Wahoo’s TICKR Fit optical HRM has just hit the shops. It’s an exciting sign that Wahoo are continuing to introduce new, and usually innovative, products. Whilst the TICKR Fit is nothing too amazing to shout about, I do have a personal rather strange interest in heart rate monitors so I will, no doubt, have a more detailed play later.
In a Nutshell
It’s an optical heart rate monitor in an arm band format. This is usually a sign that it is well-suited for gym sessions as well as for cycling. Of course it will work for other sports as well.
Recently we had the Polar OH1 armband which actually has some rather cleverer initial features, such as caching, which made the OH1 the best water-based optical HRM.
There is also the legacy Scosche RHYTHM+ which, like the Polar OH1, is generally MUCH more accurate than wrist based optical solution. I would expect the TICKR FIT to have the same levels of accuracy although would have to point out that historically when a vendor produces their first optical HRM it tends to have some initial accuracy issues.
The TICKR FIT will win over the OH1 as it is dual band ie ANT+ and BTLE/BLE/Bluetooth Smart compliant. ie it will work with Garmin stuff and with many sporty phone apps…perhaps a handy addition for you Zwift users? So, it will work with Zwift too.
The Tickr FIT also wins with a 35ish hour battery life which easily outdoes the OH1 (11-12ish hours) and the Scosche (7 ish).
The OH1, Scosche and TICKR FIT are basically all the same price.
So What?
Well, not so much…I guess. Wahoo tends to add in/release extra stuff as the product matures so I shall wait for future firmware releases with bated breath.
Oh, by-the-bye, there is the point that the Tickr FIT essentially wipes the Scosche Rhythm off the market. Small point, I know. There’s no point in buying the Scosche product anymore. Well, no point other than peripheral features that the Scosche already has that the Tickr FIT might (will!) one day have (cadence/pace). True I’ve no idea how accurate the FIT is yet but I have faith mainly because it’s relatively easy to get accurate HR readings from the upper arm – I have a non-branded sensor similar to the TICKR FIT and that’s pretty good (not yet available retail)
IMO, Polar’s caching and proven accuracy (to me) still make the OH1 the product of choice for smartphone app users and polar V800 (+replacement?) users – although the TICKR FIT’s battery life is tempting when comparing to the OH1.
Initial accuracy looks GREAT.
Would I buy One now?
Well. I’m going to get my hands on a loan PR one first. Then I’ll tell you. My faith is limited in that respect. But it’s probably worth a punt for you at this stage if you want my opinion; if not, too late!! there it was. 😉
Also worth watching out for is the strap width and ability to enable the band to retain its position on the arm.
Reader-Powered Content
This content is not sponsored. It’s mostly me behind the labour of love which is this site and I appreciate everyone who follows, subscribes or Buys Me A Coffee ❤️ Alternatively please buy the reviewed product from my partners. Thank you! FTC: Affiliate Disclosure: Links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Interesting move. I’ve replaced my scosche with an OH1, but it’s recently started latching onto cadence or sticking if I stop during a run. For example, during a marathon last week I had to negotiate a flood due to a busy river. That meant walking for about 30-60s. The OH1 got stuck on a single HR value. The green light was blinking away, and the broadcast continued, but it was static. I didn’t notice for about a mile, and then had to fiddle about for ages moving it about (under 2 layers and with gloves!) and restarting it. Have you ever had this?
I’ll await a review of this from wahio, and consider sending the OH1 back to Amazon. Its prone to flipping over too – the wahoo band looks a better design.
yep could be a prelude to oHRM on a watch.
although the other way of seeing it is as something that cyclists might buy to compleemnt a head unti and AVOID buying a cycling watch.
nope. not had those problems with the OH1
and yes I agree that the strap is probably a design fault on the OH1…luckily I covered that in my review (phew)
DCR seems to be signposting a new scosche (or however the f you spell it!) in his review and unboxing vid – maybe at ces next week. Interesting…
scosche told me there was a new one over a year ago so wouldn’t surprise me.
Edit: but no FCC registrations for a while
Time will tell, but Ray is repeating his comments (in the comments) that there is some new hardware from someone coming next week.
could be announced
cant be released without FCC approval
could be some other hardware from some other vendor of course.
I generally like everything Wahoo makes. I have never had an issue with a chest strap, but I am curious on how close to the mark this is. Still, no HRV recording….or is there?!?
i dont think HRV is possible at sports levels of intensity. at least not yet
hrv is on quite a few wrist ohrms but only at lower levels (eg overnight HRrest/recovery eg PulseOn)
Good move from Wahoo.