Bluetooth Smart 4.0 enabled new generation of Smartphone Heart Rate Monitors.
As described in my previous post I was very enthusiast about the Wahoo Fitness iPhone BlueTooth Heart Rate Belt until the last week the iSmoothRun App indicated much lower heart rate I used to have. This was the first indication that something was wrong. My first idea was that it was a bug in the App, introduced after a recent software upgrade,causing the problem.
When no heart rate was shown on iSmoothRun App and number of other "jogging" Apps I was experimenting with, I started to look on Internet to find out about known problems with the Wahoo device. I came across a very good troubleshooting instructions on MyDigifit site which I recommend everyone to follow in case of problems with Smartphone based heart rate monitors. Through this I learnt about MyDigifit jogging app MyRunner. When even with MyRunner and my wife's iPhone 4s the Wahoo sensor did not work I knew for sure that the device was broken. On Amazon I came across number of complains about not working Wahoo device including "dead on arrival" cases. That's why I decided to order the Polar H7 Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Sensor and give it a try.
Unfortunately, as Smartphone based heart rate monitors include at least three components (sensor, smartphone, application) from often different vendors, it takes quite a lot of time to troubleshoot any problems. It would help if a vendor independent, certified by third party, diagnostic app would be available on the market to help diagnose such problems as I described above.
While enjoying the Polar Sensor I am looking forward to the Wahoo response to my complain and hopefully a new Wahoo belt will arrive soon.
