Heart Rate Monitor - quick introduction
Heart Rate Monitors with continuous heart rate monitoring consist of two main components. 1) The HR transmitter / sensor (the chest strap) and 2) The HR receiver (the watch)
As with any transmitter / receiver partnership there has to be a method of communication between the two devices. The "language" or "protocol" used between these devices can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and even within the same brand. This means that, for example, a Polar WIND Wearlink HR belt (transmitter) will NOT work with a Suunto T6C heart rate monitor watch (receiver)
BlueTooth Heart Rate Monitor versus ANT +
In an effort to bring years of insular (and sometimes protectionistic) development together - there are now TWO communication protocols that many of the leading heart rate monitor manufacturers are adopting to create a shared platform
ANT + (already used by Garmin, Timex, Concept 2 and many more...)
and
BLUETOOTH low power (using coincells - not rechargeable cells)
ANT + is here and, hopefully, will be adopted by more manufacturers over the coming years. It is a very robust and low power signalling protocol - making it highly desirable for use in HR belts, bike speed sensors, foot sensors and bike cadence sensors..
BLUETOOTH is here, but not in the LOW POWER format required to make is cheap enough and convenient for integration in to heart rate monitor devices.
So what's the future for heart rate monitoring protocols? ... what about all that Gym equipment with "old style" analogue 5.4KHz heart rate receivers? heartratemonitor.co.uk predict another few years of confusion and incompatibility between devices - BUT in 2, 3 or 4 years .. we will all be singing off the same songsheet BLUETOOTH heart rate monitoring devices. You will find BLUETOOTH heart rate receivers in your MP3 players, your mobile phones, your Wii console, your bike computer, Playstation console, XBox, maybe even your CAR, your PC ... any situation where it may be fun or advantageous to know your heart rate.
Tristan Haskins (BHIP Ltd - Director - July 2009)
For more information regarding INTERFACING with GYM EQUIPMENT : (gym equipment note)
Please also review our GENERAL FAQ's on heart rate monitor compatibility
ANT+ interoperability ~ This heart rate monitor uses ANT+ wireless technology, this means it is compatible with all devices shown on this page :- ANT+ interoperability
Back
to Top |
