Related
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

HR monitoring accuracy - unacceptable

AlexCh
over 6 years ago
Hi everyone

Despite the numerous reviews citing reasonable HR monitoring performance on the Vivosport, I have been unable to get accurate measurements with the device when exercising.

The device showed a maximum heart rate of 132 bpm using passive monitoring during a 2km erg sprint test completed in 6 minutes 42 seconds. For those unfamiliar with the erg machine, this is a maximum effort sprint test which should push you close to your maximum heart rate. I am 26 years old in good health - unfortunately 132 bpm is not even remotely accurate.

I subsequently tested the device using the indoor 'cardio activity' mode during a 1 hour steady state erg (rate 20, 2:02/500m avg split) as I read that the device may struggle to pick up rapid increases in HR. This exercise was completed at 100% effort and again left me at the limits of my physical capability. The device recorded a maximum heart rate of 114 bpm and average of 87 bpm. Immediately post activity, the device displayed a heart rate of around 50 bpm during my warm down when I was still struggling to catch my breath - 11 bpm lower than my supposed average resting heart rate recorded by the device.

I would be very interested to hear whether anyone has managed to get decent readings from their Vivosport, and whether they had to change anything to do so?

The fact that it could not pick up a realistic heart rate over a 1 hour period is incredibly disappointing. At present, the performance is so bad that I feel the device is either faulty or simply does not work as advertised. For anyone considering purchasing the Vivosport for its HR monitoring capabilities, I would advise against until something improves.

Cheers

A
  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Arrgh. I biked 2 hours on an indoor bike with pulse around 150-160. Iused Vivosport, bike's own HR meter and calculated heart beats with hand on my chest. Vivo gave me pulse between 90 and 150. Mostly below 100. Garbage.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Just experienced the same issue as AlexCH after a 40 min interval session on a rowing machine. Recorded a 61 bpm average heart rate! Tried a lot of different wrist positions to no avail. I have had reasonably accurate readings from running and cycling and suspect there is something about the rowing machine that prevents a good reading, could be flexed wrists or something to do with position of wrists relative to heart on an erg. Quite annoying as bought it to track heart rate but the data is useless!

    Will try cleaning it and doing a gentle warm up to try and get a lock on heart rate first.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to benlharris

    I shaved my wrist, put on the Vivosport super tight and got on the gym bike again. I pushed myself to max for 60 minutes, the bike showed pulse between 150 - 190. That sound about right as I am 55.

    Vivo showed a pulse between 70-100, once jumping to 125.

    I get a believable reading from Vivo from low pulse activities, but when I really push myself the device is a joke. You can't speak of accuracy. Looks like the thing does not notice my raised pulse at all.

    I'm thinking of switching to Polar with a possible Oura ring.  

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 4582297

    I've thrown mine away as I think it's dangerous to show such incorrect readings , I've got a wahoo chest monitor , It's spot on .

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 4356313

    Thanks. I am thinking of donating my to my kid and getting a Polar Vantage that seems to get more accurate readings. I did a lighter set today: hour of indoor bike + hour of weights. Surprisingly Vivosport picked up my pulse up to 150. This never happened before! Well, I'll take some time figuring out a replacement. Polar Vantage costs 200€ and I can get a decent smart watch for that price.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Mine does fine for running or jumping rope but if the setting is on cardio indoors it does not register correctly. I have a Max-trainer with a chest strap and the Garmin is not even close. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 3311846

    I gave my Garmin to my 13 year old son. I now have Polar Vantage M which does a decent job for the sports that I like: cycling (inside and outside) and squash. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 4582297

    Got on the phone to Garmin support about this issue and they asked me to send them some example activities with bad heart rate readings. I sent them 4. They have asked me to restore factory settings on the device and try again. Anyone tried this? I'm not holding out much hope as I don't think I've changed any/many of the settings in the first place.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I am pretty sure they fixed it in a software update because I tested it against the Polar H10 and it seemed pretty accurate, now I know this is 3 years later but hey, at least now you know!

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I've noticed when I do anything other than run or jump rope the heart rate is never correct. No matter what mode I'm in except for weight training it tracks well if I'm running or jumping rope.