Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
Reload this Page >

Lifespan of Garmin heart monitor

Notices
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets HRM, GPS, MP3, HID. Whether it's got an acronym or not, here's where you'll find discussions on all sorts of tools, toys and gadgets.

Lifespan of Garmin heart monitor

Old 11-29-18, 04:11 PM
  #1  
Hypno Toad
meh
Thread Starter
 
Hypno Toad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,700

Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,011 Times in 518 Posts
Lifespan of Garmin heart monitor

My Garmin chest strap heart monitor started getting flaky on recent rides, the reported heart rate doesn't match my Forerunner or my expected heart rate. This has been easier to notice when riding Zwift.

I changed the batteries in August, so it shouldn't be low batteries. Then I realized I've had the monitor since Aug 2013 (purchased with Edge 510) - I'd estimate nearly 2,000 hours of use. I don't expect these will last forever, thoughts?
Hypno Toad is offline  
Old 11-29-18, 04:26 PM
  #2  
Tourist in MSN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,112

Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.

Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3426 Post(s)
Liked 1,441 Times in 1,122 Posts
Batteries are cheap, try a new battery. And clean off the contacts in it that contact the battery first, maybe something like a plastic kitchen scouring pad on the contacts. I have a few devices that I find I need to clean the contacts in the device for best results.
Tourist in MSN is offline  
Old 11-29-18, 08:52 PM
  #3  
sour01
Rid'n Rev
 
sour01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Daphne, AL
Posts: 131

Bikes: 2007 Felt F55, Vintage Univega, 2012 Specialized Mountain Bike

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 4 Posts
I’ve had the same problem and the battery wasn’t the problem. Ended up buying a new chest strap and that fixed the problem.
sour01 is offline  
Old 11-30-18, 08:51 AM
  #4  
Hypno Toad
meh
Thread Starter
 
Hypno Toad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,700

Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,011 Times in 518 Posts
I'll give it a cleaning the contact and replace the battery. If the issues persists, I'll buy a new one ... not too much to spend if you can expect 5+ years and 200,000 hours. $33 for just the monitor - or $50 with the chest strap.
Hypno Toad is offline  
Old 11-30-18, 07:48 PM
  #5  
Bmach
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,082
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 439 Post(s)
Liked 263 Times in 161 Posts
Mine needs to be cleaned every 3-4 weeks. I take some laundry detergent in a Tupperware container put the strap in shake it up let it soak, repeat a few times the Rinse it out. Finishing my 3rd year with mine.

Last edited by Bmach; 12-14-18 at 11:07 PM.
Bmach is offline  
Old 12-01-18, 06:38 PM
  #6  
Dunbar
Senior Member
 
Dunbar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,079

Bikes: Roubaix SL4 Expert , Cervelo S2

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I was killing the Garmin HR soft straps every 6 months from my sweat. After I got a power meter I stopped riding with HR. I remember hearing that the rigid ones last a lot longer but they aren’t as comfortable.
Dunbar is offline  
Old 12-01-18, 06:56 PM
  #7  
DrIsotope
Non omnino gravis
 
DrIsotope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SoCal, USA!
Posts: 8,553

Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu

Mentioned: 119 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4905 Post(s)
Liked 1,731 Times in 958 Posts
I went through three Mio wristband HR monitors before I finally tapped out at bought the Garmin. I've had it ten months (600+ hours of use,) and it's been flawless. The Mios run anywhere from $60-80 ( I had two Links and a Velo) while the Garmin soft strap model is $43. If it lasts another two months, I'll feel like I got my money's worth. Anything beyond that is gravy. As far as maintenance, I just wear it into the shower once a week.

I'd say just buy a new one. A new soft strap is $29, and the whole thing is $43. As soon as mine starts acting weird, I'm just buying a fresh one.
__________________
DrIsotope is offline  
Old 12-01-18, 09:22 PM
  #8  
Seattle Forrest
Senior Member
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,645 Times in 6,054 Posts
Originally Posted by Dunbar
I was killing the Garmin HR soft straps every 6 months from my sweat. After I got a power meter I stopped riding with HR. I remember hearing that the rigid ones last a lot longer but they aren’t as comfortable.
I had the rigid one for at least half a decade before it finally kicked the bucket. The only other strap I've had for more than a year is the swim one, and I don't use it much. I've had two HRM-Runs die after less than a year, and the strap and transmitter aren't separate on that one.
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 12-01-18, 10:02 PM
  #9  
jimincalif
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Meridian, ID
Posts: 2,331

