Customer Reviews

Mio Sport Select Heart Rate Watch

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I read many reviews on this watch, and the one thing that I saw over and over was the complaint that the HR wouldn't display during an activity, such as running. The runner had to stop to get a reading. I took a chance since I would either be walking or on an exercise bike, but lo! I'm even having the problem while walking and while simply sitting on my exercise bike with my legs pushing the pedals. I rarely get a reading while still exercising at a very moderate rate. It seems the watch only cooperates when I'm still.

Despite this problem, I like the watch. All the features work well, aren't too hard to program, and work well for me. The watch is bulky and quite large on a smaller wrist, but there is a lady's version available. I made sure to buy the Mio that offers the interchangeable strap, which is a good thing. One other reviewer complained about the strap breaking on another Mio with no way to replace it. I can see how that would happen over time. The plastic used on the band is rigid and with the bending of putting the watch on every day, it appears it won't take long for the plastic to break.

Overall, I find it to be an acceptable HR monitor with limitations that some, however, might find unacceptable.

I got one of these watches a couple of years ago, a slightly different Mio model, but overall I have been pleased at how well it works with respect to the heart monitor aspect. I always wanted to know my heart rate when walking at work, but the chest strap thing was just not workable, so I was excited to find this watch. It really does give a accurate reading as I have checked it often against commercial teadmills with the chest strap. I have used it walking outdoors at lunch at work, as well as on a treadmill at work and just walking around the building. It really helps me keep in the "zone" that I'm shooting for, and is great because I have never been able to successfully take my own pulse using the fingers against the neck or on the wrist.

It usually is easier to get readings in the summer months than winter because up here in the north one's skin and fingers can be very dry and it requires some moisture both on your arm and your fingers to be able to get a reading. Often I can just breathe on my fingers and that provides enough moisture to make the reading possible. I was originally very skeptical that this could work at all, since nearly everything that measured a pulse used that chest strap thingy, but this watch really does do the job.

While I have no problems taking a reading while walking on the treadmill or outside, I do agree that a lot of body movement can make it more difficult to hold one's fingers on the sensors. It usually takes me about two or so seconds to get a reading, depending on the circumstances.

Unlike the chest strap stuff, you can take a reading on this watch at any time, so if you are climbing the stairs at work to get some exercise, you can take a reading when you get to the top to see how hard your heart has had to work to get you there. I even used it in a meeting once when I got really stressed out and it showed measurably by an accelerated pulse as measured by the Mio! Imagine the fun you could have while stuck in a massive traffic jam, watching your pulse soar into the "red zone" just sitting in your car! Or taking your pulse at the airport after you have been told your flight has been cancelled. Seriously, though, I have found that my pulse and my stress levels are related in that high stress always gives me a faster pulse, even at rest. When I see that, I try to take action to lower my stress level and thus my pulse. Sometimes you can be stressed out and not really realize it until you see your pulse racing when it should not be. Your heart is a lot smarter than you give it credit for! So for me I have a "low pulse" goal that I strive for as well, and when I am near it, usually at home relaxing, I know my stress is under control and I am doing well. I have found with this watch that the lower the pulse rate I get, the happier I am at that particular time more often than not. To me the Mio proves that stress is more than just in one's mind. It has a physiological affect on your body as well, almost all negative!

Considering the modest cost of the unit, combined with not having to worry about bulky and expensive chest straps, especially at work, and that you can always have it handy to use, I'd say I'm happy with the watch. The only thing I would add to this would be what my other watch I own has: automatic setting by the NIST atomic clocks (over the air) each day to keep the time perfect.

I just bought it from the Walmart where I live, because it was the same price as on here $39.99,there was only one left, I thought it was a reasonable price, seems to work as it says it does, this one counts the calories you burn during exercise base on your age,and weight,but doesn't have the calorie input,and set calorie goal like the other little more expensive mio model, but I dont really need it,I think it would be too much work to punch in the calories I eat for each food etc. probably easier to write it down.

I read the review about not being able to use the light when you get the heart rate results, but the way around it is to Press the light button first then check your heart rate,and the light will stay continuously on till you take your fingers off the contacts,even then it stays on for about 5-10sec sec after taking your fingers off.

I haven't had trouble with getting a reading, you have to make sure the watch is snug on your wrist because it uses the metal backing too as a contact+your fingers on the two sensors, if you just touch the two sensors and your skin isn't also touching the metal backing of the watch you won't get a reading!
so make sure its a snug fit.

Design: A few years back, Nike came out with some sport watches that had a new shape - a new vibe if you will - that featured this wide face, oval design. I wanted one, but I didn't buy one for two reasons: 1) It was Nike, which meant that it would automatically cost about twice what it should and 2) As with all things Nike, if you don't have narrow feet, a narrow trunk, a narrow waste, and for watches, a narrow wrist - it just isn't going to fit. Me? I'm not a trathelete (that's not a slight - I admire triatheletes very much... I'm just not one and don't have the body of one) so finding athletic equipment and clothing that doesn't feel like a body glove or cut off circulation can be difficult. Good news if you're like me, the Mio Sport Select Heart Rate Watch has a nice design, easy to locate and use buttons, and a large enough wristband to accomodate those of us who are not built like salamanders. (that's a not a slight to salamanders - I admire salamanders, I'm just not built like one).

