Fitness, at its core, seeks to alter the way the body works. As in, improve the efficiency of how the body gets and spends energy. The heart is at the centre of this important process.
It powers everything at rest and especially when working out. That is why it’s important to understand how it performs when subjected to different levels of strain.
Understanding your heart rate is the first step in improving your fitness results. That’s why you need a heart rate sensor to provide this information. Of the hundreds of monitors available, the Scosche Rhythm+ heart rate monitor easily stands out. It has great design and performance. We’ll discuss it in detail.
Welcome to the Scosche Rhythm+ Armband Heart Rate Monitor Review.
Let’s dive in!
Scosche rhythm+ Review
About the “Scosche” brand
Scosche Industries is a consumer electronics and accessories manufacturer founded in 1980. The founders, Roger and Scotia Alves started the company from their garage basement in Southern California. The company is well known in the car audio industry. To date, they have expanded their product line to include mount finders, chargers, fitness gadgets such as the Scosche Rhythm+ heart rate monitor, and more.
Special Features (Pros) of Scosche Rhythm+ Heart Rate Monitor Armband
Durable
The heart rate monitor is housed in a ceramic brick. Its durable, scratch, and stain-free. I also like the way it looks with its clean writing and the logo. The straps are made of neoprene-a flexible, strong, and weather-resistant material. It’s also treated with chlorine to make it fire-resistant and protect it from swelling when exposed to oil and fuels.
In my opinion, its modular design also adds to its longevity. This is because the straps are replaceable. Since this is the most stressed part of the gadget, swapping it makes it look brand new again!
Packaging
By packaging, I mean the deal offered with the purchase of the Scosche Rhythm+ heart rate monitor. For instance, you get a free orange strap for every unit. On the same breath, the monitor is available in 4 colors blue, red, pink, and green. Regardless of your outfit, or gym theme, you are likely to find a matching belt.
By the way, you can purchase extra straps( of any available color) along with the standard offer. The straps are super easy to install and remove. You also get a simple, detailed user manual. It guides you on the setup process. There’s also a large user community with tons of reliable feedback and tips on using the device.
In case of any issues, you are covered by a free- return policy. You may only need to cover the shipping fees. Otherwise, most people report having received their replacements on time. All units enjoy Scosche’s lifetime warranty!
Useful Design
Minor details make this heart rate monitor stand out. For instance, the use of velcro on the straps allows for finer tension adjustments. This ensures that most people can get a snuggly fit. Not only is this comfortable but also necessary in maximizing the accuracy of the tracker. It also stays in place during the entirety of your training.
The use of two LEDs(green and yellow) is not for cosmetic purposes. It’s meant to deliver similar performance across people of different skin colors. Green wavelengths work well with people of lighter skin tones. On the other side, the yellow wavelength works well for darker complexions.
It goes without saying that armbands are way more comfortable than chest straps. The Scosche Rhythm+ uses an adjustable neoprene forearm strap. It’s flexible, easy to clean, and well-ventilated. This helps maintain higher hygiene standards. Lastly, the unit has only one button for everything. Making it super easy to use.
Excellent Battery Life
On a single charge, Scosche claims that you can get up to 8 hours of tracking time. I don’t know many people who work out for that long. It’s enough to get you through whatever regimen you wish to try. If that’s not enough, it comes with a charging cradle. This uses a USB port to power the device. It’s fast and typically recharges in 2 hours.
You get the advantage of using the regular USB. It’s convenient as you are likely to find a charging port anywhere you go. Did I mention that I don’t like the coin cell, non-rechargeable batteries found in most other heart rate monitors? They require replacements every now and then. And the process itself needs some tools or a technician. SMH!
Seamless Connectivity
The Scosche Rhythm+ supports dual-band ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity. This allows you to connect a wide array of devices. These include android/iOS phones, smart trainers, Bluetooth smart bikes, sports watches, smartwatches, and indoor spin bikes like Peloton. The connection is stable and solid.
