![]() ![]() The band splits into three sizes, Small (wrist circumference of 143-168), Medium (162-188) and Large (180-206). ![]() The Microsoft Health app is necessary to talk to the Band 2 and record data (where these screenshots have all originated), and once downloaded the system is very much plug and play. In terms of practical use and fitment, it's all very straightforward. The language that the development team is speaking definitely suggests this could be on the horizon. Microsoft's involvement in this side of the market is exciting, though, for the reason that we might hope for the type of large-scale R&D funding that could offer much more complex and advanced understandings of training. ![]() Microsoft band sleep tracker software#While the hardware is impressive, I believe the software on offer from Microsoft show some innovation, but has some way before offering any truly useful training insight based on the data collected. The Band 2 is not a totally finished piece, though. I personally fluctuate between 41 and 49bpm in deep sleep, and anything above 50 became quickly evident as a warning sign to back off completely on training. A constant measure of true resting heartrate at night helped me track my training cycles, and anticipate illness. Most cyclists probably don't give enough credit to the importance of sleep - after all training is bad for you, it's only the recovery that makes your stronger. Sleep trackingįor me, sleep tracking with the band has been mildly life changing. For me, it revealed a slightly slow recovery rate after training. ![]() The Band 2 keeps a 24 hour log of heartrate, meaning you can see how your heart is holding out week in week out. Firstly, tracking movement around my cycling was revelatory – essentially I walk far too much to assure good recovery. The general activity and heartrate tracking is undoubtedly where I found the most use as an athlete. A buzz during certain interval workouts is also useful certain sessions and competitive outings.Ĭycling is only part of the picture with the Band, though. With quick and automatic upload to Strava, though, it can quickly translate into useful training and tracking data. Microsoft's maps are not the most useful for an experienced cyclist, splitting speed into different colour segments but not fully comprehending inevitable stops. The GPS is also quick to load, and generally as accurate as my Garmin in terms of route specifics, although speed reading could sometimes be more stocatto – I suspect the Band 2 samples slightly less frequently. Of course, I won't be the first to observe that the accuracy is not on the same level, but I found maximum heartrate and average always fell within 3 or 4 beats of what I read on a chest-mounted heartrate monitor. The band tracks speed, and heartrate, and from this can calculate training effort, fitness benefit and even calculate VO2 max.Īs someone who doesn't like to strap on a heartrate monitor, the band is a nice alternative. In some ways that is still an impressive battery life, given how small the unit is and all that it does at once, but it renders it as primarily useful for commutes or short training rides. The main barrier to the Band 2 being a standalone computer is that its battery life cannot carry it for more than a three-hour ride while tracking GPS and heartrate. The same process of selecting a tile and beginning an activity can be used for all kinds of activities such as circuits, running, golf and even sleep. For cycling, it can display speed, average speed, interval speed, heartrate, altitude, time and distance between two separate screens. The Band 2 screen presents a sequence of tiles for different activities - when one is selected the Band will display whatever data you desire. That means it's a capable aid for running, gym workouts, circuits and, crucially, cycling. The Band 2 is much the same as its predecessor in terms of functionality, it has a tri-axial accelerometer, GPS, optical heart rate monitor, UV sensor, a microphone (for Cortana), altimeter and about half a dozen other gadgets. The Microsoft Band 2, though, made me slightly rethink that position. The realisations of more casual fitness enthusiasts that they can track their movement, speed and heartrate are all old news to the cycling community. Wearable tech is an area where most cyclists snub their noses. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |