Garmin Vivosmart HR (2) ~ difference between Vivosmart and Vivosmart HR / Wrist base heart rate sensor test

New feature - Daily Heart rate data on Garmin Connect

Difference between Vivosmart and Vivosmart HR

   I have been using Vivosmart HR for 3 days.   I am writing about the difference between Vivosmart HR and Vivosmart which is the previous generation model.
   First of all, the band is changed.  Vivosmart HR uses a similar type of band with a regular watch.  The previous model just using simple snap holes.  It sometime was off.  But the new one is much secure.  Also the band material is much flexible and it is better feeling when I wear it.
   The second, the display is also improved.  The previous model, people needs to tap to enable the display.  On the other hand, Vivosmart HR always show display.   Also to get a menu, the previous model needs to enable the display and hold the display to get the menu.  Vivosmart HR has a dedicated button to get the menu.
   The touch panel is getting smoother and it is better contrast in outdoor.
   Items to display is basically the same, but it will show the heart rate data without wearing the chest heart rate sensor.  It also show a graph which shows the heart rate trends.

Testing wrist based heart rate sensor

   I did compare the heart rate reading between Forerunner 910XT reading with the chest heart rate sensor and Vivosmart HR which is using wrist based heart rate sensor during the training.

 Reading by Forerunner 910XT with a chest band heart rate sensor

 Reading by Vivosmart HR with the wrist based heart rate sensor

   Two heart rate plots from Garmin Connect.  Please note the scale of Y-Axis is different.  So it is needs to be careful, but overall, they are a similar enough except the big transition in the beginning.  As many reviews on the internet, there is a limitation where the heart rate value changing a lot in a short period.  As long as the change is getting smaller and stable, it is showing the same reading.  Therefore, I would think a training which is not changing the heart rate in a short period can be all right to use the wrist base heart rate sensor.  We probably need to be careful to use it when we do a training to changing the heart rate a lot in a short time.  The other finding is that it should be tight enough to get a correct reading.  If it is loose, the reading is not correct.  For example, when I was walking, it shows something around 60 bpm.  However, when it is tighten, it shows something around 90 bpm.

  Anyway, the first testing looks good and I will continue to test this in different condition.