Hello world!
I know that e.g. DC Rainmaker quite rigorously tests the watches, comparing the optical sensor HR with a strap, and it turns out quite OK... but I never seem to have gotten trustworthy readings from optical HR myself. I don't think it's a defect of particular model or just my watch, as I tried multiple wrist optical HR watches and e.g. also Scosche Rhytm.
It will show a "generally" good HR, as in it will show 40 or 50 when I'm sitting (but also sometimes dipping to as low as 25; my actual HR at rest goes down to 40-42, but not 25...), generally show around 100 when commute biking, and during an easy run keep itself somewhere around 130.
But when I'm at the gym and do exercise / rest, then it will appear totally random - not budge above 80 when I'm jumping over a bench for a minute and am totally out of breath (and can verify after stopping with the fingers on my neck that my pulse is really high), then go up to 150 when I'm recovering (and the finger on my neck is maybe 80) and stay there for a few minutes... Or when I'm doing intervals, like 3min fast run / 2min rest it will go up to 160 during the first 2 intervals, but then e.g. during the third it will stay at 130, and only suddenly go to 170 at the end of the rest period (when the finger on my neck shows maybe 80).
The watch is fitting well on my wrist, it's not moving. I have shaved the hair from under the watch to see if maybe that was causing trouble. I have a very pale skin.
What are other people experiences?
