cydewaze

While I do like my Garmin 510, I hate hate HATE the chest strap. It's uncomfy, sticky, and either feels too tight or like it's slipping. I find myself wearing it less and less, especially on hot, humid days.

Has anyone here tried using a wrist band sensor with there Garmin? Is there even such a thing? If so, did you notice any accuracy problems?

Just looking for an alternative to that chest strap.

rpenmanparker 

I use a Mio link with a Garmin Forerunner 50 watch as well as various iPhone apps. Not the same as a cycling computer, but it works great. No glitches that I can tell, but I don't download any data so I can't see it graphically. I just look at instant readout in real time and the full ride average at the end. Folks tell me that the wrist sensor does not supply the more complete heart function data that a chest strap does, just simple pulse rate, but that is all I am looking for anyway. I never could get a chest sensor to detect my heart rate until I had worked up a good sweat, but the wrist sensor is instant on. Sweet.

Mio is compatible via Ant+ or Bluetooth with lots of Garmin devices.

JohnJ80

I also use a Mio one with a Garmin Edge 1000. No issues and works well. The Edge won't record data from the Mio until you put it in workout mode. Apparently, it doesn't start broadcasting in ANT+ mode until you do that. When I use it with my phone in bluetooth, once it's paired, the HRM data comes across whether it's in workout mode or not.

I'm with you. I hate the HRM chest straps and won't use them as a result.

J.

cydewaze

Yeah I do the same thing. Actually, I could probably do with a green, yellow, and red light. My HR seems to always be in three zones. 130-135 if I'm coasting, 150-155 if I'm riding my normal pace, and 175-180 if I'm climbing. If it's a long, steep climb it'll get above that but 99% of the time it's in one of those three places.

But two votes for the Mio. I'll look at that one.

DaveWC

I used a Mio with my Garmin 500 and initially loved it, then hated it. It's great to wear, much better than a chest strap. But it quite often lost the heart rate, under reporting for 5 minutes at a time by 30-50 heartbeats. Then it would jump up to actual for 10 minutes. It really doesn't work well below 40ºF. I sold mine & go without HR and don't miss it at all.

rpenmanparker 

Well, I think all heart rate sensors are subject to some data losses, and I don't doubt your experience. Mine has been all warm weather so far. Optimizing sensor placement for personal quirks re: top of wrist or underside and wrist strap tightness can be of some help, but the system surely isn't perfect.

DaveWC

I wasn't saying that mine didn't work properly ONLY in <40ºF. It rarely worked properly then, but in warm weather there was typically a period of 5 minutes here or there where it reported HR about 30-50 beats below actual. I tried many positions but none had any appreciable impact. I know that all HR monitors have problems, my chest strap would often over report HR in the 200s for minutes at a time.

rpenmanparker 

Agreed.

DrIsotope

Using a Mio Link with Garmin 500. Have not had a single signal drop or data loss, not once, since I started using it. Pairs immediately with the Garmin, the second I push the power on the Mio, I hear the pairing chime from the Garmin. There is absolutely no chance I could wear a chest strap. I can't normally wear rings or watches-- hell, I can barely handle shirts with sleeves. I do also wear mine on the inside of the left arm, with the strap tight enough not to slip-- meaning I have the imprint of the monitor on my forearm for about 30 minutes after I get off the bike.

Vicegrip

While this does not go on your wrist it is not a chest strap type. I wear it on my arm just below my elbow or up under my jersey sleeve. I have found it easy to use and accurate as my chest strap without drops or battery problems. I snug it just enough to stay in place and it leaves no impressions or causes circulation cut off issues. I have not had the problems with battery life or inadvertent button pushes others seem to have had. So far so good. Highly Accurate Armband Heart Rate Monitor - Rhythm+

cydewaze

Nice, thanks!

cydewaze

REI has the Mio Link in a fugly color on sale for $60.

Mio LINK Heart Rate Monitor - Electric Special Edition - REI.com

But this sentence does not inspire confidence:

Wow! 14.4MPH! Not sure if I'll EVER go that fast!

