Does anyone have heart rate hiking issues like these: (heart rate monitor seeming to get in a "mode" of registering low when heart rate is clearly higher?)

If you do have a strap you can install a CIQ data field that can simultaneously record data from the WHR and the strap. Then you can compare numbers during exercise and afterwards. I've done this a few times and the findings are as I said above. Mostly the figures are in the right ballpark +/- 5-10 BPM, but you must consider that WHR changes lag those of the chest strap so an exact match second by second should not be expected. By the end of, say, a one hour walk, the average is typically within a couple of beats - good enough for walking the dog. Not good enough for doing intervals and zone based training.

Here is the data field I used. See my review of March 2020. There is also a widget version which I have not tried. 

apps.garmin.com/.../a9734c04-fb8a-49b9-89e1-9ac16a9a6f5e

Thanks for taking the time to reply, its just not what I wanted to hear!

Your theory does make complete sense. My new fenix solar 6s pro is heavier than my old 4s. I'm a small person with 15 cm (6 imch) wrists. Perhaps garmin should 'recommend' or warn about this issue? I'm just a bit lost as to what I should do about it. Because a few other features are also a problem like move iq and calories calculated. 

If your asking me if I think garmin should be clearer about how a users size may impact on a watches ability to do as advertised,  than yeah I am serious.  I'm not trying to be controversial or anything. The box doesn't say requires a chest strap for hr features to work??? If it was as easy as just getting a chest strap i would go get one. But for me it's not. I am extremely big in the bust. I must wear a particular bra to run which won't allow a chest strap to work. Even if I could get it to work it would be very uncomfortable and cause bruising and sores. So yes I do think that garmin should be clearer on what causes limitations on the watches ability to function. Its ok if you disagree!

8875222 said:

Perhaps garmin should 'recommend' or warn about this issue? I'm just a bit lost as to what I should do about it.

Read these…

https://www.garmin.co.in/minisite/garmin-technology/wearable-science/heart-rate/

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=xQwjQjzUew4BF1GYcusE59

And for completeness check out the forums for other watches with WHR. You’ll find similar complaints from users there too…even Apple Watch users. 

OK sure, maybe you did this for run, or some other function? If you check out the video posted above, others have found it supposedly does the big hr discrepancy with hike only (but mine didn't exactly act like he presents and will sometimes eventually correct). However, as I said above its definitely giving more than the variability you say in other activities, and I've found its really hard to compare since one group will have "no problems", another group cant get basic functionality and third group gets the bug I'm talking about, 4th group gets some other bug...

I didn't try what you said and didn't get this for use with chest strap or for only dog walking or activities over one hour, so even if it does work under those circumstances well, its quite disappointing to me, and I'm answering the question someone asking if things are fixed: big NO. It also doesn't appear Garmin is active in fixing much, even the excessive battery drain after an update even is still present for me, which I thought would've been high priority..so I cant answer that they have/are or will fix things.

However, I do hear some similar complaints with competitor watches, and have tried Apple watch which I definitely dont prefer. So if you love data and are willing to interpret poorly obtained data which you have to interpret yourself, like the very long battery life, the maps and mapping functions, etc, it may still be fun to get this Garmin. However I still get pissed off that I paid so much for this when it cuts .7 mi off of a 3.7mi trail run, records obviously wrong heart rate data, starts sucking down a whole battery in one day randomly, wont put me in the correct hr ballpark on an activity or more BS from Garmin about how they are working to improve things and nothing's really changed a year later..so yeah..

I don't buy into the whole apple thing so whatever issues they do or don't have isn't a factor here. I brought a garmin, the end. I do appreciate the links you posted but absolutely nothing posted there gave any insight into the issues im having or discussed the size and weight of the watch being affected by the size of the user.

I do get that in some circumstances strength training could affect the watch but to that I say I am a woman working with a pt for an hour plus and my heart rate was in no zone for over 75% of this. As im a woman i don't do upper body like a man does so very rarely is my wrist flexed in a way that could possibly affect my watch.

My watch is brand new, it clean, its up to date, its fitted perfectly.  I always warm up prior to strength training by a quick run on the treadmill.  There is literally nothing I could possibly do to ensure I followed precise instructions for use any greater. I have restarted it 3 times in 1 week. 

I came here because in contrast to my 4s the heart rate is out by 15+ ppm by a few minutes on either side but its more out when it should be increasing and simply refusing to acknowledge any heart rate in excess of mid 160 when I know im at 180. I know because I can check on expensive gym equipment and I'm about to keel over!

None of this explains why I can't get move iq to work or why my watch told me a day ago I burnt an extra 200 active calories whilst a slept! 

So I guess im off to write a lengthy email to garmin. 

You could consider an optical heart rate strap that is worn on the forearm or upper arm. These areas are more reliable than the wrist for taking optical measurements. Certainly Wahoo and Polar offer such devices, maybe others too.

I haven't read the article, but maybe this will help....

www.dcrainmaker.com/.../optical-heart-rate-sensor-armband-shootout-schosche24-polaroh1-wahoo-tickr-fit.html

Thanks so much for that link. You have sent me down a rabbit hole, but a possible solution to hr issues none the less. Thanks again