Garmin HRM

[chris_w_65]

What do you guys with Garmins think of the heart rate monitoring? I had a Polar RS800 and the HRM worked great. I am starting to think the Polar is a good training tool and the Garmin a nice toy. How can I take this seriously, my max heartrate is around 185. Are they adding the heart rate to the cadence? I can understand HRM data being missing due to bad contact between the strap and your chest but this thing is making up data as it goes along.

BTW, I have the Garmin 310XT

[Meis]

I've had the forerunner 405 for about 2 years now and I love it. I have seen that sort of thing as well though, maybe 3 - 5 times in the 2 years. Usually in the beginning of the ride it would spike once to about 240 and the rest of the data would be good. Not sure why it happens either.

 

I agree that its annoying. The real data then gets squashed in.

 

Have you tried contacting Garmin about it. I've mailed them questions in the past and gotten quick, clear answers back from them.

 

Keep me posted if you learn anything.

[Tankman]

Nope, I have used the 305 for years without this issue.

Now using the 500, spot on and always consistent!

 

I once had my Ipod to close, think the cord somehow got trapped between my skin and the strap and that caused a bit of a spike. There might be something else interfering if this happens regularly or you might have just found a valid reason to start looking at an upgrade

[chris_w_65]

Nope, I have used the 305 for years without this issue.

Now using the 500, spot on and always consistent!

 

I once had my Ipod to close, think the cord somehow got trapped between my skin and the strap and that caused a bit of a spike. There might be something else interfering if this happens regularly or you might have just found a valid reason to start looking at an upgrade

 

 

Only had it for a month. AFAIK it is one of the latest models.

[scotty]

Ive used Garmin 305 and 705 and found them more accurate than my Polar 520 also my polar strap regularly lost contact which was frustrating.

[Guest agteros]

When my ForeRunner 405 spikes my heart rate I

1. Get a new battery for the HR transmitter

2. Remember to clean the HR strap

[Spinnekop]

My Polar CS600 regularly "lost signal" on the HR......

My Edge 500 has till today not ONCE given me hassles.

[Minion]

On a Garmin, the symptom of poor contact is generally dodgy data, rather than missing data. Make sure the strap is tight and the contacts are moist. Try wetting the front of your jersey above the HR strap before you ride - you can sometimes get interference from static electricity. As others have siad, you should also try replacing the battery (even though it is fairly new).

 

Which strap did the 310XT come with? The newer cloth straps from Garmin supposedly have data-quality problems.

[chris_w_65]

On a Garmin, the symptom of poor contact is generally dodgy data, rather than missing data. Make sure the strap is tight and the contacts are moist. Try wetting the front of your jersey above the HR strap before you ride - you can sometimes get interference from static electricity. As others have siad, you should also try replacing the battery (even though it is fairly new).

 

Which strap did the 310XT come with? The newer cloth straps from Garmin supposedly have data-quality problems.

 

It is the new cloth strap.

I found in the case of the Polar that the new cloth straps work better.

 

I will try what you suggest

Thanks.

[Andyr249]

I had a Polar S725 and compared to my Garmin it was much more "work". Since April I have been using the Garmin Edge 500. Put strap on, switch Garmin on and off I go. No pick up problems and only ever had one spike.

[Mets]

I've been using the Forerunner 305 for a couple of years and what really bugs me about it, is the fact that it needs speed and distance to calculate calorie expenditure. For example you cannot get a “calories burned” read out for a spinning class or for circuit training. I’ve started using my Garmin as a glorified trip computer and now use a Polar RS300 for HR / calorie data. The Garmin still guestimates calorie expenditure based on GPS data, but compared to the Polar it is way out. Whether you are cruising downhill at zero effort or killing yourself up the side of a mountain, the Garmin is only interested in the distance and speed traveled.

[Minion]

I've been using the Forerunner 305 for a couple of years and what really bugs me about it, is the fact that it needs speed and distance to calculate calorie expenditure. For example you cannot get a “calories burned” read out for a spinning class or for circuit training. I’ve started using my Garmin as a glorified trip computer and now use a Polar RS300 for HR / calorie data. The Garmin still guestimates calorie expenditure based on GPS data, but compared to the Polar it is way out. Whether you are cruising downhill at zero effort or killing yourself up the side of a mountain, the Garmin is only interested in the distance and speed traveled.

I had the same issue with my 705 until I got a power meter (which gives a very good measure of energy expended). Fortunately, the newer Garmins now have the ability to do HR-based calorie calculations.

[wapad]

I had a Polar S725 and compared to my Garmin it was much more "work". Since April I have been using the Garmin Edge 500. Put strap on, switch Garmin on and off I go. No pick up problems and only ever had one spike.

 

This is all quite interesting I am between a RS 800CX pro and one of these 500/705 edge garmins

 

I was worried about the readout on the polar I have rs 200 which is fine but what happens when there is more info can one easily see it while riding and also what are the button functions like on both types especially with MTB

 

Anyone

[Spinnekop]

Wapad. On the Edge 500 you have a maximum of 8 data fields display simultaneously on the screen. And you can toggle between 3 screens with the touch of a button.

 

Screen 1 will have general stuff for a race: Distance, HR, Power, Time, Time of day, Cadence.

Screen 2 for interval training, i.e Lap count, Ave Power, HR, Cadence, Lap time, etc.

Screen 3 for all my ave for the ride i.e. Ave power, ave cadence, ave speed, total accent, distance etc.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Don't know about the RS800 though.....

[wapad]

Wapad. On the Edge 500 you have a maximum of 8 data fields display simultaneously on the screen. And you can toggle between 3 screens with the touch of a button.

 

Screen 1 will have general stuff for a race: Distance, HR, Power, Time, Time of day, Cadence.

Screen 2 for interval training, i.e Lap count, Ave Power, HR, Cadence, Lap time, etc.

Screen 3 for all my ave for the ride i.e. Ave power, ave cadence, ave speed, total accent, distance etc.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Don't know about the RS800 though.....

 

Thanks that does help

 

any idea what the going price is, I tried Easygis but you have to call them and I am out in west africa ...so not going down that route

[Spinnekop]

CRC online sells them at R1700 for the basic unit (No HR or cadence)

+-R2100

 

Last time I heard you are looking at about R2700 local.

 

Good luck!