Scosche Rhythm24 PPG Optical Heart Rate Monitor Review
The Scosche Rhythm24 is an impressive optical heart rate monitor, and it's by far my favorite. What sets it apart is its ValenCell sensor technology, which provides a more consistent reading, especially when experiencing vibrations from external sources like being in a car, plane, or on a bicycle. Unlike other sensors that suffer from "cadence lock" with movement, the Rhythm 24 maintains its ability to deliver accurate heart rate variability (HRV) data.
Key Features and Best Practices
To get the most accurate readings, I highly recommend wearing this sensor on your upper arm near your bicep, where there is less movement. While some watches wear a device on the wrist, it's generally the least accurate place for a biosensor due to too much movement.
The Rhythm 24 is also incredibly versatile. It has a triathlon mode that allows you to record your entire race in its internal memory, switching between swimming, running, and cycling with the press of a button. It's called the "Rhythm 24" because its battery can last up to 24 hours in heart-rate-only mode. However, when using HRV and recording internally, I've found it gets about 12 to 14 hours of continuous data before the memory is full and the battery gets low.
I love that the data is summarized in a simple format, showing how many seconds you spent in each heart rate zone. The charging adapter is secure, and the device is waterproof, so you can use it for swimming or even in a cold plunge.
