measurement HR is now very bad

I love my 165 (19.18). First 2-3 months was all OK but now few FW measurement HR is useless for training! Watch show 100-120 bpm and my real is too high (160-180 sometimes i use HRM). Please Garmin FIX IT! THX

Top Replies

Garmin-Sierra 4 months ago +1 verified

All,

Please view Garmin Watch Optical Heart Rate Accuracy Tips for the best results. If you are still consistently seeing inaccurate heart rate data during activities, we would love to investigate. Please…
Vizi 4 months ago +5

All of newer Garmin watches (Forerunner 165, 255, 265, 955, 965, Fenix 7 and Epix pro and non-pro versions) have this same problem. I would not be surprised that it affects all watches of newer generation…
socorsu 4 months ago +5

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-965/360704/18-20-19-18-hr-bug-still-here/1801427#1801427

Garmin-Sierra said:

All,

If you have not yet contacted Product Support directly…
7207431 5 months ago +2

Same. I just bought the FR165 and I regret so much. Totally usless. I dont know if this was different before. But when my HR is around 180, it shows me 130. When my HR is 60 it shows me 80.

I am so frustrated…

All Replies

0 Saganist 4 months ago in reply to socorsu

Might want to make sure people know they have to go that post and upvote, not upvote your post

0 Garmin-Sierra 4 months ago in reply to Saganist

Thanks everyone. Yes, please either comment or vote up on THIS comment so I can look into it for you.

0 Sieds 4 months ago in reply to Vizi

What do you base these claims on? I'm considering getting the FR165 as a replacement for my VA3, which has lost it's HR function a week ago. But this sounds like getting myself a HR chest-strap would be a better solution...

0 Vizi 4 months ago in reply to Sieds

They are not claims but facts.

Read for yourself in Garmin forums, here are just 2 examples for forerunner 265 and 965:

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-265-series/362213/heartrate-so-inaccurate-that-my-watch-is-basically-useless-for-training

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-965/360704/18-20-19-18-hr-bug-still-here?pifragment-1279=1#1801427

Same issues are present on forerunner 255, 955, fenix 7 and epix as well, which you can see from forums for those watches.

0 Saganist 4 months ago in reply to Sieds

I got the FR165 two weeks ago and haven't had these particular issues, THAT said I'm not a runner, but I do exercise that hits into the 170's...so far I can say it is definitely more accurate than the FitBit Luxe

0 Sieds 4 months ago in reply to Saganist

Well i think i will just buy it and see for myself. I used the VA3 for almost 6 years and never had any serious issues other then the known limitations of the technology used. Until last week that is. I never expected the VA3 battery to outlive the HR sensor though...

0 Jacquers 2 months ago in reply to Garmin-Sierra

I got a FR165 this week and did a workout with it. HR was lower than expected, so I put my 255s on my other wrist after +-10 minutes. There were times when the two agreed, but the HR on the 165 was often lower and had sudden spikes / drops, which the 255s also had, but the 165 seemed worse.

I'm in South Africa and you may contact me.

I have the fit files and a graph, which admittedly doesn't line up well due to the difference in when I started recording w the 255s. I'm planning on repeating it with an external HR sensor as well. Hopefully this can be improved on with a FW update, because currently the data doesn't seem reliable.

Garmin HR Data

0 7905136 2 months ago in reply to Garmin-Sierra

Yes to both questions. Have this issue and it's way off compared to my HR strap

0 7796726 10 days ago

I'm having the same issue.

0 Saganist 8 days ago in reply to 7796726

The fact is, Garmin's HR sensor algorithm isn't as accurate as even my old FitBit Luxe...is it more precise, yes, but not more accurate. Multiple times, I'll be doing body weight exercises and the watch tell me my HR is 42 BPM, well below my resting HR. Yes, that may be what the sensor is actually detecting because of sweat, etc.. but even my FitBit Lux was able to process the raw data and spit out an accurate result. Garmin's sleep and HR detection aren't getting better while others are improving theirs to try and catch up to Apple. Am I happy with my 165, yes...will I look for a more accurate device in the meantime, yes. I'm very glad I didn't spend the burn money on a 265, 965, or Fenix.