5

The HxM combines Bluetooth™ transmission with Zephyr’s patented Smart Fabric Technology for a comfort fit you can wear all day.

Review: Zephyr HxM Bluetooth

We Liked

• Very comfortable strap
• Capacitive fabric is not irritating like carbon rubber pickups
• Transmits HR to Bluetooth enabled mobile device without an external dongle
• Internal rechargeable battery good for 26hrs of use
• Chargeable by USB
• Works with 100’s Android mobile aps
• Strap works better than the Garmin premium HR strap just use the Ant+ module

Zephyr is a global leader in real-time physiological and biomechanical monitoring, or “Physical Status Monitoring” (PSM) solutions for mHealth, Defense, First Responder, Training, and Research markets since 2003. The HxM product is their venture into the consumer market. Check back later to see the review on their new Bioharness 3 the follow up to the hugely successful Bioharness 1 & 2 that have been used for motoring team sports, first responders, military in the field and training operations. Chances are you may have an Android smart phone and with the addition of a Zephyr HxM heart rate transmitter your Andriod device can become a powerful training tool. With multitudes of free and low cost sport tracking aps currently on the market and more released just about everyday there are plenty of options for use with the Zephyr HxM. This spring Cross Bike Review will be conducting a series of reviews of mobile aps for sporting activities like cycling, running & at the gym, the Zephyr HxM and Bioharness 3 have been and will be the Bluetooth transmitters used.

Using the Zephyr HxM the first thing that was noticeable is the all day comfort of the strap. The capacitive fabric used at the sensor areas is far more comfortable than the usual carbon rubber that is typically used. The battery is rechargeable and is good for at least 26hrs of use and is charged by the included charging cradle via USB, no more going to the gym, bike ride or run and finding out your batteries are dead. The longest time I personally got was 33 hours of use before the HxM needed to be recharged. I liked that a lot.

The HxM paired without fuss to all the Android mobile devices I tried, two of my own a Driod 2 and a Galaxy Pad and on numerous friends devices as well. At the gym the HxM when paired to my tablet or phone worked great during simultaneous use with my music player and Bluetooth ear buds, in fact a couple of the aps in review have controls for your music player built in. Another cool feature with the HxM is that it senses when your foot hits the ground so you get running cadence without an external pod, though does not work for cycling cadence. I also found out that the strap works very well with the Garmin module actually better than the strap that come with the Garmin Premium HR strap. To date I have had to return five of them and they generally do not work for more than a few months before needed to be replaced and the carbon rubber pickups irritate my skin, this is not a problem with the Zephyr strap.

To get the best signal to your device wet the pads with a little water and the signal will be strong and instantaneous, once exercising your sweet will keep the pads moist, after use simply rinse off or wash the strap in the washer and hang to dry. When storing the HxM it is recommended to unsnap one side of the transmitter module to avoid battery drain.

We Didn't Like

Nothing at all the Zephyr HxM works was advertised. No hickup at all!

The Final Say

The Zephyr HxM works in conjunction with your Andriod device to provide an excellent option to track your rides, runs or other fitness activities and monitor your heart rate at a very reasonable price. Check out a few of the aps that are Zephyr’s Premier Partners. Apps are available from Zephyr’s Premier Developer Partners for walking, running, biking or any activity you might do, even in the most extreme environments. Go to the Android Market Place and download an app for your fitness program!

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