This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Stinky OHR Heart Rate Sensor

I've had my Fenix 5X for about three months and started noticing a vinegar odor coming from my wrist. It's the same sort of smell that you get from old hockey or ski clothes where sweat and moisture linger.

I've determined that it's coming from the heart rate sensor. The plastic must be porous and absorbs sweat and bacteria. I've tried isopropyl alcohol, soap, and even trying to mask the odor with rosemary oil. After cleaning it smells fine. After I start sweating the odor gets really bad. It's so bad that I'm thinking of returning it. I love the watch so I'd like to fix it if possible. I searched for a Garmin without a OHR and it doen't appear they make them any more.

Does anyone else have the problem? Anyone have a solution? Does anyone know of a Garmin without the OHR?

Thanks!

0 JSRUNNER_ over 6 years ago

AndyDaoust I haven't come across anyone else with this problem on the forums - it may just be a one off issue with your unit.

It may be worth returning it for a refund then getting another to see if you have the same problem.

I would not use Isopropyl Alcohol on it - maybe dump it in "Piss-Off" - a delightfully named Australian product for cleaning wetsuits and stopping them from smelling

After swimming I shower in my watch then after showering dry my wrist and the watch and blow out the charging connector

After running I dump it in the batch whilst it runs - along with my HRM-Tri chest strap - and again I dry it after with a towel and blow out the charging port and I never have any problems.

0 sis651 over 6 years ago

I remember some bad odour experiences with chest straps but this is first with an optical heart rate sensor.

0 ikim1967 over 6 years ago

I find that if I don't wash it daily with soap it'll smell pretty bad under the watch, gets a fine build up of gunk and good knows what under there where it sits so tight. Might be a bacteria build up in the charging port where its recessed? The band always seems to have the worse smell. Though all smells are covered by those my bike helmets seem to have after summer! :-)

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

the ohr is worthless at best.

0 JSRUNNER_ over 6 years ago

Dalogan72 the OHR is OK for 24/7 background monitoring which is basically what it is desingned for. I agree that for many people trying to use it to log HR during an activity it is highly innaccurate.

AndyDaoust and ikim1967 how tight are you wearing the watch - I have mine loose enough so that I can push a finger under it and it still gives me good 24/7 stats. AndyDaoust I suggest that you loosen it off as much as you are comfortable with that will give it much more chance to dry out and not accumulate bacteria in a moist warm environment. And I really can recommend the wetsuit cleaner as a diver it really stops the neoprene smelling when it dries and I'm sure would help with the watch.

0 ikim1967 over 6 years ago

I have it about the same tightness, JSRUNNER_. Used to wear it a little tighter because it improved the stress data but I prefer having some blood flow to my hand at the expense of that feature being slightly more accurate!

I got in the habit of washing it daily because it originally helped with the rash that came from the band when I first got the watch. Interestingly, that seemed to just stop after a while (the rash) but come back with some vengeance when I replaced the band. Almost like a chemical is present on new bands that fades after a while.

0 JSRUNNER_ over 6 years ago

ikim1967 It maybe worth trying a lighter watch as you won't have to wear it so tight to get good readings. I don't know which features of the 5x are essential to you but you could consider the 935 but that lacks maps and music but in general I've found it to be a very capable watch to wera 24/7.

0 ikim1967 over 6 years ago

It doesn't bother me so much anymore - had the 5X since it came out and enjoy it! I found the stress readings (to record solid, constant data) needed a tighter connection - same as HR - but having the odd drop out is worth not having it so tight on the wrist! I notice that I have to clean it more during the summer, pretty oppressive here in Florida and I sweat like crazy. As long as I keep up with that I find it doesn't smell or get that gunky build up on the inside! Unlike the bike helmet which is pretty rank about now! :-)

0 pmtorresr over 5 years ago

AndyDaoust,

I started having this same problem with my fenix 5S plus.

What did you end up doing to fix the smell?

0 7372806 over 4 years ago

I have the VivoActive 3 and it stinks. Great watch but its kind of like going to a restaurant that has a (sewer) smell issue. It makes the food seem bad even if its great. I'll replace the VivoActive 3 with one of Garmin's non-heart rate style watches that still has a swim lap counter and hope that solves the stink issue.