wheelingmike

Lately, my Garmin soft strap HRM has been acting up. Sometimes it doesn't pair up with my Garmin Edge 800. Sometimes it shows I have a heart rate of 240! I heard so many bad things about the strap that I am looking for a more reliable alternative. It seems like wrist band HRMs, such as the Mio, have good reviews. For those that uses wrist band HRMs regularly, don't you get a nasty looking tan line in the middle of your arm? I would love to make the switch but this is the biggest concern I have. Thanks!

corrado33

THAT'S your main concern? A tan line?

Wrist based HR monitors don't work nearly as well as chest strap ones. They do work, but in my year of owning both, the wrist based one is far less consistent.

There are many reasons why a chest strap HR monitor wouldn't be working well.

Did you change the battery?
Is your jersey flapping around it?
Do you wet it before you put it on?

Seattle Forrest

I had a Mio Fuse, but did not keep it because it was less reliable than a chest strap. Also the battery life was very poor, I'd have to basically charge it before every ride or hike or swim, and even then, after a few months the battery wouldn't last through a whole outdoor swim. (Maybe the cold water had something to do with it.) But it was pretty accurate.

I have a Garmin Fenix 3 HR, a GPS watch with a optical wrist HRM. Garmin is so confident in their wrist HR technology that they bundle it with a chest strap. I use the chest strap whenever I do anything important where I want to know my actual HR.

My girlfriend had a Fitbit Charge HR, also a wrist-based HRM. It worked fine when she was sitting in the car, but at exercise intensity it was as good as rolling some dice.

wheelingmike

I know it's silly but yes, tan line is my main concern. I don't wear any watch or even my wedding ring when I ride since they leave a tan line.

It's really interesting that both replies favor a chest strap. The reviews I have been reading were favoring the wrist band type.

The strap HR monitor I have now has a 6 month old battery so I think it should still be in good shape. I do wet it with a little saliva before riding. It's not a probem most of the time. It's just annoying when it doesn't work. It seems to have more problem when the weather is cooler, like belowe 60 degrees.

gracehowler

We switched my wife to a helmet mounted sensor, it has worked well.
.LifeBEAM | Sensing the Human Race
It does leave a mark on her forehead for a while though!
R&J

gauvins

I wear a mio, typically under a long sleeve merino. Works well. Caveat is that sometimes the forearm swells and the band acts like a garrot.

largefarva

Cheap alternative to a wrist based HRM:

Amazon.com: Heart Rate Monitor USA Replacement Soft Strap (Works with Polar & Garmin Transmitters) (Med/XXL): Health & Personal Care

Your battery might need to be replaced, depending on how much you use it. I ride about 14 hours a week on average and it won't last 6 months I'm sure.

wheelingmike

This looks cool. How long have you had? I have to keep this in mind the next time I need a helmet.

wheelingmike

This is exactly what I'm talking about. The product should last at least one year of regular use. If it doesn't last 6 months, it's just not worth it, IMO.

largefarva

You do realize that I was talking about the battery with the 6 month remark, right? Expecting a tiny battery to last at least a year isn't always going to happen. It all depends on how much you use the thing.

wheelingmike

Whoops, my bad. A battery lasting 6 months, I can understand. Thanks for clarifying.

gracehowler

We purchased this when it first came out, better pricing then, I'm sure we are on our third season, battery life is very good, ie; time between recharges. Best part is accuracy.
R