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Weird swim activity HR

Hi, I recently purchased a Polar Verity Sense and paired it with my 245. On my first swim today with this setup, I found the HR data doesn't jive. The top graph is direct from the Polar unit. This graph makes sense according to my workout. The bottom graph is from the 245. I connected the Verity to the 245 for the swim, but, while the graphs follow the same trend, there are obvious differences. Is there some setting I'm missing to have the 245 actually use an external HR sensor instead of the on-watch sensor, which it seems like it did during this swim? Thank you.

Top Replies

tmk2 over 4 years ago +1

The FR245 cannot use external sensors during swimming activities, because 2.4 GHz radio waves do not travel through water, so the internal sensor is used.

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0 tmk2 over 4 years ago

The FR245 cannot use external sensors during swimming activities, because 2.4 GHz radio waves do not travel through water, so the internal sensor is used.

0 mrscientist over 4 years ago in reply to tmk2

Thank you for your response. Then is the only way possible to use an external HR sensor while swimming is by using the HRM-SWIM, -TRI, or -PRO?

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to mrscientist

mrscientist said:
Then is the only way possible to use an external HR sensor while swimming is by using the HRM-SWIM, -TRI, or -PRO?

Yes and no. Now that I've confused you I'll explain. Those straps record and store heart rate for swimming and then transfer the data afterwards. I don't believe the 245 has this capability and the only option to record HR while swimming with the 245 is with the oHRM. The 735 and higher models have the capability to use a strap while swimming.

0 mrscientist over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

Thank you for your response. It looks like the 245 is compatible with the HRM-SWIM, https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/forerunner245/EN-US/GUID-25D5488F-33D8-4209-A4CA-2A932998F15F.html#. I do have those and have used them with other watches, but I was trying to use an external sensor that is less obnoxious than a chest strap.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to mrscientist

mrscientist said:
It looks like the 245 is compatible with the HRM-SWIM

Are you certain? This is what I'm finding for the compatibility list.

buy.garmin.com/.../010-12342-00

0 mrscientist over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

The link I posted is from the 245 online manual. ‍♂️

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to mrscientist

Interesting that Garmin contradicts themselves. I use a 945 and 935 with my TRI and don't own a 245 or SWIM. Have you tried it out to see which is correct? Maybe someone else here has tried it and can provide some insight.

0 mrscientist over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

I tried this morning. and I'm pretty sure the 245 and HRM-SWIM are not compatible. Although they connect, the 245 does not download the HR data after the swim, like what happens on other HRM-SWIM compatible watches, and the HR data does not look as clean as from my Polar Verity. Garmin HR Polar HR

Edit: Also, according to this post, the 245 is not, in fact, compatible with "Heart rate from external HRM".https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-245-series/252793/for-swimming-garmin-swim-2-or-forerunner-245