Listening to music and measuring heart rate are perhaps the most popular technological activities among enthusiasts who practice jogging or go to gyms. But how to combine these two needs comfortably and effectively while running in a park or on a treadmill? The Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless Earphones have been designed to measure heartbeats while listening to your favorite music.
Jabra Sport Pulse: Technical Features
Jabra’s solution to monitor heart rate does not include other devices to wear for measuring beats. The detection is carried out by the left earphone, which is equipped with an optomechanical sensor that, by illuminating the skin inside the ear, can measure the pulse and oxygen consumption.
This technology takes advantage of the fact that the inside of the ear is rich in blood vessels. This allows guaranteeing the information’s reliability, a bit like it has been happening for some time with intra-ear thermometers.
Jabra said that the accuracy of these measurements comes close to the ECG machines used in hospitals. This is undoubtedly a very demanding statement. Certainly, the correct positioning of the left earpiece becomes indispensable for the correct functioning of the sensor.
Heart rate monitoring through Jabra’s Sport Pulse earphones is truly excellent. It easily compares with other measuring devices that use chest straps like the TomTom Runner Cardio and the Adidas miCoach Fit Smart.
The sound quality is certainly good in sound, but it must be evaluated about the type of use. Anyone thinking of using these earphones as living room headphones would probably be disappointed. However, in the most-recent Special Edition version, the audio quality has been improved, together with a more precise measurement of the VO2 max, the maximum oxygen consumption during the training phase.
The only real weak point of the Sport Pulse earphones seems to be the battery life that reaches a maximum of 5 hours in total, much less than the Jabra Sport Wellness and Jaybird BlueBuds X devices reach 8 hours. It is essential to remember to turn the Pulse off between workouts to not take them out of the bag with the battery exhausted.
App and Connectivity
The Jabra Sport Pulse connection with the complementary app can be made via NFC or via Bluetooth. Once the device is worn, a voice communication notifies the sensor’s correct functioning, which obviously stops by removing the headset. The GPS signal is instead taken from the connected smartphone.
The headphones work well with all the most popular fitness apps like Nike+, Edmondo, or Runkeeper. To fully exploit the potential of the earphones, it is preferable to use the Jabra app.
Jabra is investing heavily in developing apps that are increasingly usable and integrated with marketed devices. The free Jabra Sport Life app is one of the best out there and is simple and pleasant to use. Currently, the Android version supports some features that are not present in the one for iOS.
The app requires general physiological data such as name, age, height, and weight. The indication of these data is recommended but not mandatory.
Before starting a training program, it is possible to indicate the type of activity performed, the accompanying music selection, and the data display style. The app provides a fair variety of selectable sporting activities, including cycling, walking, running, hiking, skating, and skiing. If training takes place in the gym, the treadmill option is provided.
Java Sport Life allows you to set goals for distance, time, and calorie consumption. By monitoring the heart rate, it is also possible to prepare the training sessions based on the rhythm, the beats reached, and the programmed intervals.
The musical accompaniment is easily selectable by recalling from the main screen (depending on the smartphone model) the music libraries of the smartphone or even those of iTunes, Spotify, or Google Play Music.
The app’s voice coach intervenes at regular intervals during the training, communicating the biometric data and its progress. It is obviously possible to receive this information at any time by pressing the button on the left earphone.
The Sport Life app also includes a resting heart rate test that involves measuring during a two-minute relaxation period. An orthostatic test is also available, requiring you to lie down for 15 minutes and immediately stand for 15 seconds.
To make the best use of headphones in moments of relaxation, you can instead use the Jabra Sound app equipped with an equalizer and youtube streaming.
Conclusion
The Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless is decidedly avant-garde and combines excellent wearability with good sound quality and extreme ease of use. The app supplied is excellent. The high-end price limits the purchase to those who really need it for sports. Good alternatives to the Sport Pulse are the Platronics Backbeat Fite earphones and the Samsung Level U headphones.
Why buy Jabra Sport Pulse?
Jabra Sport Pulse headphones are high-quality and technology earphones that make them a device suitable for those who practice sports continuously and need to make the most of all the potential offered by the biometric measurement tools focusing only on sporty activity.
Where to Buy Jabra Sport Pulse Headphone?
Comfort
Design
Sound Quality
PROS : Heart rate monitor: does not require you to wear other accessories because it is integrated into the earphone. Good maneuverability: all buttons are easily accessible during training. Excellent fit: the three sets of adapters ensure excellent adherence during training, Water resistance: the construction material is light and resistant to rain or sweat, Integrated app: the Jabra Sport Life app is undoubtedly one of the most complete for fitness, Good audio quality: music and sounds undoubtedly reach a medium-high level.
CONS : Battery: the total duration does not exceed 5 hours, Heart-rate monitor: it is very sensitive and requires perfect anchoring to the left ear.Product prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availablility information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of any products.
