HR/ANT+ dropouts may be fixed with Sensor Version 5.8

People saying 645 works fine.

I'm not sure "fine" would be the correct word. Though it doesn't seem to have as many problems as the VA3, there are several issues being dealt with since it's release.

Still getting my watch HR drop from its proper reading down to a low value and taking its time to ramp up. Last few rides.

Getting pretty tedious now, I can't do any cardio without it inbuilt HR dropping out, yes I understand it's being worked on but seriously, how long are we meant to wait and will Garmin be honest enough to tell us if they can't resolve it?

Just checking in to see if Garmin fixed the problems with sensor drop outs but looks like its still an issue. Glad I returned mine. Long live REI!

Getting pretty tedious now, I can't do any cardio without it inbuilt HR dropping out, yes I understand it's being worked on but seriously, how long are we meant to wait and will Garmin be honest enough to tell us if they can't resolve it?

It's really sad. I am quite disappointed.

Simply put, the watch does not provide the features I paid for.

I had (have) the sam problem with VA3 HR dropouts and reconections of Garmin ANT+ sensors (speed, cadence and HR strap). I did factory reset and after that, for few bike rides, using HR strap (together with speed and cadence i didn't notice any problems). I suggest you all to try the same and write if that helped you to.
Today, i decided to use optical HR, with ANT+ speed and cadence and now problems are back. I will try next ride using HR strap again, but i think it was factory reset that helped fix thing for a some time, or until i used optical HR for the first time. I don't want to do factory reset every few days as solution. Before factory reset i had reconections using HR strap alone, without speed and cadence. I didn't have apportunity to test this again, now the reconections are happening again.
I own Garmin Edge 520 that works fine but i have to use watch together with edge if i wan't to add intensity minutes of ride to rest of activities because True up doesn't work with Edge. This is another big dissapointment I have with Garmin.

I had (have) the sam problem with VA3 HR dropouts and reconections of Garmin ANT+ sensors (speed, cadence and HR strap). I did factory reset and after that, for few bike rides, using HR strap (together with speed and cadence i didn't notice any problems). I suggest you all to try the same and write if that helped you to.
Today, i decided to use optical HR, with ANT+ speed and cadence and now problems are back. I will try next ride using HR strap again, but i think it was factory reset that helped fix thing for a some time, or until i used optical HR for the first time. I don't want to do factory reset every few days as solution. Before factory reset i had reconections using HR strap alone, without speed and cadence. I didn't have apportunity to test this again, now the reconections are happening again.
I own Garmin Edge 520 that works fine but i have to use watch together with edge if i wan't to add intensity minutes of ride to rest of activities because True up doesn't work with Edge. This is another big dissapointment I have with Garmin.

It is known that there are no HR or ANT+ dropouts when using an external HR ANT+ device. No need to do a factory reset. If you get HR dropouts with the HR strap, make sure you moisten the back with water before putting it on. It needs that to make a good connection.

This problem identified in this topic has to do with using the on board HR monitor (OHR). ANT+ dropouts are occurring when using the OHR and ANT+ devices such as cadence pr speed sensors..

I hope you are right although some previous posts say differently. I will try again using HR strap instead OHR.
I think factory reset is worth a try if problem will be the same with strap.
By the way i newer had any HR strap isues with Edge and i always moisten contacts so i didn't consider bad contact, but problems ocured during crossfit, which is a bit different than riding a bike so this could be possible.

It is known that there are no HR or ANT+ dropouts when using an external HR ANT+ device. No need to do a factory reset. If you get HR dropouts with the HR strap, make sure you moisten the back with water before putting it on. It needs that to make a good connection.

This problem identified in this topic has to do with using the on board HR monitor (OHR). ANT+ dropouts are occurring when using the OHR and ANT+ devices such as cadence pr speed sensors..

I would not say so. While using external HR somewhat helps with dropouts (I also use Cadence ANT+ and Speed ANT+) - it does not do it completely. I still experience disconnects two-three times within hour. Those disconnects are hard to spot in graphs, since - it is true speed and cadence can drop to zero naturally (stopped bicycle for example) and external HR - never looses track to pulse - thus as soon as it reconnects - it is back at normal heart rate, not ramping up like internal OHR from about 80.

So yeah, one of the biggest advantage of this watch (OHR with external ANT+ sensors) over competitors - is moot.

Just to add my voice to this, I have had my VA3 for 3 months now and had absolutely no problems until the release of version 3.5. With that release, every single run I have done (4 of them on various routes and distances) has had my heart rate dropping to 70 and then slowly climbing again. I have no other sensors attached, HR broadcast off and the only app active while running is DozenRun. Something definitely broke for me with the release of 3.5 and sensor 5.8 that was fine before.

I did a factory reset today - out of frustration that the heart rate keeps dropping more than hope it would fix the problem - and lo and behold, not a single drop out on my run!! I did 4 activities this weekend including three hikes and one trail run and they all had multiple heart rate drops. This run today, with absolutely nothing other than my reset VA3 - no apps or settings changed - was perfect, tracking my heart rate like it used to. Not sure why, guess I'll slowly start changing things to how I like it and see when my heart rate starts dropping out again.