HR accuracy

What is the general opinion on HR accuracy? During runs, bike rides and just general casual activities? This is my first time with an optical sensor and found the following:

Useless for cycling - somewhat correlated but the F5 missed all peaks
Running seems somewhat ok - poor tracking within the first 5-7 minutes; much better after that. At times regular and optical track extremely well but the F5 is missing a lot of peaks
Average HR on a run has an absolute difference of around 2-3 beats. Not much but the max is off by ten beats
Recovery HR after activities is completely off as compared to my F3 paired with the HRM run. Example: F3 read a 30 beat drop, the F5 recorded a 5 beat drop
Casual activities seem a bit random - one moment my HR is at 45 reading a book, then 70

I have tried various positions on my wrist. Does not seem to make a huge difference. Just want to get a feeling for how much can be expected from the optical sensor.

0 webvan over 8 years ago

Yep, the cold is the ENEMY of oHRs ;-)

0 mjsol over 8 years ago

Welp,

I got a new watch and a new HRM. I remember now why I didn't get the new Run HRM... it's out of stock at Amazon and I wanted it NOW. Heh.

I got the regular Garmin HRM. Wish me better luck!

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Comparison of Fenix 5 vs McKesson pulse oximeter

Guys,
not a scientific comparison but it may help with the conversation. I just compared my Fenix 5 Sapphire to a medical grade Mckesson pulse oximeter that is used by doctors and hospitals to measure a patent's pulse and O2. They are both similar on the pulse. This was at a resting/non-active state.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Another Run with F5OHR, Scosche and HRM:

Some steep hill repeats (up to 180BPM), some walking breaks, some easy jogging:

First:
Red: Scosche
Blue: HRM
Scosche against HRM

Second:

Scosche against F5OHR
Red: Scosche
Blue: F5OHR

Not so good! The F5 was far off from the beginning.

My first runs with the F5OHR were better, I think. I'm not sure, why the perfomance is decreasing. Maybe because it's a different F5 now. Maybe the first model I wore was better...

0 mjsol over 8 years ago

New device, new chest strap, same problem. So I think I know what the problem is. Not to be too indelicate, but will a heart rate chest strap work if you wear it with the unit on your back? Ehem.

0 lma12 over 8 years ago

hi my Fenix 5x measure are ok only if rest , is enough to walk that it move fro 60 to 90 in a second than go down to 60 and so on..
i've made a test during a dog walk fenix 3 with chest hr and fenix 5 with first sensor
fenix 3 was average 60 max 80
fenix 5 was 80 average and 110 max .. too much difference !!!
i'm normally 55 at rest and 130 running at 5,15 per km ...

maybe it need some day's of training ,,,,

L

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

New device, new chest strap, same problem. So I think I know what the problem is. Not to be too indelicate, but will a heart rate chest strap work if you wear it with the unit on your back? Ehem.

Maybe, I don't get your point. Do you want to register your heart rate with a F5 in your rucksack on yor back? I think this is possible if you turn your chest strap to your back also. This works.

I did my run today with a F5 on my left wrist with OHR recording and additioanl strap recording via AHR-datafield. On the right was my 910xt paired with the scosche also on my rigth arm.

0 mjsol over 8 years ago

Maybe, I don't get your point. Do you want to register your heart rate with a F5 in your rucksack on yor back? I think this is possible if you turn your chest strap to your back also. This works.

I did my run today with a F5 on my left wrist with OHR recording and additioanl strap recording via AHR-datafield. On the right was my 910xt paired with the scosche also on my rigth arm.

LOL. No not in my rucksack. I just wonder if my bra is causing problems with reception? (I don't know... just trying to figure out why I lose connection - or at least go down to 70- so much.) Maybe I can wear it lower?

Sigh...

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1665903876

0 WillCW over 8 years ago

LOL. No not in my rucksack. I just wonder if my bra is causing problems with reception? (I don't know... just trying to figure out why I lose connection - or at least go down to 70- so much.) Maybe I can wear it lower?

Sigh...

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1665903876

Bra-related problems with HRM strap positioning and movement is an issue for some. To get reliable HR data your strap does need to be fairly stable. You could try it lower as long as still thorax. As for putting it on your back? I guess that is worth a try but you would need to avoid shoulder blade and spine.

The solution for some is to get a bra with an inbuilt strap for an HRM. Like here https://www.athleteshop.co.uk/purelime-compression-bra-hrm-black-80d?as=athlete&kwd_id=20051-AGI-28160327349-ASI-174487939509-AS5QCVPTMK&gclid=Cj0KEQjwt6fHBRDtm9O8xPPHq4gBEiQAdxotvE8cI-mgAKdqiNXquPCjANHBUQQvTljNqRw_JsYC800aAoDc8P8HAQ

There are a variety of makes but for this you need the original HRM-Run puck-like monitor or similar rather than the type that Garmin now supply where the monitor does not detach from the strap. Then you would need to be sure of compatability; that the snap on fittings are spaced to fit your monitor.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Again, a comparision of HR data during an 8k recom run with dog

Blue: f5OHR
red: scosche

The F5OHR is quite usable except for a dashing up of a bridge at minute 40 when it lost connection for a short time. Maybe due to excessive arm swing during this dash...
For the rest, it's absolutely ok.