Wahoo Fitness unveiled their new, rechargeable TRACKR Heart Rate sensor and strap back in June, PEZman Alastair Hamilton has been putting it through its paces since then. Wahoo describe the TRACKER Heart Rate as: βWhere precision meets performanceβ β Do we agree?
Alastair Hamilton β PEZ sez: When I wrote about the Wahoo TRACKR Heart Rate in the PEZ βGear Breakβ, I had only used it for less than a week and only managed two rides, one on Zwift and one in the real world. Since then Iβve used it a lot indoors with Zwift (other platforms are available) and a few times in the real world. I said in June that the most obvious things you notice are that the new Wahoo TRACKER Heart Rate is smaller and there are the small charging points at the bottom. The strap is also slightly different in that it has a hook buckle at the side and not held together by the HRM at the front. Front fastening is maybe easier, but it wasnβt a problem.
The new HRM is smaller
It does seem more comfortable and the sensor area is bigger, so it should read your pulse even when moving about, changing position etc. The code of your TRACKR is printed on the back, so no problem in the gym. Personally I would say the big thing is the change from the coin battery to rechargeable. Previously you didnβt know when the battery needed replacing and it would always happen at the wrong time, just when there are no batteries in the house.
The charging points
Very easy to charge
The magnetised connector is great, but you do need to stick a label to it so it doesnβt get mixed up with all your other cablesβ¦ which seems to becoming a bigger problem these days. The TRACKR Heart Rate is sealed, and not having to open it up to change the battery must keep it water/sweat tight. Iβve had no loss of pulse reading and comparing to my Apple watch, they read much the same, so all good.
Much bigger sensor area
The above points I made back in June and since then the TRACKR Heart Rate has worked faultlessly. I had some connection problems when indoor riding, but as I discovered, this was between my Apple phone and the AppleTV. I now use a Samsung pad which can handle the Zwift Play Controllers and the TRACKR Heart Rate. Now I just turn everything on and they all link to the AppleTV and Zwift within seconds. While βZwiftingβ Iβve not lost a heart beat with the Wahoo TRACKR Heart Rate.
Hook strap clip
Out on the road in the real World, life is a lot easier. I have a Wahoo ROAM and BOLT, both of which are great, but I have been using the ROAM more recently because of the screen size. With both Wahoo bike computers, once you have linked the TRACKR Heart Rate sensor there really isnβt anything else to do, except ride the bike.
It just works!
As with indoor riding, Iβve not had any pulse drop outs on the road and no lost connections. As I said before the strap feels more comfortable that the previous strap, also, maybe due to the larger sensor area, Iβve not had to wet the rubber sections to help it read the pulse on dry skin.
So, is the new TRACKR Heart Rate from Wahoo a success? Yes. Iβve had many HRMs over the years that have let me down and there is nothing worse than getting home to find youβve lost part or all of your ride info. Itβs heart breaking to see your weekly βRelative Effortβ on Strava plummet because you lost your heart rate for part of a ride. The Wahoo TRACKR Heart Rate costs a little more than the previous Wahoo HRM and there are other more expensive HRMs on the market, but being rechargeable you will save money on batteries and the hassle of buying them. The TRACKR Heart Rate is more comfortable, it feels lighter, you do forget you have it on and, so far (over 4 months) it has not let me down.
Well packaged with all the info
What Wahoo say:
Wahoo Fitness, the leading endurance athlete fitness technology company, has unveiled an exciting new addition to its innovative product lineup, the TRACKR HEART RATE. With new and improved processing technology, TRACKR HEART RATE delivers highly accurate heart rate monitor (HRM) metrics that give athletes the confidence that every training session is another step toward their goals, taking their performance to the next level.
In a FIRST from the leading smart fitness and training brands, TRACKR HEART RATE is equipped with a high-capacity, rechargeable battery with over 100 hours of active battery life in most conditions. This solves long-standing consumer, environmental, performance, and safety pain points associated with HRMs β by eradicating the use of coin cell batteries.
Accurate, comfortable, and rechargeable, TRACKR HEART RATE delivers a number of high-value key features:
- Accuracy: Featuring an advanced detection algorithm, TRACKR HEART RATE provides accurate real-time heart rate data to enhance training efficiency and support optimal performance.
- Comfort: The chest strap is a totally new design with comfort in mind, including a non-invasive side closure that allows athletes to move freely in any workout.
- Ecosystem compatibility: With ANT+ and multi-Bluetooth connectivity, the TRACKR HEART RATE connects seamlessly with both indoor training systems and outdoors with ELEMNT computers, GPS smartwatches, and smartphones, and with apps including Apple Watch, Zwift, STRAVA, adidas Running, Nike Run Club, Peloton and the Wahoo ecosystem of apps and training products.
- Rechargeable Battery: TRACKR HEART RATE is equipped with a high-capacity, rechargeable battery with over 100 hours of active battery life in most conditions, ensuring youβre always ready to train. Whether itβs a marathon training session or an epic cycling tour, TRACKR HEART RATE stays powered for the long haul.
- Reliability: Through rugged testing, athletes have the confidence that TRACKR HEART RATE can withstand daily use and the toughest workouts. TRACKR HEART RATE is the perfect companion for rainy rides or sweaty runs. Rated IPX7, you can push your limits without worrying about the elements.
Gareth Joyce, CEO of Wahoo said βWe are thrilled to launch the TRACKR HEART RATE monitor. Our goal was to create a device that athletes can rely on for accurate data, unmatched comfort, and seamless integration with their training ecosystems. TRACKR HEART RATE is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding athletes, providing them with the tools to optimise their training and achieve their performance goals.β
TRACKR HEART RATE is the first in the newly branded TRACKR line up of accessories from Wahoo, that will see a range of newly designed sensors for endurance athletes coming later this year and into 2025. The TRACKR accessory line will enable endurance athletes to build their personalised ecosystem for indoor and outdoor training to precisely measure their unique performance goals.
- Buy the TRACKR Heart Rate at the WAHOO site here and PEZ will earn a small commission to help support this site.
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