To ensure optimal performance and longevity of your Calibre device, always use the provided USB-C charging cable and a standard 5V-2Amp max (non-accelerated) charging block, plugging it directly into a wall socket. Avoid using third-party cables or charging through laptops and external devices, as these may not charge the device correctly and could lead to damage or battery degradation. Charge your Calibre device for 2-3 hours, and check for a solid LED light to confirm a full charge.
Because the data and the measurement were considered out of reach for consumers - the equipment required was cumbersome, expensive, and required medical professionals to operate. Until now, that is.
Calibre has multiple sensors inside. One of them measures the flow of your breath, 50 times per second, to ensure accurate real-time readings. Other sensors independently measure oxygen concentration, CO2 concentration, barometric pressure, humidity and temperature. All of these are important for obtaining an accurate analysis of the metabolic content of your breath.
The methodology known as "indirect calorimetry" has been a long established and scientifically validated way for medical and academic use to capture this type of biometric data. Calibre uses state of the art sensor and design technology that lowers the price point and simplifies the ability to capture the data in a smaller more scalable footprint.
No, you cannot use one Calibre with multiple people. The first-generation Calibre is designed for individual use. While you can clean and disinfect the facepiece and straps, we have not conducted any studies to test the infection risk of the module, therefore we cannot claim Calibre to be suitable and safe for users to share one device with multiple people.
Calibre is the first device that democratizes access to respiratory and metabolic data. By utilizing a radical new design for managing air flow, incorporating top of the line medical-grade sensors, and corresponding computational methods, Calibre has created a portable, light-weight, and cost-effective way to capture this data individually or at scale.
There are biometrics that many of the other devices in the wearable space capture that we are not designed to have access to, such as heart rate and heart rate variability. We look forward to incorporating relevant data that will provide beneficial data correlations to our users.
Calibre is engineered for optimal performance in indoor or controlled environments. Outdoor settings introduce factors that are more challenging to control, which could potentially interfere with some of the measurements.
Strong direct airflow from fans, outdoor wind, or fast motion (e.g., cycling) can distort the device’s measurements. To ensure accurate readings, avoid exposure to such sources of wind during your sessions. Air conditioning does not impact the device’s performance.
We are developing solutions to address these issues and will provide updates as improvements become available.
Currently, the device needs to stay within 10 feet of your phone to maintain a Bluetooth connection. However, extending this range and ensuring continuous data recording even when out of range is on our roadmap for future development, and we’re excited to bring this feature to you soon.
Yes, you can definitely use Calibre if you're a nose breather. It works equally well whether you're a mouth, nose, or mixed mouth and nose breather. The nose area depression on the facepiece is designed with a large enough opening so that air can easily flow through your nostrils into the facepiece. Just be sure you're not sticking your entire nose inside the opening like a scuba or snorkeling mask, let the facepiece rest gently under the nose.
Calibre is designed to minimize any restriction of airflow for maximum breathing comfort and usability during exercise and normal day to day activities. Most users agree there is virtually no detectable restriction of breath. In the design itself you can see the pass-through holes that were created to facilitate this capability.
Calibre is not designed or sold as a protective mask, nor is it designed or sold to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Its primary purpose is the measurement of real time respiratory and metabolic biometrics. That being said, if you have experienced COVID or are recovering from COVID, using Calibre may provide insight into the changes that occur in your respiratory biometrics such as respiratory rate and breath volume.
No, Calibre does not support breath-holding techniques.
At the moment, we only offer one size ("medium") for the facepiece, and we recognize that it will not fit everyone equally well. We plan to introduce additional sizes in the future, but those are not yet available.
The combined weight of the facepiece & module is under 2 ounces and it is slightly over 4" wide.
No, Calibre does not require any sensor replacements.
No, there are no consumables that require regular replacement.
No, the device will not require regular servicing. However, the hardware does come with a 1 year warranty, and if it requires reasonable repair or replacement within that time frame, we will gladly assist.
Please refer to the user manual for all set-up information.
Bluetooth (BLE)
Yes, to ensure accurate measurements, calibrate your Calibre device before each use, in the same environment where you will be testing. Avoid breathing into the device for at least 30 minutes prior to calibration. Place the device on a stable surface, away from any wind, fans, or exhaled breath during the calibration process.
