The COOSPO BC107 GPS Cycling Computer

 

The COOSPO BC107 GPS Cycling Computer is perfect for gathering data on max speed, average speed, distance, heart race and power. Connect with the smartphone app to download and analyze data.  Connects with Bluetooth and ANT+. Charges with a simple provided micro USB cable. 

Training update from over the weekend

This weekend’s training sessions went very well. I can start to tell I am getting more comfortable getting my heart rate up in my Zones 3 and 4. 

I was going to do my long run on Saturday and follow it up with a road ride to help the legs recover. I did it the opposite though.  I rode with a group ride Saturday morning. Under an odd cloud cover and some sprinkles. The out and back round trip 33 mile course I had ridden numerous times before.  It has a good climb in it. I rode it harder than I have before, feeling very strong and able to keep up with more riders than in the past. Set some new PR’s on Strava segments. Nutrition and hydration were spot on. Felt energized the entire time. 

Sunrise at the top of Goldmine! 

Followed it up Sunday with a 6.5 mile trail run. The miles taking place on the course I am running on in November. Once again the cooler morning temperatures helped. I set some PR’s on a few segments here too, but also did a fair amount of walking getting used to the terrain. There is one steep hill, a good 500 foot climb, I was able to get in twice before I was finished for the day.  Hydration was good, but I could have eaten a little more to keep my pace up I believe. 

Not sure what the next three-day Labor Day weekend will have in store. 

I would like to get a good eight or nine mile run under my belt, and I think I am up for it. 

Training is going well and as expected, but I still need to work on getting more training in. 

Version 1.12.36 Suunto Spartan Software Update

What does updating the new software to the Suunto Spartan offer? Version 1.12.36 adds Training Heart Rate Zones. Great addition to an already great heart rate monitor/ GPS watch. This is a great addition to an already incredible device. Sure you can look down at your watch for the heart rate number, but just glancing down at the watch face, you can determine what zone you are in quickly. The watch records the time spent in each zone so when going over data after a workout you can see how you performed.

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Software update for Suunto Spartan WHR

Suunto released the new version 1.11.56 software update for their Suunto Spartan WHR.  It now includes sleep monitoring as well as other improvements. 

Check out the new option for a watch face, that keeps you informed on when the sunrise/sunset is as well as the percentage of the moon that is illuminated. 

Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR

                          

The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR watch is an impressive tool to gather and monitor workout/training information. BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) connectivity with numerous devices, I have paired it with my Stryd running Power Meter POD and the Suunto bike cycling cadence and speed sensor. I have also paired it with my smartphones BLE allowing it to retrieve data for uploading to the MovesCount app by Suunto.  I have worn the MIO Alpha, in both options of the BLE and ANT+, before they combined both technologies in one HR monitor.  For awhile I had worn my Ambit 2S paired with the MIO Alpha ANT+ version.  So I had a watch on both wrists, with the MIO reading my HR to send it across the my Ambit 2S. 
The daily battery consumption is a little steep.  Being fully charged, just walking around with it on, not using it to track HR throughout the day or using during a training workout and only the steps being counted during the day, around 10 percent of the battery power is consumed. I hope during a future firmware update this can be improved.  

Check out this video showcasing the touch screen and setup of the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR watch and I show a little of the Suunto Moves desktop program used for setting up the watch. 

 

Workout show in the MovesCount mobile app

Workout show in the MovesCount mobile app

Workout show in the MovesCount mobile app 

Workout show in the MovesCount mobile app 

Workout show in the MovesCount mobile app 

The BLE version of the MIO Alpha which I use to use for 

reading my HR from my wrist. 

The ANT+ version of the MIO Alpha which I use to use for 

reading my HR from my wrist. 

Workout show in the MovesCount mobile app 

Workout show in the MovesCount mobile app 

Workout show in the MovesCount mobile app 

Workout show in the MovesCount mobile app 

MovesCount Desktop site

List in the desktop program for setting up your activities.

Desktop program showing the different screens each activity has. 

Four Fields 

Three fields 

Graphs

Navagation

After uploading your workout/training to MovesCount

Here are what the different screens look like after uploading the information and accessing the information on a smartphone.

Settings only accessible with the desktop app/ MovesCount site   

With any device that reads your HR off off your skin, like with the Spartan Sport, optical sensor, it must be worn tight, not cutting off circulation, but tight.  No sleeves/ wrist bands can be worn under it. The accuracy can be effected by skin pigment/tattoos etc.  To increase the accuracy it no big deal just to shave the hair on the portion under the watch.  

The watch is chargeable with the provided USB cable, which unlike the Ambit 2S I previously had, the charging cable also used for uploading data to a computer would use a pinch type clip to snap on the watch.  The new dongle attaches under the watch with a magnet under the watch. 

The features of the watch include a pedometer, that is always up and running, giving you a step count. So you can say good bye to wearing your Fitbit or other step counting band. You can set the watch to monitor your heart rate throughout the day as well as with it being attached to your smartphone, set you notices of activity from your smartphone.  For use in the open water or in a pool, the watch is water resistant down to 100 meters.
You can use the touch screen to move through the screens or the three buttons on the right side of the watch.  The three buttons on the watch are the only buttons. However, when used under water, the buttons on the right side of the watch are the only way to scroll or start and stop the watch.

The Movescount mobile app is used for syncing training sessions and only for basic watch settings.  If you want to configure the watch with watch screens/ data fields you must use the Suunto MovesCount computer site.  The MovesCount computer site is very impressive, not only tracking your training /workouts but allowing you to look back and compare your data.

Before I get into the info screens the mobile app provides, I have always loved their Suunto Movie.  This is a map of your workout showing from the sky your movement during your workout.  
 
Pair it with a cadence/speed sensor or power meter.

The app displays your distance, average pace, average HR, Calories, Recovery time, PTE (Peak Training Effect) Average speed, cadence, descent, highest point, lowest point, EPOC Peak.  You can also add to your workout photos if you want to. 

A big question I get asked a lot about the watch is, “ Can it record your HR while swimming”?  Any watch, chest-strap mounted monitor or wrist monitor is going to have a difficult time accurately reading your heart rate.  Your best bet to really get a more accurate reading is to pair the watch with the Smart HR Sensor from Suunto.  The Smart HR Sensor is a chest strap mounted sensor, keep in mind. 

Link to social media such as Facebook, Twitter or other training sites and apps such as Strava, Training Peaks. 

This is a great watch all around.  For the very convenient HR sensor as part of the watch.  The touch screen is a little stubborn at times, but a solid tap or swipe is all it needs, when used under water, the buttons on the right side of the watch are the only way to scroll or start and stop the watch.  Easily syncs to smartphone or other devices using BLE. There is no ANT+ available on this model.