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I've been unfortunate and had a number of heart attacks, so I've taken to wearing a HRM paired to my Garmin Oregon.
The first one I had was a Wahoo Tickr which worked well up until the point it didn't; one of the connection studs corroded and snapped off (even with a new strap it didn't work). To be honest I think that it was a bad design - unlike most straps that have the sensors at the front, putting a nice rubber backing between you and the contact studs, the Tickr had them at the side meaning the contacts were just backed with the elastic strap and spent the ride soaked in salty sweat.
I now have a Kalenji unit from Decathlon which has worked well but over the last few months it's started misbehaving giving some spurious readings (both high and low) and seemingly getting stuck on the same figure for 8-10 seconds before suddenly springing back to life with a really high spike before eventually settling down.
Decathlon are suggesting that their unit might behave like this if I were to walk out of sensor range and then reconnect, but it's happening whilst I'm riding, so it's not that.
I'm pretty sure that it's a problem with the HRM unit itself (rather than me - after 3 heart attacks I'm acutely aware of what's going on in my chest and I think I'd know if my heart rate suddenly doubled) but I suppose it could be an issue with the Oregon (Garmin don't seem to have a great reputation for reliable software and I did do a firmware update not long before the HRM started playing up).
Any ideas what to try, all I can think of is a new battery? It's still just in warranty so I could see if Decathlon would swap it for a new unit or I could look at a new one. Garmin's own HRM look pricey compared to others (and I am rather cash strapped) but if it's going to work reliably it might be worth it.
I've had similar behaviour from garmin and wahoo straps when the battery has been low.
Worth being wary of cheap replacement coin cells as well. I've had a few from amazon that have been garbage.
If you e eliminated the battery, you could checkout the Viiiiva HRM, from 4iiii.
It's a bit on the pricey side but, if it works...
And, for a Brucie bonus, it will bridge other Bluetooth sensors (cadence, etc) onto a single Bluetooth channel, which helps when using Zwift on an Apple TV box.
https://4iiii.com/usa/products/pdp/viiiiva/viiiiva-hrm/
First thing to try would be to get a replacement battery.
When my.Garmin started playing up which a new battery didn't solve, someone suggested using a paper clip across the battery terminals before putting new battery in. Tried it & it worked. Sounds a bit odd, but maybe try.
FWIW my Garmin HRM is over 10 years old now and still going strong.
I also bought a Magene one from eBay as I needed something with BT connectivity.
That's been working fine for well over a year and I'm generally using it on Zwift 3x a week, even through the summer.
My Garmin HRM is 10 ish years old and still works well. The odd misreading when the battery was low, but once replaced it's back working fine.
I previously used a Wahoo TickrX paired to their V650 display unit and also their app. Worked OK until it didn't - similar symptoms to what you mention, with mine also frequently failing to connect at all frustratingly. In the end it died completely after a couple of years.
The Polar H10 strap I've been using for just over 2 years has been superb. Replaced the battery twice - used 4-5 times a week for 45-120min activities, linked to Polar app on phone. When battery was getting low it dropped the signal during use. Resolved as soon as I changed the battery.
I’ve had Polar and Wahoo chest straps since forever, never found the Bluetooth or the actual reading on them totally reliable. Tried my wife’s Wahoo Tickr Fit and quite liked it on the arm so bought a Polar Verity.
It’s by far the best, most reliable, most comfortable HR strap I’ve ever tried, and never moves. Really happy with it.
Coin batteries have bittering coatings to discourage infants from swallowing them. These can cause contact problems. When replacing the batteries scotchbrite them or a light sand with a fine grit is a good idea.
Might sound far fetched but it can be a marginal improvement that gives reliability and it costs little/nothing to give a try. Works for me.
I've had a Wahoo TickR and it's turd, drops for no reason, gives false readings etc. Changed it for a Garmin dual band thingy and that's been faultless.
Static can be a problem for chest HRM straps, and they give similar problems to what you've been experiencing. I find it more of a problem when I'm mixing merino and synthetic clothes, and in colder weather when it takes longer to sweat enough to make good contact. I use a cheap tube of electrode gel, which has all but fixed it.
Troubleshooting your heart rate monitor/strap HR spikes
I can't fault my Garmin dual one. It just worked perfectly until the battery ran out when it suddenly stopped (about a year or so). New battery, on it goes.
Another Garmin cycle computer user here that has moved over to polar HRM strap/sensor. I never get any issues with the polar HRM strap/sensor, very comfy and it takes 5mins to change the polar battery.
I have a Garmin Dual and a Magene. They both work perfectly.
Have Tickr, Garmin and a PowerCal. In every case the strap has been the thing to corrode and studs break. Also battery condition is important. Garmin was more noisy than Tickr.
For everything other than cycling, I now use an Apple Watch 3 with HR and Strava. Plenty of used ones out there. Mine is matched to an elastic Sports Band strap. Used for COVID before oximeter and used ever since.