A convenient power on/off and pairing button is used to connect the heart rate sensor to other devices. Thanks to ANT+, You can also connect multiple devices at the same time. To do this, simply long-press the monitor to power it on and put it in pairing mode. It automatically pairs with any available gadgets or with the over 200 compatible apps.
The sensor uses Valencell’s PerformTek® biometric sensor technology. It’s a proprietary, hyper-accurate chip that goes head-to-head with chest strap monitors in terms of accuracy.
Water and Sweat-Resistant
The majority of heart rate sensors have some kind of waterproofing design. It’s both nice and necessary. IPX4-certification seems to be the most common. However, in the Scosche rhythm+ boasts an IP67 waterproof rating. It’s resistant to both water and sweat. It can be immersed in depths of up to 1M for 30 minutes.
Meaning you should have no problems working out in the rain or any extreme weather.
Drawbacks (Cons) of Scosche Rhythm+ Heart Rate Monitor Armband
Velcro Strap Issues
Just so you know, this is a rare issue, but still a problem in some orders. The velcro strap may get loose over time. Especially if you have extra-large forearms. Fortunately, the company’s lifetime warranty program will afford you a replacement should this happen. The strap also soaks in lots of water which takes time to dry up.
Scosche Rhythm+ Heart Rate Monitor Armband Buyers Guide
1. Price
As with most other products, you get what you pay for in heart rate monitors. A premium unit will give accurate readings, last longer, and looks great. A cheaper unit may have pairing issues, intermittent connections, short service life, and inaccurate measurements. Reputable brands also tend to charge more for their positive track record of quality and customer service.
2. Technology Used
Heart rate monitors can use two basic technologies: an electrode sensor that uses electrocardiography and optical sensors that use photoplethysmography to measure heart rate. The previous measures the heart’s electrical activity to calculate the heart rate. It’s the most accurate technique and is commonly found in chest straps.
The latter shines a beam of light into your blood vessels. It then analyzes the level of distortion in the reflected light to find the heart rate. It’s considered to be a little less accurate. It’s common in armband-style heart rate monitors.
3. Comfort and Fit
A heart rate sensor should fit snugly but not too tightly on the wearer. It should provide enough grip to ensure it doesn’t fall off. It should also be tight enough for accurate readings. However, it must not be uncomfortable as this may affect your physical performance by restricting blood flow.
I advocate for adjustable straps with solid buckles. You should also consider picking a monitor that comes with extra, different-sized straps.
4. Connectivity
A heart rate monitor should support both ANT+ and Bluetooth, period! This widens the scope of compatible devices.
5. Water and Sweat-resistance
IPX4 or higher waterproof rating should come standard in a heart rate monitor. It allows you to train under any conditions without worrying about damaging the device. I recommend IP67-water and sweat resistance rating.
Benefits of Scosche Rhythm+ Heart Rate Monitor
- It has an excellent battery life of more than 8 hours on a single charge. It also recharges quickly via USB.
- It’s sleek and weighs only 22 grams(0.77 Oz). At times, you may forget that you are wearing it.
- It’s comfortable and convenient, thanks to the use of armbands in place of chest straps.
- It’s well built, looks, and feels durable. The neoprene material on the strap can last for decades on end. The actual housing can survive multiple drops with no damage.
- It’s IP67-certified water and sweat-resistant. It can be used in both wet and dry conditions. It also survives a 1M submersion for 30 minutes.
- With dual-band Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, it seamlessly pairs with most devices including biking computers, fitness apps, smart trainers, smartwatches, sports watches, and smartphones. The connection is also fast, easy, and stable.
What Other Are Saying About the Scosche Rhythm+ Heart Rate Monitor Armband
Heart rate monitors may trigger different impressions across users. Subtle variations in comfort levels and ease of use are expected. However, when a product is bad, it’s bad and people will say it. After scouring the internet for user reviews on the Scosche Rhythm+ heart rate monitor, I found the general response to be rather positive.
