One night I was scrolling around on social media and in my feed I saw something called the LifeBEAM Smart Visor. Of course, being a HUGE hater of chest strap heart rate sensors, I clicked to read more, it took me to LifeBEAM’s website, and here’s what I learned:
Meet the LifeBEAM Smart Visor: a smart wearable device that measures your heart rate, calories consumption, and cadence/steps without a chest strap. Its optical heart-rate sensor is integrated into the Smart Visor. This Smart Visor connects wirelessly to smartphones, smartwatches, and cycling computers via Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+. The device runs 15 hours when fully charged. It also provides you with a sound and light user interface and you can pick it up for a mere $99!
A few years ago they decided to bring that technology to the consumer sector in the form of a bicycle helmet with an optical heart-rate sensor. The bicycle helmet was also named to Canadian Cycle Magazine’s list of top helmets for 2015. Then, LifeBEAM expanded the line to running hats and visors. I was lucky enough to receive one of their visors to wear, test and review. Please know though, that my thoughts are completely my own.
Like I said, I’m not a fan of the traditional chest strap heart rate monitor. I’ve attempted to use the chest strap type of heart rate monitor a few different times over the years but without fail, I either get tired of wearing it, get tired of putting it on, or better yet, I’ll develop some weird rash on my skin, or just simply I’m frustrated about how it moves around or how it feels while I’m out on a run. While I’d love to have the information provided from the data that comes with a chest strap, it’s just not worth wearing it to me. I know a lot of trainers love their people to wear them, but I just never got into the habit. The LifeBEAM Smart Visor is perfect for anyone that feels like I do about the dreaded chest strap.
The LifeBEAM Smart Visor feels very comfortable – similar to any random visor you might wear to run. It blocks the sun and it comes in a nice white color with pink and gray trim. Easy matching outfits for me, the lover of anything pink. Anyway, all you need to do is push your bangs or other hair out of the way of the sensor when you put the visor on, and put it on like any other visor. The position of the optical sensor places it directly on your forehead right underneath the hairline but you can’t feel it there at all.
The sensor connects to a small battery found on the right on the Smart Visor itself. The battery is charged via micro-USB port and is inserted into a small Velcro pocket making it nearly impossible to accidentally slip out of the Smart Visor. When you want to wash the Smart Visor, you can remove the battery but you don’t have to take it out to charge it. A nice feature is the fact that the battery actually has an on/off switch with an indicator light so you know if it’s on, or when it needs to be charged, etc. so you’re not stuck with it not working. The battery is thin and lightweight, and while it’s small it seems to be made well.
The LifeBEAM Smart Visor is a Bluetooth heart rate monitor and can connect to many different products, from GPS watches to smartphone apps. You can check out the list of compatible products on their website, but there’s a pretty good chance the Smart Visor will work with whichever product you use. I haven’t had any issues with connectivity or monitoring with my Garmin. The accuracy of the Smart Visor seems about right, but I can’t really be sure since I have no data to compare it to.
Here’s some of that important “specification” information you might be wondering about:
- Sensors: Optical heart-rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer
- Max. readable heart rate: 220 BPM
- Min. readable heart rate: 30 BPM
- Operating temp.: -5°C to 45°C (23°F to 113°F)
- Water Resistance: All weather compatibility and hand washable
- Battery Type: Rechargeable 100mAh lithium polymer
- Battery Life: 17 hours of continuous use
- Communication modules: ANT+™ and Bluetooth low energy (BLE)
- Certifications: U.S. and Europe Certifications
- Fit: Velcro strap, one size fits all
The Smart Visor is going to be great for a few other strenuous outdoor activities, and I look forward to experiencing the results of the data to help me become a better runner. I’m also going to lend it out to one of my good friends who is a running coach just so she can experience its awesomeness too!
You can purchase the LifeBEAM Smart Visor on the LifeBEAM website ==== HERE! It comes with a very neat carbon carry on case, the included battery and necessary charging cable along with some written documentation.
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