HRM Dual or HRM4 Run when paired with Fenix 5X plus? Pairing of wireless headphones (Stream Spotify) at same time?

Hi all,

Can Anyone give me any insight into chest straps? I have found the optical HRM on the Fenix to be inaccurate when zone training, and would like to look at a chest strap. As I have cadence etc already tracked via the Fenix, I'm not sure that I'd need the HRM4 as I already obtain all the actual statistics I need from the watch. Is there any benefit in getting the HRM4 over the more basic HRM dual, as all I need is a more accurate HR tracker? I'm assuming the watch will still track all other metrics while HR is monitored via strap?

Also, I currently run with wireless connected headphones streaming Spotify from the watch. Is it possible to still have the chest strap and wireless headphones paired at the same time? Don't want to lose my music at expense of the chest HRM.

Thanks in anticipation of any help or feedback.

Carl

0 muness over 5 years ago

I like the HRM Tri as it is the most comfortable of the chest straps I've tried. And it has Run Dynamics. More at fellrnr.com/.../Running_Dynamics

Yes, the watches continues to track all the usual metrics.

As for listening to music with the hrm connected - yes that's no problem I use my 5 Plus with headphones, Stryd, a Humon Hex and the HRM Tri or Tickr Fit all the time.

0 Dr Phil over 5 years ago

If you're happy with all the other metrics from the watch then go for the Dual.

The HRM dual has BT and ANT+. If you are streaming music at the same time. just make sure you use the ANT+ channel for heart rate to avoid any BT issues that might arise.

0 kaz911 over 5 years ago

Running dynamics are quite nice to have - so I would pick the old HRM Run or HRM 4.

Running dynamics give you your balance, ground contact time, oscillation etc. which actually can help you with your training or spot potential injuries. It has been pretty good at giving me early warning about my left knee being overworked. When that happens I see a trend in balance that I unconsciously move more towards my right leg. Then I can slow down training for a bit until my balance is better before I proceeded.

I think a new version of the HRM 4 is on the way with dual interface (HRM Run Dual?) - So Bluetooth & ANT+ like the new HRM Dual but with running dynamics.

The benefit of Dual sensors is that you can connect to Bluetooth devices at the same time as feeding your Garmin Watch via ANT+. That can be a benefit if you want data into other ecosystems - like if you use other running analytics software on your phone.

I do not like the current HRM 4 as it is “bound” to the strap - and the strap is usually the first thing that breaks. Therefore I use the old HRM Run sensor - and gave my brother the HRM 4 sensor that came with my Fenix 5x bundle.

My usual setup :

Outdoor running - HRM Run + Stryd
Treadmill running - HRM Run + Stryd
Treadmill running for HIIT : Polar H10 + Garmin Running Dynamics Pod + Stryd.

The Polar H10 now sends out Bluetooth, ANT+ and 5 KHz “gym machine Polar” - which means when I do HIIT training in the Gym - my HR shows on the treadmill display either via Bluetooth or 5KHz Polar - which makes HIIT training more focused. No need to look at the watch for peak HR. But as the H10 does not have running dynamics I have the Garmin RD pod (which I do not like very much btw) - and there are only very very few Gym devices that talk “ANT+”

So on my Santa delivery list is HRM Run Dual - so I can skip the Garmin RD Pod...

Or alternatively Wahoo deliver the firmware update to Tickr X to be ANT+ & Bluetooth Run dynamics capable and compatible with the RD ANT+ standard. But Whaoo have promised the firmware update for the last almost 2 years with no progress.