The calibration process is simple and relies on ambient room air—no separate calibration gas is needed. The app will prompt you to calibrate automatically, or you can choose to do it manually through the app's device settings. During calibration, a yellow light will pulse on the device.
To ensure proper operation and comfort, position the facepiece so it covers your mouth and cradles the bottom of your nose (without inserting your entire nose into the facepiece hole). Adjust the strap length so the fit is snug but not overly tight—avoid compressing the facepiece too much, as it needs a sufficient volume to operate effectively. The facepiece should be comfortable and secure, with the straps gently holding it in place. The design allows for a seal during exhalation without excessive tension on the straps. Once adjusted, you can remove and replace the device without needing further adjustments.
The battery life of the device can vary depending on usage patterns. Typically, when the device is placed in sleep mode during periods of inactivity, the battery can last anywhere from one to three days.
To optimize the battery life of the device, you should always put the device in "sleep mode" when not in use. To do this: press and hold the button for 3 seconds until the light gradually fades away, then release the button. Your device is now in sleep mode.
Red: The red LED light usually indicates low battery. You should fully charge your device.
Flashing Yellow: The flashing yellow LED light means that Calibre is undergoing calibration. For proper calibration it should be placed on a stable surface and left undisturbed until calibration is complete and yellow light stops flashing.
Flashing White: The flashing white LED light means your Calibre is ready to connect to the phone app and has not yet made the connection.
Oscillating White: The slowly oscillating white LED light indicates your Calibre is charging.
Solid White: The solid white LED light indicates your Calibre is fully charged.
Do not wash, rinse, or submerge the module as this could damage the internal electronic components and would void the warranty. You may choose to wash the facepiece as frequently as desired as long as the module is removed. Soap and detergent is okay to use, just rinse it well after and let it dry before putting the module back into the facepiece.
With the module removed, the rest of the device is water-proof and washable. You could use a dishwasher or laundry machine, but at this stage we do not recommend drying at excessively high temperatures as this may damage the material.
To prevent water damage and ensure proper functioning, always insert one of the provided silicone plugs into the USB-C port before using your Calibre device. This plug acts as a barrier to safeguard the internal electronics from moisture.
Wipe any excess moisture from the outside of the module before charging, and ensure the module is dry before connecting it to a power source.
It's normal for the button not to indent completely, as it's designed to respond with a light touch rather than a full click. I know this can take some getting used to but rest assured that it's functioning as intended.
Calibre continuously measures air flow, breath rate (50 times per second), oxygen and CO2 levels, temperature, and pressure, essential for accurate metabolic analysis. All these quantities allow us to calculate an extensive list of metrics, such as real-time values of calorie burn, VO2, VCO2, minute volume, and more. When these measurements are performed over a period of time we can further calculate useful cumulative, average, and max/min values, such as average breath rate, peak and average VO2 achieved.
The calories you burn result from oxygen combining with nutrient fuels in your body - sugar and fats - while producing CO2. By measuring both the oxygen absorbed and the CO2 released by your body, we can determine in real time how much energy is utilized.
For maximum accuracy, it’s recommended to perform a baseline procedure on your Calibre device before use. This ensures the sensors are adequately warmed, resulting in the most precise measurements. Follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the front button on your device for 10 seconds until you see a double flash of yellow light on your device. (Note: Before firmware 14.09, a 20-second hold was required.)
2. Let the device rest for 1 minute.
3. Charge the device for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial, as the O2 sensor needs at least 30 minutes on the charger to warm up properly, regardless of the battery status.
Calibre provides a real-time measurement of your VO2. To measure your VO2 max using Calibre, you would essentially need to perform a procedure on your own by getting on a treadmill or stationary bike, gradually increase your effort, and charting the progression of your VO2 with the Calibre app. In fact, at the end of any session, Calibre will provide your Peak VO2, which is the highest VO2 measured during that session. If you push yourself hard enough, your peak VO2 should be fairly close to your "true" max, but the telltale sign is the plateauing VO2 while the speed and effort continue to increase. The only difference is that Calibre does not control or record your effort, let alone guide you through a pre-programmed sequence of increasing effort to reveal your VO2 Max. There's no reason you could not get high quality peak VO2 values with Calibre, but it's up to you (or a training companion) to implement or supervise a progressive effort that will safely push you to your limit.
Due to data averaging requirements, the device needs a minimum session time of 5 minutes to provide the most accurate results. To achieve the best and most reliable overview of all metrics, ensure you meet this duration.
