World’s Smartest Heart Rate Monitor? - Fourth Frontier X2

Is this the World's Smartest Heart Rate Monitor? The Fourth Frontier X2 produces detailed ECG graphs and so much more.

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[cknutson]

Great overview. I am two runs in to my new X2, and I am glad I made the lead, despite the expense. I developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation a few years ago, and conventional optical HRMs don't quite help. When I was diagnosed with Afib, I wore a monitor for two weeks and never experienced Afib during that time, or during my stress tests.

Over time, I found that some watches didn't do well with certain exercises, which led me to the arm-band HRM, and found the Polar arm-band optical HRM. I have used the Polar OH1 & Verity Sense for a few years, and love it, primarily for the improved HR accuracy over a watch-based HRM sensor. Enter the X2. Since I mostly experience Afib triggered during my cardio workouts, I can just use the X2, and if/when something happens, I have it available to send to my cardiologist. I agree that the X2 is overkill for the average fitness buff, and is somewhat of a niche product for those that have, or are concerned about, underlying cardiac conditions.

[larsh]

I am a sucker for wearables that can monitor aspects of fitness and health. But based on your review, I agree that this is probably more interesting for someone trying to diagnose or monitor a condition.

Love the unbiased review.

[picodegallo]

I think this is going to be huge for those of us who love athletics and also have cardio issues. I have a tachycardia (fast heartrate) issue that I'm dealing with and having the recorded ecg is fantastic for my cardiologist. Also, when it goes very high (over 200 beats per minute) I will go into a strain pattern where my heart doesn't get enough oxygen. Yeah. Bad. That's why this thing can make a difference.

[Rockpil]

I was just cycling and went through a 30sec round of SVT, my heartrate hit 196. If I was wearing this it would have been valuable information. Still glad I caught it on my bike computer to show a DR. I may have to get one of these if it ever happens again.

[TheDude-mn]

It would be cool if they had a mirror feature so you could just look in a mirror to read what is needed.

[knutbk]

Thanks for sharing HR data comparisons which show it’s not especially (or maybe at all?) functionally more accurate for zone training.

With a family history of heart disease, I can see this worth a longer analysis for my use, though I’m curious what you thought of the extra size (not weight) and whether wearing this was any more cumbersome on runs/sprints/weight lifting.

[blaineblasdell]

Thanks for the reviews. Always good. I bought one using FSA money I had for the year. My x2 unit x2 a different USB charging cable with a plastic plug. I bought it for low HR zone training and running. Also the ability to connect to 3 devices, so can connect to Peloton, Cheetah Watch and Frontier app.

[nickdatyner]

Thanks for the review. Not many out there that have much thought in them. I've been using for about 3 weeks and yes ok for running but even if it worked for swimming I don't think you can bring the HR data into a Garmin watch like you can with the Garmin straps that work for swimming. I think the breathing rate which it measures is a valuable metric especially for Zone 2 training. But a really high price to get this data. I had hoped the other data like HRV, Strain etc would be useful. Also you can't adjust the heart rates used in their Zones to match the Garmin or other Zone setups. Don't know where their Zones come from. Also found their recommendations for future exercise not very useful because you just can't wear the HR monitor all the time for all activities unlike say a Garmin watch. The Garmin or Apple watch is recording everything pretty much so is aware of all the sports activities with and without a HR strap.

[midsfella]

Im currently struggling with Afib and looked at this device but was put off by the price, I use a polar h10 for my training and would probably only really use this throughout the night to record and hopefully catch said episodes, it just seems so expensive. Are there any costs other than the price of the device? Cheers for the review.

[DTraylor]

That price isn't bad, you get a 24hr holter/tele monitor for 500 bucks.

[RemyBReel]

Not for me but glad it exists! Love new tech and innovation when it's done well

[ActiveIdeas]

Fantastic video as always Matt! I like what they’re doing here! It’s a little insight into what technology Garmin/Coros/Polar/Suunto could potentially bring to their future chest straps 🔥

[stevemurray]

5:32 cardiac strain. Matt did your value change much with your different workouts? Many training videos stress that you must push your body to higher levels to force it to adapt (get faster ) but a valid strain measurement could tell you if you've gone too far and might be causing damage to your heart. As a very old dude it seems more likely overdoing could backfire. Does the device explain this strain measurement? I know i go way over the 220 minus age value for estimating max HR. I recall an Ironman where 2 died in the swim. There is a need for strain data.

[reflectionsdetail]

I would love to know how the sharing of the ECG with others works. How do they get the data? Do I share my access code of the files that are stored on their cloud service? This sharing is HUGE and if works well is a HUGE selling point. However the sharing must be easy and not cumbersome for the other user you are sharing with.

Also the data must be secure, how well is this done. Could anyone get access to this data for any reason?

[yevinn-]

That's a lot of money for a heart rate monitor... but if it works whose to say it's a bad idea. I did buy a Polar H10 to pair with my Apple Watch but I haven't been impressed with it. It would say my heart rate was 50+ bpm lower in the middle of a workout so I stopped using it since it wasn't helping with Zone 2 training

[integralsun]

I’d like to have all the data and the analysis per heart condition. I’m a buyer at under $300 USD.

[ftrout]

Doesn't connect to Zwift or to Whaoo headwind. Does support Ant + or anything that is not BLE. It's the most expensive ans the less compatible HR monitor on the market!

[The_running_tech_guy]

Does it sync its data to Apple health?

[KimWentworth-ye]

Looks like you have other rhythm in your workout. Is that normal? Do you have AFIB

[sekainiheiwa]

The only equation how is this accurate ?