The TICKR X is lightweight, has LEDs to indicate the unit's status, is waterproof, uses both Bluetooth and ANT+ signaling, and most importantly (for me) has an awesome internal memory -- no phone app or wrist device needed (though completely compatible with both). It also does things like running gait/stride analysis, but I don't tend to use it for that.
I mostly use the TICKR during my gym workouts, when I don't want to have my phone nearby or to wear a bulky watch. So the internal memory is spectacular. When doing cardio sessions like running or cycling, I pair it with my TomTom Multisport GPS watch. When it works, it's everything I could ask for.
I've docked a star because I'm on my second unit in less than two years. The first would occasionally (10-20% of the time) fail to record a workout or part of a workout or fail to connect to my phone entirely, which would be frustrating, especially when you're wearing a strap for two hours at a time for nothing. I mentioned this to their customer service, and they tried to help, but ultimately I think it was a flawed unit. They sent me a second one which worked for six months or so, but all of a sudden stopped working altogether, even after a fresh battery change. For nearly $100, I expect this product to last much, much longer than that.
I'm still working with customer service, which is relatively quick and responsive, but I don't know if I can get this up to five stars. Hopefully they'll figure out how to make the product more robust in the future.
Edit: I have had a third for some time now and it works much more consistently. I still have that first one, mentioned previously, which I handed down to my girlfriend for her occasional gym sessions. It still has connection issues at times, so I think it's definitely a unit-to-unit thing. Also be sure to get all the updates and the ANT+ plugin for your phone if it doesn't already have that capability.
This product works well and effortlessly connected with both my Android phone and with my Garmin Vivosmart fitness band. Garmin software developer's could take some lessons from Wahoo on phone connectivity. I wanted an ANT+ heart strap that worked with the Vivosmart and Garmin's own straps have a reputation for cutting into the skin (there are online pictures of bleeding wounds in some of the reviews!). The Tickr strap is soft and the unit itself has nice rounded edges.
While my current phone has ANT+ I do have other devices with only Bluetooth so it's a big plus Wahoo supports both with their TICKR straps. And I also like the idea of sometimes wearing the strap without needing either a fitness band/watch or my phone on my body and it can still track my workout. So the TICKR X seemed worth the extra few bucks to have it work "offline."
The Wahoo app works flawlessly if you have your phone (or I presume a compatible iPod) on you. You go for a run, ride, or walk and, when you finish, your route is already mapped, all the stats summarized, and it gets archived away for future reference. Likewise, the heart rate data is stored by the Garmin Vivofit and Garmin's Connect app (or website) can show you a graph of your heart rate for any workout or event. Your current heartrate and zone, of course, also displays nicely on your wrist during the activity by any wrist device that supports ANT+ heart monitors.
It's also very accurate and agrees with a Polar and Timex I checked it against. I never have had an issue with it not reading even when the pads are fairly dry. And I've never had any RF communication issues either. It just works. The strap, rather than having a buckle to fasten simply snaps to the plastic bit. It's very easy. They sell replacements traps.
The LEDs are also really useful. And you can double tap the device through your shirt to place "markers" in your workout (or even change the track on your phone/iPod music player).
I took a star off because the data is more limited if the activity is monitored "offline." I had hoped, for example, the TICKR X would still give you a graph of your heart rate over the duration of the activity but it only gives you the min, max, and average. I'm not sure if it doesn't have a enough memory to store the heart rate value every few seconds, but that was a bit disappointing. The solution is to either have your phone/iPod on your person or a compatible smart band or watch that can log your heart rate.
I also am disappointed they have only one real Android app (and a "utility app) but many iOS apps. That's hard to understand, and forgive, when Android now has a much bigger market share than iOS. So all but one of those cool apps you see on the Wahoo website currently only work with iOS.
I'm not a technical guy when it comes to Heart Rate Monitors, so I don't do baseline studies on ANT+ vs satellite weapon systems or strap on six different brands and go for a run. I can tell you that I've gone from TICKR to the TICKRx and I'm on my third WAHOO HRM over the past eight years. However, I still use my TICKRx while the gym has switched HRM brands several times due to unpredictability or unit failure.
This brings me to my only dissatisfaction with WAHOO. The TICKRx pairs easily, works consistently and is a device that I don't have to think about, whether I'm in a Kenpo class (four times a week), training in Muay Thai (twice a week), or working on my weight lifting and cardio endurance (twice a week). The TICKRx works perfectly right up to the point where the 2032 battery runs down. It's rated for about a year, but when it fails there's no warning and replacing the battery is a bit of a challenge. Using a quarter you can struggle to turn the battery cover to the Open position. But that's just a tease. The unlocked cover doesn't just pop off and I've tried pushing, bending, mind-melding and screaming at the unit to reveal the battery. Phase two involves thumbnails, a micro screwdriver blade and some Adult Beverages. Eventually, it comes off and you can replace the battery. I believe this process burns 2000 calories.
