Alternatives to Garmin HRM chest strap

wotnoshoeseh

Hi all,

I've had a couple of different Garmin HRM's (the comfort one with the soft strap and the one with the hard strap) and have always struggled with getting a consistent reading from them. I've tried tightening straps, moving them around mid ride, basically anything and everything but can't get them to work consistently.

Are there any alternatives to the chest mounted straps that would give me a more reliable reading? I've seen the arm mounted ones but not sure if they will be more consistent and accurate.

It will have to work with a Garmin Edge 500 unit, so it will need to be ANT+ compliant.

Any and all input gratefully received.

Thanks,
D

cougie

Check out the DC rainmaker blog. He rates a band that goes around your arm. Scosche or something similar.

davidof

I'm about to try the Garmin SS3 strap, which is supposed to be better.

Otherwise:-
try washing your chest strap in the w/c machine
use gel to improve the contact

meursault

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/fo6/Polar-Chest-Strap-Soft-keine-Size-M-XXL/B007XCLU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495285935&sr=8-1&keywords=polar+hrm+strap

wotnoshoeseh

meursault wrote:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/fo6/Polar-Chest-Strap-Soft-keine-Size-M-XXL/B007XCLU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495285935&sr=8-1&keywords=polar+hrm+strap

This seems to be just a replacement strap for the Polar HRM?? So I don't think it's really a HRM per se.

meursault

wotnoshoeseh wrote:

meursault wrote:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/fo6/Polar-Chest-Strap-Soft-keine-Size-M-XXL/B007XCLU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495285935&sr=8-1&keywords=polar+hrm+strap

This seems to be just a replacement strap for the Polar HRM?? So I don't think it's really a HRM per se.

Yes, you stick the Garmin monitor on this (does require slight hacking...) then it works like the Garmin strap should of done.

sh3p

I use the mio wrist hrm with my Garmin without any problems ...also had issues with a chest strap 1
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobi ... d|477931UK

letap73

meursault wrote:

wotnoshoeseh wrote:

meursault wrote:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/fo6/Polar-Chest-Strap-Soft-keine-Size-M-XXL/B007XCLU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495285935&sr=8-1&keywords=polar+hrm+strap

This seems to be just a replacement strap for the Polar HRM?? So I don't think it's really a HRM per se.

Yes, you stick the Garmin monitor on this (does require slight hacking...) then it works like the Garmin strap should have done.

+1 The polar strap for me lasts longer!

Man Of Lard

meursault wrote:

Yes, you stick the Garmin monitor on this (does require slight hacking...) then it works like the Garmin strap should have done.

Doesn't always require any hacking - I certainly haven't done any modifications to any of my Polar straps and have a Garmin HRM-RUN & HRM3 on rotation (along with 4 Polar straps)

wotnoshoeseh

Man Of Lard wrote:

meursault wrote:

Yes, you stick the Garmin monitor on this (does require slight hacking...) then it works like the Garmin strap should have done.

Doesn't always require any hacking - I certainly haven't done any modifications to any of my Polar straps and have a Garmin HRM-RUN & HRM3 on rotation (along with 4 Polar straps)

Is this the same strap??

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/heart-rate-sensor-belt-id_8272989.html?iv_=__iv_p_1_g_38413475905_c_174782855932_w_pla-283770925332_n_g_d_c_v__l__t__r_1o1x_pla_y_15177021_f_online_o_1666352_z_GB_i_en_j_283770925332_s__e__h_9045183_ii__vi__&gclid=Cj0KEQjw0v_IBRCEzKHK0KiCrKMBEiQA3--1Nv28vGTnvV9zQd-gdxpWQRHTf2HBtYb_lkaIPCu4mXQaAj478P8HAQ

£5 or so cheaper than Amazon.

StillGoing

Wahoo Tickr ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible

typekitty

philthy3 wrote:

Wahoo Tickr ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible

+1 on the Wahoo Tickr

pirnie

Scosche Rhythm+, bought it about a year ago and never looked back. It's been faultless for both cycling and running, worn on the upper arm just under my jersey sleeve. Can't imagine going back to a chest strap now.

keef66

I wasted 5 minutes complaining to garmin about the short lifespan of a lightly used supposedly premium soft strap. Hoped they'd at least offer a discount on a replacement as a gesture of goodwill, but all I got was a link to the thing at full rrp. So I ordered the Polar one from Decathlon. The garmin hrm popped straight on and normal readings were restored

twotyred

I use my Garmin sensor on a Polar strap which works fine after removing the raised ridge round the poppers on the Polar strap to get it to fit.

I also use a Mio wrist monitor for short-medium rides which works ok although it has to be worn a little tight and the battery only lasts for about 6 hrs so no good for long events.

Mikey23

Mio link has worked fine for me now for a couple of years. I hate using chest straps ...

wotnoshoeseh

Thinking of going for one of the wrist mounted optical devices, like the Scosche Rhythm+ or the Mio Link.

I'm leaning more toward the Mio Link to be honest, but what strap size?

Anyone see any competitive pricing for either of these two items?

bristolpete

keef66 wrote:

I wasted 5 minutes complaining to garmin about the short lifespan of a lightly used supposedly premium soft strap. Hoped they'd at least offer a discount on a replacement as a gesture of goodwill, but all I got was a link to the thing at full rrp. So I ordered the Polar one from Decathlon. The garmin hrm popped straight on and normal readings were restored

Can you link this as my premium has died too - crazy. Utter rubbish.