How do I verify that external HRM is used?

I did pairing of new Fenix 6 Pro and the old HRM Premium strap. It looks fine. But when I start an activity, I'm not really sure that the external HRM monitor is used - in my old Forerunner 220, there was a confirmation message that the HRM has been connected.

Does Fenix 6 Pro lack such confirmation? Is there any other way how to find out which HRM is used?

Top Replies

tess over 4 years ago +6 verified

sw-samuraj said:
But when I start an activity, I'm not really sure that the external HRM monitor is used

When you go to start an activity, the different sensors available will flash on the top portion…
Stig1986 over 4 years ago +4 suggested

Easy: have a look between your wrist and watch _after having started the activity_ and you will see that the LEDs are turned off. Beware that OHR will be active until you press start.
5850693 over 3 years ago +4

Dear Garmin PLEASE give us an icon on the watch face like the little phone thats there showing my phone is connected. Then when we are getting ready we will be able to see its connection

All Replies

0 Merkur41 over 4 years ago

When you start an activity, you get an indication (confirmation message), whether an external HR sensor is connected. Also, you can always manually re-check in the settings.

+1 tess over 4 years ago

sw-samuraj said:
But when I start an activity, I'm not really sure that the external HRM monitor is used

When you go to start an activity, the different sensors available will flash on the top portion of the screen and go solid once connected. An external HR device will show as a heart icon. You won't see this icon if using the WHR sensor.

0 DCeremuga over 4 years ago

You can't, really. That is one of the problems a lot of users have. It shows using the external sensor, but seems to flip back and forth from the watch and external sensor for no reason. when I had a F6, my OH1 or Scosche would show connected, but he OHR on the watch was still active and inaccurate.

So, I couldn't tell.

0 iLikePotatoes over 4 years ago

If you want to be 100% sure that the watch is using external HR during activity - put it in "Jacket Mode" in power modes (or create other custom power mode with OHR off).

If watch is in jacket mode (or custom mode with OHR off) and you can see HR on the display - it is coming from external HRM.

0 sw-samuraj over 4 years ago in reply to Merkur41

Merkur41 said:
When you start an activity, you get an indication (confirmation message), whether an external HR sensor is connected. Also, you can always manually re-check in the settings.

The problem with the confirmation message is that it shows for the first time only - if I exit the activity and then set it again, the message is not there anymore.

0 philipshambrook over 4 years ago in reply to DCeremuga

DCeremuga said:
seems to flip back and forth from the watch and external sensor for no reason

And you know this how? It's certainly nothing I've experienced providing the battery is ok in the strap and the strap is wet.

If you really want to be sure you are using an external strap turn off WHR.

+1 Stig1986 over 4 years ago

Easy: have a look between your wrist and watch _after having started the activity_ and you will see that the LEDs are turned off. Beware that OHR will be active until you press start.

0 GooseRider_ over 4 years ago in reply to Stig1986

Put watch on top of clothing ...

0 5850693 over 3 years ago

Dear Garmin PLEASE give us an icon on the watch face like the little phone thats there showing my phone is connected. Then when we are getting ready we will be able to see its connection

0 5850693 over 3 years ago in reply to tess

The heart shows up once the watch OR chest strap have successfully started monitoring HR