Bikes: '96 Trek 850, '08 Specialized Roubaix Comp, '18 Niner RLT RDO

Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 123 Times in 83 Posts
I’ve had to replace the strap approximately annually. Was using Polar straps as they worked better for me than Garmin, at least til the last one that lasted just a couple months. Three and one-half years in the transmitter unit itself died. I replaced that and it came with a new style Garmin strap that has been flawless for three months but now I’m occasionally seeing flakey readings again.
jimincalif is offline  
Old 12-02-18, 09:45 AM
  #10  
John_V 
Senior Member
 
John_V's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5,585

Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times in 85 Posts
My wife bought an older style Garmin HRM that she seldom used and gave it to me. It lasted about a year before it started giving false readings. Replaced it with a Wahoo Tickr in 2013 or 2014. Still have the same unit same strap no problems. I use it 6 days a week wearing it between 3 to 5 hours/day. I know this thread is about a Garmin HRM but the Tickr is dual band and will work with any Ant+ HRM.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily

2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
John_V is offline  
Old 12-02-18, 04:14 PM
  #11  
zacster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Brooklyn NY
Posts: 7,702

Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Liked 456 Times in 358 Posts
I have the Garmin and it gives me trouble too. It is at least 5 years old and it came with a watch that my wife bought. Since I have a Wahoo Bolt, Kickr, and the other sensors, I'll probably buy the Tickr too when the time comes.
zacster is offline  
Old 12-02-18, 09:12 PM
  #12  
yamsyamsyams
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 305
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 20 Posts
I’ve used mine for about 5 hours a week for over 5 years and still going strong! Garmin soft strap “premium” model. This includes uses in open water as well for tri (although it doesn’t transmit the data until I get to the bike).
yamsyamsyams is offline  
Old 12-11-18, 06:34 PM
  #13  
Hypno Toad
meh
Thread Starter
 
Hypno Toad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,700

Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,011 Times in 518 Posts
After running the chest strap through the wash (delicate setting with mild soap), no more issues. Must have been dirtier than I thought. Time to keep racking up the miles on this one!
Hypno Toad is offline  
Old 12-12-18, 01:16 AM
  #14  
rifraf
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Perth Australia
Posts: 1,008

Bikes: Surly Ogre, Extrawheel Trailer

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 122 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times in 30 Posts
I've read other threads on this topic, perhaps on other forums, and thought it might be worth a mention that I remember posts suggesting more than a few enjoyed success with eBay bought generic chest straps that had the clip on domes that worked with Garmin sender units.

These were purported to be significantly more budget friendly than the genuine Garmin strap.
rifraf is offline  
Old 12-20-18, 12:53 PM
  #15  
Photokid1970
Newbie
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Pleasant Grove, AL
Posts: 28

Bikes: 2015 Trek DS 8.3, Trek Pilot 5.2

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times in 8 Posts
I have a Garmin HRM that has been running fine for a year - I only use it for 3 or 4 rides during the week, so maybe not as much use as some of the others here, but it has been excellent. I've changed the battery a couple of times already. Bought a generic strap from Amazon as a backup, but I haven't even needed it yet.

FWIW, I just purchased the Viiiiva HRM so I could use my Garmin Ant+ sensors with Zwift on an iPhone. I didn't need a new HRM, but I figured I could use the Viiiiva as a bridge and then coax my wife into using the Garmin when she goes riding with me. Anyhow, the chest straps are interchangeable! I like the Garmin strap better, and it's already sized for me, so I just switched out the head units. Works great.
Photokid1970 is offline  
Old 12-20-18, 02:47 PM
  #16  
bbbean 
Senior Member
 
bbbean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,689

Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 413 Times in 246 Posts
Originally Posted by Hypno Toad
My Garmin chest strap heart monitor started getting flaky on recent rides, the reported heart rate doesn't match my Forerunner or my expected heart rate. This has been easier to notice when riding Zwift.

I changed the batteries in August, so it shouldn't be low batteries. Then I realized I've had the monitor since Aug 2013 (purchased with Edge 510) - I'd estimate nearly 2,000 hours of use. I don't expect these will last forever, thoughts?
My first one (hard strap) lasted about a season and a half, and got a little buggy. 2nd one (soft strap) lasted about 2 seasons and got a little buggy. When the third one got buggy I bought a Wahoo Tickr.

FWIW, I ride roughly 400 hours a year, so I think a $50 HR monitor that lasts 600-800 hours without problems is a pretty good deal. Bought the Wahoo more because I wanted to monitor HRV than out of any disdain for Garmin.

