After the endless issues I've had with previous Wahoo HR straps, I won't be trusting them again any time soon. Am gonna wait and see how they fair in a year or so. Thanks for reviewing though, thorough as always. 👍
I feel you there. My Tickr almost never gave me a reliable heart rate and was always 30-40bpm off compared to a Chinese brand one I bought, which was ALWAYS accurate, but crapped out on me recently where I was changing batteries every other ride, which is absolutely unacceptable. Methinks I'm buying a Garmin...
I had to pause and look at it again because I couldn't believe it at first. Ray's video said Suunto fixed the HR on the Race S with a new sensor, I was gonna get one based on that but I'm gonna wait to see Des' video on it now.
I have to agree with all people using H10. After the endless issues I've had with previous Wahoo Tickr HR I switched to Polar H10 and zero problem and strap is very good(plus dimples help to keep it in place and I think locking mechanism is very good!) using it about 3-4 time a week cycling for min. 2h each session. Plus it is very easy to keep extra coin battery in your backpack for emergency then trying to keep special cable close by all the time! Even if my Polar H10 HR or strap break after 1-2 years I will definitely buy another one very solid tracking, just works!
Have used Wahoo straps and HR pods for years and years, no issues. I’ve always preferred their design flexibility, keeping the pod & strap separate. That separation allows, as you say, for easy & cheap replacement of just the strap, should that need come up - I’ve even gone the AliExpress route a couple of years ago, buying a strap there (just the strap). It was less than $5.00US as I recall and it’s been great. No troubles at all, and basically extended my investment in the Wahoo TickrX pod part. And a suggested hack for any strap slippage - just buy some anti-slip fabric glue (marketed for use with toddlers & such, to use on their socks to ensure solid footing on wood floors, for ex) and apply a good dose of that glue into the inside of that strap (away from the HR transmit area obvi) and that strap won’t move at all. And that glue thing also keeps you from having to over-tighten the strap to keep it in place. Just some thoughts ^^.
I've had my TICKR 1 for many years, and I have never noticed it being bad. The strap that came with it was bad (the connection was in the centre), so im using it with a Lezyne strap. I have never considered it would need a replacement, given how simple devices they are. Just change the battery when it starts to drop out and on you pedal. I also never remove the tracker from the strap, apart when washing the strap, and have no issues with it discharging.
I like the idea that you can get affordable replacement straps as they can get a bit worn and nasty after a couple of years of use, even if you do wash them regularly.
I've had my Wahoo tickr since 2019. Still works fine. I'm not super fit. I ride about 3000km in fair weather, and use the trainer 2-3x/week in the winter months. Maybe I just got lucky.
One more person here with the og tickr X without any problems whatsoever! I do need the memory feature I feel like there are very few options with integrated memory
The main reason why Wahoo changed battery to rechargeable battery is that in old ones, there's a problem with the battery cover. Each time when you open and close cover the cover going worn out and provide less compresion on oring which allow moisure to go on the battery and do a short circuit on the battery or even damage your hr monitor. So it's a very good move by Wahoo to redesign this. It's a pity they didn't do it right away at the beginning, but probably this evolution came together with test to learn. Unfortunately, not in their lab, but by customer.
Thanks for the great video. I just bought the Garmin HRM Pro Plus for CHF 90 (~EUR 90) recently. I get the HR memory and the running dynamics for my Garmin watch. It's true, that the watch itself can measure running dynamics, but I'm not sure about its accuracy, and from the strap I get ground contact time balance, that the watch can't measure. So, with a Garmin watch, I would not go with the Trackr.
Considering most optical heart rate straps can wrap around your bicep, is there a market for someone to produce a specific strap for our watches, to fit around your bicep and so increase the accuracy of the readings. I'm having issues with my 955 watch, where on easy runs without a HR strap, the readings are virtually unusable. The usual spiel from garmin is to tighten the strap, but considering most metrics on watches these days relate back to HR, I don't want the circulation cut off to my hand 24/7. The way I see it, if we can't see the OHR light, it should be capable of a proper reading. Anyway rant over, excellent video as always Des.
The challenge for a specific strap for a watch where it could be worn around a bicep is an inability to easily see data in that position. Sounds like you're wearing your watch correctly but there's other factors that could be playing into accuracy. Either way, a Polar Verity Sense may be a good option to use during workouts will be more accurate than a wrist-based sensor. Thanks!
If you care about HR accuracy, there's no getting around using a chest strap IMO. My 965 seems to work OK as long as it's not cold out (otherwise it takes several mins to see my actual HR) and even this it's still a bit slower to react to increasing HR such as during intervals than the chest monitor is.
@@DesFit Thank you for the reply Des, thing is, how accurate are all the other metrics based off of HR. Again we shouldn't need to wear a watch uncomfortably tight 24/7, should we trust these readings, such as HRV, Resting HR from a watch comfortably worn or switch to a whoop?
