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HRM 600 pairing using ANT+ not possible after 26.09

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I am trying to repair my HRM 600 with Epix (gen2) watch using ANT+ connection, but after the watch finds the sensor, it says that 'the sensor is using open connection, continue with secure BLE' and the options are Yes, More info (totally useless on this matter) and Cancel. Where is the 'No, continue with open connection' option...?
I've read the manuals and they are of no help on this matter.

I cannot establish an ANT+ connection anymore, I had it previously successfully done and used it, but unfortunately I unpaired the watch and HRM, and now after the 26.09 update on the watch it's no longer possible to pair the HRM 600 with the watch using ANT+. 

Using BLE mode (2 blinks at HRM sensor + pairing mode) works just fine, but when I switch to ANT+ (three blinks at sensor) the watch will not connect. The watch finds the sensor and suggests BLE, but there is no way to say NO to BLE other than cancel the whole pairing process.

I've removed the sensor from the watch, rebooted, soft reset the watch and always the same outcome. I wish I would not need to do a hard reset. The sensor is not connected to any other devices.
If I connect the sensor with BLE, and then try to change the connection type, the watch says to remove the sensor and pair it again (which is what I've tried and the outcome is always the same). I've tried with the module on and off the belt, worn the belt wet with the sensor attached, and always the same result. Either I'm missing some step or there's a software bug in the open connection pairing process.

I prefer the ANT+ connection to BLE because of battery drain issue when BLE is in use:

Before switching to HRM 600 from HRM Pro Plus I charged my watch every two weeks, but after taking the HRM 600 into use using BLE pairing, I needed to charge the watch every 5-6 days. When switching the HRM 600 to ANT+ connection I was back to charging appr. 13 days. So A BIG DIFFERENCE on the connection type of the HRM 600 sensor. 

I know I can pair the devices with BLE and always manually switch the connection off when not doing an activity, but what a hassle each time switching it on and off. 

The HRM 600 and EPIX gen2 both support the open connection, and now connecting the HRM600 using it has been (accidentally?) disabled by forcing to use BLE. 

Keeping my fingers crossed for a quick sw fix or having someone guide me how to get the ANT+ pairing working again!

  • 0

    First of all I would like to thank you for this post. Secondly I don't have a solution to your problem. 

    I have experieced battery drain since getting my HRM600. Problem for me was that I had not paired it with Ant+ but with bluetooth. I removed it from the watch and did it all over again (reading the manual in detail) and now it is paired with Ant+. 

    But, I am not on 26.09 (I am on 22. something). And in this version when pairing I get almost the same as you, a suggestion to switch to bluetooth. Upper right on watch is "yes" and lower left is "no". Choosing "no" pairs HRM600 with Ant+

    Sorry this is no help to you. But to me it seems to be a bug on your watch if you tried all kinds of resets. 

    Best of luck!

    M

  • 0

    this may not be directly helpful but when I had Fenix6 it could see my HRM-Pro-Plus in both ANT+ and BLE mode

    so I'd let attach as BLE and then go into sensors and set the BLE HRM as disabled

    then I could use it as ANT+

    I carefully renamed the sensors so I could see the difference as to what connected

    So maybe let it do the stupid BLE connect and then manually go into sensors and set the BLE HRM as disconnected

    Then it might pair with ANT+

    BTW with the HRM-Pro-Plus you cannot get running dynamics over BLE, only ANT+

    not sure if it is the same with the 600 but I bet it is as it's likely same firmware with simple tweaks/additions

    I can see Garmin has a problem on their hands with european regulations demanding secure connections so ANT+ cannot survive and will probably be grandfathered like every other brand is doing

    Garmin doesn't like BLE connections as it eats power compared to ANT+

  • 0 in reply to RinseRepeat

    Newest Garmin Devices favor secure BLE for newer metrics.

    The Garmin HRM 600 transmits running dynamics metrics, including the new step speed loss metric,  However, to utilize these advanced metrics, you must use a compatible Garmin smartwatch (such as the Forerunner 970 or later) and connect via Secure Bluetooth (BLE), as the step speed loss data is not stored on the strap itself and requires specific Garmin device processing.  While the strap broadcasts standard heart rate data broadly via ANT+, the full suite of running dynamics requires this secure, encrypted connection to a supported Garmin watch rather than generic ANT+ receivers. 

    Force Metric (direct force independent of crank length) and Pedal IQ are specific features of the Garmin Rally 110 (single-sided) and 210 (dual-sided) line, but advanced Force data and Pedal IQ require Secure Bluetooth connectivity and a new Garmin Edge computer (X40/X50 series and up) ; they are not available via standard ANT+ on older head units or non-Garmin devices like Wahoo/Hammerhead.

  • 0 in reply to pepe

    thanks for that education on Garmin switching to ble

    shame they won't do a final firmware update to HRM-Pro-Plus to at least do running dynamics via BLE

    sounds like they could even do speed-loss via the pro-plus but they won't bother anymore

    not buying any more Garmin HRM though, I've had to buy more of them over the years than watches which is ridiculous, HRM-TRI was a nightmare of failures

  • 0 in reply to RinseRepeat

    The unique and interesting thing they have is R-R recording to internal memory.

    forums.garmin.com/.../1223639

  • 0 in reply to pepe

    I've been playing with alphaHRV datafield and it does way better recording/analysis than even Garmin's own Firstbeat metrics

    the HRM-Pro-Plus doesn't even timesync with the watch though, whenever you try to use the download feature from the HRM, the numbers it comes up with are always off by more than a little and I figured out it's because it's slightly time-shifted from the actual activity by up to several seconds, pretty darn stupid on their development

  • 0 in reply to RinseRepeat

    I love AlphaHRV, but unfortunately AlphaHRV doesn't work for Swim activities, internal recording should be better than over the air streaming by Ant+ or BLE, less interference, less packet losses. And you can always use session start timestamps and elapsed time to get RR data in sync. Check my interval.icu Hybrid NN/RR percent and HR Swim Memory streams, and Swim NN/RR Percent custom field

  • 0 in reply to RinseRepeat

    Raw HR vs HR Swim Event_Timestamp

    Proof of concept : HR Swim Event_Timestamp Custom Stream, calculated from message 132 event_timestap fields converted to rr, converted to bpm

    ligthly filtered and well synchronized.

  • 0 in reply to pepe

    is that on the HRM-600 or the HRM-Pro+ ?

    Oh wait are you saying that's on the thick blue strap swim model?

    I haven't tried a download with my Fenix7 and the HRM-Pro so maybe they fixed it

    but on the Fenix6 that was guaranteed wrong offset

    the aerobic and anaerobic efforts would completely change on the Fenix6, it was annoying

    I had made several thread about it years ago but Garmin never fixed it, maybe it's finally fixed on the Fenix7

     RE: Training effect changes when I download HR data when using only the chest strap HRM with optical HR is turned off. 

    https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-6-series/374530/training-effect-changes-when-i-download-hr-data-when-using-only-the-chest-strap-hrm-with-optical-hr-is-turned-off/1788023

  • 0 in reply to RinseRepeat

    In this case a open water swim with a triathlon top and FR955+HRM-Pro.

    Can you try it with your setup?

    Your inspiring.posts were attentively read. Thank you.