Overview and Specifications of WheelTop's Affordable Electronic Groupset "EDS"
This article summarizes the features and specifications of the budget-friendly electronic groupset "EDS" newly released by the Chinese manufacturer WheelTop.
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Smartwatch as Heart Rate Monitor for Cycling Controller
Modified at: Oct 23, 2023
Posted at: Jul 21, 2021
This is a summary of how to use a smartwatch as a heart rate sensor for a cyclocomputer. If you meet the conditions on the cyclocomputer side and the conditions on the smartwatch side, you can display the heart rate data on the cyclocomputer with the smartwatch alone, without having to buy an additional heart rate sensor.
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Table of contents
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How to Use a Smartwatch as a Heart Rate Sensor for Your Cyclocomputer
The most reliable way is to use a smartwatch listed in the “compatibility list” provided by the cyclocomputer manufacturer. However, even if your smartwatch is not on the compatibility list, there may still be a possibility of displaying heart rate data on your cyclocomputer.
To use a smartwatch with your cyclocomputer, there are two key requirements:
- Both the smartwatch and the cyclocomputer must support Bluetooth LE or ANT+.
- The cyclocomputer must support the profile used for heart rate data.
For Bluetooth-enabled smartwatches, since heart rate monitors are included in the standard Bluetooth LE profile, if both devices support Bluetooth LE, the smartwatch’s heart rate data can typically be retrieved. However, whether the heart rate source is enabled on the cyclocomputer or smartwatch may vary by product.
On the other hand, for ANT+, if both the cyclocomputer and smartwatch have the ANT+ heart rate profile “HRM” enabled, pairing the devices should allow heart rate data to be transmitted and received.
Things to Keep in Mind When Using a Smartwatch as a Heart Rate Sensor for Your Cyclocomputer
Possibility of Losing Pairing with Your Smartphone
For Bluetooth devices, except for some products, most can only maintain a 1:1 pairing, meaning they can only stay paired with one device at a time.
For example, if your smartwatch, like the Apple Watch, is paired with your smartphone via Bluetooth, it cannot also be paired with your cyclocomputer via Bluetooth (though there is a method to use your iPhone as a bridge).
Also, while the cyclocomputer is paired with the smartwatch via Bluetooth, the pairing with your smartphone will be lost, meaning you won’t be able to receive notifications from your smartphone.
One way to avoid this issue is to use a dual Bluetooth and ANT+ smartwatch, which allows:
- Bluetooth pairing with the smartphone.
- ANT+ pairing with the cyclocomputer.
For instance, the Garmin Instinct Dual Power Tactical supports both Bluetooth and ANT+, and has a dedicated heart rate transfer mode over ANT+. This allows you to transmit heart rate data to your cyclocomputer via ANT+ while still receiving notifications from your smartphone via Bluetooth.
Similarly, Garmin’s entry-level smartwatches, such as the vívomove 3, support heart rate transfer mode over ANT+.
Many Garmin smartwatches support heart rate transfer mode, making them great options for compatibility with cyclocomputers.
Potential Issues with Non-Manufacturer Recommended Pairings
Cyclocomputer manufacturers do not test every smartwatch for compatibility, so when a smartwatch is officially stated to work as a heart rate sensor, it is usually one from the same brand as the cyclocomputer.
If both devices are from the same manufacturer, there is a possibility that any issues can be addressed with firmware updates for either the cyclocomputer or the smartwatch. However, if using a non-recommended pairing, it is much less likely that support will be provided for issues that arise.
Additionally, non-recommended pairings may either fail to connect entirely or result in an unstable connection, so it’s important to be cautious.
Faster Battery Drain on Smartwatches
When using a smartwatch as a heart rate sensor for a cyclocomputer, some smartwatches may experience faster battery drain, possibly leading to the battery running out mid-ride.
Dedicated heart rate sensor products, such as those from Garmin, can last for more than 10 hours, but general-purpose smartwatches may deplete their battery in just a few hours, so it’s important to keep this in mind.
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How to Find Smartwatches Compatible with Cyclocomputers
When looking for a smartwatch that can be used with a cyclocomputer, focus on two key features:
Supports Both Bluetooth LE and ANT+
As previously explained, if you want to use a smartwatch with both your smartphone and cyclocomputer simultaneously, the ideal approach is to pair with the smartphone via Bluetooth and connect to the cyclocomputer via ANT+.
In other words, if both the cyclocomputer and smartwatch support Bluetooth LE and ANT+, you can:
- Bluetooth: Smartphone <–> Smartwatch
- ANT+: Cyclocomputer <–> Smartwatch
This separates the communication channels, maximizing the functionality of the smartphone, smartwatch, and cyclocomputer.
Theoretically, this setup should work, and many of the higher-end models of recent cyclocomputers support both Bluetooth LE and ANT+. Unfortunately, there are fewer smartwatches that support ANT+, making it more difficult to find the ideal match.
Look for “Heart Rate Transfer Mode” in the Specifications
This is a requirement for the smartwatch side.
Even if a smartwatch supports heart rate monitoring, without a heart rate transfer mode over ANT+, it will not be able to send data to the cyclocomputer.
Therefore, always check if the smartwatch specifications explicitly state support for “heart rate transfer via ANT+”.
Smartwatches as Heart Rate Sensors for Cycle computers
While a dedicated arm band or chest band is usually used for the heart rate sensor of a cyclocomputer, we have compiled a list of smartwatches that can be used for everyday use and can also be used as a heart rate sensor for cyclocomputers.
The Most Reliable Option is to Use a Band-Type Heart Rate Sensor
Most smartwatches support heart rate monitoring, so being able to use the data from the smartwatch on the cyclocomputer would be ideal for reducing gear. However, the reality is that most smartwatches, even relatively expensive and feature-rich ones, do not support ANT+.
As a result, while it adds extra gear and effort, the most reliable method is to use a band-type heart rate sensor that supports both Bluetooth and ANT+.
Although it adds the effort of wearing an extra device, in terms of reliability, it may be the best option.
Chest vs Arm Heart Rate Sensors: What's the Difference?
There are two types of heart rate sensors used for road bike training, the chest type and the arm type. The following is a summary of the differences between the two types and their advantages and disadvantages.
Frequently Asked Questions When Using a Smartwatch as a Heart Rate Sensor
Q.
Is there a difference in accuracy between a smartwatch and a dedicated heart rate sensor?
A.
The difference in heart rate sensor accuracy depends on the quality and measurement method of each product, so it cannot be said unequivocally which is superior. However, chest strap heart rate sensors, which measure the heart’s electrical pulses, are considered more accurate than the optical sensors found in smartwatches.
That said, the accuracy of heart rate sensors in the latest smartwatches has reached medical device levels, so depending on the product, some smartwatches can measure heart rate with comparable accuracy.
Q.
Can heart rate zones be displayed even when sending heart rate data from a smartwatch?
A.
When sending heart rate data from a smartwatch, the smartwatch only sends heart rate data and does not transmit zone data.
The heart rate zone display is handled by the cycle computer, so as long as the cycle computer has the heart rate zone display function, it can show zones regardless of the source of the heart rate data.
Conversely, if the cycle computer does not have the heart rate zone display function, no heart rate sensor will be able to display zones.
Q.
Does obtaining heart rate data from a smartwatch cause the cycle computer's battery to drain faster?
A.
There may be some compatibility issues between devices, but in general, which heart rate sensor you obtain data from does not significantly affect the battery drain of the cycle computer.
Therefore, while sending heart rate data may cause the smartwatch’s battery to drain faster, you can basically assume that it will not cause the cycle computer’s battery to drain faster.