Ask HN: Is there a no-nonsense device that lets me measure my heart rate?

5 pointsfounderling6y ago15 comments

I would like to measure my heart rate and download the data to my laptop so I can do my own statistics on it.

I don't want something that pairs with my phone, needs me to install software or to become member of some cloud service.

Is there something like that?

15 comments

nabla96y ago

I have not tried myself, but maybe Polar H10 strap or older H7. I didn't realize that H10 works with free app, so I bought expensive HRM too. :( The strap has internal memory that can train one session of data.

https://nob.ro/post/polar_h10_ubuntu/

https://github.com/rsc-dev/loophole

https://reprage.com/post/how-to-connect-the-raspberry-pi-to-...

Polar H10 is very accurate. I personally pair it with free PolarBeat app (I also have the Polar HRM) and download raw data.

---

https://support.polar.com/e_manuals/Team_Pro/Polar_Team_Pro_...

>The export raw data function exports second-by-second data from a training session. Raw data export gives you a zip file with player specific folders which contain a CSV file, and a .txt file and a GPX file.

> The CSV file contains second by second information about heart rate, speed, distance, acceleration/deceleration and running cadence.

>The .txt file contains unfiltered RR interval data that can be analyzed with third party heart rate variability tools.

>The GPX file contains location information that can viewed in third party tools.

founderlingOP6y ago

That looks good! Will buy one next time I am in an electronics store.

I find it surprising that a we still need a chest belt to measure heart beats. I can put a finger on my wrist and feel every beat perfectly. Strange that a wrist band cannot do the same.

nabla96y ago

You don't need chest belt. I can go running without the strap and use only the HRM from wrist (it's optical).

The chest band is still more accurate (and cheaper). It gets the minor variations in HR from beat to beat. When you get closer to your maximum HR your hard beat gets more even. HR variability gives more info.

1 more reply

rahimnathwani6y ago

"I can put a finger on my wrist and feel every beat perfectly

Right, but probably only when you're stationary. Try taking your own probably when you're walking or typing.

1 more reply

runjake6y ago

Your best option is a Garmin ForeRunner and the USB cable it comes with.

If you’re a stickler about getting the best HRM results then get one with a chest strap but the wrist-based HRM is great for most cases.

Raed6676y ago

I second this, I had a Garmin ForeRunner 645 and now a 935. You can have:

- live data at your wrist, streamed to your phone over Bluetooth.

- A chart for the past 4 hours on your wrist.

- Longer charts with zones, averages etc on the app.

- Abnormal heart-rate warning on the watch.

- Export all data via USB to your computer.

Edit: I also got a companion HRM chest-strap (which is more precise and also provides more data related to running), but I only use it for more intense runs/training its not super comfortable.

drakonka6y ago

I thought the wrist-based heart rate monitoring techniques were very flawed and inaccurate, and were not useful if you want exact heart rate data (but could be used for relative comparisons over time for example). This is why I've stuck with the uncomfortable and more fiddly chest strap based monitor. Has the technology improved in the last few years?

2 more replies

founderlingOP6y ago

What will happen when I plug the USB cable into my Linux machine?

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

15 comments

nabla96y ago

https://nob.ro/post/polar_h10_ubuntu/

https://github.com/rsc-dev/loophole

https://reprage.com/post/how-to-connect-the-raspberry-pi-to-...

Polar H10 is very accurate. I personally pair it with free PolarBeat app (I also have the Polar HRM) and download raw data.

---

https://support.polar.com/e_manuals/Team_Pro/Polar_Team_Pro_...

> The CSV file contains second by second information about heart rate, speed, distance, acceleration/deceleration and running cadence.

>The .txt file contains unfiltered RR interval data that can be analyzed with third party heart rate variability tools.

>The GPX file contains location information that can viewed in third party tools.

founderlingOP6y ago

That looks good! Will buy one next time I am in an electronics store.

I find it surprising that a we still need a chest belt to measure heart beats. I can put a finger on my wrist and feel every beat perfectly. Strange that a wrist band cannot do the same.

nabla96y ago

You don't need chest belt. I can go running without the strap and use only the HRM from wrist (it's optical).

1 more reply

rahimnathwani6y ago

"I can put a finger on my wrist and feel every beat perfectly

Right, but probably only when you're stationary. Try taking your own probably when you're walking or typing.

1 more reply

runjake6y ago

Your best option is a Garmin ForeRunner and the USB cable it comes with.

If you’re a stickler about getting the best HRM results then get one with a chest strap but the wrist-based HRM is great for most cases.

Raed6676y ago

I second this, I had a Garmin ForeRunner 645 and now a 935. You can have:

- live data at your wrist, streamed to your phone over Bluetooth.

- A chart for the past 4 hours on your wrist.

- Longer charts with zones, averages etc on the app.

- Abnormal heart-rate warning on the watch.

- Export all data via USB to your computer.

Edit: I also got a companion HRM chest-strap (which is more precise and also provides more data related to running), but I only use it for more intense runs/training its not super comfortable.

drakonka6y ago

2 more replies

founderlingOP6y ago

What will happen when I plug the USB cable into my Linux machine?

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse