Mio Alpha review – this wrist heart rate monitor from MioGlobal, facilities for the production of which was collected on Kickstarter. As is the case with other iconic, clock Pebble, the required amount has been exceeded. In this case, the required production of 100 thousand dollars and for the campaign has raised over 300 thousand. That is, the runners around the world have supported the initiative; now let’s see what it like is to Mio Alpha review.

Do I need a heart rate monitor?

From the moment I started to run regularly, I always someone saying that running without a heart rate monitor can be a detriment. The fact that many enthusiasts begin to run on the example of his friends (which is good), but do not assess their strength and, very often, works hard, trying to replicate the results of runners involved in this for years. Exit – to monitor the load by means of a heart rate monitor. I know it’s a recreation area and a maximum, you can count yourself, the percentage spread. Moreover, knowing the area, you can adjust your workout depending on what goals are pursuing: weight loss, endurance, muscle growth. For example, running in a zone of 55-65% of maximum heart rate (HR), you realize the prevention of the cardiovascular system; Zone 65-75% for those who want to lose weight; zone of 75-85% is needed for those who want to increase endurance; anything above – to build muscle.

Components – Mio Alpha review

In a square box except for the heart rate monitor has a charger and paper.

Charge, by the way, very comfortable. Special platform is mounted on the rear side of the heart rate monitor using a magnet, and charging occurs through four pins.

In the charging platform has a small USB-cable that it is easily and hides.

Design and layout – Mio Alpha review

The body looks like a heart rate monitor in sports, wear the device Mio Alpha review will constantly and not very comfortable, and not aesthetically pleasing. If you do not coach, of course. Basically, wearing Mio Alpha constantly and do not want the usual functions of them only display the time, and then in 12-hour format.

All design piece, you cannot change the strap. It looks safe, break or deteriorate otherwise it should not. On the hand held gadget comfortable, even considering that it is necessary to tighten more than the usual hours, the sensor against your skin. Does not and size, which is also a bit more ordinary hours. The strap is fastened with three locks, and to hang out part is not talking, it also snaps to the strap. Thus, the heart rate monitor is mounted on the arm very tightly.

On the front side of the heart rate monitor is placed on it you will see the heart rate and time; under it – the LED, it can glow in blue, green or red, depending on the zone of heart, in which you are (heart rate limits can be changed); on the sides – two mechanical buttons; on the reverse side – contacts for charging and heartbeat sensor itself.

Also the back has a logo of the standard connection, depending on which version you Mio: BT or ANT +.

The sensor Mio Alpha review consists of two green LEDs and a located in the middle. The principle of operation is quite simple: all that is between the heart rate monitor and blood passes virtually the entire spectrum of color. The blood absorbs the spectrum except red. Heart blood drives, and when it becomes more, the light from the diode is changed and the reads hesitation. The same algorithm is also used in medical equipment.

From the observed in heart rate monitor has one huge drawback – the display has no backlight. I just got the device at a time when very early starts to get dark and I’m 99% of the run in the dark. So, the only benefit from a heart rate monitor – I see that running in the green zone (although in other never once ran). Well after a workout can view data on heart rate RunKeeper.

Use – Mio Alpha review

All control is realized by two mechanical buttons located on the right and left of the small screen. In the clock Mio Alpha review; short press the left button toggles types: hours, the last training session (time), and the average heart rate. Right button while active. Long press the left key in clock mode allows setting the time. Long press the right button causes the heart rate monitor in working condition. After switching (gadget must be on hand) takes several seconds (10-30) to determine the current rate. If not – maybe a heart rate monitor is not attached firmly. After determining the heartbeat, you can start training by pressing the right key. Long press the left button allows you to enter the frequency of the beats of your heart in the quiescent and the maximum value that is easily calculated in the online calculator. The left button allows you to see the time and start the stopwatch.

I am glad that despite the absence of any proprietary software, Mio Alpha easily connects to virtually any application for smartphones: RunKeeper, Endomondo, and others. I, for example, joined the Mio with RunKeeper and he immediately clings to the application at startup last.

Unfortunately, I’m a newbie in running. I run 3-4 times a week for 5-10 km for the past year, but the goal to participate in any competitions or marathons before him not put. I like to run, it’s a great relaxing the brain and, oddly enough, the body, after a day in the chair. Due to the fact that running for me – just a hobby and fun, I have not had the opportunity to experience other heart rate monitors, but judging by the reviews, I can make a couple of conclusions regarding Mio. This is the first full-rate monitor, which allows measuring the pulse from the wrist, without a chest strap. As for me – it’s a huge plus. And in general – is one of the few heart rate monitor, you can swim in Ktorov, Mio Alpha review keeps dive up to 30 meters. But what is the accuracy?

I compared the readings obtained Mio Alpha review and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 at the same time, they were almost identical. It is unlikely that it can testify about the accuracy of Mio, rather, about the relative accuracy SGN4.

I have read many reviews online, there as those figures seem quite incorrect, and those who do not fit perfectly. If you make an average withdrawal of reviews collected from about 10 reviews and comments under them, the precision is high, differences from breast often make 2 punch. A sharp error is associated with the loose strap that is obvious.

Autonomy – Mio Alpha review

Here everything is all gorgeous. The manufacturer claims 20 hours of a heart rate monitor. Within a few weeks of use Alpha, I was not able to even approximate measure autonomy, I still have all the fission battery in place. Interestingly, Mio Alpha impossible to turn off, the gadget is constantly working in clock mode.

Output – Mio Alpha review

Of course, with the advent of my Mio Alpha review I became interested in cardio and do this theme. And now I run with heart rate monitor. In principle, Mio Alpha review – really handy device: no extras, no need to think about the rain and that’s cool about charging. Confuses me two things: the main – no backlight on the display, making it uncomfortable evening classes; second – too little functionality. Like all fine and it’s the same heart rate monitor, what else is needed? Especially handy. But I still, waiting for such a device that will measure the heart rate and with high accuracy, and live a long time, but also display other useful information, such as notification and, of course, information about the current session, take, for example, with RunKeeper. That is ideal for today I would consider myself a gadget that combines capabilities Pebble and Mio Alpha review.

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