The sports wearables team at Scosche has given its Rhythm armband heart rate monitor a reboot with the Rhythm+, an even simpler device than the original for a lower price.
As it was with the original US$100 device, the $79.99 Rhythm+ keeps things as simple as possible – attach it to your wrist and it monitors your heart rate and sends data wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet where it's turned into useful feedback on your workout.
This Rhythm+ ups the battery life to 8 hours (two hours more than its predecessor) and is both sweatproof and waterproof up to 1 meter. The new design also drops the music controls found on the face of the original device.
Heart rate monitoring on the Rhythm+ is via a PerformTek biometric sensor, the same technology used in LG’s first fitness-tracking earphones, which will appearing on the market later this year.
Rhythm+ works with both iOS and Android devices, connecting via ANT+ or Bluetooth 4.0 to a range of up to 100 feet. It's compatible with most popular fitness apps like Endomondo and RunKeeper.
While similar to the Mio Link, another fitness wrist band with Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+, and a rechargeable battery, Rhythm+ wins out with waterproofing and a price tag that’s $20 less. Similarly-priced solutions like the wahoo Tickr RUN and the Polar H7 require a chest strap for heart monitoring instead of a simple wrist band.
The basic Rhythm+ package starts at $79.99. This includes the Rhythm+ itself, a large armband, a small armband, a USB charger and a 1 year membership to MapMyfitness, a fitness app that otherwise costs $30 annually.
Product page: Scosche Rhythm +
