There’s a number of activity monitors out there. They all have their own edge. But the Basis B1 band has the ability to track your heart rate from your wrist. You don’t have to wear a chest strap or touch sensors to get a heart rate from your pulse.
The Basis band is able to continuously track your heart rate from its wristwatch. In the past watch-only heart rate monitors required you to touch two buttons simultaneously to get a pulse. To get a continuous reading, other heart rate monitors require you wear a chest strap that sends data via a wireless signal to a wristwatch or receiver. An optical engine tracks heart rate by directing light into the skin to observe blood flow.
Day and night, sensors in the watch track activity beyond heart rate. Two heat sensors track skin and ambient temperature changes. A 3-axis accelerometer records movement and activity. Galvanic skin response sensors track the intensity of activity by measuring sweat levels.
In addition to tracking heart rate, the Basis B1 band measures activity such as walking and running. Basis uses sensors to monitor your heart rate, calculate calories burned, determine your physical activity and even gauge your sleep patterns. Though you have to wear the watch all night in order to track your sleep. All the data are compiled and uploaded to a website, where you can review your progress. The Basis awards points for activity, so you have a clear goal to reach each week.
The Basis B1 Band is almost ready for release. Basis will sell the device for $199 and is taking preorders on its website.