Anyone STILL having heart rate accuracy issues with their Fenix 6?

What should that tell us ?

Did another comparison between the built in WHR in my Fenix 6X Pro Solar (firmware 11.75) versus HRM Run belt. This was a mixed walk/slow run. The accuracy was better at the end but there where big differences in the beginning. Used moving average for 3 seconds.

I did a third comparison also. Walk/slow run this time.

If you cut through the waffle, out of the Garmin range they only tested the Garmin Fenix 3 and Fenix 5 and to summarise the Fenix Garmin 5 is *** at HR on wrist compared to other watches

Düking et al. reported moderate heart rate validity for the Garmin Fenix 5 during sitting and walking (standardized typical error of the estimate [sTEE] = 0.63, 0.62)to be poor with increased intensities of exercise (9.9 MET level sTEE = 1.24, 13.8 MET level = 1.44) and recommend caution due to the higher rates of error [47]. The results of the current investigation extend the literature in that poor heart rate validity measures in the Garmin Fenix 5 were observed during a variable intensity trail run (MAPE = 13.5%, bias = 15.9 bpm, r_C = 0.316), and these measures are consistent regardless of the incline (either primarily uphill or downhill) of the trail

So in other words, Garmin is really bad at OHR monitoring. Amazing for a high end sports watch.... 

I have had my 6S for over a year and it’s never been even close to correct while I’m working out. It’s OK at rest. I have dramatic swings from very low for a few weeks then something happens and it’s excessively high - like 170-180 bpm now when it should be registering 130 based on chest strap data. This is unacceptable. Don’t understand why they can’t fix it to at least something close. My Fenix 3 with HRM was just fine - should have kept it. 

gassman1 said:

I have had my 6S for over a year and it’s never been even close to correct while I’m working out. It’s OK at rest

If you took the time to read the Garmin Support pages about WHR you might understand better why WHR does not perform very well during activities. Might not ease your frustrations but at least you would be better informed about the limitations of WHR that are applicable to any watch with optical heart rate.

And yes, there are people who post here about how good Apple is but equally there are people posting on Apple forums and elsewhere about how poor Apple is too - discussions.apple.com/.../8079300.

For what it's worth, Apple state essentially the same advice as Garmin:

Even under ideal conditions, Apple Watch may not be able to record a reliable heart rate reading every time for everybody.

Apple's tips for achieving the most accurate measurements using the heart rate sensor are detailed here:

Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it. - Apple Support

Get the most accurate measurements using your Apple Watch - Apple Support

If you experience issues with recording your heart rate during workouts, then, for more consistent readings, you may wish to consider pairing an external heart rate monitor / Bluetooth chest strap to your watch:

And a post that could have been written by a Garmin user if you just substitute Garmin for Apple:

The inconsistency of the Apple [Garmin] Watch has been noted since 2015 on the Apple [Garmin] Support board.

I have an Apple Watch [Garmin] 3, and it has been almost nonexistent or very incorrect when using it to monitor heart rate during elevated exercise.

I run on the treadmill for thirty minutes in the morning and thirty minutes at night. The watch monitors the heart rate up to the point that I begin my workout on the treadmill. Once on the treadmill, it stops recording, once I am off the treadmill it starts recording again. Every once in a while, it will record during the thirty minute exercise.

I have be taking screen shots of the Apple [Garmin]  Watch and the corresponding data (lack of data) on the iPhone. I researched the issue, and Apple [Garmin]  says we are wearing it incorrectly...so, I made sure it was correctly positioned and snug. Then we were all told to unpair it and pair it again...so I did. I also made sure the sensors were clean.

Two weeks ago, I took the watch, screen shots and phone to an Apple [Garmin]  Store. They sent it in for evaluation. Five days later it came back, the genius told me Apple [Garmin]  was not able to replicate the issue and therefore, there is nothing wrong with the watch. Even though I had many screen shots showing the missing data.

I took the watch home and paired it again. Well, guess what, still not data.

So the way I see it, Apple [Garmin] is telling us we are having an isolated issue that does not exist and that we should just shut up and act like nothing is wrong. I have a friend with a version 2 and he has the same issue.

If you research this issue, you will find it dating back to 2015.

I am about ready to ditch the Apple [Garmin] Watch and move to the fitbit [Garmin]. Might be time for more people to do that. There is an issue with this product, and I have a feeling Apple [Garmin]  is aware of it.

Ano problém stále trvá,na zápěstí tepová frekvence markantně vyskočí oproti hrudnímu pásu...Kdyby to bylo jen o pár tepů,tak to neřeším,ale vyskočí to i o 20-30 tepů/min... Vše od betaverze 11.75 - do té doby to bylo v pořádku :-(

Stejný běh bez pásu/s hrudním pásem (tep okamžitě padne správně dolů a drží svoji hladinu)