Many modern heart rate monitors send a Bluetooth and ANT+ signal.
Bluetooth
The iPad and iPhone have built-in Bluetooth hardware that allows them to connect directly with heart rate monitors. However, Bluetooth has limitations.
- The number of connections per device model varies. We have found that the iPhone can connect up to 8 Bluetooth heart rate monitors, and the iPad can connect up to 12 Bluetooth heart rate monitors. Apple sets this limitation, which may change with future models.
- Having other actively connected Bluetooth devices, such as headphones, will count towards your device count. Disconnecting all other Bluetooth devices is best if you want to maximize the number of connected heart rate monitors.
The Apple Watch is incompatible with OnBeat, and your clients cannot use them. Apple prevents the watch from connecting to an iPad and only allows connection to a personal phone.
ANT+
The iPad and iPhone do not have built-in ANT+ hardware. If you want to connect with ANT+ monitors such as Garmin, you need to purchase our antenna. The antenna can connect up to 100 heart rate monitors and send the data to the iPad/iPhone over your WiFi.
Contact support@onbeat.fit if you need to purchase the antenna.