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Deeply disappointing experience with the Index Sleep Monitor

MaciekMacak

I’m heavily invested in the Garmin ecosystem — Index BPM, Index S2, EPIX Pro 51 — and the Index Sleep Monitor is the first device that genuinely feels like a mistake.

The core issue is simple: it just doesn’t work reliably. It fails to record often enough that it can’t replace sleep tracking on the watch. Syncing is inconsistent, the battery drains far faster than expected, and the whole experience feels unfinished. When it does function, the data is fine, but that’s not enough to justify the frustration.

The only minor positive is giving my wrist a break from wearing the watch overnight. Beyond that, I regret buying it. If returns were an option, I’d send it back immediately.

I can’t recommend this device in its current state.

Top Replies

  • in reply to 1095283 +1

      If you are interested in the ISM, and can find a store that has a good return policy (REI?), I recommend giving the ISM a try.  The product has been rock solid for me. Others on the thread, mixed…

All Replies

  • 0 in reply to BippityBoppity

    Garmin should handle the warranty regardless, in my experience. 

    Amazon can have good warranty handling too.

    If Amazon is being a pain, contact Garmin again and explain the situation. In my experience, with a bit of discussing/negotiating, Garmin will step up and help

  • 0

    I share the sentiment in the original post. To be fair, for me the ISM was working quite well through most of Dec. Then, toward the end of December it stopped being reliable. To me, it seems to coincide some with updates to the Garmin Connect app which has gotten pretty buggy in the last two updates (i.e., devices don't stay connected and sometimes requires a force quit to reconnect, Lifestyle logging is notoriously buggy and often doesn't "take" even right after I fill it out). Not sure what's happening on the GC front.

    But yes, ultimately, the whole thing is just not reliable. Doesn't sync data reliably even when I follow the procedure, even when I feel the vibration on my arm after putting it on. Additionally, I also experienced the ~10ms step down in HRV when I started using the ISM that has been reported on this forum in several posts. 

  • 0 in reply to JBradley

    That's really disappointing to hear/read.  Hopefully the issue of reliability for you and the OP lies in the most recent updates to GC.  Ideally a new change to GC will fix the issues. 

  • 0

    Too bad. I was to buy it right now, but I won't after reading all of your comments. Shame on you Garmin.

  • 0 in reply to TheEastEnders

    Since I removed and reconnected from my phone I haven't had any more missed sleep data.  I'm not confident on that the issue is fixed as being connected / disconnected from the phone should not allow either missed data or overwriting of data.  I don't quite know how it stores the data or overwrites so I'm not sure if it is getting overwritten or just being missed.  I have been very careful about looking at my sync data each morning before putting on my watch - so that may be masking a larger issue as still think that if the band hasn't sync and I turn on my watch it may be conflicting and overwriting before the band has a chance to sync its data.

  • 0 in reply to 1095283

    But they’ve let you read this thread Thumbsup

  • 0 in reply to 1095283

      If you are interested in the ISM, and can find a store that has a good return policy (REI?), I recommend giving the ISM a try.  The product has been rock solid for me. Others on the thread, mixed in with the negative comments, have commented the same.

    If you are able to buy ISM and give it a try for yourself, that might settle any fears about the ISM not functioning as it should.  Just my $0.05.  Good luck.