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Garmin acquired FirstBeat Analytics less than two weeks ago [1]. According to DC Rainmaker, "They power the vast majority of Garmin’s fitness and outdoor traini

Garmin acquired FirstBeat Analytics less than two weeks ago [1]. According to DC Rainmaker, "They power the vast majority of Garmin’s fitness and outdoor training-focused algorithms" but they are also used by other manufacturers. The Garmin's Sleep Stage tracking, powered by FirstBeat Analytics [2], use higher power red LEDs at night. I wonder if OURA uses a separate technique, maybe even transmissive PPG. [1] https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/06/garmin-acquires-firstbeat-analytics-a-quick-analysis-of-the-winners-and-losers.html https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/06/garmin-acquires-firstbea... [2] https://assets.firstbeat.com/firstbeat/uploads/2019/11/Firstbeat-Sleep-Solution_white-paper_short.pdf https://assets.firstbeat.com/firstbeat/uploads/2019/11/First...

jerlam 6y ago
The red LEDs on Garmin watches are used for SpO2 (Pulse Oximeter) tracking, not sleep tracking. They are also generally regarded as terrible[1]. [1] https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/06/garmin-fenix5-plus-5s-5x-in-depth-review.html#pulseox https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/06/garmin-fenix5-plus-5s-5x...
- sradman 6y ago
  I was conflating two useful sleep tracking metrics, SpO2 and Sleep Stages, my bad. You are correct, Garmin’s sleep tracking does not require the red LED SpO2 to estimate sleep stages. Since the sleep stage algorithm is Machine Learning derived, it is plausible that SpO2 data could improve sleep stage predictions but that is speculation. I skimmed through the Fenix review you linked to and I didn’t see anything like your “generally regarded as terrible” claim. From the conclusion: > ...adding in Pulse Oximetry support and the ClimbPro bits, to differentiate themselves in a way not seen before. There’s no question this feature is targeted directly at the high-altitude folks that historically would have gone Suunto. Pulse Oximetry in continuous trackers is relatively new and the extra battery consumption may indeed turn out to be an unacceptable trade-off. The Oura was used by the NBA to predict COVID-19 infection. I assumed, therefore, that SpO2 was tracked. It is a useful metric and I find the possibility of having it in a finger ring form factor intriguing.

jerlam 6y ago

The red LEDs on Garmin watches are used for SpO2 (Pulse Oximeter) tracking, not sleep tracking. They are also generally regarded as terrible[1]. [1] https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/06/garmin-fenix5-plus-5s-5x-in-depth-review.html#pulseox https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/06/garmin-fenix5-plus-5s-5x...

sradman 6y ago
I was conflating two useful sleep tracking metrics, SpO2 and Sleep Stages, my bad. You are correct, Garmin’s sleep tracking does not require the red LED SpO2 to estimate sleep stages. Since the sleep stage algorithm is Machine Learning derived, it is plausible that SpO2 data could improve sleep stage predictions but that is speculation. I skimmed through the Fenix review you linked to and I didn’t see anything like your “generally regarded as terrible” claim. From the conclusion: > ...adding in Pulse Oximetry support and the ClimbPro bits, to differentiate themselves in a way not seen before. There’s no question this feature is targeted directly at the high-altitude folks that historically would have gone Suunto. Pulse Oximetry in continuous trackers is relatively new and the extra battery consumption may indeed turn out to be an unacceptable trade-off. The Oura was used by the NBA to predict COVID-19 infection. I assumed, therefore, that SpO2 was tracked. It is a useful metric and I find the possibility of having it in a finger ring form factor intriguing.