For those Mio Link Wearers

Dawn Cass

Hello all, just got a new Mio heart rate monitor (bracelet) in the last couple weeks.  Wonder what others think about it?

I changed from the traditional strap due to the fact that it's very uncomfortable.  If I have it a bit on the lose side, it slides down off my rib cage.  If I have it tight, then I feel like someone is squeezing me (not ideal when you are trying to breath over the course of 112/26.2 miles!)  So, thought I would give this a try.

I have used it and it appears that over long runs/rides, it's fairly consistent with the traditional strap.  I do however see some unusual spikes which I just don't believe.  I know my heart rate does bounce around at times however I know how things feel and have never seen these spikes with the strap.  I think at times the strap moves from my wrist which may cause this.  I know if you wear it like a bracelet, it doesn't register correctly (ie, need to wear it approx 1 in from wrist)

Thinking about using it for A race in 2 weeks however don't want to get false reads.

Thoughts from those who may have used it longer than me?

Coach Rich

I struggled with it at first, now it's working fine. You need to have it on kinda tight. When the reading go whack I just restart it. However, be aware that the battery only lasts for about 7hr. Joanne has one also but it's the small strap. I checked and you can't just buy another strap without the HR monitor. I think I'm going to swap out the little optical dealio with hers on the fly while I'm running...which will kind of suck but I don't want to spend another $80 at this point :-(

Brad Marcus

Agree with Rich, it needs to be worn fairly snug. Although what seems tight at first was quickly forgotten once I was doing my thing. All in all, I found that I got better readings with the Mio than with a HR strap over wearing it on the bike and runs through months of work. But, as Rich mentions, the battery life issue reared its head in the latter part of my IM build when I did some very long bike rides and I ended up losing power on the Mio. I would not plan to wear it for an entire IM. You would lose the battery on the run at some point - when it's needed most.

rlh2000

In terms of battery life, I don't mind a HR chest strap on the bike, it'll just remove all my skin on the run. I wear the chest strap then until T2, when I pull it off and start the MIO. If you are wearing arm warmers/coolers, seems like you can get away with it being a bit looser because being under the fabric will block out the light, but still snug! Experiment with having the sensor on the back and front of your wrist to see what works better.

Dawn Cass

Thanks Rich/Brad..good feedback.

Was planning to use it primarily for the run on race day...as said, where you need it the most and also where I have the biggest issues wearing a chest strap. Happy to hear you think it's accurate...will make sure it stays in place and trust the readings ;-)

Dawn Cass

Hello...another question. I didn't realise you could wear it on back or front...thanks Rachel. Any opinions on where you get best read? I have always worn it on the inside of my wrist/arm.

Dawn

Brad Marcus

If I remember correctly, Mio suggested wearing the sensor on the top of your wrist while running, and on the bottom for biking. I had no issues wearing on the top of my wrist for running OR biking, but when I tried flipping it, I got bad readings...maybe that was just me.

Coach Rich

Top of the wrist for me, biking and running, not issues. However, I have noticed that the band will give me funky HR readings, sometimes, when I'm standing on the bike while climbing (shrugs)

Dawn Cass

Just tried it on a short 45 minute run today...on the top of my wrist for the first time. No funky +200BPM heart attack readings this time...maybe that was the trick.

Thanks all!