Changing the coin batteries on my Tickr has been the biggest issue: the tiny locking tabs are fragile, the o-ring has failed after several battery changes, and the seal will not prevent ingress of ultrasonic gel, which causes the Tickr to short out. (yes, I stopped using the gel) I welcome a sealed heart rate monitor!
Great video! Battery compartment on Tickrs is a horrible design! Wahoo even sent me a replacement after the first two broke in less than 18 months. That third one went in the bin within 6 months. Rechargeable might be the feature that brings me back.
The first strap I owned was a tickr and like many others I found it to be extremely inaccurate. I’ve since used a polar H10 which has been rock solid. The only issue I’ve had with it was that sometimes the battery would drain even when the sensor was removed from the strap. I’ve also worn out the strap so I’ve just ordered another for £60 here in the UK. I see that the trackr is £90 and to me it’s overpriced.
The TRACKR has been much more reliable and accurate than the TICKRs I've used in the past. Some people had good luck with TICKRs but there are also reports of people who have had issues.
It's a weird renaming. Like they're embarrased about the family name. It doesn't track anything. If they kept the TickrX metrics then I could understand it, or even add onboard storage.
After the endless issues I've had with previous Wahoo HR straps, I won't be trusting them again any time soon. Am gonna wait and see how they fair in a year or so. Thanks for reviewing though, thorough as always. 👍
Not even a year after buying a tickr x it dropped randomly that’s why I got a Garmin and haven’t broken in years
@@quincywalker4441 which garmin did you get?
I feel you there. My Tickr almost never gave me a reliable heart rate and was always 30-40bpm off compared to a Chinese brand one I bought, which was ALWAYS accurate, but crapped out on me recently where I was changing batteries every other ride, which is absolutely unacceptable. Methinks I'm buying a Garmin...
Wow, that Suunto Race S HR data....
In lack of better words, utter shit...
I had to pause and look at it again because I couldn't believe it at first. Ray's video said Suunto fixed the HR on the Race S with a new sensor, I was gonna get one based on that but I'm gonna wait to see Des' video on it now.
my tikr has been solid for over 4 years now, had to replace a strap but nice to see a good upgrade option is available
Great to hear you've had good luck with your TICKR
I have to agree with all people using H10. After the endless issues I've had with previous Wahoo Tickr HR I switched to Polar H10 and zero problem and strap is very good(plus dimples help to keep it in place and I think locking mechanism is very good!) using it about 3-4 time a week cycling for min. 2h each session. Plus it is very easy to keep extra coin battery in your backpack for emergency then trying to keep special cable close by all the time! Even if my Polar H10 HR or strap break after 1-2 years I will definitely buy another one very solid tracking, just works!
Have used Wahoo straps and HR pods for years and years, no issues. I’ve always preferred their design flexibility, keeping the pod & strap separate. That separation allows, as you say, for easy & cheap replacement of just the strap, should that need come up - I’ve even gone the AliExpress route a couple of years ago, buying a strap there (just the strap). It was less than $5.00US as I recall and it’s been great. No troubles at all, and basically extended my investment in the Wahoo TickrX pod part.
And a suggested hack for any strap slippage - just buy some anti-slip fabric glue (marketed for use with toddlers & such, to use on their socks to ensure solid footing on wood floors, for ex) and apply a good dose of that glue into the inside of that strap (away from the HR transmit area obvi) and that strap won’t move at all. And that glue thing also keeps you from having to over-tighten the strap to keep it in place.
Just some thoughts ^^.
I've had my TICKR 1 for many years, and I have never noticed it being bad.
The strap that came with it was bad (the connection was in the centre), so im using it with a Lezyne strap.
I have never considered it would need a replacement, given how simple devices they are. Just change the battery when it starts to drop out and on you pedal.
I also never remove the tracker from the strap, apart when washing the strap, and have no issues with it discharging.
I like the idea that you can get affordable replacement straps as they can get a bit worn and nasty after a couple of years of use, even if you do wash them regularly.
My Garmin Edge 500 and HRM haven’t missed a beat, pun intended, since 2010. Just works
I've had my Wahoo tickr since 2019. Still works fine. I'm not super fit. I ride about 3000km in fair weather, and use the trainer 2-3x/week in the winter months. Maybe I just got lucky.
One more person here with the og tickr X without any problems whatsoever! I do need the memory feature I feel like there are very few options with integrated memory
The main reason why Wahoo changed battery to rechargeable battery is that in old ones, there's a problem with the battery cover. Each time when you open and close cover the cover going worn out and provide less compresion on oring which allow moisure to go on the battery and do a short circuit on the battery or even damage your hr monitor. So it's a very good move by Wahoo to redesign this. It's a pity they didn't do it right away at the beginning, but probably this evolution came together with test to learn. Unfortunately, not in their lab, but by customer.