K.Katso

I had the same experience. It's sitting in my junk drawer now.

WalksOn2Wheels

I don't think the chest strap is super comfy, but it's not something I even think about. But this idea that ALL HR straps are hit and miss? Where did that come from? I've put lots of miles on a Garmin chest strap and it's never given me bad data.

I did forget my HR strap for a post work ride and it did feel nice without it. The idea of a wrist strap sounds nice, but I had a hard enough time wearing one of those rubber charity bracelets. I think I took it off after a mile. Just really hot and uncomfortable.

I like the idea of the helmets coming to market that integrate a HR sensor, but I also like to wear a cycling cap to keep sweat out of my eyes. That and I'm picky about helmets.

Are there any low profile HR headbands?

yamsyamsyams

I also use the Schoche Rhythm+ HRM arm band. It is super accurate when compared to my chest strap but there are a few downsides:

1. Battery lasts around 9hrs max at a time, needs recharging often
2. Created weird/ugly tan line on your arm
3. Currently costs about $100

rpenmanparker 

I don't know about low profile HR headbands, but you would be cooler with a Sweat Guttr instead of a cap. Never becomes saturated with sweat no matter how much of it you produce. That would leave space for the HR headband.

Vicegrip

Agree to all 3 of the above with some modifiers.

1. Many folks don't bother to use HR on endurance rides. I did two almost back to back 200 mile + rides earlier this year and used the chest strap for one and nothing for the other. The chest strap double C pointed out what I already knew. I was loafing along at a sustainable for evar rate of 120 HR. (It doubles as a blinky in a pinch too. The 3 rapidly flashing LEDs can be seen from a good distance.

2. Tuck under jersey sleeve with strap or without. I have used my Schoche Rhythm with and without the strap under some of my tighter jerseys. (I have arms that belong to humans not "cyclists" and a jersey that fits the waist tends to be a bit snug in the arms, YMMV) Tucked under the sleeve right above the gripper is 100% pure comfort but I sometimes worried about it falling out even with it being snug and seemingly shake proof.

3. Paid 79.95 free shipping no tax. Close enough to $100 considering that is 2X chest straps. For some that is "Meh" money if it works well. for me getting kitted up and then thinking about the HR strap was a common occurrence. Slipping on an arm band after getting ready to ride = priceless.

Campag4life

Robert, do you have a pic of the Mio Link?...is the Mio Link Ant+?

WalksOn2Wheels

But then I would have to wear a Sweat Guttr. I'm way too vain for that. I might as well add a helmet mirror and a loose-fitting, hi-vis jersey.

cydewaze

Here's the Mio Link in a decent color:



REI says:

I'm thinking I could try the Mio, and if it sucks I could return it to REI and buy a Rhythm+ instead. I like the idea of the wrist mount slightly better than the arm mount. I could order it now and have it waiting for me when I got back from holiday.

f4rrest

I don't get what the problem is with the old school plastic Garmin chest strap. I don't even notice it there.

Maybe you guys have large chests or something...

rpenmanparker 

Ant+ and Bluetooth. But the Ant+ is proprietary and does not work with all receivers. Garmin is one brand that has good compatibility with it. Timex, not so much. The complete list of compatible decices and photos are on the Mio website. The Bluetooth is no problem though. Universal.

Sorry I don't have a photo on my phone. Not near the computer tonight.

Oldhead

I really don't notice mine while riding either but I think mine displays 20 to 30 beats higher then actual HR. I had a fit bit hr that showed way less and also had an ekg and stress test. The fit bit was right on with the ekg. For the workout that I got on the treadmill the ekg only had me in the 160's where I know the garmin would have shown me in the 190's by how I felt.

gregf83 

The only time my old Garmin strap reads high is at the start of a ride if I have a loose jersey and it flaps in the wind. When it's off it usually reads something like 240.

Nachoman

Yeah I've got two garmin straps and two polar straps sitting around right now because they all just don't give me consistent accurate readings.