Running Gear Review - Heart Rate Monitor - Rhythm by Scosche

So, this will be my first gear review.  Currently, I will only be able to review the gear I have.  Maybe in the future, I can branch out and try new and different gear to review and the like, but we shall see.

Today's Review:

Scosche Rhythm Heart Rate Monitor

Scosche Rhythm is a non-chest strap heart rate monitor.  I will start with the quick stats and details on it per the manufacturer's website.  It is their slightly older model (they now have the Rhythm + which is their newer version of this as far as I can tell).  Currently the Rhythm comes in black with yellow or pink body.  I purchased mine at a Best Buy where it was selling for right around $79.99 (the same as it sells for on their website).  The strap has Velcro on both ends to adjust on either side so you can correctly position it on the upper forearm.  Unlike your standard chest strap heart rate monitor that works on electrical diodes touching the skin, the Rhythm works by shining a small light onto the skin and measuring the light absorption.  The literature that comes with and can be found online states that this is only at most 3% off the chest strap accuracy.  The Rhythm connects via Bluetooth to a number of Apple and Android phones.  Per the user manual iPhone 5, 4S, 4, and 3GS, iPad 3rd and 2nd gen, iPad iPod Touch 5th, 4th, and 3rd gen, all requiring iOS 5.1 or higher.  It doesn't really specify which Androids it is usable with, but I am currently using a Samsung Galaxy S4 and it has no issues.

Some of the quick facts from the user manual that some will find important:

• Size: 2.17"W x 1.92"H x .58" D
• Weight: 1 - 1.1 oz. depending on armband
• Charging Time: 2 Hours
• Battery Type / Life: Lithium Ion / 6 Hours

My Take on the Gear:

Now, onto the more interesting things, my actual testing of it so far.  First, I have been testing it, using the Scosche Rhythm app that was designed to work with the unit.  There are a number of other apps that the monitor is supposed to work with (Digifit, iBiker, iPower, RunDouble C25K, iSpinner, iCardio, iRunner, iSmoothRun, Spinning), but I don't use any of those.  I usually use MapMyRun.  I was not able to get MapMyRun to recognize the heart rate monitor though, so was required to use the Scosche Rhythm app.

The upsides to the app:

• You can play and control your music through it (I still use a different app to do that, but more for reasons of getting this app and many others to recognize my specific playlists, an issue for another time)
• You can select the type of activity AND the heart rate level you want to achieve during the activity so it gives you a visual guide to whether you are in the zone or not (as well as you can select to have audio prompts)
• You can add custom activities and setup the heart rate levels for the zones for that activity
• Does a pretty passable job keeping and allowing you to track heart rate data.
• The Stop, Pause/Resume buttons on the app are larger and easier to hit when working out than many other apps I have seen.

The downsides to the app:

• The GPS tracking is off by QUITE a bit.  A route I have run three times now, I have driven before, and I have mapped on both Google Maps and Map My Run came out a mile SHORTER on the Scosche app vs. the Map My Run map and the Route Creator.
• The music playing portion only recognizes limited playlists.  I created a couple of playlists using Amazon MP3, and they are not recognized.
• In spite of the website and documents saying that workouts can be shared with a number of other apps, the ONE I wanted to share it with is the ONE that it is currently having (known) issues with.
• I have not been able to find a way to export the workouts as a GPX or anything to manually transfer to another app.

Now this really ISN'T a review of the app, but since you will also have to decide whether you want to use the app if you get the heart rate monitor, I wanted to give at least a few points on it.

Now onto the heart rate monitor itself.  The pros would be:

• No Chest Strap!  You don't have to have something wrapped around your chest, hopefully staying in place.  It is an armband that wraps around the upper forearm, and the unit sits on top or inside of the arm.  If you are used to running with an MP3 player on your bicep or something like that, it isn't too much of an adjustment.  If you are used to wearing an MP3 player on the wrist, you could probably figure out a way to combine the two.
• Relatively small size and comfortable.  The unit is not very big and site just below the inner side of the elbow.  The times I have run with it, it has always been comfortable and never gotten in the way.
• Ability to control your music volume.  There is a plus and minus button on the unit that will increase and decrease the volume without having to do it on your phone.  This is particularly nice as a lot of smart phones' volume buttons are a bit difficult to get to in an armband.
• Ability to stop and start the workout.  The center button is supposed to allow you to start and stop your workouts without touching the phone.  It is also supposed to allow you to change the music, but I believe that is only when using the associated app for music as well.
• Strap is highly adjustable.  Since both ends of the strap have Velcro, you can put the unit on your arm where you want it, and then adjust from BOTH sides to keep it where you want it.  This is instead of trying to figure out where to start it so it is where you need it to be when you are done pulling a single strap.

The only con I have come across so far is the inability to sync this heart rate monitor with a variety of apps.  I have used +MapMyFitness  MapMyRun for a long time, and would really like to be able to sync it up with that.  It seems that a big effort to make it compatible with Apple has been done, but not much to make it compatible with Android.  If I could change one thing about it, that would be it.  Make it better compatible with Android and Android apps.

Other than that, it has been a great heart rate monitor.  Small, light-weight, and simple to use.  You turn it on, wait for your chosen app to sync with it, and then go.  If you need to adjust your volume up or down, pause or restart your workout, both are fairly simple tasks with this.  Oh, if you have a relatively LOW resting heart rate, you might have to do some jumping up and down to get the monitor to actually properly start registering your heart rate, but once you start working out it will be fine.

Summary

My overall review?  This is a decent heart rate monitor for the money.  It doesn't require a watch or something like that with it.  It doesn't require a chest strap or anything with it.  The straps are comfortable, and it fit snuggly without being too tight.  My only issues are issues with compatibility both with apps and the online portal.  If you have an app you like that is on the list of partner apps, I would definitely recommend this monitor.  It has been great.  If you don't I would definitely think twice about buying this.  I might recommend looking at their Rhythm + as it is supposed to work better with a wider range of apps.  If you don't want to bump up to the Rhythm + and you are okay with the Scosche Rhythm app issues, this is definitely worth the cost.