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HRM Swim or HRM Pro+ for a Swimmer?

frankgalioto
8 months ago

Swimmer here looking for a chest strap to use primarily for lap swimming. The HRM Swim is 8 years old and lacks some of the features of newer models. The HRM Pro Plus is only $30 more. The HRM Swim has a non-slip strap designed for swimming, but is it that much more stable in the pool than the Pro Plus?  Will Garmin ever update the HRM Swim?  Or is The HRM Swim already obsolete, sort of like the FR165 now makes the Swim2 watch obsolete at the same price point?

What's my move here?  I'm leaning toward the HRM Pro Plus... as long as I can get the strap to work without sliding off on turns, etc.  

  • 0 8 months ago

    HRM Pro still slide off and will slide off in pool, unlike HRM Swim, there are reviews on youtube - take a look.

    The HRM-Pro Plus accessory is designed primarily for open water swimming, but it can be used occasionally for pool swimming. The heart rate monitor should be worn under a swim suit or triathlon top during pool swimming. Otherwise, it may slide down your chest when pushing off the pool wall.

    Just like FR165 doesn't make Swim2 obsolete. For FR165 the question doesn't make sense at all - they don't support external HRM* in the water

  • 0 8 months ago in reply to 4684381
    4684381 said:
    The HRM-Pro Plus accessory is designed primarily for open water swimming, but it can be used occasionally for pool swimming.

    For any swimming not just occasionally for pool swimming. As noted, if you do use the HRM=Pro(+) in the pool you do need to use it under a tight top - lycra triathlon top for instance - or it will slide down when you kick off the wall. I use it without a top in the sea and it's fine but not so secure in the pool. If you do use it in a pool make sure you thoroughly rinse it off in fresh water afterwards.

  • 0 8 months ago

    Another thought... my 945 LTE does wrist based HR on my swims.  That said I rarely look or use at HR when I swim, so its not super useful to me to be honest.  Otherwise the non-Swim (Run, Tri, Pro, Pro Plus) ones do tend to slide especially off the walls.  

  • 0 8 months ago

    If you want to swim in a pool, buy the 8 years old HRM Swim. It is the best tool for that job.
    I would never try to use my HRM Pro+ again in a pool, this is no nice experience (totally different in Open Water).

    If you get totally crazy and also want to wear one for all land based sports, buy the Pro+ as a second one because the Swim tends to chaff quite a lot.

  • 0 7 months ago in reply to BeneGi

    This is all helpful.  I think I will wait for a refresh of the HRM Swim as the connectivity in that model is pretty dated. 

    It would be great if Garmin just made an interchangeable swimming strap for the Pro/Pro+ as I am not sure the HRM Swim really needs to be a separate model

  • 0 7 months ago in reply to 4684381

    I now understand your comment that the FR165 or FR265 does not make the Swim 2 obsolete.  Neither the 165 or 265 are compatible with the HRM Swim (but they are with newer straps).  So it sounds like no lap swimming strap for me.

  • 0 7 months ago in reply to frankgalioto

    Have you tried WHR when swimming? I’ve found that it works a lot better than it used and more often than not agrees with the strap. 

  • 0 7 months ago in reply to Dr Phil

    I was comparing WHR from Fenix 6 and Fenix 7 with readings from HRM-PRO and data from the strap were different.
    Usually HR was higher from the strap.

  • 0 7 months ago in reply to Dr Phil

    I'm actually pretty happy with the WHR on my 265.  I was thinking about using a strap for the more anaerobic days where the wrist HR isn't responsive enough to keep up.  For the longer aerobic stuff though WHR is good enough.