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Garmin HRM inaccuracies & weird shaped chest

craigus89craigus89 Posts: 887
edited August 2018 in Road general
I've had the Garmin HRM for a few years paired with an Edge 500. It used to work very well and accurately but for the last few months has been giving me readings that are well under what I know they are, 110bpm on a threshold effort and 55bpm on a zone 2 type ride. Anyone else had their monitor go dodgy on them? Is it the monitor itself or the contact points on the strap? Are there any alternatives that I can use with the Garmin that are better?

Also related to this, but a bit of a side bar, I have something called pectus excavatum (google it) where my breastbone is sunken into my chest a few cm. This means I have to wear the strap so that the monitor sits sort of underneath my arm on the side of my chest, as if it were in the middle where its supposed to be it wouldn't be in contact with my chest. As above, this used to work fine so I don't think it is an issue with me rather than the HRM being dodgy?

Any thoughts?

Posts

  • wongataawongataa Posts: 906
    The straps can die. First of all make sure the skin under the contact points is damp. If there are still issues then try a new strap. You can fit the Garmin pods on Polar straps.
  • imposter2.0imposter2.0 Posts: 11,085
    Garmin 'hard' strap (if that's what you have) is well known for problems. Pretty much any other ant+ hrm strap will be better. The Wiggle lifeline strap is a good cheap alternative..
  • johnnymcg259johnnymcg259 Posts: 569
    could be that the battery in the chest strap needs replacing, especially if you've had it for a while now?
  • craigus89craigus89 Posts: 887
    Didn't realise any ant+ would work. Will check the battery first and may replace if that doesn't work. Thanks.
  • StillGoingStillGoing Posts: 5,207
    Wahoo Tickr, far better and works with ANT+ or Bluetooth.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • redvisionredvision Posts: 2,679
    craigus89 wrote:

    Also related to this, but a bit of a side bar, I have something called pectus excavatum (google it) where my breastbone is sunken into my chest a few cm. This means I have to wear the strap so that the monitor sits sort of underneath my arm on the side of my chest, as if it were in the middle where its supposed to be it wouldn't be in contact with my chest. As above, this used to work fine so I don't think it is an issue with me rather than the HRM being dodgy?

    Any thoughts?

    I seem to remember a dcrainmaker article on hr strap issues. If i recall correctly he said you can use the straps on your back rather than chest.

    So might be worth a shot.
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