BB
__________________

Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton

bbbean is offline  
Old 12-26-18, 03:16 AM
  #17  
srode1
Gravel Rocks
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 298

Bikes: Trek Domane and Crockett, BH G7, Niner RLT9, RLT9 RDO

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 38 Times in 29 Posts
Just need to wash the strap once in a while and change the battery when needed. I haven't had one fail yet. I wash the strap by throwing it in the laundry bag with bibs about weekly. I once had one of the snap on parts not work after a battery change, let it sit without a battery in it for a couple days and then put a new battery in - viola, it worked and is still working 12 months later!
srode1 is offline  
Old 01-01-19, 12:16 PM
  #18  
cccorlew
Erect member since 1953
 
cccorlew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000

Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times in 21 Posts
I've had mine since before 2008. I've never washed it (am I supposed to?) and it works fine to this day. Am I just lucky?
cccorlew is offline  
Old 01-01-19, 05:58 PM
  #19  
DrIsotope
Non omnino gravis
 
DrIsotope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SoCal, USA!
Posts: 8,553

Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu

Mentioned: 119 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4905 Post(s)
Liked 1,731 Times in 958 Posts
When un-buttoning the monitor from the Gamrin soft strap this afternoon, my fingernail scraped against the inside of the strap, and what come off was decidedly... green. And I was under the impression that I was maintaining mine fairly regularly. It immediately good a good soapy scrubbing in the sink.
__________________
DrIsotope is offline  
Old 01-02-19, 08:21 AM
  #20  
Hypno Toad
meh
Thread Starter
 
Hypno Toad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,700

Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,011 Times in 518 Posts
Originally Posted by DrIsotope
When un-buttoning the monitor from the Gamrin soft strap this afternoon, my fingernail scraped against the inside of the strap, and what come off was decidedly... green. And I was under the impression that I was maintaining mine fairly regularly. It immediately good a good soapy scrubbing in the sink.
icky!
Hypno Toad is offline  
Old 01-02-19, 11:28 AM
  #21  
bbbean 
Senior Member
 
bbbean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,689

Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 413 Times in 246 Posts
Originally Posted by cccorlew
I've had mine since before 2008. I've never washed it (am I supposed to?) and it works fine to this day. Am I just lucky?
Do you ordinarily wash things you wear next to your skin while you engage in sweaty activities?
__________________

Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton

bbbean is offline  
Old 01-05-19, 11:14 AM
  #22  
cccorlew
Erect member since 1953
 
cccorlew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000

Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times in 21 Posts
Originally Posted by bbbean
Do you ordinarily wash things you wear next to your skin while you engage in sweaty activities?
Ha! Yep, I do. I'm a wear-it-once-then-wash guy.
I think, after reading this, that I must have a different strap. Mine is plastic, and the monitor doesn't snap on. So I just give it a wipe every now and then. I think actually washing in a machine would destroy it.
cccorlew is offline  
Old 01-07-19, 06:02 AM
  #23  
Jumpski
Full Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Thailand
Posts: 279

Bikes: Bianchi Infinito CV disk, and rim brake

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Liked 89 Times in 60 Posts
I too have the rigid one, and is @ five years old. Still no problems other than replacing the strap. I recently got a deal on Craig's list for a spare one with strap.
Jumpski is offline  
Old 06-16-19, 07:42 PM
  #24  
Hypno Toad
meh
Thread Starter
 
Hypno Toad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,700

Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,011 Times in 518 Posts
Update: the HRM had been mostly better, but still reporting odd data from time-to-time. Like in the Royal (167-mile gravel grinder), I'd check the screen to see low heart rate while climbing. I could move the crest strap around and it'd read more realistic numbers for a while but start flaking out again.
Recently it stopped reporting data during rides. I dug around to find Lisa's old Fenix and tested my HRM with that chest strap ... Problem fixed!
It appears the crest strap was breaking down (delamining?). I'll post if anything else changes.

Last edited by Hypno Toad; 06-17-19 at 02:47 PM. Reason: typo
Hypno Toad is offline  
Old 06-17-19, 12:59 PM
  #25  
sdmc530
Heft On Wheels
 
sdmc530's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,124

Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times in 346 Posts
I can only get about 4 years out of mine before the go bad. Just a tough life.
sdmc530 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Koyote
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
26
09-26-19 01:08 PM
wheelingmike
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
11
05-17-16 06:55 AM
mrfreezesdefy3
Road Cycling
24
04-13-16 09:44 AM
Elduderino2412
Road Cycling
24
03-15-13 09:26 AM
waltersc
Road Cycling
12
04-21-10 09:15 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.