New iGPSPORT HR80 Review: How Accurate Is the Upper-Arm Heart Rate Sensor?

The New iGPSPORT HR80 Heart Rate

A chest strap usually provides reliable training heart rate data, but I do not always find it comfortable. Its close fit around the chest can be bothersome during longer sessions or indoor cycling. Optical upper-arm sensors are an interesting alternative.

I tried the iGPSPORT HR80 Heart Rate Monitor Strap while cycling, particularly in Zwift training. Comfort was not my only concern: I wanted to assess reliability and how closely it matched a chest strap. I therefore recorded it alongside a Wahoo TRACKR and the optical heart rate measurement of a Garmin Forerunner 970.

Accuracy

The most interesting part was direct comparison with other sensors. I used three measurement systems simultaneously:

• iGPSPORT HR80 on the upper arm
• Wahoo TRACKR chest strap as the reference
• Garmin Forerunner 970 with optical wrist measurement

The result is clear in the graph.

Across much of the roughly 38-minute session, iGPSPORT HR80 and Wahoo TRACKR are surprisingly close. The orange and blue curves are sometimes almost indistinguishable. Rapid effort changes are especially interesting: even through sharp rises and falls in heart rate, the HR80 closely follows the Wahoo strap in my test. This does not establish that an optical upper-arm sensor is generally as accurate as a chest strap. Agreement in this particular session was nevertheless convincing.

A Clear Difference from Wrist Measurement

The section after around 31 minutes is particularly revealing. Wahoo TRACKR and iGPSPORT HR80 show a rapid rise to approximately 180bpm, with nearly parallel curves. The Garmin Forerunner 970 initially reads considerably lower here and follows the actual effort with a delay. Such situations are one reason I find an external sensor interesting for structured training. Optical wrist measurement often works well at steady effort.

With very rapid effort changes, however, it can respond differently or temporarily deviate more. The upper arm is generally a more favourable optical sensor location: it can sit relatively firmly over a larger skin area and is less affected by wrist movement while cycling.

Pairing the iGPSPORT HR80

Use with Zwift was an important part of my test. The HR80 was pleasantly straightforward, immediately appearing as HR80 in my pairing menu. I only needed to select it as the heart rate source.

Once paired, the HR80 appears as the connected heart rate source in Zwift and transmits current readings directly. Pairing was quick in my test, exactly what I want from an external sensor: put it on, connect and train. Automatic activation is practical too. According to the manufacturer, it detects being worn and switches on automatically, returning to sleep roughly ten seconds after removal. There is therefore no constant need to operate a separate power button.

Pairing with the iGPSPORT BSC200 Pro also worked smoothly. It quickly recognised the HR80 as a heart rate sensor and connected directly, then displayed readings reliably. Existing iGPSPORT computer users can therefore integrate it easily.

HR80 in a Real Zwift Race

I used the iGPSPORT HR80 during a Zwift race as well as an easy test ride.

That is more interesting for a heart rate sensor than a steady base session. Effort changes regularly in races, with rapid heart rate rises during attacks and climbs followed by falls.

The race screenshot shows 152bpm, for example, transmitted directly from the HR80 to Zwift. That combination interests me: I can ride without a chest strap while still seeing heart rate directly in Zwift.

Armband or Chest Strap?

After testing, I mainly see the HR80 as an alternative for athletes who dislike chest straps. The Wahoo TRACKR remains my conventional reference for electrical heart rate measurement directly on the chest. The HR80 offers a clear comfort advantage, without obviously poorer readings on my test ride. Its curve was extremely close to the strap for much of the session. Based on my experience so far, I would readily use it for easy training, longer indoor sessions and even intense Zwift efforts.

Battery Life and USB-C

The HR80's battery setup is straightforward too. iGPSPORT specifies up to 100 hours of continuous heart rate measurement. Charging uses a normal USB-C port, which I prefer to proprietary magnetic adapters that seem to disappear precisely when needed. The manufacturer gives a full charging time of around an hour. Someone training five hours weekly should therefore need charging relatively rarely. Reaching the claimed 100 hours in long-term use would require a much longer test period to verify, however.

Comfort and Dimensions

For me, the HR80's design is a major advantage. Instead of a strap around the chest, the sensor sits relatively unobtrusively on the upper arm. I particularly like this indoors. It is light, takes little space and was barely noticeable while riding. The strap remains snug enough for reliable skin contact during exercise. This interests athletes wanting good heart rate data who find chest straps uncomfortable.

The strap adjusts flexibly to different upper-arm sizes. Without stretching, the manufacturer specifies roughly 18–32cm. Its elastic material stretches noticeably further, to approximately 40cm circumference. This gives a secure fit on slimmer and larger arms, snug enough for reliable measurement without cutting in uncomfortably

Verdict

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