4 ms·

Do you think that'd be the case even if you tighten the strap significantly for a workout?

by Osmium 12y ago

IgorPartola 12y ago
Yes. It's not just good contact. It's about good electrical contact. For example, if the strap is dry, even if it's directly on the skin, it won't pick up a signal. I suspect that this optical LED-based HRM tech is going to have its own problems. For example, if it has to sit close to a vein, and you move it slightly. Or if it has to be relatively tight on the wrist. Or if the LED's get dirty because of sweat.
- Osmium 12y ago
  Thanks for the feedback--that's interesting. I'd assumed these were all LED based. If it is electrical contact related, could you not use a gel like another commenter mentioned using with a chest strap? It seems like a gimmick, but I've had good results with one of the iPhone apps where you place your finger over the camera and it's illuminated by the flash. You have to keep the finger in a constant position, but it works reliably if you do. So I have hope for new technology. Completely different area, but there's this technology: http://people.csail.mit.edu/mrub/vidmag/ http://people.csail.mit.edu/mrub/vidmag/ which seems surprisingly robust. If you can get heart rate from standard video, I wouldn't be surprised to find it's possible to get a reliable signal with a LED and light sensor placed directly against the skin–especially if it's done in addition to an electrical signal. Either way, we'll find out soon enough. The Apple watch claims to give heart rate too, and they're going to get absolutely slammed in the media if they don't live up to it. Will be interesting to see!
- mikestew 12y ago
  A bit off-topic, but I find it interesting how your experience differs from mine. Most of the time I slap my strap on bone dry and it works fine. If not, a little lick on each electrode gets it working. I do have some gel I bought at the behest of my wife, because she finds the application of saliva to be disgusting. Right, because it's gross to put spit on something that's going to be stewing in my sweaty juices in just a few minutes. But once it's working, it stays working (probably because I sweat profusely during exercise). Anyway, I wonder if the difference is body chemistry, maybe you have a little more fat (single digit % here), or who knows what.

Do you think that'd be the case even if you tighten the strap significantly for a workout?

by Osmium 12y ago

Do you think that'd be the case even if you tighten the strap significantly for a workout?

Yes. It's not just good contact. It's about good electrical contact. For example, if the strap is dry, even if it's directly on the skin, it won't pick up a signal. I suspect that this optical LED-based HRM tech is going to have its own problems. For example, if it has to sit close to a vein, and you move it slightly. Or if it has to be relatively tight on the wrist. Or if the LED's get dirty because of sweat.

Osmium 12y ago
Thanks for the feedback--that's interesting. I'd assumed these were all LED based. If it is electrical contact related, could you not use a gel like another commenter mentioned using with a chest strap? It seems like a gimmick, but I've had good results with one of the iPhone apps where you place your finger over the camera and it's illuminated by the flash. You have to keep the finger in a constant position, but it works reliably if you do. So I have hope for new technology. Completely different area, but there's this technology: http://people.csail.mit.edu/mrub/vidmag/ http://people.csail.mit.edu/mrub/vidmag/ which seems surprisingly robust. If you can get heart rate from standard video, I wouldn't be surprised to find it's possible to get a reliable signal with a LED and light sensor placed directly against the skin–especially if it's done in addition to an electrical signal. Either way, we'll find out soon enough. The Apple watch claims to give heart rate too, and they're going to get absolutely slammed in the media if they don't live up to it. Will be interesting to see!
mikestew 12y ago
A bit off-topic, but I find it interesting how your experience differs from mine. Most of the time I slap my strap on bone dry and it works fine. If not, a little lick on each electrode gets it working. I do have some gel I bought at the behest of my wife, because she finds the application of saliva to be disgusting. Right, because it's gross to put spit on something that's going to be stewing in my sweaty juices in just a few minutes. But once it's working, it stays working (probably because I sweat profusely during exercise). Anyway, I wonder if the difference is body chemistry, maybe you have a little more fat (single digit % here), or who knows what.