Fénix 6 and Hrm pro or stryd?

RuiMigs said:

what would I be missing from Stryd?

A couple minor metrics such as leg spring stiffness and power form, but mainly power. I train using power now and a Stryd is so much better at pace and distance then depending on GPS from the watch that it's worth it to me. Just read all the pace issues posted here.  If those aren't important to you, pass on the Stryd. 

You'll also get the cadence from the strap. 

You get cadence from the watch itself, no strap or footpod required.

The HRM-Pro has a couple of major features over other bands: the store-and-forward of HR data (for swimming or contact sports), and Running Dynamics/Power. If you are getting Power and running data from the Stryd, and you are always going to be running with your watch, then you can probably use a much cheaper chest strap than the HRM-Pro.

mcalista said:

You get cadence from the watch itself, no strap or footpod required.

Correct, but it will be grouped with the running dynamics data from the strap. 

I bought both devices around the same time.

There's a little overlap between them; they both do Running Dynamics data (ground contact time, left/right balance, etc). But largely they are two different devices for different purposes.

The HRM Pro is, well... a heartrate sensor, which is obviously something the Stryd doesn't do. And the Stryd is a power meter, which is something the HRM-Pro doesn't really do. I think it kinda does, but it's not nearly as good at it.

Other things the Stryd can do, which the HRM-Pro won;t do, is provide accurate pace and distance data. Accurate distance data is very valuable if you do treadmill running, and for outdoor running, accurate Pace data from the Stryd is infinitely better than what the watch by itself can do.

The Fenix will measure cadence perfectly fine on its own, it doesn't need either the HRM or Stryd for that.

Like you said, in a perfect world, ideally it's best to have both. If I had to pick only one device to start with, I'd pick the HRM-Pro because, above all else, accurate and smooth HR data is the most important thing for most people. Even if your wrist HR sensor works well for you (mine does), the chest strap is still superior. You can probably "live" without the stryd - but I still highly recommend saving up for one in the future.

Consider a basic and reliable HRM ECG strap with the Stryd. The only “running dynamics” metrics missing from Stryd relative to the Garmin HRM-Run, HRM-Tri, HRM-pro is L/R balance and stride length. You can infer stride length from pace and cadence, so I’m not sure why it’s not present on Stryd other than being redundant. L/R balance is interesting but not really actionable in that you cannot consciously control it — at least I cannot. It is only out of balance for me when I’m injured and it’s not like I was not otherwise aware of being injured.

In general there is very little one can do with the running dynamics to influence a training plan. You can use the data to decide if you need the ASICS Metaspeed Sky or MetaSpeed Edge based on stride length to cadence ratio. But that is about the only thing I have ever seen.

I don’t like the integrated design of the HRM-Run, HRM-Tri, and HRM-Pro where the sensor is permanently integrated into the strap. It means a strap failure kills the whole thing and the strap doesn’t turn off after a workout. I’ve had 200+ bpm from my gym bag with the HRM-Run after a workout. I’ve seen several of these die because the strap failed and then you have to get the whole new one.

I think the original modular design, still seen in the HRM-Dual is better. The Polar H9 and H10 have the same design. The transmitter snaps on and turns off when removed from the strap. (Incidentally the HRM-Dual is compatible with Polar straps.)

I have been very happy with a combo of the Stryd and a Polar H9 sensor. I have 2 Polar Pro straps that I wash in the shower after workouts and alternate. The Polar Pro strap is superior to any of the Garmin ones. It has huge ECG pads by comparison and a much softer, more comfortable fabric. 

Consider a basic and reliable HRM ECG strap with the Stryd.

The key, critical feature of the HRM is accurate HR  the key, critical feature of Stryd is accurate pace and distance. I use and like Stryd and I’m not really convinced about “power”. Although I do think it’s the best available field metric of metabolic cost of running.

The only “running dynamics” metrics missing from Stryd relative to the Garmin HRM-Run, HRM-Tri, HRM-pro is L/R balance and stride length. You can infer stride length from pace and cadence, so I’m not sure why it’s not present on Stryd other than being redundant. L/R balance is interesting but not really actionable in that you cannot consciously control it — at least I cannot. It is only out of balance for me when I’m injured and it’s not like I was not otherwise aware of being injured.

In general there is very little one can do with the running dynamics to influence a training plan. You can use the data to decide if you need the ASICS Metaspeed Sky or MetaSpeed Edge based on stride length to cadence ratio. But that is about the only thing I have ever seen.

I don’t like the integrated design of the HRM-Run, HRM-Tri, and HRM-Pro where the sensor is permanently integrated into the strap. It means a strap failure kills the whole thing and the strap doesn’t turn off after a workout. I’ve had 200+ bpm from my gym bag with the HRM-Run after a workout. I’ve seen several of these die because the strap failed and then you have to get the whole new one.

I think the original modular design, still seen in the HRM-Dual is better. The Polar H9 and H10 have the same design. The transmitter snaps on and turns off when removed from the strap. (Incidentally the HRM-Dual is compatible with Polar straps.)

I have been very happy with a combo of the Stryd and a Polar H9 sensor. I have 2 Polar Pro straps that I wash in the shower after workouts and alternate. The Polar Pro strap is superior to any of the Garmin ones. It has huge ECG pads by comparison and a much softer, more comfortable fabric. I think the design of the Polar Pro strap with the enormous ECG pads is the reason Polar has the best lab-measures ECG accuracy relative to an actual medical ECG reference machine.

Thank you all for your invaluable feedback. I guess I'll get a Polar H9 or HRM Dual and down the road think about Stryd!

I also have a HRM-Dual that I used for months before I got the HRM-Pro. It's a great value, and just as accurate. Only reason I upgraded to HRM-Pro was to get offline recording and integrated Garmin Running Dynamics (previously I was wearing both a HRM-Dual and an RD Pod, which just made it take that much longer to get ready for a run.)