HRM Working - but not during a run

I'm guessing it's not getting a lock on your heart rate before you start your activity.

You can try to go to the "run" activity screen and wait a few minutes to see if it locks on to your heart rate. You'll know it's locked on once the heart icon stops blinking and you actually see your heart rate on the screen. Once it's locked on, you can start the activity.

This is a pretty common issue and there are a few workarounds if you search through the forums. I've found the new beta firmware has greatly improved the heart rate lock time. If you're interested in trying it, you can refer to the download and instructions here:
http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=10450

If you're still unable to get it to work, I would reach out to Garmin support.

thanks scottj2 - does that mean even though it's already getting my heart rate, when you select an activity it tries to lock on in a different way?

I honestly don't know how Garmin handles resting vs activity heart rate locking, but it appears they're different.

You might want to try various levels of tightness and trying the watch in different locations on the wrist a well. I've had success wearing it further away from my wrist bone and wearing it one notch tighter when I run.

Let me know how you make out.

thanks scottj2 - does that mean even though it's already getting my heart rate, when you select an activity it tries to lock on in a different way?

If you are not doing an activity, it does not necessarily "have" your heart rate, but rather a guess based on the last sample ... I believe it "smart" samples every 15 minutes or so (or when it senses a certain amount of movement) so when you start your activity (a Run for example) it is usually not locked onto your HR. As Scott said, wait for the blinking heart to go solid on either the standard HR widget or on the Run activity screen ... that means it has locked onto your HR and you should now have a recorded HR for your entire run. Also, in the Run activity menu, you can choose 'Smart' or 'Every Second' sampling ... I use Every Second which I am certain would be more accurate.

Max

Workaround

This workaround works for me.

When the HRM is not working on the Run activity, perform the following steps:

1. Remove the watch and wipe the HRM sensor and any sweat form the wrist.
2. Wear the watch a bit tight on the wrist
3. Go to Heart rate by pressing the down v symbol and then press ^ and Broadcast Heart Rate. [This will trigger the heart rate sensor manually]
4. Wait for 10-15 seconds or till you get your actual heart rate and then exit the screen
5. Start the Run activity and you will get the HRM lock.

Hope this helps. Please give your reviews.

If you are not doing an activity, it does not necessarily "have" your heart rate, but rather a guess based on the last sample ... I believe it "smart" samples every 15 minutes or so (or when it senses a certain amount of movement) so when you start your activity (a Run for example) it is usually not locked onto your HR. As Scott said, wait for the blinking heart to go solid on either the standard HR widget or on the Run activity screen ... that means it has locked onto your HR and you should now have a recorded HR for your entire run. Also, in the Run activity menu, you can choose 'Smart' or 'Every Second' sampling ... I use Every Second which I am certain would be more accurate.

Max

Hi,
I have had the same issue during the last two weeks. Unfortunately the only solution I have found is to reset the watch. Immediately after the reset, the HR appears again, fast and quickly under the RUN activity.
Is there any ideas about rolling back the latest update? I think this might be the root cause of the issue.

Thanks