This thing is pretty cool. I've run it both using the app and with memory mode. I actually bought it solely for it's ability to run memory mode in times that I don't want to bring my phone with me on a workout. In the beginning, I was having an issue with it pairing back up to my phone after using it; but I read that you need to rub the contacts in the back until the lights start flashing and then it will send the info to your phone. The only thing that doesn't seem to work is the tapping mode to start/stop/pause a workout (or change the music, but I went into settings to set it up to start/stop/pause). Tapping doesn't seem to affect it no matter what. Not a big deal since I don't use that feature anyway. I did use it riding my bike a couple times and it gave me a lot of useful data. It's so much more accurate than my fitbit charge2 it's not even funny. I wish the strap was better. I have to readjust it every couple of days because it will stretch out, and it takes a minute to tighten it back up again. It is very comfortable though, and usually forget that I'm even wearing it. A definite plus!
I am overall very pleased with my purchase. I have used my TICKR X for 1 run and 4 or 5 days of crossfit training. Being able to monitor my heart rate during training has made an immediate positive impact on my ability to continually push hard during my workouts. I deal with pretty severe allergies and asthma and have experience multiple asthma attacks over the last year. Once I learned that my asthma attacks where being cause by my heart rate nearing my max levels, I knew I needed something like this to help me during training. The TICKR X has been very easy to pair with my phone, Moto Z Force, and my Garmin Fenix 3 HR watch. I do have to be a little more conscious of it when I'm rowing, but it's actually helping me keep the handle from bouncing of my lower sternum.
The only thing I can really nit pick is the wahoo apps available for Android are a little plain. The UI seems to be very basic and lacking in style and functionality. I much prefer to use my Garmin connect app for post workout data analysis. Also struggling a little with keep the chest strap from sliding down, but I'm still working on finding a snug but reasonable level of tightness. If you're doing any type of burpee movement, you'll want to make sure the strap is as tight as you can comfortably handle. I learned this very quickly with burpee box jump overs my first day training with it.
Overall, I can definitely recommend this to anyone looking to better monitor their performance during most any type of HIIT. I'm definitely looking forward to learning how to better use the data it provides during running to improving my running technique while I train for my first Ragnar Relay.
Feature Product
- The battery is a CR2032 ion battery with a battery life of up to 12 months
- Built in memory gives you the freedom to train without a phone, capturing data and syncing it to your phone later; Strap Length: Adjustable from 23" to 48" (stretched);Water Rating: IPX7 (waterproof up to 5 ft)
- Personalized Heart Rate Training - Workout efficiently - view real-time heart rate, training zones and calories burned on your smartphone or tablet with compatible training apps. Official HR Monitor of Team Sky, defending champions of the Tour De France.
- Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ compatibility allows TICKR to connect to smartphones and tablets, as well as GPS watches by Garmin, Polar, and more. TICKR works with iPhone 4S and later, and with select Android devices using Android 4.3.
- Works with Wahoo RunFit + 50 Smartphone Apps including Nike+ Running, MapMyFitness, Runkeeper, Strava, Apple Health, and more.
Description
The TICKR X is the ultimate workout wearable that captures both motion and intensity to give you the most effective workout. Pair it with the Wahoo 7 Minute Workout app for a high-intensity circuit workout and automatic rep counting, or pair it with the Wahoo RunFit app for personalized heart rate training, cross-training, and additional high intensity strength training. Its built-in memory gives you the freedom to train without a phone - it captures heart rate, calorie burn, and duration from your workouts and syncs them to your phone later. TICKR X is compatible with most popular fitness apps, making it an incredibly versatile workout tracker for all of your activities. Sweatproof - Yes (hand washable strap)
I had originally bought a Polar H10, but sent it back when I could almost never get it to connect to my phone. I ordered this instead, and while it is occasionally finicky with connecting, it's mostly just fine. There are only two main issues I have with it, and at least one of them is probably a mistake I'm making and so is probably fixable. That one is that while working out, the app just randomly pauses itself, which seems to mean it also stops collecting data. It is quite frustrating and seems to have nothing to do with me being far from my phone at the time or having a disrupted line of sight to it. Still working on figuring that one out. The other issue is that the app doesn't give you any charts to look at while working out, and is generally better for viewing data after the workout instead of during. One of my primary uses for this thing is to make sure my heart rate is staying high during exercise, and while a number showing my current heart rate basically does that, it would be mich nicer to have some recent history to look at, if I wasn't able to continually view my phone during an exercise, or some other options. In short, the app doesn't allow much display customization. It just lets you choose from several pre-designed screens. Otherwise, it works pretty well and I'm much happier than I was with the Polar H10... mostly because the H10 just wouldn't cooperate at all.
