jackson@ttidcb.UUCP (Dick Jackson) (12/27/85)
(Lines intentionally left almost blank) I would like to buy (inexpensively if possible) a device for measuring and displaying my pulse rate while exercizing (e.g. using a rowing machine). Can anyone recommend a particular model? DAK has a wrist watch type thing that supposedly does it - any comments? A friend of mine has one which clips on to your ear and works moderately well but not perfectly, that's one of the reasons I'd like more information before rushing off to spend my 99 cents (8-). Thanks in advance for your input, Dick Jackson
ron@hpfcla.UUCP (12/30/85)
My wife and I have an ear-clip type which came with our Nordic-Trak
and it is indeed a bit unreliable. (as well as slightly uncomfortable)
However, if you get it clipped on properly it it nice to have the readout
in a different place from the sensor. In this particular application the
readout is in front of your face where you can read it at all times while
exercising. The ones that clip onto the end of your finger tend to disrupt
your rhythm if you want to read it while in motion.
Ron Miller
"Show me a country where the newspapers are filled with good news
and I'll show you a country where the jails are filled with good people."
-<I forgot>
Service Engineering (Hardware Support)
Hewlett-Packard Co.
Ft. Collins Systems Div. Home of the HP 9000 Series 200,300 & 500
Ft. Collins Colorado
303-226-3800
at: {ihnp4}hpfcla!ronlarry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) (12/30/85)
> I would like to buy (inexpensively if possible) a device for measuring and > displaying my pulse rate while exercizing (e.g. using a rowing machine). > Can anyone recommend a particular model? DAK has a wrist watch type thing > that supposedly does it - any comments? A friend of mine has one which > clips on to your ear and works moderately well but not perfectly, that's > one of the reasons I'd like more information before rushing off to spend my > 99 cents (8-). The DAK unit works by taking an actual electrocardiogram (ECG) using the wrist of one hand and the finger (touching the metal plate on the watch) of the other hand as electrode points. This is not as difficult as it may seem, since the R-wave peak of the ECG signal measured under these conditions is 1 to 3 millivolts. The earlobe and finger units work on the principle of a plethysmograph whereby an IR LED and phototransistor sense the actual volume expansion change of the earlobe or finger with each heart beat. Movement of a plethysmograph sensor will easily cause measurement errors, whereas ECG electrode movement is no where near as critical. I don't know of a consumer pulse rate device using an ECG other than the above watch; this could be inconvenient since one has to move their finger to the electrode plate on the watch each time for a measurement. IF there were a consumer ECG device using strap electrodes for each wrist, this would be best of any method. If you don't mind an intermittent measurement, then the ECG watch may be the best. ==> Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York <== ==> UUCP {decvax|dual|rocksanne|rocksvax|watmath}!sunybcs!kitty!larry <== ==> VOICE 716/741-9185 {rice|shell}!baylor!/ <== ==> FAX 716/741-9635 {G1, G2, G3 modes} duke!ethos!/ <== ==> burl!gladys!/ <== ==> "Have you hugged your cat today?" ihnp4!/ <==
mcmullen@convexs.UUCP (12/31/85)
/* Written 11:08 am Dec 27, 1985 by jackson@ttidcb.UUCP in convexs:net.consumers */ /* ---------- "Info Wanted on Pulse Rate Gizmos" ---------- */ (Lines intentionally left almost blank) >I would like to buy (inexpensively if possible) a device for measuring and >displaying my pulse rate while exercizing (e.g. using a rowing machine). >Can anyone recommend a particular model? DAK has a wrist watch type thing >that supposedly does it - any comments? A friend of mine has one which >clips on to your ear and works moderately well but not perfectly, that's >one of the reasons I'd like more information before rushing off to spend my >99 cents (8-). >Thanks in advance for your input, >Dick Jackson /* End of text from convexs:net.consumers */ I don't know what you consider inexpensive, but for around 30 to 40 dollars you can get a pulse recorder that fits on your fingertip. Display is via an LCD and it uses a button-sized AgO battery. They are advertised occasionally, in Smithsonian, New Yorker, etc. (You get the idea - upscale consumers). The only other place I have seen them is the Sharper Image, store and catalogue, but that was a while ago, about a year. Try some of the bigger sporting goods stores in your area, not the conglamer-outlets, like Hermans.
ijk@hropus.UUCP (Ihor J. Kinal) (01/02/86)
I've had several pulse rate meters - my best advice is to try the item out first (at least stationary, and preferably during the activity for which you intend to use if for), and make sure you can return it if it's not suitable. The wrist watch type specifically recommends that you stop activity when attempting to use it; since I like to use one when jogging to make sure I'm at the proper training effect level (but not exceeding it), I like to take my pulse every 5 minutes or so. Not practical with this device. The little pulse meter that fits on your finger also carries a built in stop-watch, with switching from modes fairly easy (unless your wearing gloves, but that's true for many of these gizmos). It has an instantaneous mode and an averaging mode; it seemed a fairly good buy; lasted a few years with a moderate amount of abuse, and is probably the BEST BUY (as someone else has recommended). Another nifty little device that I had for a while was shaped like a batton, with electrodes (rings) on each end - you had to grasp both sides to get a reading, but it responded very quickly (with error rates being way off on occasion). It used to have led readouts, which was nice at night, but tended to wash out in sunlight. Alas, I once tripped and it's no longer functional. I haven't seen these advertised much lately, so I'm not sure if they're still available. I think the cost (last time I looked) was about $200. I believe the LED display has been replaced by LCD (better for daytime,worse for night time), and was manufactured by a company in Toronto.. Nifty device, but useless if you're into rowing, or something where you don't want your hands thus burdened. Another device I've seen has two electrodes (limited use, since the paste on them wears off). These would be great, except that I have a hairy chest, and electrodes refuse to stick well. Plus replacing the electrodes seemed to be a potentially expensive operation. The ear lobe device seems like it may be a good compromise, since it good be worn in all weather circumstances and would keep your hands free. But I haven't tried one yet. Another device I've seen on the market was "The Coach" - this had a belt, and on the belt were electrodes (I believe, it's been a while). If I remember correctly, it had lots of smarts and info (i.e, different sounds if you went below your training level or exceeded your max level). Perhaps top of the line, with a price tag to match. Probably only worth it for the serious competitor or those recovering from a heart condition. Hope this helps. Ihor Kinal houxm!hropus!ijk
throopw@dg_rtp.UUCP (Wayne Throop) (01/03/86)
> >I would like to buy (inexpensively if possible) a device for measuring and > >displaying my pulse rate while exercizing (e.g. using a rowing machine). > I don't know what you consider inexpensive, but for around 30 to 40 dollars > you can get a pulse recorder that fits on your fingertip. A sensor on a fingertip is probably not such a good idea for a rower. I have used a pulsemeter with a sensor clipped to the earlobe. I'm afraid I don't own one, but I know that at least one retail outlet for Schwynn Air-Dyne(tm) exercise bikes (highly recommended, by the way, but costly) offered them as a "sweetner" along with the bikes. As a freebie with a bike of that price, I'd guestimate the list price at 30-60 dollars. The pulsemeter seemed to work adequately. As a handy tip about ear-mounted optical pulse sensors: beware of strong fluctuating light sources. I know of someone who got *very* anomalous readings due to excersizing where alternating shadow and sunlight fell on the ear with the sensor. Shading the excersize area solved the problem. -- Wayne Throop at Data General, RTP, NC <the-known-world>!mcnc!rti-sel!dg_rtp!throopw