How Scosche Rhythm+ aims at changing heart rate monitoring?

The Rhythm+ 2.0 has been dramatically improved, and all the things that people were complaining about have been adequately addressed. The three main improvements were on the battery, strap, and the button accidentally turning on. The design of the button and the strap are borrowed from Rhythm 24. The battery life lasts more than 24 hours. Thanks to the improved sensors, which offer excellent accuracy. When looking for a reasonably priced heart monitor armband, the Rhythm+ 2.0 is the one to consider.

Keeping track of our health is essential, and technology has made it more accessible. Monitoring your heart rate regularly is essential, especially for fitness. Knowing your heart rate helps you determine if you are working out properly and, most of all, safely. While training, you’re able to avoid several negative factors. You can reduce the risk of injury and potentially heart attack. You’ll be able to achieve fitness goals much faster, primarily if the goals revolve around weight loss and improving your cardiovascular health. The Scosche Rhythm+ is a new generation of heart monitors with a lot to offer.

The new Rhythm+ 2.0 HR sensor by Scosche was announced earlier this year. It’s a successor of the original Rhythm+ that was released in 2014. They also released the Rhythm24 in 2018, which was quite a futuristic tracker. Some of the added features included: NFC connectivity and offline recording, among others. The new generation Rhythm+ has been made more user-friendly. It is Bluetooth smart, broadcasts your heart rate over ANT+, and shows your heart zones, which is critical when working out.

It covers everything you’d possibly need from a heart rate sensor, plus the accuracy level is impressive. You wear it either just above or below your elbow. You don’t wear it on your wrist. Unlike most chest straps, the Rhythm+ 2.0 doesn’t rely on electrical sensors. Instead, it uses a series of yellow and green LED sensors. They’re similar to those used in most wearables and the Apple Watch.

What’s in the box?

The Rhythm+ comes with all that is needed to be up and running quickly. It includes:

• Brief instructions
• Arm monitor and strap
• USB (charging dock)

Hardware specs

• It’s app friendly; the sensor is compatible with hundreds of different apps
• The battery lasts for 24 hours and is rechargeable using the charging dock
• The band is IP68 waterproof and can be submerged up to 1 meter
• The Bluetooth works 100ft away from your device
• It works virtually with any type of device; Bluetooth smart, plus it has ANT+
• The patented optical sensor technology is very accurate
• It does not require a chest strap; the armband is breathable and lightweight
• Compared to devices with only green sensors, it has more superior measurements due to the green and yellow optical sensors

Design and features

Overall, the device is not complicated or intimidating to new users. The operation is straightforward: you charge it, and it broadcasts your heart rate via Bluetooth smart and ANT+ by simply pressing the button. It displays your heart rate zones, but it doesn’t have storage like Rhythm 24.

Strap

Scosche has changed the band on the Rhythm+ to make it look like that of Scosche 24. In addition, they’ve made it more advanced by changing the plastic to avoid clasp snap issues. However, those issues weren’t quite common, but some people did experience them. They were caused by certain sunscreens that made the plastic fragile and led to cracking. You can adjust the strap length through the middle piece. There’s a metal pole on the pod where the band attaches itself.

Green and yellow LED lights

It has three LEDs, one yellow and two green ones. Next to the lights are the photodiodes. They measure the light before it reaches your arm’s blood capillaries. Optical HR sensors usually function by measuring the light produced by the LEDs. Therefore, the main thing against heart rate sensors is another light, for example, daylight.

If you happen to put it on loosely, this is what ruins the accuracy you get from an optical HR sensor, but if you wear it tightly, you’ll be just fine. You should ensure it doesn’t move around. It’s possible to place it on the following three locations: triceps, upper forearm, or biceps. Those are the recommended areas by Scosche.

To illuminate the LEDs on the underside after wearing them, you hold the button for seconds to turn it on. One of the advantages of the Scosche is that it’s virtually impossible to have it flipped over because of its width.

Bluetooth smart and ANT+

After you turn it on, it’s now discoverable via Bluetooth smart and ANT+ and ready to be paired with another device. It claims to have a 100ft range for a wireless signal. The primary function of the sensor is to be used as a substitute for a heart rate strap, therefore broadcasting to something else, like an app or watch.

They’re more comfortable than wearing a chest strap, especially for women. You can pair the Scosche Rhythm+ with various devices, including COROS Vertix, Garmin Edge 830/1030, Strava App, Peloton Bike & Bike+. It has met all the standards you can expect from a Bluetooth smart and ANT+ heart rate sensor; there’s no device it can’t work with.

You won’t experience any problems with pairing since the ANT+/BLE code is the same as the one used on the original Scosche. You can download the Scosche Rhythm app. It’s available for both Android and iOS. The app lets you update firmware, check the battery level, and you can check your heart rate zones as well.

Battery life

Scosche claims the battery lasts 24 hours, which seems to work that way. So you can rely on it if you have a lot of activities lined up for your day. You don’t get any fancy charging with the device—the monitor snaps in place and charges in the dock. While charging, a LED light glows under the multi-function button.

It glows red when it’s charging, and when it’s complete, it glows green. However, it doesn’t broadcast HRV. Hence it’s not very valuable as 24/7 devices. Nevertheless, it’s an upgrade from the previous version, which only had a battery life of 8 hours.

Performance

As discussed before, the band is way more comfortable than wearing a chest strap. The LED light under the multi-function button is very reliable since you can know when it’s charging, unlike other chest straps that don’t have anything to show whether it’s on. The accuracy you get from the heart rate sensor depends on how tight or loose you wear the armband. It also depends on your activity. It provides heart rate accuracy by counting pulses and dividing them with time.

Pros

• Comfort: you don’t need to worry about having to wear a chest strap. Feeling comfortable is a significant factor when it comes to wearables. The Scosche Rhythm+ 2.0 offers you maximum comfort since you wear it on your upper arm or just below your elbow. Chest straps can be a bit bulky, and women might not be able to wear them comfortably.
• Accuracy: The Yellow and Green LEDs provide great accuracy.
• Convenience: it’s simple to use. There’s nothing complicated about how it functions. You only need to turn it on, it gives your heart rate results, and you turn it off. It’s very convenient for people who want a wearable that offers you less fussing. Despite being very simple, it’s also quite accurate.
• Battery: the 24 hours battery lasts much longer than previous versions that could only last for 8 hours.
• Compatibility: More than 200 apps and devices, including the HRV4Training app for accurate HRV analysis.

Cons

• Scosche would do better with the Rhythm+ 2.0, by adding a multi-LED “fuel gauge” for the battery.