everything exactly as now, simply the source of data is different.
Thank you very much, I understand.
Hi, very good and complete analysis. I have a doubt, to run for training of changes of pace and series which do you think is more accurate the oh1 or the H10 , to go seeing the data in real time on the watch in this case would be a suunto 9.
For pure precision and at all times the H10 is better, mainly because of its immediacy when it comes to intensity rise and fall. The OH1 has very good performance, but it is still an algorithm so it has those tenths of a second delay. Anyway with either one I would be fully satisfied.
Hi! Great forum and great reviews. I wanted to leave you with a problem I had with polar OH1 in case it happened to someone else. The problem arises when upgrading to the latest version: the 23.04.2019. Well, this update has left my bluetooth connection deactivated. In the middle of the update process via polar flow app, it loses the bluetooth connection and does not finish the update. Connecting it to the Mac or windows with the polar flow sync tells me that it is not possible to complete the update. The option to restore factory settings does not solve the problem (this option is a simple file deletion). From polar they tell me to send it to them and wait about 14 days for them to fix it (maximum dissatisfaction). So I recommend not to upgrade to the latest version via polar flow app. The device of 10, I have been with it for a year and delighted. But as for updates... I think polar is not up to it. They can't get an update with an error
The problem, which I don't make very clear, is that after trying to upgrade. the bluetooth connection has been disabled and now it doesn't connect to the clock or any polar app. it only lets me work out as a standalone device. Pretty serious stuff. Cheers.
Hi Eduardo, as always thanks for your great reviews.
I have seen that you did the tests at the time for pool. As you know since then they have taken out an adapter to place the device in the pool glasses and calculate the pulse from the temples (I do not know how much more accurate it can be). I have spoken to Polar and to have them send you only the adapter is 40eur! (price that seems to me abusive and excessive for a piece of plastic).
During your swimming tests you put the device on your forearm? I understand that nothing moved?
Thank you!
Certainly the price is crazy for a piece of plastic...
Yes, I used the sensor on my forearm and it doesn't move. The problem it has is that there is no way to synchronize that data with a swim workout (regardless of the clip).
Hi Eduardo, I finally bought a Fenix 5 and I have temporarily left the Suunto Spartan Sport wrist HR out of service. I want to complement it with a good compatible wrist band for trail running, cycling and open water swimming. The chest band, one I had from Polar, gave me after an hour of training a significant sternum rubbing / burning, I do not know if the new Garmin bands, the HRM TRI, avoids more or less rubbing. The bracelet of Polar OH1 looks very good but I do not know if because it is Garmin the watch does not take all the potential of this mechanism. For swimming the OH1 polar bracelet would transmit data to the Garmin watch once you finish the swimming session or that only does in the Polar watches? The Garmin band I think in addition to giving you the pulse gives a lot of added data for later analysis, does this make the polar OH1 or only give data of the pulses, in short, what do you recommend
Thank you very much and Happy Holidays
In fact, with the Polar sensor you will only have heart rate data. If you want swimming and running metrics you will have to opt for the Garmin HRM-Tri, there is no other option.
Hello Eduardo, I am a follower of yours, so I am looking for sincerity, I have a polar V800 a suunto 9 baro and a fenix 5x plus, I had a small heart attack so I am interested, your opinion I have a scosche not the last the previous one happy, and the band of the suunto 9 I have not used. and I have become afraid of the h7 gave me a peak of 225 that I was told that 1TP10It could be the band or the battery that I do not worry, that reliable tape you advise me, I only do walking and running or series or swimming after the scare,
oh1 band or the h10 or the last of scoche, garmin or any of the already have, another thing about the seconds of delay that means.
a hug.
Aurelio, take a look at the heart rate monitor guidebecause there I explain everything about the sensors.
The summary is that if you want reliability at all times the maxim you must remember is that the band measures, the optical sensor estimates, so the band is always more accurate. Anyway it is all explained in the article I have indicated.
Thank you very much, Eduardo
Good morning. Great report, much appreciated. I am interested in getting a heart rate monitor that reliably records my pulse and its variations throughout my gym sessions, in which I practice elliptical, treadmill, and some calisthenics. From your analysis, I understand that the OH1 is suitable for this, although I have a doubt about your next comment: "it would only need to be able to record the pulse variability in activity". So, I understand that it measures heart rate, but not the variation between beats, which I am very interested in. If this is correct, is there a sports pulse meter that does perform this function?
Thank you in advance, best regards
It does not measure HRV because it is an optical sensor. If you want pulse variability you need a chest sensor (and a device to record it).
Thank you very much for your reply. Regards
Hello, a complete and detailed report, so nice! I am a newbie in this world and I would like to know if a Polar M200, with combination with the OH1, would allow me to see in real time my heart rate. Could I do the same with any smartwatch that has Bluetooth, like an Amazfit Bip?
Thank you very much!
Yes, the Polar M200 can be seamlessly paired with the OH1, or use its own optical sensor. As for the Amazfit Bip, it does not support external sensors.
Thank you!
Good evening Eduardo, first of all thank you again for your analysis.
You see, I have a Polar Vantage V and lately it's been getting quite off on heart rate measurement so I'm thinking of buying a Polar H9 or a Polar OH1+.
My workouts are simple: continuous runs without many hills and some series.
A priori I prefer the OH1+ because I understand that it will be more comfortable than the chest strap although I understand that the chest strap will be more accurate.
Considering the basic training I do, do you see that I can compensate for this loss of precision with the comfort of wearing the OH1+?
Thank you in advance.
Thank you Angel.
With the OH1+ you will have almost as reliable data as with the chest strap, so you don't have to worry about that. Here the main difference will be the autonomy, the OH1+ will have to be recharged often and the battery of the H9 can last almost a year.
But if reliability is your only concern, you can rest assured that it performs very well.
Thank you very much Eduardo, I will buy it this Black Friday on your link, as I did when I bought the Polar M200, M450 and Vantage.
A salute.
Thank you very much Angel
Hi, I just bought a Polar OH1+ to use it as a sensor together with the console of the Spinning bike at the gym, a keiser m3, but it has synchronized. I would appreciate if you can give me some indication to see if it works. Thank you.
The pairing corresponds to the gym machine, not the sensor (which simply emits). Sorry, but I don't know how that bike works.
Hi Eduardo. I wanted to ask you if this sensor, paired with a Vantage 2 or a Garmin Fenix 6 would give me running dynamics metrics. From what I read I understand that no and better to buy a H10, right?
Thank you very much, you are my source of inspiration and confidence.
Vantage V2 meant
Thank you Nuria.
No, the OH1+ does not have any kind of running metrics function. The Vantage V2 doesn't either, anyway....
Yes it does have the Fenix 6, but to have those metrics you need either a Garmin sensor (HRM-Run or HRM-Tri) or the Wahoo TICKR X.
Aaaah, okay. Thank you very much 🌹