Polar OH1+, a "new" sensor from Polar that now has ANT+
And other Polar sensors that receive ANT+ support
Español Today is a good day for Polar users in general, and for owners of some of the latest sensors in particular, Polar has finally added ANT+ support to its products.
But before we talk about updating the existing sensors, I'll tell you about the Polar OH1+, which is the "new"And I say it in quotes because it's exactly the same Polar OH1 you already knew but with the upgrade already included, and a new swimming accessory.
Polar OH1 +
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As I was saying, the Polar OH1+ is exactly the same as Polar OH1 which has been on the market for just over a year and which offers such good results. The new model only offers two small differences:
1.- The software already includes the update that enables ANT+ connectivity. Well, and includes a small ANT+ logo on the back.
2.- A new support is included to use the sensor in swimming, placing it in the rubber of the glasses so that the frequency data is registered in the temple.
That's all. The Polar OH1 didn't really need much more as it was a fantastic device, as you could see from its test.
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Complete analysis of the Polar OH1 optical sensor
If you already own a Polar OH1 you don't need to run out and find a new sensor, Polar will soon offer a firmware update for the original model (and also for the Polar H10).
In short, with the OH1 + (or with the updated Polar OH1) Polar achieves one of the best optical pulse sensors on the market, for measurement quality, compatibility and functions (don't forget that it can work independently by saving the data in its memory, without the need for any other device).
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ANT+ upgrade for Polar OH1 and Polar H10
Along with the announcement of the new model, Polar has announced that the benefits of ANT+ connectivity are now available for its two latest sensors: the Polar H10 and the Polar OH1. This is a significant change in Polar's policy that, until now, had repeatedly reneged on ANT+ and was focused on offering a unique Bluetooth connection.
I have argued on numerous occasions that it was a mistake on the part of Polar, both in terms of commercial positioning and customer interest (which in the end is what should prevail). Polar closed the door on ANT+ perhaps at the most critical moment, when it was not usual to find dual ANT+/Bluetooth sensors, and this is something that undoubtedly damaged its market especially in the cycling segment.
Better late than never and although they will no longer be able to correct the errors of the past and correct the damage done (especially in the number of possible unsold units), at least they now have a good staff in the sensor section.
So at this time, in addition to the OH1+ presented today, Polar is expanding the number of ANT+ compatible sensors through a software update that both the H10 and the original OH1 will receive "in the next few days" and you will be able to follow from here.
This makes both sensors one of the best for all the features they offer. Polar H10 now offers up to 4 connections ways to transmit:
- Bluetooth Smart, channel 1.
- Bluetooth Smart, channel 2. To connect to another device other than the first
- ANT+ slave, connecting to any ANT+ compatible device (one or more)
- 5kHz analog transmission, for underwater heart rate transmission and connection to gym machines
- It also has an internal memory that we can use to record an exercise without needing any other device to store it.
And the same goes for the Polar OH1This makes it one of the most interesting offers in terms of optical pulse sensors in terms of quality and performance
- Bluetooth Smart, channel 1
- ANT+ transmission for any compatible device
- Memory for recording activities independently, simply by pressing the button provided (in the case of the H10 the recording has to be started from the mobile application)
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Moving on...
However, there is one elephant left in the room that no one has talked about: the Polar Vantage. At no time has Polar referred to their new watches, which would be an important novelty especially in view of their use in cycling, where we will find more exclusive ANT+ sensors.
That doesn't mean that just as they announced today that they're updating the sensors to use ANT+, tomorrow they won't do the same for Vantages. It's perfectly possible, because the transmission chip they use, which is in all Vantages, is capable of transmitting via Bluetooth and ANT+ simultaneously. It would simply have to be enabled via a firmware update (and pay the corresponding fee).
My impression is that it will end up happening, but they still don't want to announce anything until they have it properly tied up. Although the chip is there, the work they have to do is very different. In the case of sensors, it is a matter of adding the slave connection, the sensor simply transmits in a standard way and other devices access the signal.
But the case of the master devices is different and involves a lot more programming, not in terms of signal processing, because it is obviously a standard and all that is already created, but it has to be added to the clocks, it has to be included in the sensor cluster, it has to interpret how to perform the sensor search and how to process it afterwards, what information to display, etc.
And it's clear that the pressure to adopt ANT+ in your watches is not the same as two or three years ago, when the vast majority of sensors available, especially in cycling, used ANT+ exclusively. Today it's totally common for sensors to be dual, so it's no longer in demand. But that doesn't mean it's not desired.
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One question, using a Garmin Edge 1030 and this sensor, would the garmin VO2Max estimation still work or is heart variability necessary for this estimation? Thanks for the test.
No, it's just heart rate that you need (https://www.firstbeat.com/en/consumer-feature/vo2max-fitness-level/)
So yes, without any problem
Thank you very much.
Hello, Eduardo.
In the review of the previous version you indicated that you could not load the data of a swimming session with the record of the activity of a Phoenix.
I don't know if the limitation was due to the communication protocols, so with the new version it would be possible. If it was, I would fit perfectly to record the swimming sessions with Garmin and the pulse of Polar, because the HRM-Swim band doesn't convince me (there are many criticisms and it is quite more expensive).
Thank you!
No, this is not possible. Although the OH1 has memory, it is not compatible with the Garmin watch data download function, which is an additional protocol to the ANT+.
Good afternoon,
Con el Garmin 520 plus también seria compatible?
thanks
Sí, a través de ANT+
Hi, Eduardo.
El H10 incluye doble canal BT, pero y el OH1+ comparte conexiones?
Tu enlace a Amazon permite comprar el OH1 “viejo” y el OH1+ (éste añade soporte para gafas de natación), pero una vez actualizado el soft. al son idénticos en funciones y conectividad?
Thank you
No, el OH1 sólo tiene una conexión simultánea por Bluetooth, el único modelo de Polar que tiene doble conexión es el H10.
Efectivamente, la única diferencia entre OH1 y OH1+ es que el segundo incluye el soporte para las gafas de natación, por lo demás son exáctamente iguales. Y ahora que lo mencionas, aprovecharé a actualizar los enlaces al modelo nuevo. ¡Gracias por recordármelo!
Thank you, Eduardo.
Hablando de Straps, las de Aliexpress baratas pero muy volátiles, igual se tira 90m leyendo datos perfectamente que se corta y marca 0, y te joroba toda la sesión, incluso recien estrenadas, y siempre me pasa en el miuro 40 aprox.
Que Strap consideras la mejor por comodidad y lectura? Creo que la Pro del Polar 10 la has destacado en alguna review.
Será compatible (distancia anclajes) con HRM-Dual y con Wahoo TICKR?
Esperando ya la review del nuevo Tickr X
Greetings
Puedes echar un vistazo al artículo de cómo funcionan los pulsómetros que publiqué hace pocos días, en el que precisamente hablo de todo eso.