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Hrm-pro compatibility with Vivoactive-04

Joseph
over 4 years ago

As I understand the hrm pro heart rate strap, isn't compatible with the vivoactive-04,but will at least give me heart rate reading to my watch...correct me if wrong

The data the strap collects, would this be compatible with the connect app, and would they sync together on the app, I assume this would work

There are other Garmin heart rate straps, like the hrm-dual, which would probably be what I need, but I like the idea that the other heart rate straps, provide data, which might help with improvements 

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I don't have any specific insight, but if you mean "will HRM-Pro broadcast data to VA4" it should do that (along with other ANT+ /BLE HRM straps - so in that sense it's compatible.

    If you mean that "will HRM-Pro upload stored data to VA4 when watch reconnects to HRM (using HRM without watch)" I'm guessing that it won't, since VA4 is not listed as compatible with HRM-Pro  on the Garmin website. 

    As far as GCM phone app goes, I'm guessing that it may not ever get the data from the strap either, since the description implies that data is uploaded to the watch first (which info suggests won't happen), and then to the GCM app from the watch. For example, if I wear my VA4 while cycling and separately record the ride with my Edge 520+ (paired with it's HRM strap), then the HR data on the GCM app shows only the VA4 optical HR data (which for me with a scrawny/bony left wrist is typically less than that from the Edge/HRM strap at the same time). If I look at the Edge520+ activity in detail (which does get added to the GCM), the HRM strap HR data is there (more accurate than the optical HR data from the VA4 on my wrist at the same time), but the 2 data sets never get merged.

    What I actually do: HRM strap is paired to VA4, activity started on VA4 (bike indoor so as not to use GPS), at end of ride VA4 activity is stopped and discarded but duiring that time the data on the watch was coming from the MRH strap rather that the optical sensor, keep the activity recorded on the Edge520+. This way I get accurate HR data during exercise, matching what is being recorded on the the Edge520+)

    Again, I have no specific experience with the HRM-Pro (which the Garmin website lists as "Ready to ship in 3–5 weeks"), but my interpretation of the available information is

    • If you have a need for HR (and other data, eg running cadence) to be recorded offline (ie not wearing watch) and later uploaded to watch, then you will need a device other than VA4 to achieve that
    • if offline data collection (without wearing watch) for later upload is NOT needed, then you would be better off with one of the existing cheaper HRM straps rather than the HRM-Pro
      • the HRM-Pro should work as a more accurate source of HR data during intense exercise than the VA4 optical sensor, but the extra features and cost are not likely to be of any benefit

    If you haven't already, i suggest you read DC Rainmakers review here

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to ianmiles

    Just wondering if anyone has further information on this (VA4  and HRM Pro)

    My old HRM (pre HRM dual) chest strap is now unreliable and looking to replace it. Trying to decide if I get HRM Pro, of save some dollars and get the HRM Dual

    Reading further, it seems that if I check that the HRM Pro is connected, then start an activity (eg pool swim), stop the activity on the VA4 when done, and sync both VA4 and HRM Pro with Garmin Connect. I understand that the watch will not get the data directly from the HRM Pro, but DC Rainmaker review referenced above seems to suggest that Garmin Connect Mobile will recognise that the HRM Pro data belongs to the VA4 swim, and overwrite the optical HR data with the HRM Pro data.

    Can anyone confirm that my understanding is correct?

    I'm less interested in the running dynamics data (which I understand will not display real time on the VA4), but if it also ended up associated with a running activity recorded on the VA4 once both synced with GCM, then that would be a bonus ...

    Thanks for any insights

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to ianmiles
    ianmiles said:
    I understand that the watch will not get the data directly from the HRM Pro,

    Correct.

    ianmiles said:
    but DC Rainmaker review referenced above seems to suggest that Garmin Connect Mobile will recognise that the HRM Pro data belongs to the VA4 swim, and overwrite the optical HR data with the HRM Pro data.

    Incorrect, I think. Garmin Connect will not replace hr data from the watch with hr data from the hrm-pro for a timed activity. It could fill in the gap in the 24/7 hr data timeline, but I assume that would depend on your "preferred tracker" setting.

    ianmiles said:
    I'm less interested in the running dynamics data (which I understand will not display real time on the VA4), but if it also ended up associated with a running activity recorded on the VA4 once both synced with GCM, then that would be a bonus ...

    The hrm-pro does not by itself collect running dynamics data, so there is no way to get running dynamics without a watch featuring running dynamics.