General Discussion Triathlon Talk » I need a new HR strap Rss Feed  
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2016-03-03 6:52 PM

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Expert
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: I need a new HR strap
Compatible with 920XT and 510. The one I have is reading WAY too high, almost all the time. Could it possibly just need a new battery?

If so, could I just take it to a watch shop? I have no idea where I'd find tools small enough to turn those screws.

If I need a new one, that's OK. Which one are most replacing their premium strap with?

Thanks.


2016-03-03 7:15 PM
in reply to: nc452010


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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap
I took mine to one of those battery only type specialty shops. They can test your battery to see if it is good or in need of replacement. Mine was bad. New battery and it's all good now. And yes, it was reading erratically as the battery was going bad.
2016-03-04 7:09 AM
in reply to: nc452010


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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap
I have a 910xt and I recently replaced my Garmin strap with a polar strap because I was consistently getting low readings. I bought the Polar strap because internet opinion suggested that the Garmin straps are unreliable and the Polar strap is superior. I'm getting what I believe to be much more accurate readings with this Polar strap and my Garmin monitor, particularly on the bike.

One bit of warning though. The rubber surrounding the snaps on the strap where the monitor connects on the polar strap was raised quite a bit higher than the garmin strap. So right out of the package my monitor kept popping off. I took some scissors and trimmed the rubber down and the garmin unit connects perfectly. I'm getting heart rate data that feels much more accurate. So you may want to consider this. If for some reason it doesn't work you are only out $15 on the strap but based on my experience and based on what I've read in other places this is a decent solution.
2016-03-04 7:23 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Master
2406
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Bellevue, WA
Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap

A too high reading is the common symptom of needing a new battery. 

And yes any watch shop could do it, but it's really quite easy. You could buy a set of jeweler's screwdrivers at Home Depot or any hardware store for a few bucks.  Or a glasses repair kit at any drugstore like Walgreen's or Rite-Aid.  They come with the small Philips screwdriver you need. The battery is the very common CR2032 you can get just about anywhere.  It's that about-the-size-of-a-quarter thin flat battery.

So yeah. Go to the drugstore, buy a glasses repair kit with screwdriver and a battery. Voila.

2016-03-04 9:00 AM
in reply to: nc452010


319
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Sarasota, Florida
Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap
I'm using the Polar strap and seems to be all right. Every once and a while it either drops by half or spikes but that's usually a sign that it needs to be cleaned with soft soap and it starts working again. Also discovered a problem with a gated community that temporarily messes up my readings. I'm not convinced it's the most accurate since I only have the cheap FT4 but it looks right and most the time matches manual readings and treadmill readings within 0-5 bpm usually within 2.
2016-03-04 9:17 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Melbourne FL
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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap

I've never seen a HR strap that requires jewelers tools to remove the battery.  All I've used (Polar, Timex, Wahoo) have had a large circular cover that you can use a quarter to twist and open.

That said, I just purchased and received a Wahoo Tickr HR strap, they must be coming out with a new model as it was $10 off.  I bought as it dual band ANT+ and BT.



2016-03-04 11:03 AM
in reply to: brucemorgan

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Expert
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Middle River, Maryland
Silver member
Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap

Originally posted by brucemorgan

A too high reading is the common symptom of needing a new battery. 

And yes any watch shop could do it, but it's really quite easy. You could buy a set of jeweler's screwdrivers at Home Depot or any hardware store for a few bucks.  Or a glasses repair kit at any drugstore like Walgreen's or Rite-Aid.  They come with the small Philips screwdriver you need. The battery is the very common CR2032 you can get just about anywhere.  It's that about-the-size-of-a-quarter thin flat battery.

So yeah. Go to the drugstore, buy a glasses repair kit with screwdriver and a battery. Voila.

And while you're at it, some reading glasses so you can actually see what you're doing.  Or maybe that's just me.  :-/

If you're going the new HR monitor route, I'd recommend the Scosche Rhythm wrist band: 

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/05/scosche-antbluetooth-optical.html

 

2016-03-04 11:29 AM
in reply to: Donto

Master
10208
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Northern IL
Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap

Originally posted by Donto

I've never seen a HR strap that requires jewelers tools to remove the battery.  All I've used (Polar, Timex, Wahoo) have had a large circular cover that you can use a quarter to twist and open.

That said, I just purchased and received a Wahoo Tickr HR strap, they must be coming out with a new model as it was $10 off.  I bought as it dual band ANT+ and BT.

I have, think it was older Polar, like T31 or T61? Newer things have had the large slot for the quarter to twist out.

