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 mjsol over 8 years ago

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.

Thank you for your response! I was feeling like such a freak! Glad to know it's a known issue. While I continue struggle with the new chest strap, the new watch's OHR seems a lot more stable. It hasn't frozen up or read "208 bpm" so far.

0 WillCW over 8 years ago

Thank you for your response! I was feeling like such a freak! Glad to know it's a known issue. While I continue struggle with the new chest strap, the new watch's OHR seems a lot more stable. It hasn't frozen up or read "208 bpm" so far.

Yes, well known problem. Just Google it to see many ladies posting on various forums and suggesting a variety of (non-universal) solutions. If you are not bothered with the extra dynamic values provided by strap HRM then OHR would be best way to go.

0 J.MARGET over 8 years ago

Wrist HR definitely not usable for intensity workout

I'm personnaly not pleased with the result of the wrist HR.
In my last run today, my F5 showed that I was at my Max HR during a rest period of 25 minutes.
I have been doing interval training for the first time with my F5 and I'll for sure wear my HR belt next time !

0 webvan over 8 years ago

Yes clearly a chest strap will be more reliable for interval training, however for marathon racing in the heat/sun I've found that after a couple of hours (but also as early at 1 hour) the oHR could work better than a chest strap that gets completely soaked, regardless of how much "gel" you've applied before starting the race.

0 scotthunter2 over 8 years ago

I find the F5S optical HR to be spot on when resting. When I have taken my actual pulse then compared it with the watch reading, it's almost always been accurate to the nearest 1 BPM. Good so far.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Heart rat band and vivoactive

I am getting readings 20 to 30 bpm too high on my Vivoactive. I don't know whether it is the chest band or the watch. I am thinking of getting a kosche (?) arm band, but if it is the watch I'll be wasting my money. Is this a known problem?

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Been getting some lower ratings on my F5 vs my Scosche as well. On a 3 mile run, the F5 reads fairly consistently ~20BPM lower than the scosche when I get above 140BM. Below this, they're fairly evenly matched. Anyone else experience this? Does the F5 need any calibration at all if I haven't taken it on many runs just yet?

Thanks.

0 carl.andersson over 8 years ago

Been getting some lower ratings on my F5 vs my Scosche as well. On a 3 mile run, the F5 reads fairly consistently ~20BPM lower than the scosche when I get above 140BM. Below this, they're fairly evenly matched. Anyone else experience this? Does the F5 need any calibration at all if I haven't taken it on many runs just yet?

Thanks.

What's your cadence on the runs and how close to your reported HR is it?
I've had cadence lock issues on just about every optical HRM watch I've ever used (and there's been a few in the past 2 years) so it's quite possible that could be the reason for the lower than expected HR data.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Too me it was very good at the beginning (i had it with FW 2.40 on April 22, as the GPS trace actually)
But with the FW update it's getting worse and worse.

Yesterday it was totally crazy, it was going up and down but out but 20 or more beats /seconds.
My HR strap on a F3 was telling 138 when the WHR on F5 says 171 , going down for no reason to 168 than 172. I stopped running, going down to 142 but after 2 steps it was going to 164 again.
Funny enough, it was working ok for the first 1h15, of course there is this delay of like 10s compare to HR, not necessarely annoying when you know yourself but to me it's not acceptable.

I was under the charm till i got the first 2.40 FW but getting disappointed. Happy when wearing my HRM strap but lots of features seems degratated with the updates.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

stop school

What's your cadence on the runs and how close to your reported HR is it?
I've had cadence lock issues on just about every optical HRM watch I've ever used (and there's been a few in the past 2 years) so it's quite possible that could be the reason for the lower than expected HR data.

Interesting....I think you're right - my cadence throughout the run was very close to the BPMs recorded by the F5.