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FR 235 HR Readings using Chest Strap nowhere near correct

I like the FR 235's optical, wrist based HR monitor for measuring my HT throughout the day, but I like using a chest strap for my training. The manual says the defat is to measure HR from the wrist unless a different monitor is paired to the watch and detected.

"The default setting for the Forerunner 235 is Auto. The device uses wrist-based heart rate automatically unless there is an accessory heart rate monitor connected to the device.

Select Menu > Settings > Heart Rate Monitor > Off."

I have a Garmin HR Chest Strap that I've paired to the FR 235. The HR will not read properly. It reads just fine on my older FR230 and even older FR 25, but there seems to be an issue with the FR 235 not performing with a paired chest strap as stated in the manual.

Has anyone else had this issue? How did you resolve it?

0 scooterv45 over 6 years ago

Select Menu > Settings > Heart Rate Monitor > AUTO

THEN

Settings > Sensors and Accessories > Add New.

Make sure you are WEARING the monitor and hit the Add New and it will then detect your HR Chest Monitor. After it's been added it will Auto Detect that sensor anytime it is active and in range. Note, these sensors are ONLY used when in an Activity, go back to the Home Screen without an activity running and your heart rate will be read using the wrist monitor.

Provided there hasn't been a "hickup" in the changeover. If there is a Hickup you won't get any heart rate reading at all and will have to Re-Start your watch by cycling it OFF and then ON to get it sorted out. Yeah, BTDT numerous times.

0 Sandy_Murray over 6 years ago

scooterv45, I just bought a Garmin HRM-DUAL for use with my Instinct. I cannot get it to pair. I have watched the Garmin video, read the instructions, and tried multiple times to connect it. It continues to fail to detect it, and tells me to wear the device while detecting. I AM wearing the device. The sensors are wet.I have powered down the watch and powered it back on. Have I missed anything? How many times is reasonable to cycle the power on the watch?

0 Sandy_Murray over 6 years ago

BTW, the HRM did pair with my iPhone, though my Garmin Connect program continues to moan that there was a problem with paring, even though the iPhone says that it has paired successfully. Do you suppose that the iPhone may be interfering with proper pairing of the HRM to the Instinct?

0 Sandy_Murray over 6 years ago

UPDATE: Powered OFF Garmin Connect. Powered OFF Instinct watch. Wetted sensors and attached HRM. Powered ON watch. Menu, Settings, Sensors and Accessories, Add new, External Heart Monitor, BINGO! Found and attached HRM. Note: Once one removes the HRM, it appears that one has to return to the settings to turn the sensor off, in order to resume wrist monitoring. It MAY return to that by default if the HRM is not used for a time.

0 NickMN over 6 years ago

I have had multiple straps in use with my 235 and after the intial pairing I have never had to adjust any settings after that. If i do activity with strap, it works with strap. If strap is at home and I only wear watch, it uses optical.

Shouldn't require intervention unless strap is being near by, by a friend or something.

0 Sandy_Murray over 6 years ago

NickMN, exactly. My Dual HRM auto pairs immediately when I put it on and disconnects when I take it off. I found today that it even connects to the treadmill at the Fitness Centre I attend.

0 NickMN over 6 years ago

Sandy - I recently got the Dual as well for that purpose - always hated to check wrist for HR monitoring while on TM when 'it could be right there on screen' ! lol

I have a heck of a time keeping mine linked (Bluetooth), and when I can get it to connect (~60%) it flashes blank often almost every second or two. Does yours do that? (i'm using a nice Matrix treadmill at gym) Mine seems to work great and consistent with Spin Bike and also Wahoo Fitness app on my Android. But I think in both of those cases it is using ANT+

0 Sandy_Murray over 6 years ago

NickMN - mine has been rock steady - sorry - I cannot remember the make of the equipment at the Fitness Centre.

0 Rerun201 over 6 years ago

Thanks, Scooter. Issue resolved.

0 Sandy_Murray over 6 years ago

NickMN Sorry, I did not get notification of your post. Mine does not lose connectivity unless it slips down a little low on my chest.