This worked pretty great the first week and I was able to pair with my iPad Pro for Wahoo RunFit and the Beachbody On Demand app. But after a couple weeks the pairing is seemingly impossible and results in a lot of wasted time.
I’ve tried the Wahoo utility to test the connection. It will connect to that fine and then every 50 tries one of the other apps will see it, but then immediately lose it. I’ve tried all their troubleshooting sugggestions:
-wet sensors
-replace battery
-disable and enable Bluetooth
-disable Bluetooth on my other device
-reboot device
I have the same issue on my iPhone 8 so I don’t think it’s my iPad. And the blue light blinks so I know the Tickr is on. Going to return and try something else.
UPDATE: After deleting the old Wahoo Fitness app and only pairing it with the RunFit app on my iPhone 8 I’ve been having consistent success over the past week. I’ll chalk it up to maybe the BeachBody app causing issues and possibly trying to use it with multiple apps on one device. RunFit works great and syncs with Apple Health app.
Well worth the money for someone looking for a cheaper option then a tracker that goes on your wrist. If you have a smart phone this is your next best option. Have used in conjunction with Apple Watch 4 and hold within 1-2 bpm with the watch on the heart rate.
I bought this heart rate monitor partly because it connected to the fitness apps I use on my iPhone (Mapmyride, Cyclemeter, etc.). It does connect flawlessly to my phone and apps so I am pleased. I went ahead and downloaded the free Wahoo fitness app anyway and gave it a try - it is able to use the motion sensor in the tickrx to estimate cadence. Checked the cadence accuracy during spin class and it is right on. There is a slight delay (about 3-5 seconds) when I change cadence until the estimate updates but at steady pace it is very accurate. So that was a bonus as I was just buying it for the HR measurement. Also the ability of the monitor to record and store HR and then upload to phone later is a nice feature. On the whole very pleased with this product!
I just want to give some tips and explanation that the features that are useful and work straight out of the box. First, the paperwork does not explain the proper app to download. Wahoo tries to upsell you to a different app BodyFitness where you would buy video streaming coaching. I just wanna take walks and measure my heart rate as a 60-year-old man. so you have to get The wahoo app RunFit. My primary complaint is that because of that silence I didn’t know how to see the data on my iPhone initially. I also have had trouble getting it to connect to my first generation apple I watch. It has only connected once. I have nothing to compare this to, so could be the apple i watch.
So once I got the RunFit app, I can see and prove that when I just wear the strap and go out without my iPhone it will record my heart rate and calories burned and time. But because it has no GPS inside of itself, it cannot record milage. When I returned home, and get the strap near my iPhone and follow steps that the RunFit app explains, I am able to sync the data that was being collected by the strap all by itself during my morning walk.
Another thing I learned is that when you snap the band together, it activates the lights on the plastic main sensor (tapping helps too) and that is how you know the strap is collecting data. If you don’t see the lights, disconnect the clip, and reconnect.
Next, I had purchased the Fitbit charge2 To track my heart rate, but it didn’t seem to be as accurate or consistent with my apple iwatch which was higher in many cases. After using the ticker X, I am presuming it is the most accurate, and now I would conclude that the Fitbit charge2 is not tracking as accurately when you get to higher heart rate ... 134 bpm and higher. I would also infer that the I watch first generation does probably track your heart rate pretty well, because I was getting those high readings on that I watch when I wasn’t getting those readings on the Fitbit charger2. I am presuming it is the most accurate, I would conclude that the Fitbit charger 2 is not tracking when you get a higher heart rate nearer 134 bpm.
I am going to keep using the ticker x for one primary reason. I like the fact that it collects data on my heart rate all by itself without an iPhone or watch. Just strap it on. The advantage is that I don’t have to bring my iPhone on a walk unless I want to track my mileage. Carrying an iPhone can be a drag, Also sometimes you’re in a place where you don’t wanna be carrying an iPhone for safety sake. So you can get an accurate read without your iPhone and track your heart rate during a workout. Andif you already know the distance of the area you’re walking on, what does it matter you don’t have it listed in your results? However, what I do to gain mileage without the iPhone is I wear my Fitbit charger2 which gives me accurate steps and approximate distance. So my Fitbit report will show distance, but my wahoo run fit will show me the time and average heart rate and zones. Together, I have all I need.
One last thing: it is also very comfortable fabric.
In summary, This is an excellent value for the money. You get all the data you need for accurate heart rate monitoring. you have the option to use a smart watch. You can use a Fitbit2 to track distance when you’re not carrying your iPhone.
0 comments:
Post a Comment