Not cheap, but mate who had heart attack and then had COVID issues with heart doing funny things, bought one of these, does ECG also for piece of mind, not the cheapest though..
https://uk.fourthfrontier.com/products/frontier-x
I rinse & dry my strap after a ride (well, I get in the shower with it and just leave it on the floor, then hang it up & let it dry). Never had one corrode to bits though I broke the hook on one and I suppose that could've been why
I also use a little dab of ECG electrode gel on the strap pads before a ride and the thing pairs fast & stays stable (used to get "fibrillation" sometimes when riding on quite cold days in a nylon shirt - guessing a combination of static and poor contacts)
The Polar HRM straps I saw a recommended on here several years ago might have been better at HRM than the Garmin strap supplied with my Edge 510 but only up to the point where I stood on their connector - very fragile plastic.
Tried my wife’s Wahoo Tickr Fit and quite liked it on the arm so bought a Polar Verity.
I have a Polar OH1 which is the earlier version of the Verity. Works very well, rechargeable battery so providing you recharge it after use you shouldn't need to worry about the battery suddenly going dead. Apparently response to efforts is a bit slower than a chest strap but otherwise it's very good and comfortable. The newer Verity has longer battery life between charges than my OH1 - about 12 hours I believe.
@tired … any particular reason for not using the Apple Watch for cycling? Do you find chest mount to be more reliable or something? Just wondering, as I’m using a series 7.
Thanks for the replied. Clearly the battery is the first place to start; they're not ultra-cheap cells but are a Boots own budget line, so might not be up to the job.
Funnily enough I've heard about the bitter coating causing issues too, so that might also be worth looking at.
Hopefully a better quality battery with save the cost of a new unit.
Another Polar Verity here. Like it.
I wear it on my upper arm. Can occasionally lose the heart rate if I’m really sweaty (sweat between its optics and my skin is think) but a quick nudge restores it.
Battery last a very long one in cycling / running use - and tells you via your phone or Garmin in good time to recharge it.
Comfortable and stays put - unlike chest straps that always slid down on me.
I was confusing my Wahoo and Polar products in my earlier post, but it still stands - IMO, Wahoo crap, Polar great.
Re wrist wearing during biking, I don't like having anything on my wrists or fingers when biking - presents an opportunity to snag on undergrowth/something. I don't need another excuse to crash.
I have access to a cheap(er) Apple watch via my Vitality, but to date chosen not to bother as unsure when I'd actually wear it given the HRM strap I already have.
I’ve used a Garmin strap and now a Wahoo Tickr.
I found the Garmin dual hrm strap was fine for a while then someththing would happen and it would cease to work via Bluetooth with my iPhone. Nothing would get it to send the Hr any longer - it showed as connected but zero information transferring. I had 2 of them do this and managed to wangle warranty returns with Halfords. It’s a known fault with the Bluetooth connectivity - but I don’t think ant+ has the same issue. I won’t touch another Garmin strap again - Garmin say it’s not an issue with their product and to refer to Apple / the app supplier you’re using.
Gone for a Tickr and hoping it lasts at least a couple of years.
Reading online it sounds like Polar are the most likely ones to stay reliable but they were double the price of the Tickr so taking my chances with this one for now.
Out of the cheap / budget option I’ve heard the ‘Coospo’ ones are decent - but not used one. If the Tickr dies a premature death I’m either going to try one of those or stump up for Polar.
I mostly use a Wahoo Tickr FIT and wear it just below my bicep rather than on the forearm. Much more comfortable than a chest strap, has a USB-rechargeable battery that lasts something like 30 hours between charges, and gives consistent readings that match up with my chest-strap Tickr. I found it slightly inconsistent when worn on the forearm, where it had a tendency to slip down, but far better above the elbow where it's also less obtrusive. It's optical, so no skin electrodes to corrode and die.
Edit: as per Polar Verity I guess, also ANT+ and bluetooth compatible if that's a consideration.
Does the strange reading happen in the same geographic location? I have a polar and I get spurious spike readings of 200 bpm in a particular field on one of my runs. There is a HT line running overhead which i suspect is causing interference.
On another run going close to a phone mast i occassionally get odd spikes.
+1 change battery, I've had weird behaviour on HRM straps and speed/cadence sensors when the batteries have been fading.
On the quality front, I'm using Wahoo at the moment. First strap started playing up after about 18 months but Wahoo just sent me a new one (IMO their support is top notch). I very rarely wash it (I know I should, it stinks), not sure if that helps the longevity. I don't appear to be to salty when I sweat either which probably helps.
@tired … any particular reason for not using the Apple Watch for cycling? Do you find chest mount to be more reliable or something? Just wondering, as I’m using a series 7.
I have a Garmin Fenix for everything except cycling as I don't like wearing a watch on the bike. Possibly from back in the day having those massive GPS watches that used to rub holes into the back of your hand when holding onto handlebars.
I was confusing my Wahoo and Polar products in my earlier post, but it still stands – IMO, Wahoo crap, Polar great.
Ah, I did wonder. I too have a Polar V650 for navigation purposes. Not as cool and feature laden as more modern devices but it serves me well. It's a shame that having discontinued it they haven't introduced a replacement. I have an M650 too for recording rides when mapping isn't needed. The Polar app links nicely with Strava and TrainingPeaks.
I just got a brand new Garmin HRM Dual, arrived today, didn;t work, supplied with a flat battery.
Have had various Garmin and polar straps over the years then was recommended one of these:
Took a while for delivery but it still works unlike the many Garmin ones I have.
Had a basic Garmin strap for a good 8ish years recently pack up, battery change didn't revive it, just replaced it like for like. Several years strapped round my sweaty body they're still the best lasting straps I've tried...