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Recommendation for a HRM

Hello folks!

I have a VA4S and I am thinking of buying a HRM. However, I am a bit unsure into which one would be the best for my use cases:

- I always wear the VA4S

- I do jogging and cycling almost exclusively. No swimming or activities that forbid using a watch

By default, I have the phone Bluetooth connection disabled on the watch and I enable manually when I want to sync. This is not a dealbreaker if the HRM requires bluetooth connection on, but I understood that I could use the ANT wireless connection and that syncs with the watch on real-time, correct?

Fortunately money is not a big issue, but I wouldn't like to pay for features that are not compatible with my Vivoactive or features I just don't need. For instance, the HRM Run has the running dynamics stuff but looks like it is not compatible with my device. Is this something that I would be able to see on the Garmin Connect website, or is it mandatory to have a recent FR/Fenix/etc device?

I also read the Garmin HRM-Pro review from dcrainmaker and from there I concluded that I might not need more than a basic HRM-Dual considering that my Vivoactive 4S is a bit limited anyway. Does anyone have any better recommendation than the HRM-Dual for my case? Thank you in advance!

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  • but I understood that I could use the ANT wireless connection and that syncs with the watch on real-time, correct?

    Correct.

    has the running dynamics stuff but looks like it is not compatible with my device. Is this something that I would be able to see on the Garmin Connect website

    No.

    or is it mandatory to have a recent FR/Fenix/etc device?

    Not necessarily very recent, but rather more running-oriented.

    Does anyone have any better recommendation than the HRM-Dual for my case?

    HRM-Dual will be good for your needs, but you could consider buying a cheaper non-garmin ANT+ strap, if you can find one. Will work as well as the very expensive HRM-Dual. I use an adidas-branded generic HR strap, which cost me 15 euro, and works like a charm.

  • Thank you! I will settle with the HRM-Dual then. I have seen it around 40 euros and, even though I can find similar products supporting ANT+ in Amazon, the price difference is not that large.

  • hi tmk2, I'm exactly in the same condition, I have a VA4m so I cannot connect the HRM-Run and the Dual would be just fine. I have a question about your generic strap, do you connect it directly to the watch or via bluetooth to the mobile telephone? 

    thanks Slight smile

  • Directly to the watch.