Modified at: Mar 7, 2023
Posted at: Jun 15, 2021
While a dedicated arm band or chest band is usually used for the heart rate sensor of a cyclocomputer, we have compiled a list of smartwatches that can be used for everyday use and can also be used as a heart rate sensor for cyclocomputers.
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Most Garmin smartwatch models that support ANT+ support “heart rate transfer mode” with ANT+. Naturally, the cyclocomputer side must be a cyclocomputer capable of sensor connection via ANT+.
Note that Garmin smartwatch heart rate transfer mode is not available via Bluetooth; if you want to use your smartwatch’s heart rate data via Bluetooth, consider a Wahoo or Polar smartwatch, described below.
Garmin has been putting considerable effort into fitness smartwatches in recent years, and its lineup ranges from full-fledged models to casual models designed to look just like regular watches, so you have a wide range of choices.
Fitness equipment giant Wahoo has introduced the ELEMNT RIVAL sports watch with GPS functionality, and the ELEMNT RIVAL supports heart rate transfer via Bluetooth and ANT+.
Polar’s GPS sports watches now support heart rate transfer mode for the first time with the new 2021 Polar Ignite 2. The heart rate transfer mode connection is via Bluetooth, rather than via ANT+ as used in Garmin’s sports watches.
The Apple Watch is a smartwatch that can only be connected to an iPhone, but by bridging an app called Blue Heart, the Apple Watch’s heart rate data can be used as a Bluetooth heart rate sensor to connect to a cyclone.
BlueHeart Bluetooth Heart Rate | App Store
The mechanism is as follows
By virtually turning the iPhone into a heart rate sensor device, the heart rate data from the Apple Watch can be received by a cyclocomputer.
Since the iPhone does not have an ANT+ sensor, it can only be used with a cyclocomputer that can receive sensor data via Bluetooth, and the drawback is that the heart rate data is sometimes not updated and pairing is unstable depending on timing.
The advantage of using the Apple Watch as a heart rate sensor is great, so it is worth a try if you are an Apple Watch user.
Blue Heart is available in a version with ads for free, and there is also a Pro version without ads (buy-one-get-one-free).
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CASIO smartwatches include the G-SHOCK G-SQUAD GBD-H1000 and Protrek WSD-F21HR with Wear OS, but none of them have a heart rate transfer function and are not compatible with a cyclone.
SUUNTO smartwatches allow you to connect a speed sensor, cadence sensor, or power sensor to your smartwatch, but you cannot use a SUUNTO smartwatch as a heart rate sensor.
The direction of the SUUNTO smartwatch seems to be to use the SUUNTO smartwatch as a mother ship only, assuming stand-alone mode.
Fibit’s smartwatch/activity meter does not support Bluetooth heart rate transfer mode, nor does it support ANT+, so it cannot be connected to a cyclocomputer.
There are many smartwatches on the market, ranging from expensive models to low-priced models in the $10 range, but when it comes to smartwatches that can also connect to a cyclocomputer, manufacturers such as Wahoo and Polar, which also handle cyclocomputers, have only just begun offering smartwatches that are compatible.
Currently, the best choice is Garmin, which has a large selection of smartwatches, but we expect to see more reasonably priced products from other companies in the future.
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