Magene Heart rate Monitor (H303 and H603)

[Dan S.]

I bought the H303 recently. I tried it first and it didn't work. I had to push it from behind on the battery cover in order to start flashing a bit. I then opened it and applied some left over self-adhesive thin foam on the battery cover, which then pressed the battery tightly and now the HR meter works no problem. Was a bit frustrated at the beginning tho, not gonna lie.

[ZacItaly15]

I bought the H303 recently. I tried it first and it didn't work. I had to push it from behind on the battery cover in order to start flashing a bit. I then opened it and applied some left over self-adhesive thin foam on the battery cover, which then pressed the battery tightly and now the HR meter works no problem. Was a bit frustrated at the beginning tho, not gonna lie.

I hardly suggest you to fold a little the copper contact instead of put any spacer to the battery. Apply also some contact cleaner in order to improve the contact between battery and pins.

[johnnyboy4711]

Using an older Magene H64? - With rechargeable CR2032 cells I need to change the battery every 2 months.
One problem I found early on was wrong too high readings and they were caused by the chest belt being conductive when wet by sweat.

Solution:
Cut the belt between the connection points to the HR monitor, so the belt is split.
Since then no problems with the HR monitor except for corroded connectors which required me to change the belt once so far.

BR Chris

did this as was getting high and infrequent readings when at zone 1.
got frustrated and cut the belt between the two contacts  took about an inch off the belt creating a gap between the HRM clip ons on the sensor to the belt and low and behold stability and consistency!
see here at 33mins approx

[zett]

I now bought a "COOSPO H808S" gonna see how well that one will hold up.

I've been using that one for almost two years and it's been perfect. Just works, connects reliably with multiple head units and my laptop, seems accurate compared to other sensors etc. Battery life is great as well as long as you disconnect it from the strap when not in use.

Note that the straps don't last forever, I'd always get a spare just in case.

[kolesar]

Using an older Magene H64? - With rechargeable CR2032 cells I need to change the battery every 2 months.
One problem I found early on was wrong too high readings and they were caused by the chest belt being conductive when wet by sweat.

Solution:
Cut the belt between the connection points to the HR monitor, so the belt is split.
Since then no problems with the HR monitor except for corroded connectors which required me to change the belt once so far.

BR Chris

Hey, sorry for being late, but do I understand correctly that this means cutting the whole belt which would then only be held together by the "plastic computer" unit when wearing it?

[cramy]

Anyone bought the H613? And can provide with a feedback on it.

[dancon]

I have no experience with other HRM but i bought the 303 from Magene and am using it for two months now. Didnt have to change battery up until now. I am riding about 10 hours weekly and am happy with the results.
The numbers seem to add up and i compared them with a polar-HRM we have lying around at my work and it doesnt seem to differ significantly.

After some of your posts i am curious if that changes after the first batteryswitch.

But right now i am a fan. Especially if you consider that the Magene one costs 1/8th of other popular products.

[brain]

Hey everyone,
I’m a fan of Magene products and when I read about the release of the H613 I had to get one. However, I've been a Polar H10 user for a while now—it's been my trusty heart rate monitor for my bike rides. I dodged my previous Magene heart rate monitors due to connection issues when training indoors and connecting to several devices simultaneously.
After @cramy’s post, I decided to get my hands on the new Magene H613 and wanted to see how this more budget-friendly option would compare to the "gold standard." I put them both through a workout today, and here's my quick take.

First Impressions & Design

• The Magene H613 is so light. The sensor unit itself is incredibly small. light and low-profile, which makes it feel very unobtrusive when you're wearing it. However, I never felt uncomfortable when using a heart rate strap. They've also clearly improved the strap design with anti-slip silicone dots, and it feels much more comfortable. It's a huge step up from other Magene HR monitors I've used.
• One key difference regarding the straps is the locking mechanism. The Polar H10 has a very simple but secure snap-together clasp that’s easy to use. The Magene's is good, and a definite proven solution, but it just doesn't feel quite as good and easy to use as the Polar's. This is a minor point, but for something you'll be putting on and taking off constantly, it's a small edge the Polar has.

Accuracy Test

• This was the main task for me. I ran both monitors simultaneously, with the H10 connected to my cycling computer and the H613 connected to my phone's training app (MyWhoosh).
• I ran some analyses in R, using Mike L. Smith’S FITfileR package (https://msmith.de/FITfileR/articles/FITfileR.html):

• As you can see, during my 58min ride, both monitors were virtually identical. The heart rate readings matched closely. The maximum difference was a heart rate difference of 10 for literally one second. Most of the readings matched almost beat-for-beat. Also, for high intensity intervals, the Magene H613 was right there with the Polar H10. It responded quickly to spikes and drops in heart rate and didn't show any erratic readings. I was genuinely impressed—the Magene's accuracy is on par with the Polar H10.

My Verdict
The Magene H613 is a serious contender to the Polar H10. It offers the comparable accuracy as the H10. It also has extra features—like the rechargeable battery and 3-channel Bluetooth. The improvements they've made to the strap also make it much more comfortable than previous Magene models. Even if the longevity of the H613 still needs to be tested, I do think that when you factor in the much lower price, it's a no-brainer for most people.
Will it replace my H10 Polar? After this test, the Polar H10 will still be my go-to unit. I've used it for so long and trust it implicitly. However, the Magene has proven to be an excellent alternative. In case my H10's battery dies unexpectedly or the unit fails for any reason, the Magene will surely step in as a more than capable backup.

[pushpush]

I hate buying batteries for my HRM. The rechargeable battery of the Magene is attractive. H10 is so reliable though.

[pushpush]

How much volume do you do per week for this to be a problem? In my experience, HRM coin batteries last at least 6 months, and i'd say more like 12 months? Given these things tend to die as they're constantly exposed to sweat, i'm still buying coin battery versions, as the rechargeable models i've seen cost 2-3x more.
My vector 2 PM uses a coin battery as well, and that thing needs replacing more often. I tried a rechargeable coin battery and it never worked properly.

about 15hrs/wk outdoor + whatever trainer time I can fit in. Probably about 5month interval if I buy the more expensive batteries. I just feel bad about the waste.

[Bassa80]

Does anyone know if the Magene H613 can be used for swimming? On their web page, they state it is IPX7 - does that mean you can take it to the water (officially IPX7 is waterproof for up to 1m for 30min).

[ZacItaly15]

my 303 HR started going crazy with a "good shaped" battery (aliex sourced)
I invest in a primary quality battery (Varta) and now it works perfectly