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 Adrian s 3 months ago in reply to 3809777

Is your smell bacterial / sweat like, or burnt / chemical like the hrm pro plus?

0 Data 3 months ago in reply to 3809777

Replace the strap with any Garmin/Polar/No brand ANT+ HRM-sensor-compatible strap. 5 Euro or so.

0 5980673 3 months ago in reply to Data

You can’t replace the strap on the HRM pro plus

0 3809777 3 months ago in reply to Adrian s

It smells like leather or somthing similar to leather

0 Data 3 months ago in reply to 5980673

I was responding to someone who had a problem with a HRM Dual.

0 PhilBA 2 months ago

Mine has exactly the same problem after about 4 months of use, having followed the rinsing and washing instructions regularly. It’s like a cheap plastic smell that is now so strong it’s nauseating. I can’t offer a solution but glad it’s not just mine!

**Update** 27th August
I contacted Garmin support, and, even though I bought the strap from a third party via Amazon, they’re sending me a replacement. it took them about a week to reply to my initial email, but then resolved in 24 hours. They asked me how I cleaned it, which was as per the guidance, and that was all. It must be a common problem.
I’m sure the new HRM Pro Plus strap will have the same issue, as it seems to be the plastic sections that are the source of the smell - as others note, the elasticated section is fine.

0 fljones3 2 months ago

When mine starts smelling, I handwash it in WIN detergent. I usually do it once a week. Takes care of the smell.

0 osu4jasper 2 months ago in reply to PhilBA

Any soaps I've used just add wet to the melted plastic smell.
So disappointed it was such a nice device.

0 osu4jasper 2 months ago

I've used the original HR monitor, then the dual. No smell to any. They were nice no step support though.

The pro melted on me (smell AND little red marks on my skin). Smell was intolerable.

So far first week the HRM FIT is going good no smell. Nice step support.

0 Adrian s 2 months ago

I've let my HRM pro plus to soak overnight in Frosch detergent and the smell has subsided considerably. Unfortunately it reoccurs pretty soon.