Garmin HRM Pro Plus strong offensive odor emanating from the chest strap

Hello fellow Garminians,

I have an issue with the Garmin HRM Pro Plus chest strap. After about 3 months of regular use (running), it starts to smell bad, like really bad to the point where its nauseating. I follow the care instructions to the T, rise after every use, hand wash weekly with mild detergent, rinse, hang to dry. The odor is unique in that it smells like something of a burnt electronic? Not sure exactly how to describe the smell but very pungent and fills the room and sticks to my clothes and skin. At first, I thought it was leaking something internally, Garmin kindly replaced the original unit, however the exact same issue has developed again with a new unit after 3 months of use.

I am wondering if anyone else experiences this. Is there a better way to clean it? Do all chest straps smell like this? Is it me?

I do enjoy using the unit for HR accuracy, but the smell is too much and I don't want to replace it again for a 3rd time only to have the same thing happen.

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0 tmk2 9 months ago

3828955 said:
I am wondering if anyone else experiences this.

Yes.

3828955 said:
Do all chest straps smell like this?

No, only those that have a similar design, i.e. for example the HRM-Tri.

3828955 said:
Is it me?

Sweat composition probably plays a role here, although it's actually the strap design that is the major factor, as it facilitates bacteria build-up under the fabric.

0 3828955 9 months ago in reply to tmk2

Do you know which strap design would be less prone to bacteria build-up?

0 tmk2 9 months ago in reply to 3828955

The issue with HRM-Tri or HRM-Pro design is that the central part of the strap has a layered design. Sweat gets under the outer fabric layer and the inside is not easy to clean. Any strap with a single-layer design would be easier to clean, thus making it less likely to produce bad smell. An example would be the HRM-Dual.

0 3828955 9 months ago in reply to tmk2

That makes sense. I have opted to try the HRM-Dual to see if it holds up better. Appreciate the help

0 philipshambrook 9 months ago in reply to 3828955

The big advantage of the HRM-Dual is that you can remove the module and machine wash the strap. That gets a much better clean than the hand wash you can only do with the one-piece straps.

0 tmk2 9 months ago in reply to philipshambrook

I've risked machine-washing the HRM-Tri strap several times. Probably something one should avoid, but the strap is quite old, and I used a gentle low-temperature wash cycle with some regular wash powder. The HRM-Tri survived, and the wash helped to remove the smell for some time.

0 eezytiger 9 months ago

I've been using an HRM PRO since shortly after release (over 2.5 years). I can't say I've been troubled by unpleasant odours. If it does get a bit whiffy (rarely) then I'll either wear it into the shower and give it a good wash with shampoo or stick it in the washing machine. I do always hang it up to dry after use or after washing and I never store it curled up.

No ill effects so far - just a fresh smelling strap.

0 philipshambrook 9 months ago in reply to eezytiger

eezytiger said:
wear it into the shower and give it a good wash with shampoo

This is what I do after virtually every run or bike ride. Then hang it up to dry. Can't say I've ever been troubled with a smelly strap.

0 9026971 7 months ago

Mine also smells like that, I've been using it for over 2 years and suddenly started to smell like burnt electronic. I opened the battery but it was ok. It doesn't smell in the device, it smells underneath from the strap. I washed it with vinegar and baking soda, I changed detergent, I putted also baking soda on it when it was dry, but nothing happened.

I don't know what else to do...

0 5735449 7 months ago

Same here. Petroleum-like, electronics smell from mine. I wash it with soap after every use. Gives me a headache.