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Best Accessories & Sensors for Garmin Devices – Your Recommendations?

5024402
4 months ago

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to enhance my Garmin setup and wanted to get some advice from you all. Specifically, I’m looking for recommendations on the best accessories and sensors that work seamlessly with Garmin devices.

Here are a few areas I’m interested in:

  1. Heart Rate Monitors – I’ve been considering the Garmin HRM-Pro, but I’m curious if there are other options that might be worth exploring.
  2. Bike Sensors – For those who use their Garmin devices while cycling, what’s your go-to cadence or speed sensor? Is the Garmin Bike Speed Sensor 2 a solid choice, or should I look elsewhere?
  3. Foot Pods – Any feedback on foot pods like the Garmin Running Dynamics Pod? I’m trying to improve my running form and would love some insights on which pod gives the most accurate data.
  4. Mounts & Charging Accessories – What’s the best mount you’ve found for biking or running, and do you recommend any third-party charging accessories?

I’m using a Garmin Forerunner 945, but I’m open to suggestions for other Garmin-compatible devices. Would love to hear what’s worked well for you!

Thanks in advance!

  • 0 4 months ago

    1. I have the HRM-PRO plus and its works well.

    3. There are no Garmin foot pods (apart form old ones if you are luckily enough to find them) RD Pod is for the waistband (not foot)and basically does the same as the HRM-PRO Plus as regards running dynamics, so you dont need that and the strap.

    Most newer Garmin watches report Running dynamics (apart from ground Contact Time balance) from the watches. My mind tells me the RD Pod and HRM pro Plus should be more accurate as their sensor are in the midpoint of the body.

    IMHO if you want proper HR data for many activities a HRM is imperative. 

    I use the 965 currently . Prior watches (started with the FR 201) included 610 620 630 745 955

    Don't cycle so can't comment on the others.

  • 0 4 months ago
    5024402 said:
    Heart Rate Monitors

    If you run and want running dynamics (that are more precise than those from the newer watches directly), you can go with the HRM Pro. Then you will need no running dynamic pod, which compensates partly for the higher price.
    Be aware, that the strap cannot be exchanged and personally I had problems with the straps electrodes after just one year (Garmin support sent me a replacement).

    If you „just“ need precise pulse, the HRM Dual is a solid choice and the strap can be changed. I also own one and use it for everything except running.

    5024402 said:
    Bike Sensors

    First: You don’t need the speed sensor, if you track your (sportive) bike runs with GPS! Its main purpose is for bikes where you don’t track (short or frequently interrupted) rides as an activity with GPS.
    Second: If you are willing to invest in cadence sensors, maybe think about a powermeter, which will give you much more information, including cadence.

    Personally, I have a one sided 4iiii Precision 3 and am quite happy with it, also that is not so very expensive. You can buy it pre-installed on a crank for different Shimano and SRAM series and then exchange the crank.

    5024402 said:
    Foot Pods

    Like S.M.R. wrote, there is no Garmin footpod available any longer.
    The running dynamic pod is no footpod, but to be clipped to the back of your trousers. And if you already use a HRM Pro, you don’t need it at all.

    5024402 said:
    Mounts & Charging Accessories

    For mounting a watch to the handlebar, this one:

    https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/11078/pn/010-11029-00

    Simple, yet effective and cheap. Also, if you don’t use the fasteners, you can change it between bikes (it will still hold by fastening the watches strap).

    I am happy with that.

  • 0 4 months ago

    The Polar Verity Sense is a very good and light heart rate tracker, compatible with my Forerunner 255 music and Edge 530.

    I have also the Garmin Pro Plus heart rate strap, but the additional features do not work on it. The calorie calculation and physio trueup functions are absolutely inaccurate. The heart rate strap is accurate, but the Firstbeat/Garmin algorithm behind is obsolete/inaccurate.