Thanks for the great video.
I just bought the Garmin HRM Pro Plus for CHF 90 (~EUR 90) recently. I get the HR memory and the running dynamics for my Garmin watch. It's true, that the watch itself can measure running dynamics, but I'm not sure about its accuracy, and from the strap I get ground contact time balance, that the watch can't measure.
So, with a Garmin watch, I would not go with the Trackr.
Considering most optical heart rate straps can wrap around your bicep, is there a market for someone to produce a specific strap for our watches, to fit around your bicep and so increase the accuracy of the readings.
I'm having issues with my 955 watch, where on easy runs without a HR strap, the readings are virtually unusable. The usual spiel from garmin is to tighten the strap, but considering most metrics on watches these days relate back to HR, I don't want the circulation cut off to my hand 24/7.
The way I see it, if we can't see the OHR light, it should be capable of a proper reading.
Anyway rant over, excellent video as always Des.
The challenge for a specific strap for a watch where it could be worn around a bicep is an inability to easily see data in that position. Sounds like you're wearing your watch correctly but there's other factors that could be playing into accuracy. Either way, a Polar Verity Sense may be a good option to use during workouts will be more accurate than a wrist-based sensor. Thanks!
If you care about HR accuracy, there's no getting around using a chest strap IMO. My 965 seems to work OK as long as it's not cold out (otherwise it takes several mins to see my actual HR) and even this it's still a bit slower to react to increasing HR such as during intervals than the chest monitor is.
@@DesFit Thank you for the reply Des, thing is, how accurate are all the other metrics based off of HR. Again we shouldn't need to wear a watch uncomfortably tight 24/7, should we trust these readings, such as HRV, Resting HR from a watch comfortably worn or switch to a whoop?
Both my tickr and polar straps didn’t last a year each…. Got a really cheap magene one that’s outlasted them all 😂
I have never been able to have a tickr last longer than 6 months I hope this is better.
Des, have you tested arm based HR during XC skiing or rowing? Wondering how the arm movements would affect accuracy.
Changing the coin batteries on my Tickr has been the biggest issue: the tiny locking tabs are fragile, the o-ring has failed after several battery changes, and the seal will not prevent ingress of ultrasonic gel, which causes the Tickr to short out. (yes, I stopped using the gel) I welcome a sealed heart rate monitor!
Great video! Battery compartment on Tickrs is a horrible design! Wahoo even sent me a replacement after the first two broke in less than 18 months. That third one went in the bin within 6 months. Rechargeable might be the feature that brings me back.
Wahoo haterate tracker is to use the same as the 4iiii Viiiiva HRM ANT+ to BT Bridge Pulsmesser?
The first strap I owned was a tickr and like many others I found it to be extremely inaccurate. I’ve since used a polar H10 which has been rock solid. The only issue I’ve had with it was that sometimes the battery would drain even when the sensor was removed from the strap. I’ve also worn out the strap so I’ve just ordered another for £60 here in the UK. I see that the trackr is £90 and to me it’s overpriced.
Des, any experience with the lower end HRMs from XOSS like the XOSS X2 Pro (also rechargeable) and even Magene?
I haven't. It's tough to go down the more budget offering rabbit hole as there's so many options out there.
when you said the tickr was not as accurate as the tracker were you reffering to heart rate? i thought the tickr was a accurate heart rate monitor.
The TRACKR has been much more reliable and accurate than the TICKRs I've used in the past. Some people had good luck with TICKRs but there are also reports of people who have had issues.
@@DesFitdo you have a video that shows this? im a tickr user.
I never published a video but here's an example: analyze.dcrainmaker.com/#/public/65e682fb-a6fd-4972-4e7d-c054becf0324
Great review from a reliable source, but Wahoo has burned me with crappy product (HRM) and I won’t be in any hurry to get another one.
I'll certainly report back later this year with how it's doing. Thanks for tuning in!
Hello bro plz review xoss x2 pro thanks in advance 🙏
Anyone know anything about release date? Seems not yet available (even via the affiliate link).
They were in-stock when I posted this video - could just be sold out at the moment.
@DesFit Thank you. I've placed an order via the affiliate link, so I am in the queue :)
@oceanzmat thanks so much and enjoy!
The wahoo v2 only last 1 maybe 2 years
I haven't replaced battery in my garmin in years. 100 hours battery is kinda unnecessary
It's a weird renaming. Like they're embarrased about the family name. It doesn't track anything. If they kept the TickrX metrics then I could understand it, or even add onboard storage.
The real question is: is it finally durable?
i like Polar h10 more
No thanks, had issues in the past with Wahoo and Garmin, so now it’s Polar for me.
The major increase in price is a bit disappointing...
That wahoo logo looks terrible. Anyway to cover it up?
waiting for wahoo to show something more ineresting than hr monitor.... as i like wahoo they're no competition for garmin in bike computers segment :(