Amazfit Helio Strap support highlights Garmin’s missed opportunity
Zepp Health is pushing out firmware update 3.3.4.1 for the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro, bringing a batch of improvements. Most notable is full support for using the Helio Strap as an external heart rate source during workouts. This is something Garmin could have and arguably should have done with its Index Sleep Monitor.
Garmin missed a chance with the Index Sleep Monitor
Just like the Garmin device, Helio Strap is designed for upper arm or wrist wear. With this update, the T-Rex 3 Pro can now use it as a real-time heart rate sensor during exercise. Something that is sitting on your upper arm is more likely to dish out accurate data during exercise that if it were sitting on your wrist.
That’s is the kind of pairing we feel Garmin should have made available for the Index Sleep Monitor. That device is also worn on the upper arm. But unlike Helio Strap, the Index Sleep Monitor does not support pairing to Garmin watches as a live heart rate source. It simply logs overnight data and uploads it to the Connect app.
Zepp Health’s implementation now offers something many Garmin users would like to have. You can go for a run with the Helio Strap and your T-Rex 3 Pro, and get real-time heart rate from the more stable upper arm position. Garmin’s system still treats the Index Sleep Monitor as a passive night-only tracker.
That restriction has confused some Garmin owners, especially since the underlying hardware clearly supports heart rate tracking and wireless sync. Garmin could have easily enabled the Index band to act like an external heart rate monitor for watches, the same way you can pair a chest strap.
What else is new in T-Rex 3 Pro update 3.3.4.1
Alongside Helio Strap integration, this update brings several other changes to the T-Rex 3 Pro.
Users can now take screenshots directly from the watch interface. Navigation support has been expanded to include additional outdoor workout types. Recreational Diving mode receives minor upgrades, though specifics have not been detailed. There’s also support to delete or edit nap records, giving users more control over sleep tracking.
As usual, the update includes bug fixes and stability improvements, though the changelog doesn’t specify what issues were addressed.
All of this builds on the T-Rex 3 Pro’s growing list of features. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the non-Pro version which has not been getting that much in terms of updates recently.
Garmin kinda dropped the ball on this one. They’ve got the hardware with the Index Sleep Monitor, but it just sits there tracking sleep and that’s it. Meanwhile, Zepp Health’s like, sure, use the Helio Strap for workouts too, why not? It’s not rocket science. Just feels like Garmin’s overthinking it.
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