Related
Options
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

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

Former Member
Former Member over 5 years ago

Hi all,

Super frustrated, but I am still having issues with my Fenix 6S and heart rate accuracy even with the 4.20 software update. I'm wondering if it's just me or what the deal is? I had a 5S Plus before this and had no issues doing the same activities so I really don't think it's user error. My heart rate hardly reads over 110 during really vigorous exercise when my heart rate is closer to 160+. I have tried wearing on the inside of my wrist, tried my other wrist with no luck. It consistently reads 80-110 bpm the whole time. I wouldn't have bothered to upgrade if I knew this was going to be an issue. I know that wearing a chest strap is the most accurate, but I don't like to have to wear it for all of my work outs and my old Fenix was totally fine as well as my apple watch before that. Any suggestions? 

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I've had this issue since I got my Fenix 6 in 2020 and even today with recently updated firmware, the same issue holds.  But I think I'd like to mention the details with mine since there is possibility that it's actually something similar not exact same.  I'm highly bradycardic (my RHR is mid 30s) and when I do cardio activity without HR cheststrap, watch at times shows double what my HR really is.  Today it showed as high as 200 bpm, and note I'm 63yo and just pottering around the yard doing gardening, so HR was actually around 100 max.  I later put my garmin HRM-PRO on and once it activated, seemed to log my HR just fine.  I haven't noticed the same issue with other activities, although those with me are generally limited to just bike rides, and I normally wear HRM-PRO every time for that.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I find anytime i use the cardio setting, the HR is WAY off. I feel like i'm at max HR at times in my workout and my HR on the watch isn't even over 110. Other functions seem to be better but when I use the Cardio setting, the Hr is not even close to accurate!

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 6630144

    Ive had similar problems since 2017, had 3 models latest Fenix 6 . It’s best to view wrist based heart rate as Garmins best guess which is sometimes fairly close to what is expected. I’m afraid that like me you’ll need to use the chest strap for accurate heart rates so that other metrics based on heart rate are similarly accurate. Ive accepted the shortcomings as worthwhile for all the other benefits I gain particularly locations on the moors and hills. Hope this helps. 

  • 0 11 months ago

    I’m sitting here reading these comments from 5-6 years ago and so disappointed. I have a Fenix 7S and most of you are talking about a 5 or 6. I used to have a cheap 45 that worked like a charm. Spent a $1000 to upgrade to a Fenix and now all my data is hooped. The wrist hr data is appallingly bad, never had this issue with my 45. Garmin sent me an ultra fit strap and a chest strap but I really don’t want to wear a chest strap. The ultra fit strap seems better but in a run yesterday couldn’t pick up HR changes during 30” hill sprints and the  300M sprints at the track. And like others have said, even if I wear the chest strap for activity what about all the other heart rate data?

    I want my 45 back, totally regret this upgrade.