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Just started dicking around with these things.
The bands and watches that have Optical HR built in to them are not as accurate as HR straps, as I understand it. That said, they seem to do OK. There's some medical grade ECG sensors on the horizon, and when they come along, HR straps will go away for runners and whatnot.
@Amey is kinda on the right lines when he says the App software is a key part, but I don't agree that it isn't great because iOS / Android put barriers in the way. The software I've seen for Fitbit and the Mio strap that I have is very polished. Setting things up was easy.
As the hardware gets cheaper and cheaper to integrate - all watches will have them one day - it's the software and the way it's positioned that will be the dealbreaker.
Garmin's software remains horrible because they try - as ever - to do everything and, and end up doing everything poorly as a consequence.
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I've owned other withings stuff, seems fairly nice but, as with all of them, the software has its quirks.
The main issue with this and a lot of similar stuff is that the novelty wears off. These, step counters and the like are OK for basic information but tend to either get upgraded (eg a Garmin with HR zones, GPS, etc) or stuck in a drawer after a while.
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Yup. I have the old one without HR. It's been pretty cool. But I wouldn't want the new one. Attraction of mine was it looks like an analogue watch, totally. But the software works well and battery lasts a good six months. Tracks sleep and steps. Only take it off when on the road bike. Sleep in it, shower in it.
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Anyone who knows about wearable tech able to tell me why this is a bad idea? Seems cheap and attractive.
http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/steel-hr