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sp392845

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 23, 2014
16
0
Sorry for the weird title...

For anybody that knows anything about sensor technology (I am clueless) will the Apple Watch's heart rate sensor/future sensors work for somebody with an especially hairy wrist, where a watch would go? I feel like the hair would block or inhibit the sensors from working properly.

Has anybody else thought of this or am I the only gorilla arm who is dying to get an Apple Watch?
 

Technodynamic

macrumors 6502
Jul 25, 2012
371
81
I plan on getting my left arm hair waxed off just before I get my Apple Watch to ensure the best readings of my pulse!
 

Chupa Chupa

macrumors G5
Jul 16, 2002
14,835
7,396
If it's a decent sensor it shouldn't be a problem. I have moderately hairy arms -- nothing to compete with King Kong -- but you can see as much hair as skin. I used the Fitbit Charge HR for a month and a half and it had zero issues finding my HR.

The only problem was the HR reported was about 5-10% below actual HR (when compared real time to a chest strap monitor's report). I don't know how Apple's LED system compares to Fitbit's but that is the question I can't wait to answer. My hope is that it will be w/i a % or two of a chest strap otherwise it's not useful outside of casual information. It's why I returned the Charge HR.
 

TheAppleFairy

Suspended
Mar 28, 2013
2,588
2,223
The Clinton Archipelago unfortunately
Like this?

hairy-arms-louis.jpg
 

jafingi

macrumors 65816
Apr 3, 2009
1,470
158
Denmark
I know that Polar's chest heart rate monitor doesn't like hair, and you have to shave off a little square :p But I would be amazed if Apple haven't got it working, unless you're a monkey :p
 

cleirac

macrumors 6502
May 7, 2014
465
0
This thread delivers!

From the thread title up thru the very last post. Piggie-less too, jk.
 

sp392845

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 23, 2014
16
0
Lol! Thanks for all the responses people...my arms definitely aren't THAT hairy, it's more my lack of understanding about sensor technology. And I know from working in healthcare about shaving the chest for those monitors (although I think that's more so that when they're removed, they don't rip off the hair.)
 
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