Here’s what some users had to say about the device:
One verified customer said:
Another verified customer said:
Another customer said:
Alternatives to the Scosche rhythm+ heart rate monitor
If the Scosche Rhythm+ is not your cup of tea, then, consider these other amazing heart rate sensors:
1. Wahoo Tickr Fit Armband Heart Rate Monitor: Best Alternative 4.9/5
The Wahoo Tickr Fit is a high precision heart rate monitor. It comes in a very similar form factor as the Rhythm+. You’ll find the sensor module immediately when you open the box. It has a clean Wahoo logo imprint. A pair of large and small straps are also included. This makes it easy for most people to find a perfect fit.
The sensor supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth wireless connections. It can pair with almost any device you have. The connection is stable and reliable. A single convenient button is used to power the device on/off and also automatically put in pairing mode.
It’s also water and sweat proof, allowing you to train under any condition.
It tracks calories burned, exercise time, and heart rate in beats per minute.
Key features of the Wahoo Tickr Fit
- Comfortable
- Super accurate
- Durable construction
- Water and sweat-resistant
- Supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth
Notable differences between the Wahoo Tickr Fit and the Scosche Rhythm+ heart rate monitors
- Slightly pricier
- Tracks fewer metrics
- Has a longer battery life
2. Powr Labs Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor Armband: Cheaper alternative 4.9/5
First off, I like the fabric used in the straps on this sensor. It’s adjustable, easy to clean, and comfortable. Also, you get both the small and large sizes for a proper fit. The sensor unit is relatively small and simple with only the Powr Labs logo imprinted. There’s a status LED that lights to indicate whether the device is on, paired, or unpaired.
With an IP67 waterproof rating, this device can survive rain and sweat. It can also be immersed up to a depth of 1M for 30 minutes without any damages. Can you swim with this? Yes. However, the range will suffer due to the nature of water and the weak 2.4ghz Bluetooth signal. It comes down to only 5 inches.
It comes with a wireless charging dock that juices the device in about 2 hours. The battery can last up to 60 hours on a single charge. All orders are supported by a 12-month warranty along with a free return policy.
Key features of the Powr Labs Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor
- Adjustable strap
- Long battery life
- Free-return policy
- Excellent build quality
- Water and sweat-resistant
Notable differences between The Powr Labs Bluetooth Heart Rate monitor and the Scosche Rhythm+ Armband Heart Rate Monitor
- Lighter
- Cheaper
- Fewer color options
3. POLAR H10 Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap: Chest Strap Alternative
This heart rate monitor is for people who find chest straps comfortable. It may also suit folks who want higher accuracy levels on their beats per minute readings. It comes with a comfortable, adjustable strap with silicon dot settings. It’s durable and has an excellent build quality. It manages to stay put even in motion.
Both ANT+ and Bluetooth 4.0 are supported here. The connection is reliable across most compatible devices. Speaking of which, the unit works with most fitness apps. One of the biggest perks of buying this monitor is the Polar Beat app. Not only does it increase the functionality of the device, but it also sends important software updates over the air.
This is Polar’s most accurate heart rate tracker yet. It also maintains its accuracy even in the most extreme temperatures. (14 °F to 122 °F).
Key features of the Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor Chest strap
- Durable
- Excellent build quality
- Water and sweat-resistant
- Supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth
- Works well in extreme weather conditions
Notable differences between the Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor chest strap and the Scosche Rythm+ heart rate monitor
- Pricier
- Smaller
- Uses a chest strap in place of an armband
Conclusion
Heart rate monitors help us to train smart. They are convenient and highly portable for more enjoyable workouts. The Scosche heart rate monitor is one of the best. It’s well-constructed, highly accurate, and has excellent battery life and comfort levels on the arm. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
If you liked this article, feel free to check out more amazing fitness and tech content on the site. Thanks and welcome again!
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