Function: Well let's see, the watch does, in fact, tell time. Like most sport watches, it has your usual features, start/stop, the time, etc. etc. But you can also customize the watch with your age, your gender, your weight, etc. Using fancy formulas that I do not understand, it figures out calories burned.

A note about that..... I can only assume that it is an approximation of the calories burned. Be aware that if you're relying upon your watch for a very accurate assessment of how much you've burned off, you're going to be disappointed, and your expectation level really ought to be reset. This watch would have to include a water tank, some electrodes, and a super computer to give you that kind of detail. Nevertheless, it is what it is, and if knowing approximate calories burned is important to you, the watch will tell you. You can track your progress through ClubMio, and who wouldn't want to do that?

Heartrate: Ah....the whole reason you bought this watch. So, first, a note about me....I used to use one of the Polar heart rate watches with the chest strap. Thrilling as it is for some to have heavy rubber cinched up under their manboobs so they can figure out how fast the ticker is going, that just wasn't my cup of tea. Chest straps, in my opinion, are not comfortable......but they are accurate devices, as far as I can tell.

The Mio Sport does a pretty darn good job of displaying your heartrate.

For those that do not want to stop running long enough to check out the pulse, stick with a chest strap if you can't bring yourself to keep pace while holding your fingers on the watch in front of your body. (Overheard at the gym - "I tried one of those and fell flat on my face when I got myself out of balance while trying to check my heartrate while running.....) Yes, I actually heard that. Yes, I suppose that can happen. No, it has not happened to me, nor will it. No, I'm not making fun of someone who allegedly fell in this circumstance, I'm just saying...if you're the serious runner in the bunch, and altering rhythm and balance bothers you, then you won't like this watch. If you can slow it down or stop at the corner and check it there, you'll be happy with the watch.

Final Grade: It gets a A- It's a good watch. It does what it advertises that it does. It fits. It's not perfect. It may have more features than it or you need. It's comfortable and frees you from the chest strap, if you'll allow it to.... enjoy.

UPDATE: Having used the watch now for a reasonable period of time, I'm happier with it than I thought I'd be. So, I changed my grade from a B+ to an A-. I actually use this watch. I'm not a watch person, and I think my wife was expecting me to use it a week and toss it in a drawer. I find it helpful.

I'm tyring to burn fat. And knowing that I'm above range is helpful.

By the way: I have read some folks' reviews that complain, bitterly, about accuracy. Please make sure that there isn't something wrong with the watch. If the buttons are sticking, you may want to seek an exchange. Also, the angle that you use with your fingers makes a difference. You can't use just the tips of your fingers. You must lay your fingers across the buttons and then press. I usually get a heartrate in a matter of a few seconds. If it's taking 20 seconds to get a rate, either ya aren't doin in right or there's a problem with el watcho. That, or you're not from 'round here.....and by here I mean Earth. That's not a slight against aliens....I admire aliens.... I'm just not built like....oh nevermind.

I bought this for medical reasons for a recent rapid heart rate. Mine has gone up to 172 and in the description, this item is suppose to register up to 199. I checked this at a recent cardiologist appointment and it was a perfect match to there readings. It is accurate, quick and easy to use and I highly recommend it. I have had no problems except having to breath lightly on my finger tips sometimes to moisten them slightly, but that has been rare. I've had this monitor for almost a month. I wear and taking readings all day every day.

With rencent bypass surgery,My cardiac rehab staff said a heart rate watch would make easy for me check my heart rate. They said that MIO was the best for the price. It is always good to have them set it the first time with there Equipment. works great..

I picked this up at Walmart a couple days ago. I had been reading the reviews on Amazon and decided that I needed to try some in person since different people had had different experiences with them working. I tried two at Walmart, this one and a cheaper model, by walking around the store at different paces and testing them as I walked. The cheaper one (also a Mio but I forget the exact model) only worked when I stopped moving. The Select worked every time. I am not going to be running so I cannot vouch for its usefulness for a runner, but as a person who is just going to use this for walking I think it will work fine. Way more convenient that a strap around your chest.

The fact that it can change bands is nice but not what sold me on it. It is a solidly built rubber watch. I am a big person so the band only fit on the last hole. There is room to add another hole yourself if you are so inclined. That would be my only complaint but it won't be a problem if you are more of a normal size. I have used it the last three days on my morning 2 mile walk and it has not given me any trouble. I like it.
*************************************************************
A few weeks later and I still like it and use it every day.

The fact that you don't need a chest strap is what attracted me to the Mio products to begin with. That is certainly a nice feature, and one to consider. However, the "beep" that the watch emits after a successful read is too difficult to hear. Despite the instructions that you should take your heart rate with your hands at a lower height than your heart, I can't hear the beep unless I have the watch up near my ear. My only other issue is that the backlight does not work when the watch is displaying my heart rate after a read. I ususally run at 5:00am, in the dark, so the light would certainly be helpful. I could have lived without the beep if the light worked.

For the price, just as a watch you can't beat it. I read the reviews and heard a lot about not picking up correctly, but I've been using it at the gym and have been comparing it to the cardio equipment readings and it has been dead on and more reliable. I wanted something that would give me an overall view of my entire workout and more importantly to time my runs and give me a caloric picture. I am satisfied.

Watch works well. Easy to use gets heart rate quickly, nice not to have a chest strap.

Not the choice if you need continuous monitor but perfect for people who interval train.

Would recommend this product