That HR trace is complete fiction from start to finish because HR traces are NEVER perfectly linear like this one is. More tipoffs are the "drops", way too sudden and way too steep. I would suggest a soft reset of your watch to see if that will solve your problem. If not like me you will have to ALWAYS use a Chest Monitor for any activity more active that sitting. Talked to Garmin Customer Service recently and the rep I spoke to actually admitted the optical monitors just don't work well for some people and that "engineering is looking into the causes for this". BTW, in addition to having a 235 and Fenix 3 HR I also have a Scosch Rythm Plus and NONE of them are reliable when I am actually exercising. So I have plenty of experience with these issues and what I believe you are seeing is a HR monitor that hasn't attained a "lock" on the HR and is simply "making up" the trace for your heart rate based on the motion sensor.
I have try this morning by myself this issue. You can see my workout https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2479541161. I tried to increase pace progressively so that pace and HR were increasing side by side, but when reached about 155 bpp it stopped increasing even I ran faster every minute. I probably reache 170 bpp. I also attach here a screenshot in Android app, here you can see I increased pace but HR stuck and even decreased. that didn't happen with version 7.5. With versio 7.5 I even run intervals reaching up to 175 or mor. I would like to downgrade to try again this workout and compare.
I agree there may be an additional problem stemming from the update - but you have to be lucky to get consistent and accurate readings for anything other tan low intensity workouts. If you can bear it wear a chest strap the accuracy and consistency is worth it if you are doing HR based training
Results like that happpen on occasion it stems from not getting a lock on your HR at the start... and never gaining it throughout. If you allow for time for GPS lock... and a good steady HR during maybe some leg swings and walking... then start the run. There used to be a notice "optical HR ready" that would popup... but just try to give it a good minute or three before heading out for the run. (turn it on while tieing shoes, grabbing a quick drink, using the bathroom...etc)
yes, you are right, so I usually do this. In workout I posted I preset activity while putting clothes on, stay a while in window to fix GPS, then downstairs to street, pre-warm from home to start point. All about more than 10 minutes with watch in pre-start trying to fix optical HR. Then start the workout. So your idea could be the case, but I already try to fix HR before starting the workout.
Gaby_Ciclista I understand that you are saying you purchased the watch because it has wrist based HRM but that doesn't mean its the best solution for you if accurate HR is important to you for your training. At present if you want accurate HR for a range of activities then you are unlikely to get that from the Wrist based monitor. I suggest that you at least borrow a watch and chest monitor and run the two side by side then you will be able to get a guage of the discrepancies between the two and whether the Wrist based is good enough for your purposes
Dear JSRUNNER_ I understand wrist HRM could not be as accurate as chest HRM, in speed and value. I could understand a slower response to HR variation, and inaccurate measure about 2-3% as well, 4-5 bpp. What I cannot accept the HR measure stuck in a value irrespective of my effort running as explained. I also see FR235 in the past responding well to interval training with previous firmware. HR is important for me to training but not crucial, I would accept slower response an inaccurate measure in %, but not HR becoming stuck in a value. Al least I need a relation between effort and HR. I raised an issue to Garmin and the answer they have an open incidence FQC 21417. I also asked how to downgrade FR235 to 7.5 and compare performance, if they don't answer I will try a firmware I found in a webpage, Thanks for your answer.
Hi - yes understand that there is a specific issue that needs fixing here and you are not looking to train based on HR but just want a rough indicator of effort expended - just not quite sure what value you get from that - if you know it can be 5 bpm out that could put you a zone higher or lower than the zone you are actually in.
sorta - but.... zones change daily - heart rate is variable by 5-10bpm easily - fitness adjusts zones - etc...
However, if your doing a treadmill hill climb workout (maybe 4x8'/3')... its nice to know with a varying hill slope and pace - roughly midway through on your second repeat....if you are sandbagging it at 160bpm or legs are tired from yesterday... or on your way to a slow death 173bpm based on previous workouts and 'zones'. They can both feel very similar if you are tired vs fresh. +/-5... during workout...sure... but at least it should float around in that range. If you have your eye on it should help shine light on your bodies response to the workout.
if it doesn't work at all.... then you're kind of hosed - might as well not have spent the extra money on watch.... dissatisfied customer. :-/
