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when it works, it gets a measurement in about 3 seconds – manual says 3-8 seconds.

the “Percentage of maximum heart rate” functionality basically takes the single heart rate measurement and does a simple calculation based on a maximum set manually or automatically (preset by age).

regarding the clock accuracy – i adjusted it to an atomic clock and after 3 hours it fell 4 seconds behind. i readjusted it and after 12 hours it has fallen behind about 2 minutes 10 seconds.

i’d say this is an excellent product if you’re monitoring your heart rate on the couch while watching others exercise on tv, or if you want a loose measurement at random times; otherwise i would not recommend, even though it is fairly cheaper than other options.

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My wife’s (BLUE SMALL) watch does not have some functions like the timer and the high low heartbeat count. It is able to only detect your current heartbeat count. I am disappointed about this as it wasn’t indicated in the sales page on Amazon. And also the instruction booklet that came with it does not indicate this function is only available on the BLACK REGULAR model.

If you buy the BLACK REGULAR model, also take note that setting your maximum heartbeat count based on your age is not instructed in the manual. I found this out by chance when I depress the mode button for about 2 secs when in the heartbeat mode….

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When I found the Isokinetics heart rate monitor watch, it seemed the best of all worlds: simple, inexpensive, and small enough to fit my wrist. At $29 with free shipping, it was a real bargain. Less than a week after I ordered it, I’m wearing it and extremely happy.

The monitor/watch fits my small wrist (with one notch to go). The one button testing is easier than having to use two fingers as some strapless watch monitors require. And it works! It uses regular watch batteries that can be replaced for about $5 at most watch repair/jewelry stores if you’d rather not do it yourself.

This was a good buy. 5 stars for sure!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.