First run shows to low heartbeat,120 instead of 160

Today my first 5k run with my new vivoactive 5, nice Statistics but the heartbeat is wrong. Should be around 160 but shows around 120? I set all the setting in my profile correctly. Did I missed some settings that cause this? Or do I need to wait more then a week to let the sensor algoritme align with my profile?

  • It should work every time if you wear the watch correctly (ideally few fingers above the wrist bone and tightened but not too tight, so it does not bounce on the wrist but is firmly in place without preventing blood flow). Also, clean the sensors if the are dirty from grit, dust, sweat, whatever before the workout. 

    That said, Garmin has introduced some changes in HR algorithm in software updates introduced during last 8 months, and those changes result in bad HR accuracy for running most evidently. It might also be that is the cause of your problem, but first make sure that you are wearing the watch correctly. 

  • OK thanks for your feedback. I will come back after my next run to be sure I wear the watch like you stated.

  • Today my second 5k run and wore the watch according Vizi advice, but no improvement the the HR is still in the same range 120-130 bpm.
    My previous watch (Polar Unite) had a few time the same issue dropping during the exercite from 160 range to 120 range. 
    However this Vivoactive 5 HR, didn't hits the 160 bpm range!
    Looks to me the HR algoritme is not functioning properly? 
    Should I raise this issue to Garmin?  

      

  • As I said in the second paragraph of my first reply, HR algorithm is messed up. Contact Gatmin supoort and let us know if they fix it. My guess is they will not.