Fitness / Heart rate review of gear 2 neo
I am a bit sad about the problems my Gear 2 Neo has tracking heart rate.
I normally use a TomTom Multisport Cardio, which uses Mio tech to get the hr from your wrist. It works, every time. It takes 5-20 seconds to find my pulse with the TT C...depending on temperature. I have compared it to garmin, Polar and Suunto hr monitors... the throwoffs in bpm are nonexistent and as an added bonus you have gps... so you can track speed, I have used it in swimming (not recommended for accurate hr), kettlebell training, at the gym and running Marathons...it has never failed me.
I did not expect much from the gear 2 neo HR monitor... but I did expect it to atleast find a heart rate. But 99% of the time...I'm obviously dead, as it can not find a pulse.
I tried using both the stock hr monitor and Endimondo... when running I have no pulse, at all... according to my sammy.
The few times I do find a pulse is when I am completely still... and even then it is 50-50.
I am a Samsung fan and will be...but the problems with Hr monitoring in the gear 2 neo will put me off from getting a new smartwatch anytime soon. I will continue using my TT C and probably get a bluetooth hr strap and pair it with the gear 2 neo as I do love the other features and especially having Endomondo on my watch.
I am not a tech wizard but I believe that the main problem with gear 2 is that the optical sensor and led are too small for accurate readings... they are about a 4th of the size of what TT C packs.
And to all helpful souls I have done all the following streps/tests:,
1. Try on inside/regular side of wrist.
2. Put strap extra extra tight.
3. Put the strap on loose.
4. Put the strap on medium tight.
5. Try higher up on the wrist.
6. Wait 10, 15, 20, 30 seconds without moving before starting hr measurement.
7. Shave hair to create bald spot for led & monitor.
8. Try using it in ambient lighting.
9. Try reeboting it.
10. Try installing the newest firmware
....and yet, my sammy never finds hr while exercising and only sometimes finds hr when at rest.
So if you want to skip a hr strap; do not buy!
Instead get a TomTom Cardio, Mio Alpha, Mio Alpha 2, Fit bit hr, Garmin Forerunner 225.
If you want a good smart watch and are prepared to pair it with a bt hr strap for fitness use...buy it, but only if it is on sale (bought mine for 99 euro which is about the same in $...no plan attached)