The Polar Verity Sense flexible optical pulse sensor. It is suitable for practically all sports and can be connected to numerous compatible sports watches or apps via Bluetooth Smart and ANT +. If necessary, even with 2 receivers at the same time. The device can also be operated in standalone mode independently of such receivers because it has an integrated memory.
Table of Contents
The Polar OH1 flexible pulse bracelet. With it, the sports specialist from Finland offers a versatile solution for various training types because it can be coupled with many sports watches or sports apps. But, unfortunately, such pulse sensors are few and far between in the trade.
Pros and Cons
| Polar Verity Sense | Polar OH1 |
| Comfortable strap | Accurate, responsive measurements |
| Works with sports watches with ANT+ | Waterproof (WR30) |
| Delivers reliable data | Status LEDs |
| Accessibility of the button on the side | Accessibility of the button on the side |
| Can’t view battery status in-app | Can’t view battery status in-app |
Key Features
| Polar Verity Sense | Polar OH1 | |
 |  | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | Polar | Polar |
| Model | Verity Sense | OH1 |
| Release date | Feb 17th, 2021 | Mar 20nd, 2019 |
| Compatibility | Android + iOS | Android + iOS |
| Availability | Available | Available |
Polar Verity Sense
In addition to the highlights mentioned initially, Polar announces a whole range of other features and improvements for the Verity Sense, which can be reasons to prefer it to the predecessor OH1. These bring advantages, especially in practical use, as they also aim to eliminate the weaknesses of the community’s predecessor and implement desirable new features. In particular, battery life, Bluetooth range, options for swimmers, and the design of the bracelet has now been further developed.
Here is an overview of the features that have changed compared to the OH1:
- longer battery life: 20 instead of 8 hours of training
- Increased Bluetooth range: 150 meters Bluetooth range instead of 75 meters (with the help of an omnidirectional antenna in the bracket)
- Larger memory: 16 MB memory instead of 4 (thus 600 hours of training data possible instead of 200)
- more water-resistant: 50 meters (WR50) instead of 30 meters (WR30)
- Dual Bluetooth and ANT +: two Bluetooth Low Energy connections possible at the same time instead of just one. With ANT + even more
- better options for swimming and improved swimming goggle clip: swimming mode with a recording of the pulse (via the temple), pace, and distance
- Improved wristband design/holder: This keeps the sensor more stable and can be opened. The old bracelet is practically made of one piece
- Conveys the active mode better with new symbols and LEDs
Polar OH1
As the manufacturer announced on 03/20/19, an update ensures that the sensor now supports ANT + in addition to Bluetooth. This means that you can transmit your heart rate to different devices in real-time at the same time.
There is also a new sales package that also includes a swimming goggle clip. When swimming, the sensor is attached to the swimming goggles with the clamp, and you can measure your heart rate on your temple. In addition, it can now also be used with the Beat Mobile App. The manufacturer has released a successor model with many improvements called Verity Sense.
Technical Specifications
| Polar Verity Sense | Polar OH1 | |
| Sensor type | Optical pulse sensor | Optical pulse sensor |
| Execution | Elastic bracelet | Elastic bracelet |
| Internal memory | 16 MB, 600 hours of training time | 4 MB, up to 200 hours of training time |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy, 2 simultaneous connections. ANT+ | ANT+, Bluetooth Low Energy |
| Sensors | Optical heart rate, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer. | Optical heart rate, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer. |
| Swimming metrics | Yes | No |
| ANT+ | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with third party apps | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth range | 150 meters | 75 meters |
| Battery | Up to 30 hours of training | 12 hours of training |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM (50 meters) | 5 ATM (50 meters) |
| Weight | Sensor 5 g, holder 3 g, armband + holder 12 g, swimming goggle strap clip 2 g, charger 4 g | Sensor 5 g, armband 12 g, clip 3,5 g |
| Dimensions | 30,0 mm | 29.85 mm |
Polar Verity Sense
On the one hand, the bracelet can now also be opened, while that of the predecessor consists practically of one piece. But, on the other hand, the sensor is now held even more stable and can now be pushed out of the holder through a central opening.
The new bracket has an omnidirectional antenna on the inside, which increases the Bluetooth range. Instead of 75 meters, it can now achieve a Bluetooth range of up to 150 meters. If you have the old OH1 sensor, you can also use the new bracket. However, only the new sensor can make use of the antenna. The following picture shows the new antenna and a comparison to the old bracket, which does not have an amplifying antenna:
For swimmers, an improved clip for swimming goggles is included so that the sensor rests directly on the temple and records the pulse and other swimming metrics there. Improved because it should be compatible with more swimming goggles. As you can see in the pictures, the clip also has an amplifying antenna:
The battery is charged via a small, handy USB charging cradle and can update the firmware via computer or smartphone. The USB charging connector has not changed and is compatible with its predecessor. It simply plugs into a USB power supply unit (not included) or a USB port on a computer.
Using the Verity Sense from Polar is very easy. The elastic textile wristband is usually worn on the left or right forearm or upper arm. These positions prove to be the most suitable in practice how to wear the sensor while swimming is described below. Depending on the type of sport, the sensor achieves better results than sports watches with an integrated pulse sensor. In particular, sports are meant here in which the wrist is flexed. These include cycling and weight training.
Direct vibrations when riding a bike on very bumpy paths/roads or taut muscles (e.g., rowing, weight training) can make measurements on the wrist difficult and falsify them. The pulse sensor can also help with these, as it can be used at different points on the arm. Users should ensure constant skin contact but also that the bracelet is not too tight. This could affect the blood circulation and thus the measurement.
Polar OH1
The textile wristband of the OH1 is elastic and can be worn on both the upper and lower arm. Compared to wrist-worn sports watches with a pulse sensor, better results are most likely achieved in some sports.
In particular, sports are meant here in which the wrist is bent (cycling, weight training), direct vibrations make pulse measurement impossible (cycling on very bumpy paths/roads), or the muscles are so tight that pulse measurement can be difficult and falsified.
The application is effortless. The training unit is activated via the start button on the side; an LED signal provides information about the sensor’s status (such as the battery level). The battery is charged via USB and can update the firmware via computer or smartphone.
The OH1 has a button on the side of the unit that can have different functions depending on the situation. There is also a side LED for orientation, which uses various color signals to indicate the current modes or other things.
Like the Polar heart rate chest strap H10, the sensor has an internal memory with a storage capacity of up to 200 hours of training. Practically, a workout can be started, ended, and later synchronized completely independently of an app. The H10 chest strap cannot do that. Must always be started a training session with the H10 via an external trigger such as the Polar Beat app.
Conclusion!
The wearing comfort of Polar Verity Sense and the operation is good, the versatility excellent, and the connectivity stable and trouble-free. The price has increased compared to the predecessor, but the weak points have also been eliminated, and many improvements have been retrofitted.
