I bought an expensive smartwatch just to track my morning recovery (HRV) and resting heart rate so I wouldn't burn out at work. Then I found out you can literally just hold your finger over your iPhone camera and flashlight for 60 seconds, and the optical sensor reads the exact same PPG blood flow data. I returned the watch the very next day.
What is the most unnecessary purchase you’ve ever made?
I spent $400 on a health wearable just to realize my phone could already do it for free
byu/UsualCommon2095 inFrugal
Posted by UsualCommon2095
5 Comments
HRV and RHR are both typically logged as overnight averages
Not trying to sell your app at all?
Those apps that claim they can use the camera to measure heart rate or other biometrics are complete scams. They’re probably just tracking you and siphoning your data.
Go advertise somewhere else.
I use a cheap smart watch called amazfit it’s pretty great