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Innacurate HR

Former Member over 6 years ago

Recently got 935. When running HR, when just wrist measured, is significantly higher than true reading (using another device and checking manually - being doing that professionally for 40 years so hopefully getting it right!). Readings anything from 20 to 35 higher. Spoke to Garmin - no solution so watch replaced. New watch no better. Changed wrists, adjusted tightness of strap etc but no better. Bought HRM-Run (although somewhat goes against reason for buying 935). For first 10 minutes of run thought watch and chest strap were going back as readings so high and then suddenly started to give accurate readings and stayed ok for next 60 minute. Under "tips for erratic heart rate data" with HRM -Run the advice is "warm up for 5-10 minutes". I can do but the first 10 minutes is giving such inaccurate data affecting the analysis of my run and it's a pain in the proverbial....
My questions:
1. Has anyone experienced this problem with device only monitoring and is there any solution to the problem with monitoring only from wrist?
2. Is there any solution to the chest monitor problem or will I have to warm up for 5 to 10 minutes before getting accurate data - (or just return watch and monitor)?
Any help for a newbie appreciated and apologies if this has already been covered.
Steve

0 slugly over 6 years ago

The WHR technology is just not ready yet for really accurate readings. It is usable IMHO as a 24/7 approximate reading and more an interesting feature than anything remotely reliable during an activity. I compared it to my chest-worn HR devices and it is off at least 10%. Especially the high and low readings, which makes it unusable for me personally during an activity.

I also bought the HRM-run and am quite happy with it. It is on par with my recent Suunto device.

Does it sit properly on your chest? Are you wearing any synthetic clothing? This might affect the reading of the electronic pulses. Also, do you apply water on the chest/chest strap before putting on the belt? Water helps transfer the electronic impulses to the belt.

0 mcalista over 6 years ago

First the chest strap. What you are experiencing is pretty common, and is caused by poor electrical contact between skin and sensor pads. Fortunately, the fix is simple - just moisten the pads before your workout. Once you are 5-10 minutes in, the body's natural sweat takes over. The problem is exacerbated by low temperature and low humidity conditions, static electricity being generated by the fabric of some technical running tops, and salt buildup in the strap over time from sweat (make sure you wash it regularly).

Re the wrist OHR, you mention tightening the strap, but you don't mention positioning. It is important that the watch be on the fleshy part of the wrist, well away from the wrist bone (this is much higher than most people are used to wearing a watch). This gives the OHR a deeper blood supply to measure, and also gives a better "seal" against external light entering the sensor from the watch bouncing on the wrist as you run. I find that personally, I have to have the wrist band one notch tighter for accurate measuring while running, than I do for 24/7 monitoring. I generally find I get pretty accurate wrist OHR results, and the times that I don't, it is usually because I have forgotten to tighten the wrist band. It is worth adding that most OHR devices struggle to follow rapid changes in heart rate, so for interval training you are better off with a chest strap.

0 Dr Phil over 6 years ago

just moisten the pads before your workout.

Don't just moisten it, thoroughly soak the strap. I put mine under running warm water and squeeze out the excess water before wearing it. Also, don't forget to follow the care instructions for the strap. Basically, rinse thoroughly after use (I rinse mine in the shower) and air dry. Wash with light detergent after every 7 uses.

0 mrw_y2k over 6 years ago

I always lick the 'contacts' on my HRM-Tri before putting it on and have never had any issues (provided it's picked up on the device before the activity's started, of course). Also wash mine at least every 3rd use, usually after every use throughout summer.

I've noticed the massive spikes (240+bpm) on the Last 4 Hours screen (which I read on here was a bug related to picking up the HR strap after the activity had ended) appear to be fixed with 9.75

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

mrw_y2k You lick it before every use, but wash after every 3? Mmmm! :)

0 Dr Phil over 6 years ago

And people wonder why they have issues! That is just such an unhealthy practice that it beggars belief!

0 mrw_y2k over 6 years ago

That is just such an unhealthy practice that it beggars belief!

I also swim in the English channel, take in the occasional mouthful of sea water and I'm still alive. Trust me, licking the contact of my HRM strap doesn't even register on the scale compared to that.

0 stevecush over 6 years ago

Thanks for all the advice. Sorry not to have replied earlier but technical problems logging in. Have repositioned watch as suggested but not run with it in new position without chest strap. Had wet strap but yesterday I drowned it and it seemed to work, so a result.

Incidentally not sure why TMK17 and philipshambrook are worried about licking the strap and not washing it again after each run - saliva is sterile and at least it's mrw_y2k 's own spit, not his running mate's!!!!

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Incidentally not sure why TMK17 and philipshambrook are worried about licking the strap and not washing it again after each run - saliva is sterile and at least it's mrw_y2k 's own spit, not his running mate's!!!!

I'm not worried about it at all and it's not one's own saliva I based my comment on. It's the sweat and anything thing else from one's body that gets on the strap after use. Too each his own.:)

0 stevecush over 6 years ago

I'm not worried about it at all and it's not one's own saliva I based my comment on. It's the sweat and anything thing else from one's body that gets on the strap after use. Too each his own.:)

Was only joking - would want to wash it myself after a run :D