Optical sensor is on even when outside HR strap is connected?

Many comments on this in the forums , its a new behaviour Garmin implemented. (They have commented on some of the forum posts in this regard)

Someone also posted this link

https://the5krunner.com/2024/03/11/new-undocumented-garmin-heart-rate-feature-now-silently-live-at-least-in-beta/

forums.garmin.com/.../1744165

Here's a link to the original forum post, which has more context in the thread, as opposed to the5krunner article which only has a screenshot (notice how they didn't link it, likely on purpose.)

(This one comment is basis of the entire article btw)

https://forums.garmin.com/beta-program/fenix-7-series/f/community-discussion/360515/hearth-rate-problem/1737727#1737727

Garmin-Laurie said:

I do understand the concern with the battery life, having the OHR enabled while using the HRM. However having this enabled is by design. The change is for a couple reasons. The first is consistency in HR/HRV throughout. So if one HR method is dropped, the other will pick is up. The 2nd reason is for Garmin Pay. When your OHR is disabled during activity, Garmin Pay cannot be used without a PIN code, because the watch is treated as "Off-Wrist". So keeping this enabled, allow Garmin Pay to be used during activities. 

The latest 19.13 gives option to avoid this.

forums.garmin.com/.../public-beta-version-19-13---100

1160946 said:

Garmin devices frequently receive software updates to improve functionality and address bugs. It's possible that a recent software update altered the behavior of the HR sensors, resulting in the on-device optical sensor remaining active even when an external HR strap is connected.

This account is clearly an AI spammer. Here’s another stilted, non sequitur (*) comment they posted elsewhere.

(* considering they’re not a garmin employee)

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-955-series/362957/955-future-firmware-updates-2024/1773930#1773930

Thank you for your suggestion regarding future firmware updates for the Garmin 955 watch. Providing users with the ability to switch between the Optical HR sensor and Heart Rate Band via a hotkey option would indeed offer greater flexibility and customization in monitoring heart rate during various activities. 

Note that when you select and copy the text of their other post, there’s a spam link in it (although it’s not currently visible otherwise **)

(** seems like yet another forum bug - if the link has been hidden pending moderation, then it shouldn’t be available when you copy and paste. if the spammer found a way to insert invisible links, that’s also a bug, although it doesn’t seem like it would be very beneficial for a spammer to insert a link that people can’t click on)

EDIT: mods, the post under me (7274487) is another spammer. The visible text is clearly boilerplate nonsense, and it’s followed by an invisible link (white text). You can see it if you highlight everything and quote it.

This seems so silly. Who is paying for something while they are running with a chest strap? I get the overlap for drop outs but the idea you need it for Garmin Pay makes no sense to me.

It's not just Garmin Pay.  What is Heart Rate Dynamic Source Switching? | Garmin Customer Support