COROS Heart Rate Monitor: Accurate, Comfortable & Connected

Super accurate, super comfy, very versatile!
I was a part of a voluntary COROS HRM device testing program for two months ahead of the public release for this device, and was so impressed with the metrics it provided that I felt it valuable enough to buy as a gift for a fellow athlete. This quick review reflects my experience with the device during testing (and afterwards), and is not sponsored by COROS.About me: I’ve been an avid runner since 2012, trending towards longer endurance-based events. I’ve run a number of ultramarathons and a handful of 100 mile races. I also do a bit of road and indoor (stationary trainer) cycling as cross-training.Things I like: This HRM appeals to me because of its simplicity and versatility. I like that there are no buttons (it senses when it is being worn), and I like the fact that once you set the sizing, it stays put and is easy to slip on before an activity. For sizing: I’m 5’-9”, 160-ish, and I still have plenty of slack in the strap…but I don’t do a lot of lifting. It is SO much simpler and WAY less noticeable than a chest strap. I also love the magnetic charger–even though it is relatively short (and proprietary). Charging is quick, and the battery life is ample, so it won’t be charging for very long anyhow.Data accuracy: During testing I compared this new HRM to my Wahoo TICKR HRM, as well as data from wrist-based optical HR sensors (COROS Pace 3 and Apex 2 Pro watches). The short summary is that the most consistent data came from this COROS armband. The KICKR chest strap–while plenty accurate–was slower getting an initial reading before beginning an activity, and had some data drop-outs during the activity as well. Chest straps occasionally require adjusting during activities as they loosen and slip. Wrist-based HRM sensors work fairly well, but are somewhat activity dependent. Cycling (especially if venturing off-road) can jostle these sensors from wrist contact and can result in some inconsistent data too. The armband stays securely in place, and is so comfortable and light I often don’t notice I’m wearing it. During testing there were data anomalies from all devices, but the armband HRM produced FAR FEWER than any of the others.Material thoughts: The armband material has held up well so far, but DOES tend to get stinky and discolored with wear. I’ve had mine since early July, and wash it with soap and water occasionally when I can’t stand the funk, and it cleans up nicely (see photos). Replacement armbands are also available, though I can’t see needing one for a good while.Something I wrote to the product testing group during evaluation: “The more I run with both an arm and chest strap the more I LOVE the arm band. I’ve now got a rash from the chest strap and it drops signal more than any of the three HR options. I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for simplicity, so would normally just use readout from the watch (decent)…but if I need an accurate and responsive HR readout, I’m picking the HR31.”Summary: This armband doesn’t miss a beat (ha!) and makes a lot of sense for an athlete interested in reliable HRM data across multiple sports. I initially wasn’t too keen on adding another device to my quiver, but this HRM earned its place, and would be a worthy asset to those who value consistent accurate data across disciplines.

Awesome product!
Can’t say enough good things about this arm band HR monitor. I have a top of the line Polar H10 chest strap and there’s no comparison. I’ll NEVER go back to the chest strap!!!The chest strap isn’t comfortable and always feels like it slips down. It also randomly loses connectivity. The Coros HR armband is so comfortable you forget you’re wearing it. It’s also (most importantly) VERY accurate and doesn’t lose connection.Another very important thing to consider is the fact that the optical HR on all watches doesn’t work that well, especially for women who aren’t vascular. The optical on the watches seems to have a hard time picking up the pigment changes from the wrist. This arm band has completely solved that problem!Another thing that shouldn’t be overlooked is the simplicity and battery life. Simple because all you have to do is keep it charged and put it on. It’s all automatic. Turns on and off by itself. And one charge will last about 30 hours.There are now four people in our running group who own the Coros and everyone loves it. Coros, you knocked it out of the park with this armband technology and you deserve credit for that. Thank you and keep up the good work.P.S. – Although I own the Apex 2 and love it, the best bang for the buck at this time (01/30/24) would be to combine the Pace 3 with this armband HR monitor.

Ich habe einen Herzfrequenzsensor für den Arm gesucht, der z.B. die Herzfrequenzdaten bei einem Ride ergänzt und dann u.a. zu Strava in einer Aktivität anzeigt. Die Apple Watch hat da ihre Probleme, wenn noch weitere Geräte dazukommen (z.B. Radcomputer). Dann erscheinen quasi doppelte Einträge bei Strava.Ich finde den Coros von der Verarbeitung, Gewicht und Trageerkennung (kein Ein-/Ausschalter) überzeugend. Mittlerweile nutze ich ihn an einem Peloton Plus Bike und einem Karoo 3 Radcomputer ohne Probleme. Sitz am Arm ist bequem und lässt sich gut verstellen. Ich hab die L-Größe gewählt, da sie nach obenhin mehr “Luft hat”. Die mitgelieferte App nutze ich nur für Firmware-Updates und sehe dort keinen großen Mehrwert, da die Trainingsdaten direkt vom Peloton Bike oder Radcomputer erfasst werden und dann bei Strava landen.

Funciona perfectamente, muy cómodo y ligero. Con precisión en la medición. Perfecto para running