2016-03-04 11:57 AM
in reply to: brigby1


265
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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap
Didn't mention that my strap is a Polar and it seems to work well. Occasionally while on the bike a flapping jacket or shirt will cause a high reading but I have read this is somewhat common.
2016-03-04 1:29 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Extreme Veteran
565
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Jenison , MI
Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap
I went thru two Garmin straps then switched to a Polar and it's been great ever since. Will never go back to the Garmin strap.
2016-03-04 1:34 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap

I went through a few Garmins and even after changing the batteries (myself) couldn't get them to last more than a few months.   Even had garmin send me a replacement once.  Tried the polar strap route.  Worked until it didn't

December bought a scosche rhythm.  So far so good, only problem is remembering to charge it and not sure how i'll use in on race day.  I wear it on the upper bicep.



2016-03-04 1:42 PM
in reply to: nc452010


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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap

Originally posted by nc452010 Compatible with 920XT and 510. The one I have is reading WAY too high, almost all the time. Could it possibly just need a new battery? If so, could I just take it to a watch shop? I have no idea where I'd find tools small enough to turn those screws. If I need a new one, that's OK. Which one are most replacing their premium strap with? Thanks.

 

Here's the real deal:

 

NO heart rate monitor straps last forever. I suspect the leads eventually corrode from the corrosive sweat, even if you wash it and rinse it regularly. Mine last about a year, tops, before it gets super glitchy. Battery changes mildly improve the situation, but not by much if your strap is close to a year old. 

 

You unfortunately have to replace them. I haven't found any strap better than any other one, despite the DCRainmaker recs on alternative straps - they die too, and about the same rate (no surprise.) You just have to budget it into your triathlon expenditures per year, but do take advantage of the warrantees which Garmin etc. typically honors very readily.

2016-03-04 6:23 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Pro
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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap

New battery is the easiest thing to check.  they last about 9months to a year.  CR2032 as identified above.  They're cheap and readily available.  Might as well just replace it and see if that fixes the problem.

Next:  Straps wear out, but the snap in electronic boxes last much longer (years).  So, if you've had your strap for 9 months or more, you can just replace it with a new strap.  they're fairly inexpensive.  something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Monitor-Replacement-Garmin-Transmitters/dp/B00U2SXACU

In the winter- sometimes the air gets dry, and you may be experiencing static interference.  Try spraying your shirt with Static Guard ($5 at the supermarket).  Or, getting some contact gel (look up spectra 360 on amazon- it's also cheap).

If none of these work, then buy a whole new strap.  Or, consider an optical HR monitor (Mio Link or Scosche Rhythm +)

2016-03-07 8:13 AM
in reply to: morey000

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Expert
2852
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap
Cost me $10 to have the jewelry shop replace the battery, Saturday. We'll see if that solves the problem. I'll be running, tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.
2016-03-07 10:14 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap
I have the Mio Link wrist strap (compatible with ANT+ and Bluetooth, works with my Garmin 910xt plus many iPhone apps) and I'll never go back to a chest strap!
2016-03-07 11:27 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap

I replaced the battery in mine and I'm still getting ridiculous spikes, especially when I first start my workout until I'm about 10 minutes in.  I ordered a Polar strap to replace it.



2016-03-07 12:21 PM
in reply to: #5170406

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap
I have the Scosche Rhythm and will also never go back to a chest strap (although they may be less anoying to the non bra wearing contingent).
2016-03-08 5:19 AM
in reply to: RussTKD

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Expert
2852
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap
Well, oddly enough, I was looking for my timing chip straps last night (my first tri of the season is this coming Saturday) and found that I'd purchased (though I don't remember doing it) a Polar strap at some point.

I guess I'll give that a whirl, too..........if I'm still getting erratic readings.
2016-03-08 11:44 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Austin, Texas
Subject: RE: I need a new HR strap

General/related question.  Is it possible for two different straps to just give consistently different readings?

I lost the strap that came with my 920XT, which read the same as my last two or three straps (a couple Garmins and a cycling brand I can't remember).  I just got a replacement strap - one of the new Garmin straps that even reads (if not transmits) underwater.

My HR is definitely higher than before.  And not just cuz I'm out of shape (also true), but even the highest readings are consistently like 10 bpm higher than in the past.  Pretty sure my previous max HR (which I've recently exceeded on just a regular hill run) hasn't actually changed...  Seems like it's consistent and high, with a factory new battery.

I wonder if it's either a strap to strap difference (seems unlikely) or just that the factory shipped a battery that seems to be working fine but might be nearing end of life?

Thoughts and opinions solicited...

Matt

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