While longer session durations are generally well within the capabilities of Calibre, we've seen numerous cases – primarily associated with high-intensity exercise – where sensor readings become increasingly corrupted after about 25 minutes. This is due to excessive water buildup (from breath condensation and perspiration) entering the sensing module. Continued use under these conditions is not recommended. We are working to address this problem, but in the meantime, we recommend limiting high-intensity sessions with Calibre to a maximum of 25 minutes, with the exception to our published protocols. Moderate-intensity activities (up to about 10 METs or approximately 60 Liters/min breath volume) can be performed for extended periods without any issues.
METs, or Metabolic Equivalents, are a measure of the energy cost of physical activities, such as cycling, running, or other exercises. Many mainstream training devices, like treadmills, stationary bikes, and rowing machines, display this metric.
One MET is defined as the energy expenditure at rest, typically around 3.5 mL of oxygen consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute. In cycling, METs are used to quantify the intensity of the activity.
Understanding and utilizing METs will vary depending on your fitness level. For example, in cycling a relatively fit person could see the following:
* Light cycling (e.g., leisurely ride): Around 3-6 METs.
* Moderate cycling (e.g., a steady pace): Around 6-8 METs.
* Vigorous cycling (e.g., racing or intense effort): 8+ METs.
Professional cyclists often reach very high MET levels due to the intensity and duration of their training and competition. MET levels for pro cyclists can vary significantly depending on the activity and effort level:
1. Low-Intensity Training or Recovery Rides:
* METs: 6-8
* Examples: Easy rides or warm-up/cool-down sessions where the intensity is kept low.
2. Moderate-Intensity Training:
* METs: 8-12
* Examples: Steady-state rides or endurance training at a moderate pace.
3. High-Intensity Training:
* METs: 12-16
* Examples: Tempo rides, time trials, or sustained climbing efforts.
4. Maximal Effort (e.g., Sprints, Hill Climbs):
* METs: 16+
* Examples: All-out efforts during a race, sprint finishes, or intense hill climbs.
In peak performance scenarios, such as during a grueling stage of a grand tour, pro cyclists can sustain MET levels above 16 for extended periods, reflecting their exceptional aerobic capacity and conditioning.
Training with METs helps cyclists (athletes) gauge and adjust the intensity of their workouts, monitor energy expenditure, and tailor training programs to meet specific fitness goals.
Yes, the data log files for any recorded session are available for download or sharing in an xcel format. We are also finishing development on a "coaching" style dashboard which is aa permission-based visibility dashboard, allowing a coach/researcher the right to extend invites to their clients/population sets to pull their data. As of today, this feature is not live but will be in the near future.
If your device is unresponsive, follow these charging guidelines first:
If the device remains unresponsive, perform an overnight charge (minimum 8 hours) and follow these steps:
If your device still does not respond or display a white light when pressing the button, please contact us at info@calibrebio.com for further assistance.
If your device displays a solid or blinking red light, follow these charging guidelines first:
If the red light persists, perform an overnight charge (minimum 8 hours) and follow these steps:
If the issue persists, please contact us at info@calibrebio.com for further assistance.
The battery life of the device can vary depending on usage patterns. Typically, when the device is placed in sleep mode during periods of inactivity, the battery can last anywhere from one to three days.
If you believe your battery is depleting faster than normal, the first thing to do is ensure you are following these charging practices:
If you’re following all of the above charging practices and your battery still depletes faster than intended, please conduct an battery test:
If you’re having trouble connecting your Calibre device to the app, ensure it’s adequately charged and in pairing mode. Press the button on your device once or twice until the white LED flashes. If it doesn’t flash, charge your device for 2-3 hours. Next, follow the instructions below to reset your device’s Bluetooth connection:
If the device still doesn’t connect, please contact us at info@calibrebio.com for further assistance
If you received a product that is damaged or faulty, you may exchange it for a new one within 30 days.
Calibre currently ships to the following places:
United States (US)
Australia (AU)
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Spain (ES)
Svalbard & Jan Mayen (SJ)
Sweden (SE)
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United Kingdom (GB)
The shipping rate will vary based on your zip code and country. Calibre does not cover VAT, customs, or import taxes. When you make your purchase, we are unable to calculate your local VAT, customs, or import taxes, so please ensure that you perform your own due diligence in paying these charges upon receiving your package.