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955 Heart Rate Issue - Does it happen on other models?

MrZon
13 days ago

I want to move on from the 955.  I am sick of the heart rate issue.

The issue I am referring to is the one where you start a run and the watch shows your heart rate as abnormally low for 10-15 minutes and then suddenly locks on to your actual heart rate.  I have had the problem for about a year and I have read the threads about the heart rate issue on the 955.  I read them last winter when it was happening all the time and it is still happening. 

This morning I went for a brisk 10k with a friend, and my 955 didn't lock onto my actual heart rate until 3.5 miles into the run.  Its insane.. it showed my heart rate was floating around from 118-120, then suddenly kicked up to 160, which is where it was for most of the run.  I'm so sick of this.. its been almost a year of dealing with it and the data from my run this morning is all screwed up which means the data getting analyzed is all screwed up. 

I have been in touch with garmin support and they sent me a new watch and it has the same issue if not worse.  Every software update is going to be one to fix it and it never does. 

Does anyone know if this problem is exclusive to the 955/965 watches or does it go beyond this?  I am potentially interested in fenix 7 pro but only if I can be done with this software problem. 

I cant seem to get an image to load in this text editor, but here is a screen cap of my heart rate for my 10k today: https://imgur.com/fH7OgSa

  • 0 13 days ago

    Yes, other models of the same generation (255, 265, 965, Fenix 7, Epix 2) have the same issue. This is caused by a firmware update 8 months ago.

  • 0 13 days ago in reply to reflecx

    Probably the list should include Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 since they have the same sensor as Fenix 7 pro.

    The only way to avoid OHR issues is: STOP upgrading firmware! Assuming you still have a version less than 18.xx.

    To solve the issues with FR955 I downgraded the firmware to 17.26. Went first for 17.24 and then 17.26. This version does not give me OHR issues. It does have some other problems but I'm ok with that. The downgrade is similar to backdating Fenix 7 series as described by Garmin only the file location is different. The key is to have right firmware files. The files can be found in Garmin Express installation (Win or Mac) if you ever used it.

    I upgraded to Fenix 7X pro SS and avoided the latest watches because for previous generation (Fenix 7) firmwares with working OHR can be found. The latest watches have no features I desire and no previous firmware to go to for a working OHR. I got the Fenix 7X pro SS with 16.22 and I have no intention to ever update it.  

  • 0 13 days ago

    I don't know what's going on inside the company, but it seems that Garmin is simply afraid to make changes to the sensor software - I have no other explanation.

    This happened after they unified the software for the maximum number of similar models - from fr55 to fr965.
    Along with the lack of instant pace - something below the average for 20-30 seconds, the watch turned into a music player with a display where I can see the stryd and chest strap readings. 

    PS I can't insert a link to a f8 forum - but it don't work well on a 1k$ watch too.

  • 0 13 days ago in reply to reflecx

    Thanks.. and bummer.  I was hoping I could just ditch the problem.

    I was so pissed yesterday that I spent $500 on a running watch that had inaccurate heart rate readings for over half of a 10k.. 

  • 0 12 days ago in reply to MrZon

    You can try downgrading your firmware as described by 5258636. I'm still on 15.19, and the OHR doesn't give me issues.

  • 0 11 days ago in reply to reflecx

    Any version before 18.22 should do it in respect with OHR. I chose 17.26 because thats what I had. All versions will have, of course, various issues but this is Garmin :(

    The OHR debacle started here: Forerunner 955 series version18.22. Among other things in the change log:

    • Improved optical heart rate performance in cold weather.

    Garmin knows exactly what changed and when but choses to ignore it. 

  • 0 10 days ago

    It sounds incredibly frustrating to deal with the heart rate issue on your Garmin 955. Many users have reported similar problems, particularly with the heart rate not locking on properly during runs. This issue seems to be prevalent among various models, not just the 955/965 series.

    If you're considering the Fenix 7 Pro, it's worth checking forums and user feedback to see if others have experienced the same heart rate issues with that model. Garmin's support can be helpful, but it may take some time for them to address these persistent software problems. You might also want to explore using an external heart rate monitor for more accurate readings during your activities. 

    Hopefully, the next software update will address these concerns for all affected models! 

  • 0 10 days ago in reply to 5258636

    Thanks for the info.  Interestingly, the heart rate issue seems to be much worse in cold weather so they really messed that one up. 

  • 0 9 days ago in reply to 1837602

    When one pays the amount of money the Garmin asks for these models and advertise them as working one should not "hope for a fix".

    Looking at Garmin when I say this. No offense intended to other users in the same boat.