HRM-Run vs -Tri ... a quick question

Greetings! Recently I moved up from the fenix 3 to the 5X, and am loving life. Had moved away from wearing a HRM band but am interested in going back to one.
I have the 'older' black HRM-Run (it has the runner figure on it), but want to get a new HRM band to go along with my new watch.

I'm leaning towards a HRM-Tri as I do swim a tad. Any advantages or disadvantages vs the red HRM-Run, in terms of data reliability or data availability?

Thanks for your input and feedback.

Jeff

Top Replies

All Replies

0 jeff28w over 7 years ago

Good comments, thanks.

My main reason for questioning was to find out whether there would be any disadvantages of using the -Tri band relative to metrics, stats, data reliability, functional reliability, etc. It appears there are not.

I appreciate the concerns that with the non-removable band that the whole thing may need to be replaced more often, hence a higher cost of ownership. My old black -Run band held up well in the past with weekly cleanings, and would expect the -Tri to hold up as well. Assuming that to be the case as well as the -Tri band possibly more comfortable I think I'll go with the -Tri and keep my old -Run as a backup.

Mentioned that I do a very small bit of swimming and I think I'll be fine with the -Tri in the pool --- I always purposely do not push hard off the walls so I don't think the band will slip down. Who knows, tho.

0 tmk2 over 7 years ago

I think I'll be fine with the -Tri in the pool

One more thing to consider: The HRM-Tri strap - contrary to the HRM-Swim - is not chlorine resistant. Regular usage in chlorinated water may cause premature degradation of the strap.

0 nmyeti over 7 years ago

The double-counting however, is something that goes back to the beginning of my experience with Garmin straps and my 310XT. Originally I figured out that it was from putting the strap on "dry", so I started licking it before putting it on and that stopped it -- right up until the 8.x firmware revisions on the Fenix 5x, when it came back *consistently.* As in 9-of-10 runs it misbehaved, which played hell with all sorts of things (VO2Max for one, and it also resulted in GC (I think) resetting my heart-rate zones and sending them back to the watch, which if I didn't catch it resulted in utterly ridiculous zone data that then screwed with *other* performance metrics -- I'd get totally bogus threshold changes, for example.) I've reported this to the Garmin firmware people but have had no response; I doubt it's the strap itself since it was a step function and happened suddenly when the first 8.x beta appeared, and has been maintained since.

I'm not saying this doesn't exist. You have an older version of the HRM-Run than I do, but I can say I've never seen it with my HRM-Run (red). I generally soak the strap by running it under the faucet before putting it on, but there are times when i am running somewhere that requires a drive to get to the trail head and i just put a little spit on the strap. By comparison that is "dry," and the only time I've ever seen the strap reported HR freak out is after I've taken it off and tossed it in the passenger floorboard of my car, but the watch hasn't disconnected from it just yet.

I've got no complaints at all with the HRM-Run (red sensor) except that the strap is not replaceable. That said, based on the condition of mine after a year, I'm still a long way from having to order a replacement HRM. I will also say that I've never gotten decent results while running out of the optical HRM. It will lock in for a bit but not hold for the whole run. Maybe i should do a run with the OHR as I haven't tried recently. Potentially it is "better" in the newer firmware.

0 tickerguy over 7 years ago

Last evening's 5 miler, nice little jog, OHR..... (this is typical of what I get with the OHR sensor) No complaints with that (yes, the little dip is legit; had to stop for traffic.)ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1330442.png

0 bloom34 over 7 years ago

Have been using the HRM-TRI since it's release with almost daily use 3-4 days running and the remainder biking. I replace the battery ever 2-3 months and have not needed to replace the strap yet :)

0 FryeX over 7 years ago

Greetings! Recently I moved up from the fenix 3 to the 5X, and am loving life. Had moved away from wearing a HRM band but am interested in going back to one.
I have the 'older' black HRM-Run (it has the runner figure on it), but want to get a new HRM band to go along with my new watch.

I'm leaning towards a HRM-Tri as I do swim a tad. Any advantages or disadvantages vs the red HRM-Run, in terms of data reliability or data availability?

Thanks for your input and feedback.

Jeff

Go with the Tri. It has a built in memory, so if the connectivity between the watch and strap has been problematic during the exercises you can sync the HR data after the exercise from the belt. I don't see this happening often, but sometimes if I rollerblade and keep my hands behind my back the HR signal drops. With HRM-Tri the data is stored in the belt and synced after the activity.

My HRM-Tri is out of the first batch of the belts when they were launched. I use it several times a week and the belt has caused no problems. I have exchanged the battery several times as well. Only time when I see issues with erratic HR during beginning of the exercise is when the battery is starting to get old and the belt is not properly wet. It is a signal for me to change the battery. However I do use HRM-Swim during pool swims instead of the -Tri.

0 islehopper over 7 years ago

I've used the HRM-Run (red) for a few dozen 8-10k runs in past 3-months. Can't comment on Tri vs. Run, but perhaps share a tip (obvious to many but not in Garmin's instructions)... wet your sternum (chest) before wearing strap. The sensors are smooth plastic so don't stay wet... your skin will. Before I did this I had intermittent reading issues for first 1-2km. Now I get a consistent reading from beginning to end. (got this tip from a Scandinavian youtuber demoing Suunto's heart strap, so he deserves credit for this tip). Cheers