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Vivoactive 4S Optical HR With Tattoos

Beatz
over 5 years ago

Hi guys. 

I've just switched over from Fitbit, and I'm having a problem with my new VA4S. 

I'm finding that the Heart Rate keep dropping (which I'm assuming is to do with my tattoos) and then the Elevate HR LED's just decide to switch off, until I show it some ambient light where they switch on again to try and find a signal. 

Now, with my Fitbit, when I would lose signal (which didn't happen a lot), the LED's would remain flashing so in the event of a signal loss, my pulse would soon be locked on again and wouldn't be an issue. 

I have the following questions:

1) Has anybody else found that the Garmin optical sensor through loss of signal turns off until you take the watch off and change the ambient light it receives, and is there a way to keep the LED's flashing?

2) Is Fitbit's system better than Garmins? I never really had this issue with my Ionic device.

3) Anyone with tattoos on their arms (sleeves) have this kind of issue?

Help and/or tips would be gratefully received. 

Carl. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Hi,

    I'm pretty keen on getting the Vivoactive 4 but I have wrist tattoos and I can't find any stores with a working demo to test the HR function and their return policies won't allow me to return it after 'connecting' the device. Has anyone with wrist tattoos had any success with the HR monitor?

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to 3501955

    Watching this with interest. 

    I've been with Garmin a few months now, and I think a short answer to your question, and my original post above is; it all depends on the tattoos. 

    My arms and wrists are covered too. Now, my Fitbit Ionic wouldn't have so much of a problem of providing me with a HR reading. However, the Forerunner 245 I borrowed didn't work at all with my ink, but the VA4S I previously had was able to work if I kept it on a particular part of light coloured ink that I have on both sides - but quite often moved and when it did, it wouldn't read and then the LED's would just switch off periodically. 

    I'm currently using the VA3 (downgraded somewhat) and the sensor is a bit smaller, so it sits on the lighter coloured part of my ink more flush - which means I get more accurate data. 

    In a nutshell, depending on the colours, saturation and location of your tattoos, these devices are definitely affected. After using 3 different Garmin products in the last year, I can vouch for that. 

    Would be nice to see others feedback on this. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    I found a store that was willing to refund me if my wrist tattoos stopped the HR monitor from working so I bought the unit and I'm happy to say it works fine. My tattoos are black and grey and there are clear spots of skin around the wrist. Obviously every case will be different but that's my experience for what it is worth.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I have put a clear epoxy sticker on the sensor of mine and it works great

    I think there's something that tells the sensor it is not on your arm so it times out and with the sticker the sensor always runs