EDGE 840 and BT devices, specifically TRACKR HR monitor

Martin

I've recently purchased a Wahoo TRACKR HR monitor, and like my 5 year old TICKR before it, I just tried to use it with bluetooth for giggles. 

Garmin just can't work with bluetooth. Even Garmin's own Speed and Cadence sensor kit, if one connects with bluetooth, its a hit and miss affair that it will even connect after it pairs.

Now the odd thing is with my new TRACKR, is that it eventually connects to the sensor via bluetooth, and shows connected under the Sensor list, but it doesn't display my heart rate.

If I remove the device, and re-pair it, which takes very long itself, it will show my heart rate. Switch the EDGE device off and back on again, it either won't connect to the HR monitor, and if or when it does connect, it won't show an actual heart rate. 

Bluetooth was flaky on my EDGE 530. And it's flaky on my EDGE 840. How is this still a thing in 2025/2026? 

ANT+ connection for the HR monitor works fine on the EDGE, and bluetooth works fine with the TRACKR on my phone, Apple Watch, and whatever other devices I connect with it via bluetooth. 

  • 0 in reply to Luko79

    I still think it's a leap to assume the secure BT enabling on the Edge is causing the Trackr to not work properly. For a device that is supposed to be compatible with both secure and unsecured BT connections, this feels like a software issue on Garmin side. 

    Yes, Wahoo could update the device to perhaps create a secured BT connection, but the above just points to the fact that Garmin broke the functionality. 

    Just like ANT+ is an antiquated unsecured connection too, does that mean Garmin now has to break that functionality? 

  • 0 in reply to Martin

    the ANT+ has crypted protocol too but nobody uses it. probably it will disappear, the BT has much better interference-avoiding methods (and for the ANT+, the manufacturers need to pay licence to the Garmin because they own it), so where the ANT+ is dropping the signals continously there the BT can remain more stable

    so what i can prefer You, write to the Wahoo about this issue and ask them, did they try it or can they try it with 30.18 and a x40 Garmin that why it doesnt work.

  • 0 in reply to Luko79

    Yeah. I have written them. But I suppose their support is busy on perpetual coffee breaks... I'm hoping they will reply some time this month still